Warblers in the fall tend to be pretty drab, compared to those that pass through in the spring in their bright breeding plumage. However, the colorful fall foliage more than makes up for the birds’ lack of color when I am lucky enough to get clear shots of these little beauties.
On Monday I spotted quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge . Unlike most other warblers that are in our area for only a short period of time as they migrate, Yellow-rumped Warblers overwinter with us, according to a conversation I had in the past with a birder. I have photographed them, for example, in mid-January.
These three images show different types of autumn color. The first photo is full of bright pops of cheerful colors. The second one isolates a single color of the foliage and features a warbler feeding on what I believe are poison ivy berries. The final photo provides a more somber take on the autumn colors, evoking in me a wistful sense of the passing of the summer season.
I was quite happy with these shots of the warblers, especially considering my relative lack of success in the past, when I have often heard warblers singing, but have rarely been able to capture images of them.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
We appreciate you sending a few of those warblers down our way, Mike!
Very nice portrait series for the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The foliage echoes the bird’s plumage. Or is it the other way around?
I think we are going to hang on to the Yellow-rumped Warblers, but other warblers have passed through our area and should be headed in your direction. As for the colors, I love that I was able to capture the little patches of yellow on the warblers, which is a good match for the pops of yellow in the foliage.
Very nice series, Mike. I especially like your second image of the bird, leaves, and berries.
Thanks, Ellen. I am thrilled whenever I manage to get a shot of a warbler–colorful backgrounds are a bonus.