Warblers are migrating southward through my area at this time of the year. Although I can sometimes hear them, most often they stay hidden behind the foliage. I was happy therefore when I caught site of this Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum), one of our most common warblers, this past week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
When I initially spotted this little bird, it was feeding in the grass, as shown in the second image. The warbler was part of a small group and all of them appeared to be really skittish and took to the air when I was still a long way off. Fortunately one of them flew into a tree and paused momentarily, allowing me to get a mostly unobstructed shot of it.
Most of the warblers remain in our area for a short period of time, so I am never confident when or if I will see any of them. I guess that the best way to increase my odds is to spend more time outside with my camera at the ready.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice images, Mike!
I saw our first fall Palm Warbler last week and encountered a gang of four of them on this morning’s hike. It’s good to have them back!
(Many Palm Warblers remain in our area of central Florida during the winter and then by Easter they have all returned north.)
Nice! We’ve been hearing some exuberant tweeting around different places but I haven’t seen any warblers. It is very much chance, and getting out there.