Black Throated Green Warbler

I find it very unusual to see a warbler flitting around the ground instead of high up in the trees. But this has been a very unusual migration season (has it really even started yet?). Anyway, this little Black Throated Green Warbler was flitting around the grass and low bushes in Grant Park on Monday. I got the impression that he was expecting temperatures higher than the mid 40s.

Hey! Down on the ground is less windy than up in the trees.

I REALLY thought it was time to migrate.

How could I be so off schedule?

Who are you and WHAT did you

do with the Spring Weather?

I know I packed my Migration Mittens. Where are they?

I may have to fly back south for awhile longer!

Warblers on the Move, Part I

Lots of migrating warblers coming through Chicago. These were posing for me. (A few others - such as the elusive Canada Warbler and the Black Throated Blue - refused to sit still enough in a well lit area for me to get a decent photo.)

Palm Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

(Singing to greet the sun on a beautiful May morning)

Black Throated Green Warbler

(who doesn't quite blend in with the green leaves)

How A Bird Flies

Over the last two months of photographing birds, I've managed to document their secret. They don't flap their wings to take off and fly. Instead, they launch themselves like miniature jet-propelled rockets. Here's the proof.

Red Eyed Vireo ................ Blackpoll Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black and White Warbler ........... Black Throated Green Warbler

Cape May Warbler

American Goldfinch