One of the coolest spring birds in our area is the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), a tiny bird that is only slightly larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. I spotted this one last week in the trees at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has a distinctive call, so it is easy to know when one is around. Finding the bird, though, can be a real challenge because they are small, energetic, and spend a lot of time high in the trees. The trees are really starting to leaf out now, which adds another level of complexity to the challenge.
Several years ago I spotted a gnatcatcher’s nest (see my 2018 posting Gnatcatcher nest) and I am hoping to find one again this year. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers make their nests in a way that seems almost magical, using lichens and spiderwebs.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love this little gnatcatcher
Thanks, Tricia. They are so energetic, I almost wore myself out chasing this one around, trying to get a shot.
Haha – it was worth it though for such a fabulous shot.
Wonderful photos of this busy little bird! They are quite frequently seen and heard here in Southeast Florida, but, interestingly, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a nest! Thanks for adding the link to your previous post, too.
Thanks. Although I am usually focused on getting the next photo, I think it is useful for me to link to previous posts when I want to make a particular point. In a few months I will celebrate my blog’s ninth year anniversary. Inevitably I photograph the same subjects over and over, but each time feels different.
I believe my blog’s 7th anniversary is in June, and the same thing holds true. Other than travel and visits to new locations, I imagine many/most bloggers include the same subjects multiple times over the years.