We began the month at our second home in northeastern Illinois. On September 8 Mary Lou and I were "Birding Bliss"-- Bliss Woods, that is, in nearby Sugar Grove, Illinois. One of my first photos was from the little bridge at the beginning of the trail, and it included a superb REFLECTION!
That was great luck, so early in the month's archives. That day we saw quite a few Wood Warblers, among them this Cape May Warbler (September 8, 2012):
We returned to Florida a few days later but, as usual, it took us a few days to catch up on shopping, medical appointments and all the other distractions that accompany a change of station. On our first day afield in our local wetlands (September 19, 2012) we encountered a beautiful male Prairie Warbler:
Another warbler, an inquisitive Northern Waterthrush suddenly flew up from the understory:
A reclusive female Common Yellowthroat peered out from the foliage (September 20):
More forthcoming, a male yellowthroat sported a black mask (September 24):
Also on September 24, an active monochromic Black-and-white Warbler lacked only one color,...
... exhibited by the aptly named Yellow-throated Warbler.
On the same colorful morning, a male Northern Cardinal:
One sought-after butterfly (and the best MACRO I could find) appeared on September 23, a Ruddy Daggerwing:
Another close-up, this time of lichens on Pond Cypress, September 23:
Sunrise from our back patio on September 22 finally provides us with our SKY shot...
...and a pink sky shot on September 27 actually did show the gate into our birding patch...
...but we had to go all the way to September 28 before finding a photo containing a bona fide FENCE. That was a narrow escape from failure!
Linking to Misty's CAMERA CRITTERS,
Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,
Linking to GOOD FENCES by Tex (Theresa).
Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James
Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart
Linking to I Heart Macro by Laura
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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display
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Hello Ken, awesome captures of the warblers. They are all beautiful. And I love the gorgeous sky shots. great post! Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous photos! Those birds are great! I have never seen that butterfly before, the lichen shot was wonderful and the colors in those skies absolutely breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteSo much beauty to behold here, especially in your last photo, bravo.
ReplyDeleteWow you've certainly captured some amazing sights. - The sky shots were gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLoved your sweet birds, I especially love birds with yellow plummage.
That buttefly was so pretty, I've never seen one like that before.
Great ending with the lovely scene and yep I spotted the fence.
wow! love that last shot! what's not to love? :)
ReplyDeleteStunning skies!
ReplyDeleteArizona Sky
Incredible sky photos! I especially like the first one. Bird shots are great too!!
ReplyDeleteI love the sky in the fence shot...it is wonderful. Love those yellow throated warblers...so very pretty. As all your shots are...wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI got one of the little Canon SX700 HS cameras and am happy with it. My fence shots are not from it today, but there are several posts with shots from it on the blogs. The best are Time Stand Still. I am so glad you did the post with the comparison shots. It really helped me to come to a decision.
Beautiful images. I couldn't decide on which one I like best. Good thing I can look at them all!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds and butterfly! And that sunset--wowzers! :-) But my favorite shot is the last one. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow! Stunning shots.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful all of them!
ReplyDeleteAll such beautiful captures to be sure but wow! That last one is absolutely stunning
ReplyDeleteGreat shots and I love the reflections!
ReplyDelete"@Kenneth Cole. I was standing outside of a shop. The sign was inside of the shop so it's not a reflection. The palm trees, sky, sunset and a street lamp are the reflections. I guess I should also note that the man holding the glass was inside of the shop so he is not a reflection. :-)"
All your shots are beautiful! What stood out for me were the one of the black and white warbler is amazing, as well as the last one - intriguing clouds and reflections!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is a gem.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful green and blue colors in the reflection!
ReplyDeleteAll your warbler shots are wonderful, how you get so many cool photos of such small birds is a mystery to me. Your fiery sunset with the rays going up has fiery reflections as well, gorgeous!
ReplyDeletebeautiful birds..glorious skies and great reflections!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Dubai! Really enjoyed going through your blog and lovely shots! Will be back soon. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteShantana
What a great set of shots - really love all the warblers, although I assume that they can cause a few ID head aches.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hello Ken, just stopping back to say thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I've been away too long. (Eye troubles and gone to St. George, Utah). What can I say??? I LOVE seeing all the Warblers, and other birds, and your sky shots are to drool over!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Hannah. How do you get such great pics of those little birds through all the foliage!
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The yellow throated is one of my favorites!!! And warblers are so very difficult to photograph, you did a marvelous job of it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your link to share with us all at I'd Rather B Birdin'
Score again! Perfect. I just love that black masked yellow throat. You see so many birds by being there before " the season". Wonderful skies too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos - love all those warblers!
ReplyDeleteEverything is grand...as I said, the yellow throated is a favorite of mine...your prairie warbler colors and markings are so clear.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous skies! The butterfly is very pretty as are the warblers.
ReplyDeleteYou really nailed the warblers here! Sweet shots. My fav is the Northern Waterthrush. That bird can be tricky!
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