As is the case with many bird species, the adult males are more boldly plumaged than the females. Here is a typical male in a side-on "field guide" pose.
![Prairie Warbler 20100401](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2784/4481390887_bdcd375ca5_z.jpg)
Rarely do these active birds sit still for such a view. This portrait illustrates the dark semicircles under its eyes, that are said to give it a tired "baggy-eyed" look that is unique among New World warbler species.
![Prairie Warbler 2-20100108](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2770/4256922723_34679f6066_z.jpg)
One trait that makes them more appealing as photographic subjects is their habit of gleaning prey just one branch at a time. Moving from the trunk of the tree out to the smallest branches, one can often predict a bare twig up ahead where they may provide an opportunity for an unobstructed photo. Of course, it is impossible to predict what posture one might assume.
![Prairie Warbler 20100919](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4125/5005297260_fb6430e021_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 4-20110204](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5131/5416249918_a49d744c7f_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 3-20110325](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5309/5559195294_cd902a3ce5_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 2-20110204](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4109/5415636337_42348a3ab9_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 2-20121009](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/8071742688_b7d049be86_z.jpg)
Too often, my camera clicks reveal nothing but an empty branch. Sometimes I am lucky enough to get a flight shot.
![Prairie Warbler 2-20130919](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9824591344_ee9a9ae13d_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 3-20120223](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6923978855_bc97b60897_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) in flight 20101201](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5127/5224009075_67543727e0_z.jpg)
The female is more subdued, but nonetheless beautiful.
![Magnolia Warbler 20111020](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6266751075_0bc4941d37_z.jpg)
![Prairie Warbler 20111026](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6283668102_202de4c4c8_z.jpg)
I love the aesthetics of this photo of a female. It reminds me of a John James Audubon painting, as he used wires to contort avian corpses into unusual postures.
![Prairie Warbler female 2-20130922](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9881435264_be59326639_z.jpg)
In the fall, a first-year male may be indistinguishable from a female.
Lovely bird!!!.. Superb pictures.. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photographs of this very beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteYou captured a beautiful wing motion on that one.
ReplyDeleteI have viewed 3 blogs and I saw that you make beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK