Copyright ©2021 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Isn’t he cheerful? This was the second time I’ve ever seen this bird. There are more than 50 species of Warblers but few are as brilliant yellow as he is. The females aren’t as bright and lack the rich chestnut streaking, but do have the black eyes, and warm yellow tones.
Fun Facts:
- In addition to the migratory form of the Yellow Warbler that breeds in North America, several other resident forms can be found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Males in these populations can have chestnut caps or even chestnut covering the entire head.
- The nests of the Yellow Warbler are frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird. The warbler often builds a new nest directly on top of the parasitized one, sometimes resulting in nests with up to six tiers.
- Life can be dangerous for a small bird. Yellow Warblers have occasionally been found caught in the strands of an orb weaver spider’s web.
- The oldest-known Yellow Warbler was a female, and was at least 11 years old when she was recaught and rereleased during banding operations in New York.~allaboutbirds.org
Sunday we drove over the mountains to go visit Baby Girl, The Handsome Surveyor, and the boys. Along the way we stopped at Maiden’s Grave pullout to view the horrible smoke plume from the Caldor Fire burning in the El Dorado National forest.
View from Maiden’s Grave, SR 88, CA.
All through the forest we kept seeing these signs- Every campground, and park is closed. 😭
The reports on the fire are somewhat better today. They’re allowing some residents to return their homes in South Lake Tahoe, and the cooler temperatures, and less wind in the week-end forecast is promising and should help the firefighters with the fight.
The smoke is still in the unhealthy range here, but the sun is trying to burn through it today so I’m feeling a wee bit more positive today on the fire front.
We haven’t any week-end plans since we’ve been gone a lot these last two weeks visiting our kids and grandkids. What about you any plans? Whatever your plans I hope you have a good week-end!
Fuji X-T3| Fuji 100-400mm| and iPhone 7Plus| PS CC 22.5
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Love your little Yellow Warbler with it’s beak opened! Your smoke flume photo is an incredible shot, Deborah, yet we know it’s a devastating situation. Stay safe!
Thank you so much, Donna! The firefighter’s are getting a handle on the fire it’s just over 50% contained now. I hope they can knock it down soon though!
Cool article
Thanks, Marcus! I’m glad you liked it.
Another beautiful shot, Deborah. I can’t believe you don’t work for National Geographic sometimes!
Thank you so much, Paul! You’re too kind! I wish I was good enough for Nat. Geo. That would be somethin’. 😀
Looks like you live close to the fire – yet those smoke clouds make for a beautiful image, but I remember that feeling of constant threat in the back of your mind. The smoke inhalation is the worst, and the first time it landed me in bed for a week. Stay safe and hope the worst is over!
We’ve been staying indoors on the worst days.
Thanks, Jesh! I hope all is well with you too!
Just minutes ago I went to the CalFire website to check on the two fires, as our air became toxic again with the changing winds. I can easily imagine what you folks are going through who live up there, having been through it too, and so to see it in your personal photo and hear about it in your post really brought it close, Deborah. It’s a grim reality and I am really sorry our beautiful state has become so choked with fire. Sorry you have to see those looming plumes, live with that air and the threat, and be so close…which makes that cheerful and bright yellow warbler a really happy sight. Sending best wishes to you.
Thank you so much, Jet! There is hope straight up over head we can see blue sky! The tough and brave firefighters are getting done. It’s very sad to see the states forests burning up every summer something needs to change. I’m sorry you’re being choked by the smoke now. It’s pretty grim being stuck indoors seeing nothing but gray smoked filled views for as far as the eye can see. It’s been all summer for us over here.
Thankfully, we get some cheery reminders that life and nature are tough too and we’ll get through. I’m glad you liked the Yellow Warbler!
Sending best wishes back to you too! 😀
A warbler is a deeper yellow than a goldfinch. I can’t imagine their stacked nests. A picture (your forest fire smoke) is worth a thousand words. Wow!
They are pretty. It was scary watching it that fire.
Thanks, Jennie I hope you have a lovely holiday week-end!
Definitely. You, too!
Just like the sun all up high
😀 I like that thought!! Thank you!
I’ve never heard of multi-tiered nests like those of the warbler. Sounds more like archaeology than ornithology.
Haha! It does a bit doesn’t it. 😂
Love your bright Yellow warbler Deborah, it is similar our bright yellow little Yellow Thornbill, which makes a lovely little high pitched purr. The smoke looks very threatening, and we are glad you are not under attack from the fire, as we have been praying for our blog friends who are affected by the fires. It is wonderful tht you are able to travel to visit your family, that is something of a dream for us in hard lock-down still. We are having a family zoom tonight and one of our grandies is giving us all a trivia quiz. Enjoy your weekend.
I’d love to see your Thornbill one day! I hope your lockdown ends soon!!
I’m so thankful for FaceTime, and face to face meeting sites that allow us to see our families while talking on the phone.
Clever Grandie hosting a trivia quiz! I hope you’re ready and win, but most of all I hope you all have a blast playing it. 😀
That’s a mighty handsome feathered friend you have there. I hope you are right and the fires start to be contained. No plans here except to start on fall gardening projects. Tourists keep the byways busy so we stay in town.
Thank you so much, Judy! He’s a beauty. Usually it’s these holiday week-ends that keep us close to home too. Once in a rare while we’ll travel over them.
I need to trim and prune some of the flowers and bushes in our yard and this week-end might be the time to do it. I sure love the results of all your hard work. Your garden is lovely!
Another warbler, Deborah! Your posts educate me and make me much more aware of my surroundings, especially the feathered ones. It is difficult to imagine how a bird can be caught in a spider’s web. Great photos, although sad about the fires. These fires are exceptionally serious. Our Half Corked Marathon in the Okanagan has been postponed again. Not unexpected. Counting my blessings and enjoying the simple pleasures around here.
Thank you so much, Erica! We’re doing the same. It was so nice getting away to see our kids and grandkids over the last two weeks.
I know you’ve been enjoying yours too. 🥰
Fine shot of this beauty! I wish you clear skies, Deborah.
Thank you for both thoughts, Belinda! 😀
That bird is beautiful, Deborah. I am visiting family this week, but taking it slow and safe.
Isn’t he a beauty! I’m glad you like him too. Have a lovely visit with your family!
What a beautiful bird! I’ll have to check my files because I may have seen one of these months ago at Sweetwater Wetlands but didn’t know what it was. I’m happy to read there’s a bit of good news about the first. Whatever firefighters get paid, it isn’t nearly enough!!
Weekend plans? My husband’s on call so we have to stick around home. We’ll be watching the last stages of La Vuelta Espana, a three week major bike race in Spain and probably some rugby as well. 🙂
janet
Oh, I hope it was a Yellow Warbler you saw so you can add that one to your Life list. Isn’t he a beauty!
I’ll have to ask He-Man if he is watching that bike race. It’s been so smoky and the air so bad he hasn’t been able to get out riding, and he would usually ride his wind trainer but, he does that in the garage with the door open and it’s not a good idea to do that either now so, he bought a mat to put his trainer on in the house which was delivered today. It won’t be long before he’s riding in his office no doubt. 😀😂🚴♀️
Haha, that’s funny:) Emille
Thank you for the warbler photo. I’m glad the South Lake Tahoe fire seems to be under more control. Let’s hope it stays that way. That smoke photo was scary.
I’m glad you like the Yellow Warbler, John.
The smoke has been so bad, and that plume was HUGE! I’m glad the weather is cooler, and they feel like they’re making progress. It’s been scary all summer!
Yes it has. You guys got the shirt for sure.
I’m glad the air quality is improving, albeit slowly. Troubling tomes indeed, and yet, Nature carries on. ❤️
She does thank GOD! Have a lovely week-end, Cheryl! 🥰
Thanks. You too.
😀
So the birds make appartment buildings? They are truly beautiful. We have warblers too, in Dutch Grasmus, Gras = grass, but over here they are brownisch and undistinctive. I think we need to invite some of their American cousins to show them what is possible too. 🙂 Such a pity, those fires in your surroundings. Hopefully the firefighters will win. I don’t have weekend plans, except for friends who are coming over for dinner. But last weekend was wonderful when a little opera that I had the pleasure to co-write the lyrics for, was staged. Three times no less!, and with great succes. I’m still hearing the songs in my head. 🙂 have a good weekend Deborah!
Up to 6 stories apparently! Who knew?😂
Hey, if the cousins come over I’d like to join them!
The fires have been just awful all summer.
Friends over for dinner sounds lovely. So, is there a YouTube or video of the opera so I/we can hear the music you cowrote the lyrics to? I’d love to hear and see the opera.
Thanks, Peter! I hope you have a lovely week-end too.
I’m not sure there is a Youtube video yet, or will be at all, Deborah. If it comes I’ll let your know.
😀