Some photographers are always searching for new and exotic species to add to their “life lists,” but I am generally content to photograph familiar species, primarily in my local area. No matter how many times I see these birds, each encounter is unique, and I never know when a photo may highlight one of these birds in a special way. Here is a selection of photos of birds that I spotted on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The bright red color of male Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) makes it almost impossible for them to hide completely, but a lot of the time they forage in the dense undergrowth, making it tough to get a clear shot of one. In the first image, the cardinal was partially hidden by the branches, but I managed to focus on its face. If you look closely, you will notice that this cardinal is a bit of a messy eater—he has lots of seed residue on his bright orange bill.
Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) are one of the only warblers that stay with us during the winter. They tend to stay high in the trees, which means that most of my photos show the underside of the birds’ faces in bodies. In the second photo, the warbler looked down at me and I was able to capture the little patch of yellow on the top of its head, a feature that I do not recall seeing before.
The final photo features a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), one of the coolest looking birds that I encounter on a fairly regular basis. I love its rakish black mask and its yellow-tipped tail. I was happy to be able to capture the beautiful wash of yellow on its breast in this shot. Of course, the colorful foliage in the background adds an additional touch of visual interest to this photo.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
All favorites, although I wish I came across Cedar Waxwings more often. I’ve seen them only twice that I recall.
There was only a couple of Cedar Waxwings on the day I took the photo, but there was a whole flock of them yesterday when I returned to the refuge. Unfortunately the weather was very overcast and gloomy, so I don’t think my shots turned out very well–I haven’t looked at them yet on my computer.
These are lovely photos, Mike! I never tire of these birds. Here’s my photo of Cedar Waxwings:
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Thanks, Mitzy. I think you may have tried to paste in a photo of a Cedar Waxwing (or maybe a link), but, alas, I was not able to see it in your response.
Well, boo on that. 🙂 It was my photo of two waxwings sharing berries. Waxwings
are known to pass berries from one to another to the end of the line of them on a branch. This was of one passing to another. 🙂
Wow! Sorry I did not get to see that photo. It is amazing that they would cooperate like that. 🙂
Well, more like you mentioned in a previous blog—I stood there a long time! 😂 The photo is on my Instagram account.
I managed to find you on Instagram. The shot is a really cool one!
Ahhh, how nice of you, Mike. I’m so glad you like it.
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Nice color collection!
All are magnificent but I am always drawn to the red of a cardinal. (I’ve never had the pleasure in real life but they always are so striking in others’ images.) Lovely birds!