Each spring a lot of colorful warblers pass through our area on their northward migration. Most of them stay for only a short time, so it is a hit-or-miss proposition for me to find them. This is also the time of the year when the trees are budding, flowering and pushing out new leaves. All of this new growth is beautiful, but it makes it even harder for me to spot the little birds as they flit about, often at the tops of the trees.
Yesterday I was thrilled to spot this Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) high in a distant tree at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Initially my view of the colorful little bird was blocked by the vegetation, but I bent, twisted, stretched, and leaned in all directions and was eventually was able to get a clear view of the warbler.
My eyes are really active during the spring as I look up to try to find birds and look down to search for dragonflies. I manage to observe lots of cool things, but suspect that there is so much more going on that I do not see or notice.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice find, Mike.
These beauties are almost startlingly bright and always make me do a double-take.
I totally agree, Wally. I think it was the flash of bright yellow that allowed me to spot the warbler amidst all of that vegetation. I love that breeding plumage on so many birds in the spring.
Perfectly staged! Beautiful!!
Thanks, Lisa. I was thrilled when the bird stayed still long enough for me to frame the shot.
Beautifully framed, Mike.
Thanks, Robert. The framing helps to make up for the fact that I could not get close to this pretty little bird. 🙂
A beautiful visitor.
Thanks. I always like to see visitors. 🙂