I was absolutely thrilled to capture some shots of this White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) on Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It was a cloudy, overcast day and it seemed like the vireo was mostly in the shadows, which caused the first and last images to look a bit drab. Fortunately, though, I was able to catch the bird mid-song in the first shot, which definitely added some visual interest.
In many ways the second shot is my favorite of this set, even though the body of the vireo is partially blocked by the foliage. Somehow the colors in this image seem brighter and more true to life. In all of the shots, I really like the way that the light eyes of the subject pop, giving the vireo a very distinctive look.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I understand why the 2nd one is your favorite! Mike, great captures of this bird! I’ve never seen one before!
What a surprising and lovely blue eye(s) that bird has. Nice shots.
Thanks. The bird is pretty, but the eyes really stand out and make it absolutely stunning.