
Have you ever seen one?
The black-throated blue warblers are still around, but are much quieter now, tending their young. We were lucky about six years ago to see a father feeding the hatchlings. The babies were calling from a hollow log about four feet from the side of the Mount Antone trail at Merck Forest. They were impossible to identify until the father—in full breeding plumage—flew in to feed them.
It certainly helps to learn their call. We often find them near the top of the mountain, so it requires a bit of effort, but it’s always worth the hike. If you can move quietly through the woods, you might catch a glimpse of a nest. Here’s a link to a great article that has some wonderful video footage of the birds as part of the research effort.
By far the best views can be had—like this year—in the early spring before the leaves obscure your view. Kate took me to the Equinox Pond Loop Trail in May just as the buds were beginning to burst. The sunlit background was streaked with lavender gray and olive gold. Just a few green buds showed here and there. I got a handful of good shots, and this painting is the result.
Black-throated blue is an acrylic on wood panel, measuring 10x20 inches. It’s for sale now here.
Comments