Spring and Magee Marsh Warblers

My favorite early May photo location is Magee Marsh in northwestern Ohio during spring bird migration. The warblers (and many other birds, but the warblers are the headliners) are very close, very hungry and well adapted to humans. This small slice of the Lake Erie shoreline is a world class birding destination that combines a near perfect, old-growth marsh habitat located along a natural, migrant trap flyway.

I shot this Yellow-rumped Warbler last year along the crowded boardwalk, and I’m posting it now to:

a) celebrate spring!!*
b) give anyone in the MWNP forum not yet familiar with this location a heads up, and
c) for c & c on the image, welcome as always

Canon 40D, 100-400 L/IS @400mm, f5.6, 1/125, ISO 400,on bogen tripod

More info on Magee Marsh at:

http://www.friendsofmageemarsh.org/

* In mid-Michigan, we-re currently under a winter storm warning, but warmed by our Spartans playing for a national championship tomorrow!

Thanks Brian I can't wait to go I'm planning on going up the second weekend in May :) Great shot! even it's a year later hehe :)

Mike K

Magee is indeed a GREAT place to photograph migrating warblers. I plan on being there the 11th-13th this year. With any luck the weather and the birds will cooperate. Any recommendations on lodging in the area?

Sweet shot of this Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brian! Magee sounds like a great place to get acquainted with several bird species.

You can have the snow! So far, we're safe along the middle portion of the lake shore, but we'll probably get some snow overnight.

Go Spartans!!

Kirk, I have a camper van and generally stay at nearby Maumee Bay State Park, about 15 miles to the west. They also have yurts and camping cabins, if you don't have something to camp in. There are a number of discount chain motels in Oregon, along Rte. 2. Google Oregon, Ohio motels and you should have several to choose from (if you use Google Maps, you'll get the motels and a map).

The crowds can get big on the weekends, especially on International Migratory Bird Day, May 09 this year and always on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Thanks for your comments, Cindy, they are highly valued and much appreciated. I spent several days at Tawas Point last May, but had much better luck at Magee Marsh, both for birding and for bird photography. I know weather, winds and other factors make a huge difference in what you can see on any given day, and I will continue to have both locations on my wish list for spring migration. Tawas is a special place, but for warbler photography, Magee Marsh is hard to top. If you ever get the chance, I recommend a visit, if only to compare and contrast these two stellar locations. Thanks again,

Brian

Nice , clean simple shot, I like it. Hope you get a few great days to shoot this year.

Great shot, Brian. I especially like the expression (for lack of a better word) you caught with his pose. Very balanced composition, as well. Those are some beautiful colors!

Thanks for the comments, they are much appreciated, as always.

Nicely done, Brian. I'm told by people with far more knowledge about bird photography than I (which would be...oh, pretty everyone ) how tough it is to photograph warblers.