Spring Photography
Spring Migration
Spring has officially sprung in my neck of the woods, and Mechayla and I have been out trying to find and photograph as many migrating birds as we can. This year, to make the process easier, we looked at several years’ worth of past sighting data and we put together a calendar that predicts where and when each species will arrive in our area. So far, we have been nearly accurate to the day!
Early Migrants
The first migrants that signal to me to get ready for the busy season are Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. When they arrive, furrowing their angry eyebrows and gathering nest materials, I know that the rest of the migrants are not too far behind.
On one of our early outings, while looking for more photos of these Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, I heard a familiar call - the White-Eyed Vireo. These are some of my favorite early migrants, and based on the sighting data I have access to, I may have been the first to spot one in my city! Very exciting, and validation that our calendar idea is working!
Osprey
Migration isn’t just about tiny neo-tropical birds, though. Osprey return in the spring to catch Shad and build their nests along the James River. This year marks the first chance Mechayla has had to visit the spot where they fly directly overhead, carrying large sticks to their nest. We had a blast spending the afternoon trying to nab some decent shots:
Residents
Spring photography is more than just migration. The colors and conditions of spring also bring new compositions and settings for our year-round residents.
New Life
Spring also brings new life - many species are building nests and raising their young. We were thrilled to see two juvenile Barred Owls that have not yet fledged:
More Migrants
For me, one of the most exciting aspects of spring photography is the migration of warblers - and this year I am off to a good start at spotting several species of them. Warblers aren’t the only birds that show up in the spring, though - yellowthroats, swallows, waterthrush, and more are here if you know where to find them!
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Tree Swallow
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Of all the migrating warblers, Prothonotary Warblers hold a special place in my heart. They are adorable, full of personality, and their call is loud enough to rival that of a wren. We found a nesting pair close to a boardwalk in Williamsburg, and they treated us to some of my favorite all-time Prothonotary photos:
More to Come!
All of this, and the season is just beginning! We should have buntings, grosbeak, orioles, and tanagers here soon (we have already seen and heard a few). Stay tuned here as we continue to venture out for more photography!