Is This a Life Bird at the Fountain?

To my delight the fountain has brought me lot of birding and photography opportunities. This morning may turn out to be extra special. I spotted a bird that looked slightly different. He followed an Orange-crowned Warbler to the fountain. The difference in the two birds was very subtle but the eyering was what caught my attention. 

A dull and overcast morning, I looked at the low shutter speed on my camera and wished that the sun would come out so it could be adjusted faster. All of a sudden an Orange-crowned Warbler flew to the fountain and he is followed by another bird that looked almost the same in size and color. The new visitor had a lighter yellow on the belly and a white eyering... it wasn't broken as on the Orange-crowned Warbler! Here is the new visitor on the right of the photo. The Orange-crowned (left) is very upset that he is nearby. 

Sorry it's blurry! But I barely had time to focus as he only stayed a few seconds. I wanted to get all of the angles possible for a better ID.

The Orange-crowned Warbler (left) is really upset that the new visitor is on his fountain.

Another close-up of the front. Could this be a Nashville Warbler?  If it is... this is a life bird for me!

The new visitor wants to use the fountain but the Orange-crowned threatens him. I keep snapping away hoping to capture all angles before he flies.

 

Finally I get a better focus and we can clearly see the eyering.  The new bird is just a little bit smaller than the Orange crown. 

Nashville Warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla, measures 4.75 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5 inches. Could this be a young female with greenish wings and pale yellow throat and breast?

A close-up side view. Gray head and yellow undertail coverts. I am hoping one of our experts will be able to let me know if I am looking at a "life bird" Nashville Warbler.

One last close-up of the gray head. The eyering is definitely connected all the way around. So what do you think?  Is this a "life bird" for me visiting the fountain?

1-31-2018 Update:  Great news! I just received confirmation from  Greg Gillson  that this beauty indeed is a Nashville Warbler!  Thanks again Greg for your help. 

A few shots of the Nashville Warbler in the fountain. 

 Another view. A look at her wings.

Close-up.

Splashing.

 A House Finch flies in and threatens.

One last look before he is chased off.

Have a super week everyone!

A New Visitor at the Fountain

My morning has become a welcoming time for the familiar visitors that come to the fountain like clockwork. But today there was a surprise visitor that almost made me spill my coffee! LOL, eager to get a shot of the new visitor, I couldn't get to my camera fast enough. As I clicked away I could see he was really cautious but curious to check out the birdbath/fountain.

Quickly grabbing my camera, I found myself whispering to the new visitor, please stay a few more minutes. He approaches the fountain slowly and cautiously. It appears to be a Hermit Thrush!

Back view.

He is looking at the fountain. Really wants to check it out but he is a little timid.

He is looking towards me. I wonder if he can see me through the glass door?

Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus measures 6.75 inches long with a wingspan of 11.5 inches.

He wants to get wet but is wary of this man-made structure.

"Are you watching me"?

Nice side view. I would guess that he is quite young.

 

Close-up of this handsome little thrush.

He is trying to hide but I can tell he is testing the water.

Walks back to the north side of the fountain.

He is wanting to touch the water but can't figure out how to bathe in this little fountain.

He gives up for now and lands on a nearby branch.

These birds appear to freeze in place. They don't twitch or bob their tail. They just stand there. Nice pose.

Frozen in place. Maybe that is his defensive stance. Standing real still like a statue you wouldn't spot him as easily as a nervous twitchy bird.

One last shot as he opens his wings for flight. Hope he comes back soon.

As I was busy looking at the thrush, another first time visitor comes to the fountain. This time it's a female Anna's Hummingbird.

She is really enjoying her bath!

Anna's Hummingbird, Calypte anna measures 4 inches long with a wingspan of 5.25 inches.

Cute little hummer.

She is perched at the edge where the water overflows to the second level. She sinks down to let the water wash through getting her belly wet.

Splashing water with her wings.

You can see the water spray as she shakes it off.

Gets a little spooked and takes flight, hovering above the fountain.

She hovers but does not leave.

The fountain is too inviting, she settles back on the edge.

A few more dips and she appears to be done.

Off she goes.

She lingers a moment as if to say she loves the fountain and will be back soon.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

 

Tiny Visitor at the Fountain

When I decided to purchase a birdbath/fountain for the patio, I had no idea that it would bring such wonderful bird visitors. I have been wishing to see and photograph a hummingbird at the fountain ever since I brought it home. Several times, one would appear to come close and by the time I grabbed my camera, it would be gone. Today, I decided to use my 400mm lens and have it ready in case the tiny visitor decided to test out the fountain.

As I spot an Allen's Hummingbird perched on my potted plumeria tree a few feet from the fountain, my instinct tells me he is considering a visit. He may be getting his courage up to fly over. Grabbing my camera and keeping it steady, I focus on the tiny beauty.

Decision made, he is a blur as he zooms towards the fountain.

 

I scramble to get focused. I am so happy to see this little hummer that I find myself holding my breath so as not to shake the camera as I click away. Hoping to get a few good shots through the sliding glass door as he hovers cautiously near the fountain.

 

Oh please please land!

 

Yes, he lands but keeps his eye on me. I am snapping away and thanking him for being so brave as to visit the fountain. Here are some shots as he appears to enjoy his visit. 

Close up

Close up.

Close up.

 

Close up.

LOL!

 And he is done for today. Hope to see this tiny visitor at the fountain again!

Oh, we have someone waiting nearby for his turn. LOL, it looks like he found the private bath leaf.

He sits and gets his belly wet. Not much of a bath for this Yellow-rumped Warbler. There is only a little bit of water today.

He tries to get wet but without much success. He will soon be at the fountain for a real bath.

A Townsend 's Warbler shows up at the flowers next to the fountain and hovers like a hummer lapping up some nectar.

Have a great week everyone!