Prothonotary Warblers
After birding the Chesapeake Forest Lands North Tara Rd on May 9 (my last post), I headed off on my own to two more locations in Dorchester County to continue participating in the Spring Count for eBird.
There’s a nice little swamp that I thought might produce some more species for my count, specifically the Prothonotary Warbler. They love a swampy setting, and although I’ve not checked there in the past nor heard of anyone seeing any there, my hopes were high on my list for the time of the year. There was no pull-off, so I had to park off the road onto a grassy shoulder and walk back.
Woohoo, I was not disappointed and on Cloud 9!
The first photo is the female, she popped out after all the male’s chatter; the rest are of the male with his rusty crown.
Givin’ me the eye!
There’s a possible chance this couple is breeding here. The male immediately popped out of the swamp scene to defend his territory, with a couple times swooping at my head flying across. I did a quick photo session and bid farewell, to leave them to their swampy, quiet home. What a memory, a bird I’ve only seen a couple times!
Bay Photos by Donna 
Still the yellowest things I’ve ever seen – ever in a Costa Rican swamp many years ago! Wonderful birds Donna thanks.
Thank you, John! That yellow truly is super bright, just stunning!
Excellent photos, Donna 🤩. One of my favorite American warblers.
Thank you, Michael! Not having seen them but a couple times, I was thrilled with the encounter!
You got some fabulous shots of this guy. I love that you even saw him with his crown up. I’ve only seen these guys a few times as well. What a treat!
Thank you, Deborah! I think I agitated him a wee bit, lol, shaking up his crown on me. Yes, a real treat indeed!
Fantastic, Donna. This is one on those times where knowing the habits of birds and taking a chance really paid off for you. Super well done! 👏
Thank you, Pepper! I felt so lucky and thrilled that it worked out to find them. Impressed myself lol! It is a beautiful little swamp but really not appropriate for stopping, road is tight, on a curve. But after years of passing by it, I was on a mission this day for five minutes. I actually made out fine with the situation. And BINGO! 🤩
The “given me the eye” picture is absolutely fantastic, talking about eye contact and the tail spread as an extra reminder that you’ve come too close to his gate.
Thank you, Hans! To be swooped by him too, well I just loved it!
What an adorable bird! The yellow is fantastic, and I also love that crest. Excellent shots, Donna.
Thank you, Egidio! I loved he shagged his crest for me, made him even cuter!
An excellent selection. Nicely donw.
Thank you, Bob!
Ah, that crest and tail feathers all spread out then yellow. Wow what wonderful warbler. Gorgeous treasured moments in photos. Great!
Thank you, Sandy! Us birders go ga-ga over this gorgeous bird, it’s coloring is wow! I’ll never forget this encounter, him shagging his crest and swooping me, I loved it all!
He has a great (hair)stylist. 😀
Punk rocker stylist! 😀
A beautiful bird and photos! What a treat to see 😊
Thank you, Belinda! For the six hours I birded that day, this one put me on Cloud 9! 😊
What glorious plumage, so beautifully captured, Donna.
Thank you, Sheree!
Fabulous captures, Donna! How fortunate you are to have a good place to find these gems.
Thank you, Lisa! I’ve had to drive 2-3 hours to see them before, now an hour away, I was thrilled! I’m going to check on them in a month after migration is over, see if they nested there. Fingers crossed! I don’t know if I could handle seeing prothonotary fledglings….NOT! 😉
Beautiful birds and you have captured them, their colors and their personalities perfectly Donna!
Thank you, Linda! It was a wonderful encounter and I left on Cloud 9!
I love the tail-fan photo! Well done.