Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus) migrate to my area for the winter, but I rarely see one, probably because they spend most of their time foraging out of sight in the underbrush. When I first spotted this one last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, it was in the shadows and its shape made me think it was an American Robin, another member of the thrush family. However, when it hopped onto this branch and was better illuminated, the spotted breast and lighter coloration made it really obvious that this was not a robin.
I was a little disappointed that I did not hear this little bird sing. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “the Hermit Thrush’s beautiful, haunting song begins with a sustained whistle and ends with softer, echo-like tones.”
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
You really captured the beauty of this bird. He’s not showy like a blazing red cardinal but I love all the different shades of brown and gray. You’ve done justice to this lovely bird.
Thanks, Ann. I am drawn to capturing images of all kinds of birds, even those with muted tones like this Hermit Thrush. I am pretty happy with the way that this image turned out and I think the soft background complements the subject pretty well.
I like how the soft focus makes the branches seem almost transparent, Mike. It really helps this guy stand out.
I can only take partial credit, Dan, for making that happen–it was a consequence of the angle that I chose to shoot from and the camera settings that I used. Trying to draw a viewer’s attention to the main subject is always a goal and it is definitely a challenge when a bird is mostly surrounded by vegetation. In my mind, a blurry background can be more interesting than a bright blue sky.
What a cute little bird! I have seen these before hopping around but I didn’t know what they were. I’m glad you identified them for me.
Thanks, Suzanne. When I first started to photograph birds, I could identify only a few of the more common ones. I have gotten much better over time, but still rely on my bird identification guide and on-line resources. In the field, though, my first priority is getting the shot. I follow what I like to call the old law of the West: Shoot first and ask questions later. 🙂
Haha! Your pictures and descriptions are helping me to identify more birds. 😁
Beautiful!
Very artistic!
Thanks, kenne.
I LOVE to hear thrushes calling in the woods – the fluting song reverberates in an ethereal way. Spellbinding.
I need to get better at recognizing bird songs. I love your description of the song, Eliza.
Once heard, never forgotten!
How I wish I could recognize the song of this most beautiful bird. They are a joy to find—good for you in getting a photo, Mike!
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Thanks, Mitzy.
These are always a great find as they tend to be reclusive. Very nice photograph, Mike!
Hope to hear them singing a welcome to Spring pretty soon.
Thanks, Wally. Our weather is definitely warming up–spring is almost here. 🙂
It certainly does have the shape of a robin, helping to make its ‘thrush-ness’ clear. I’ve never seen one, that I know of, but it certainly is lovely.
I think there are several other kinds of thrushes too, but this one is the only thrush other than the robin that I think I have ever seen. I say it that way because it is always possible that I have seen other species and not recognized them as what they are.
Our small woods attract Wood Thrushes and Ovenbirds but not Hemits. WIsh we did have them but all have lovely songs.Speaking of lovely, that describes your shot, Mike.
Thanks, Steve. I have felt a bit like a hermit this past year, but that is a different story. 🙂
Gorgeous capture with that mottled brown background. He’s a pretty bird, too.