This is a brief report on the Bird Walk and talk by Len Reitsma yesterday at the Hayes Farm Park and Etna Library in Etna.
The crab apples there were absolutely beautiful. I hope they stay that way for the PHOTO WALK I will lead at the same site Thursday May 30 from 3:00 PM until whenever. I will try to answer photography questions and perhaps give a few tips. We will walk leisurely through this small area to the King Bird Sanctuary. Even birders are welcome. Carrying a camera is suggested but certainly not required.
In the Etna Library parking lot Len heard a Nashville Warbler. Then, as walked into the Hayes Farm Park and up the short trail to the King Bird Sanctuary, we heard a Chestnut-sided Warbler, Song Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, Cedar Waxwing, House Wren, Gray Catbird, and other species. I was not keeping a list.
Below is a photo of the King Bird Sanctuary.
A simple photo tip is to photograph the scene as above and then move in close for details.
In the King Bird Sanctuary I got some photos of a Magnolia Warbler with my small “walk-around” camera. I believe I was the only one who saw this bird.
Birds were not the only things flying around.
After the walk Len gave a very interesting presentation in the Etna Library of his work with Canada Warblers. Here is a photo of a Canada Warbler taken a few days ago along the Rail Trail at Ice House Road in Lebanon. Canada Warblers are beautiful birds.
After Len’s talk I headed back to the King Bird Sanctuary with a DSLR, long lens, and a tripod. I wanted to try to get better photos of an Indigo Bunting than I was able to get earlier with my small camera. I got lucky, The Indigo Bunting put on a great show. His indigo color complimented the crab apples very well.
I also took an easy-to-get photo of a Tree Swallow.
And I found and photographed two Chestnut-sided Warblers. One caught a large insect that can be seen in one of the photos below.
All are welcome to join me Thursday at 3 PM for a walk through this beautiful area. Meet in the Etna Library parking lot. If it should be full you can park behind the fire station a bit to the north. Hopefully the trees will still be in glorious bloom.