PHOTO: Northern parula warbler.

Warbler Heaven

A lot of birds migrate through the area this time of year, but I have to say warblers are my favorites. The other day, when the rain cleared and the sun came out, I found myself in warbler heaven!

PHOTO: Yellow-rumped warbler.
Yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata) are some of the most common warblers to be seen at the Garden. You can spot them almost anywhere! Photo © Carol Freeman

As soon as I walked out of the Visitor Center, I saw movement in the trees next to the bridge: my first warbler of the day—a prothonotary! (Protonotaria citrea)—an uncommon warbler, and the first time I’ve ever seen one at the Chicago Botanic Garden! Next stop: the top of the Waterfall Garden. The birds were hopping! Here I added eight more warbler species, including yellow-rumped, palm, black-and-white, Cape May, American redstart, Wilson’s, magnolia, and yellow warblers! Wow! So much fun! I also saw red-eyed and warbling vireos, a scarlet tanager, and a ruby-crowned kinglet, to name a few.

PHOTO: Red-eyed vireo.
Another lovely migrant: the red-eyed vireo ( Vireo olivaceus) Photo © Carol Freeman
PHOTO: Black-and-white warbler.
The black-and-white warblers (Mniotilta varia) can be seen hopping along branches looking for insects. Photo © Carol Freeman

After delighting in the abundance of birds for a few hours, I slowly made my way back to my car, choosing to walk under the amazing flowering crabapple trees. Just at the end of the line of trees I heard what I thought was another warbler. I couldn’t quite see what it was. I tried calling it out, and to my delight, out popped the most beautiful male northern parula warbler (Setophaga americana). He hopped right onto a flower-filled branch and seemed to pose while I got some photos. I’ve only seen a parula a couple of times before, and never this close, and never on such a pretty perch. A perfect way to end my journey in warbler heaven.

PHOTO: Northern parula warbler.
I could hardly believe my eyes when this beauty popped up in the flowering crabapple tree! Northern parula warbler (Setophaga americana) photo © Carol Freeman

While I can’t promise you will see this many warblers in a day, there is always something to see, and the fun part for me is never knowing just what might show up. Last week it was a white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus). This week, warblers. Next week, who knows? All I do know is I’ll be out there to see what wonders there are to discover and then I’ll be in heaven again.

PHOTO: Palm warbler.
Palm warblers (Setophaga palmarum) can easily be identified by their tail pumping and rusty crown. Photo © Carol Freeman
PHOTO: White-eyed vireo.
An uncommon visitor! I was surprised to find this white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus) in a tree in a parking lot. Photo © Carol Freeman

©2015 Chicago Botanic Garden and my.chicagobotanic.org

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Carol Freeman

Photographing nature is Carol’s true passion. Her images reflect her philosophy of finding beauty in all of nature. Her respect of nature has led her to create beautiful light-filled images with low-impact techniques that leave the habitat just as she found it. Her shots are all achieved without the use of flash, fill, or tripod. Carol Freeman Photography is sought out for photo assignments by a variety of clients. Projects range from photographing nature preserves to creating products for fundraising.

5 thoughts on “Warbler Heaven”

  1. Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous experience, sighting such a variety of birds in one outing! I’m thrilled to hear about it and can’t wait to get out in the Garden. Think I will visit the Sensory Garden and stroll my way to the Waterfall!

  2. What a great article on warblers. It’s re-energizing my interest in bird watching. Time for another trip to The Gardens!

  3. CBG is a real treasure at all times of the years but viewing spring warblers restores one’s soul. The Clearing, a folk school, in northern Door County, Wisconsin hosts a spring birding week the second week of May. Photographers are also part of the group. The experience in the beautiful setting designed by Jens Jensen, the renowned landscape architect who helped plan Chicago Parks and Forest Preserves.

  4. Great pictures. I felt like I was there. This is my first year being introduced to these amazing little birds.

  5. I truly enjoyed comments & pictures of warblers! I enjoy seeing beautiful flowers & birds; hope to visit the gardens some time! Wish other cities would establish a garden like Chicago Botanical:

    Thank you for sharing your experience.

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