The forecast yesterday was for rain, but it was an ice storm in the hills of Etna. The two dozen juncos that arrived a few days ago were busy under the feeder as chickadees and tufted titmice worked over the sunflower seeds. Adding to the black and white and gray scene were the half dozen mourning doves that have been around all winter, a few nuthatches, and the ever-present gray squirrels. The only slight bits of color were the pesky red squirrels. Until a bright yellow bird showed up.
It was a Pine Warbler, one of my favorite birds. I have photographed this species in various places in the Upper Valley, but this was the first time I ever saw one in our yard.
I normally do not get excited about photos of birds at feeders, but this is an uncommon feeder bird. I guess the ice has frozen out the insects.
A close examination of the photo below appears to show some ice on the tips of the bird’s tail feathers. And you can clearly see it on the feeder.
This morming, the ice was still around…
… and so was the warbler. This photo was taken at 10:33 this morning.
This blog is turning into a tribute to the hardy Pine Warbler. Here are some other Pine Warblers I have photographed.
