Third time’s a charm

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Third time’s a charm

January 25, 2021 by Mike Powell

I was shocked and thrilled last Tuesday when I managed to find my Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) friend yet again at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This was the third day on which I have spotted this little beauty during a week-long period. I do not know for sure if he will overwinter with us or is just passing through the are, but every time I visit the refuge now, I search for him.

Each time that I have spotted the yellowthroat, he has been in a slightly different location, but always in the vegetation to the side of a trail that runs along the water’s edge. As you can see from these photos, arguably the best I have shot of this bird, the yellowthroat spends a lot of time foraging for food on and under the fallen leaves. It is not unusual for him to disappear from sight momentarily as he weaves his way through the vegetation, but his bright yellow throat makes him relatively easy to spot when he pops up in a new spot.

If you missed my earlier posts about this Common Yellowthroat, a warbler that is not usually present in our area during the winter, you can check them out at Yellowthroat in January and Yellowthroat Redux.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Canon 50D, Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA, yellowthroat | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on January 25, 2021 at 6:19 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

Beautiful! So fun getting photos of birds!

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on January 25, 2021 at 7:12 am | Reply Dan Antion

He is beautiful.
on January 25, 2021 at 8:26 am | Reply blhphotoblog

Superb images.
on January 25, 2021 at 8:43 am | Reply kathydoremus

Such a beauty!
on January 25, 2021 at 12:03 pm | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

I’m impressed 👏👏👏. Rarely see any small bird shots even close to this, well done.
on January 25, 2021 at 12:54 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Great images Mike! The yellow really stands out against the brown leaves!
on January 25, 2021 at 4:42 pm | Reply doerfpub

Definitely one of those birds that are hard to get in the tin – I think they mainline caffeine in the morning and then just play with photographers the rest of the day ha! Nice shots.
on January 25, 2021 at 7:05 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

That last shot has a particularly jaunty look – nice captures, Mike.
on January 25, 2021 at 9:42 pm | Reply rhudgins

Great pictures!
on January 26, 2021 at 10:38 am | Reply Ellen Jennings

He’s a snazzy fellow, Mike. Learning birds’ behavior and favorite habitat pays off. Glad you got to see him again.
on January 26, 2021 at 11:12 am | Reply Sherry Felix

These little guys often do overwinter.
- on January 26, 2021 at 11:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  That’s good to know. They are small enough to be able to remain hidden from view pretty easily, despite their bright yellow throats.