Cerulean Warbler

Cerulean Warblers nests in old growth deciduous forests. Once on their nesting grounds, they hang out at the very top of the canopies. From the forest floor, birdwatchers will have no problem hearing the little warbler's song and can with time and effort even see the little bird flit from tree to tree or branch to branch. The Cerulean provides its fans with a classic case of warbler neck.

 

Photographing this bird is very hard because one must lean backwards and shoot straight up, and those efforts have given me barely passable 'proof pics' in the past.

 

This year, however, I found a small area in the far southwestern corner of Michigan of old growth forest with nesting Cerulean Warblers that lay in a depression. From the road above the depression, I was able to photograph a Cerulean at a nearly straight level or at least an acceptable upward angle.

 

Needless to say, I was very happy to photograph this bird in gleaming sunlight. Sadly, the Cerulean is suffering falling population numbers due to habitat loss. My hope is we will preserve the forests he needs so he may always be with us.

Done