During a short period in the spring and again in the early autumn, migrating warblers move through the area in which I live. Occasionally I will manage to get a shot of one during the spring, when the warblers are sporting their colorful breeding plumages. During the autumn, however, their plumage is duller in color and the leaves on the trees block them from view, so I rarely see a warbler (though I can hear them) and even less frequently photograph one.
On Tuesday during a visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted a flash of yellow high in a tree. Although I did not get a good look at the bird itself, I knew immediately that it was some kind of warbler. I focused on the area in which the bird moving about and watched and waited, snapping off shots whenever even the slightest bit of yellow was visible.
I never did get an unobstructed shot of the warbler, but different shots helped me to identify various features of the bird. In the first photo, for example, I can see the gray head and white eye ring. In the second and third images, I can see the extent of the yellow underparts, the white wing bars, and the moderate streaking.
What kind of warbler is it? I went through my bird identification guide—I use the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America—and decided that it was possibly a Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia). I was uncertain of my identification, though, so I sought confirmation on a birding forum on Facebook. Shockingly I was correct in my identification. I think I have about a 50 percent success rate in correctly identifying warblers and similar birds.
I would love to get clear unobstructed close-up shots of these beautiful birds as some photographers are able to do, but I am quite content with these shots. They highlight for me the beauty and mystery of the warbler in what I consider to be its natural habitat.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Such a beautiful little creature!
I call them little jewels as they make the foliage even prettier.
I am always astonished at How you see the remarkable subjects, you photograph, even when they are so perfectly camouflaged. I had to take several looks at the photos before I “spotted” the warbler. Wow Mike! Amazing as always!
Thanks, Suzette. Most often I depend on the subject moving for me to spot it. If it sits completely still, I am almost certain to miss it. In the winter time, when the leaves have fallen, I have a much better chance of spotting birds. Unfortunately, many of them are gone during the winter months. 🙂
Well done work as always Mike. Thank you. 👍😊
I think I like these better than I would if they were unobstructed. The context and composition are excellent.
Thanks, Dan. I try to make the best out of the situation that I am given when I am out with my camera and am likely to take shots even when the conditions are far from optimal. There is always an element of luck and serendipity in wildlife photography–it is one of the factors that push me to go over and over again to familiar locations.
Also during the fall, they are just trying to eat as much as possible for their big trip. And trying not to get eaten. They stay well hidden. In the spring they are often looking for mates or territory (if they are as far north as they are going) so aren’t as quiet and stealth. Super quick all seasons though. Great shots!
Thanks, Cindy. The serious birders in my area know where to find warblers when they are passing through and sometimes are willing to put up with a long drive in the hope of seeing a rare species. I am content with my more haphazard approach–if I spot one in one of my regular spots, I will try to photograph it, but I won’t go out of my way to search for them.