A Blackburnian Warbler in my Toronto garden

How exciting it was to see so many new bird visitors to our backyard.  With bird migration in full swing, Bob and I kept a keen eye out our windows hoping to glimpse new species that happened to drop by.  First thing, one morning, as I sat at my computer desk looking out on the streetscape, I saw a flash of orange land in my Highbush Cranberry.  That bird turned out to be a Blackburnian Warbler.

Joining in the mix was a beautiful Magnolia Warbler.

Shortly after that, two Blackburnian Warblers (Dendroica fusca) were quickly moving about the branches of the maple tree in our front yard.  I was still working on my laptop but quickly and quietly cracked open the windows for a photo.  At first, I thought that the Baltimore Orioles had arrived because I saw flashes of orange, and the wings had broad,white wingbars, but my photos proved me wrong.

It was a first for Bob and me to see Blackburnian Warblers, and here, we had two fine male members of the species in brilliant breeding plumage.  The day was off to a great start, and the hands of the clock had not yet reached 8:30 a.m.  We had little idea of what other great sightings we would make throughout the day and into the next.  There was a lot to be said for the slow emergence of the leaves on the trees that year.  It made it so much easier to see our feathered friends.

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean