American Redstart
A cool front moved in overnight dropping temperatures 10 to 15 degrees. As I headed up to the parkway, I drove through some light fog, but I had checked the VDOT traffic cameras on-line before leaving, and knew that it was sunny up on the parkway. I got there about 9:10, and hoped that some of my good warbler spots would be in sunlight by the time I got there. I exited the parkway onto parallel Route 610 at mm. 2, and a little past mm. 3, I was in sunlight. Almost immediately after that, I stopped when I saw a small flock of warblers. These birds were right along 610, and at eye level or just above/below eye level. I was able to photograph 7 warbler species there, and when I left that spot almost 30 minutes later, they were still foraging there. I thought that I had gotten all of the warbler species there, and wanted to move on.
American Redstart
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler (note the yellow feet)
Blackpoll Warbler (note the yellow feet)
Blackpoll Warbler (note the yellow feet)
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Northen Parula
Northen Parula
At one point while I was photographing these warblers, a Red-tailed Hawk flew over, turned to the north and kited, and then did a dive bomb straight down after some prey. The warblers went into hiding while the hawk was in the air, but re-emerged a few minutes later.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
I continued south on the parkway. The cirque (mm. 7.5) was in the shade from some clouds and was quiet, so I continued to Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12). At least one of the four Hooded Warblers was still there, but it wasn't my "buddy" that always came out for photos.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
A short distance to the north of the overlook, I spotted a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I've gotten some good photos of the species on the past, but they were always in profile or 3/4 view, and tails have always been closed. I think that this was the first one I have ever photographed with its tail spread open.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
After not seeing many birds at 3 Ridges Overlook, I drove back north. This time on Route 610, I heard a Pine Warbler and saw an Ovenbird, making it 10 warbler species for the morning, and saw another female Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Ovenbird
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler
It was another good day on the parkway/610.
Airborne Chipmunk