Fall Migration is on!
It seems a bit strange to say that we are in the middle of Fall migration when daily highs are still in the 90’s, but that’s Florida for you. Both e-Bird and social media pages are lighting up with warblers and other migrants moving through the area. With that in mind, last weekend and today I visited my local park in North Tampa - Lettuce Lake Conservation Park.
Lettuce Lake Park has a raised boardwalk that takes visitors through the marshy area adjacent to the Hillsborough River. Warblers are attracted to the area by the swarms of insects, which are perfect for replacing fat and protein needed for the arduous journey. It might be strange to say this but the boardwalk reminds me of the Magee Marsh boardwalk in northern Ohio, although the Lettuce Lake boardwalk is much shorter.
About half the boardwalk was closed for a couple of years as it was starting to rot out and the hurricanes caused additional damage. This has all been repaired and that section is now open. The new section is a little wider than the older section to accommodate wheelchairs so it is really nice. I have heard the County is going to close the older section which has an observation tower so it can be rebuilt as well.
Warbler photography is always a challenge, and I know more than a few bird photographers who won’t even try it. My keeper rate for songbirds is significantly lower than my shorebird keeper rate. And the photos I keep of songbirds are plagued with too many distracting branches and shadows.
Still, the birds are gorgeous, it’s incredibly fun, and I always look forward to each migration season.
Prothonotary Warbler. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 2500.
Prothonotary’s are a common sight at Lettuce Lake Park. During last weekends visit I saw three. This bird was silently working below the boardwalk when he suddenly popped up to eye level. At the same time a group of 3 or 4 Northern Parula were working over a small brushy tree. I was struggling to keep one eye on the Prothonotary and the other on the Parula.
Prothonotary Warbler. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/400 sec, ISO 6400.
Northern Parula. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 290mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 1600.
Throughout my three hour visit I had been hearing White-eyed Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo, usually far away and high in the canopy. Finally I caught sight of one. It was still deep in the brush, and I struggled to get a shot (especially when someone asked what I was photographing at the exact moment when I got a somewhat clear view of the bird), but here’s my best shot. Not an award winner by any stretch, but always a pleasure to see this bird.
White-eyed Vireo. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 2500.
Another exciting warbler to see was an American Redstart. I was on my out of the park when I saw the bird. With its fanned out yellow tail with dark tips, combined with its distinctive vertical flights while chasing prey, I was able to identify this female instantly. I struggled to get a clean shot as she was in constant motion deep in the dark woods, but I am pretty happy with this perched shot.
American Redstart. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 560mm, f/6.3, 1/400 sec, ISO 2000.
There were plenty “everyday” birds I photographed as well. They included a Barred Owl, Downy Woodpeckers, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White Ibis, Carolina Chickadee, and Carolina Wren. I particularly liked this wren photograph, although I do wish the bird’s head was tilted just a little bit more towards me.
Carolina Wren. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec, ISO 8000.
Hope to meet you on the trails! If you see me, please say hi. Unless I am taking a picture of a bird; then I will ignore you. Ha!
Happy birding!
