A lifer for me today at Sellwood Park, right along the Willamette River — my first ever photographs of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. These little songbirds are spring migrants that pass through the Pacific Northwest each year, and they do not stay still for long.
The bold black-and-white striped face is unmistakable — combined with that tiny splash of yellow just in front of the eye. Everything else about this bird is subtle gray and white, which makes the high-contrast face pattern all the more striking.
Warblers live up to their reputation. They move constantly — flitting from branch to branch, disappearing into dense foliage, reappearing a dozen feet away — almost never pausing long enough for a clean shot. Getting these two frames took patience and a lot of tracking with the lens.
Sellwood Park along the Willamette is quietly one of the best birding spots in Portland. The mix of mature trees, river edge, and dense understory creates perfect habitat for migrating warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Spring migration is in full swing right now — if you have a pair of binoculars or a camera, it is worth a visit.
Shot on Fuji X-H2 — Sellwood Park, Portland, Oregon
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