American Redstart
I got a bit of a late start this morning, and I logged only 4 warbler species.
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
I went over to Mint Springs Park mid-afternoon to see if any Black-throated Blue Warblers had arrived. They are usually found a short way up some of the trails. I also wanted to see if I could find more Kentucky Warblers, but didn't want to hike much of the Fire Trail that is a steep climb - 300 foot elevation change (30 building stories) in the first leg of the trail from the kiosk. A Scarlet Tanager was singing in a tree between the kiosk and the start of the ascent.
Scarlet Tanager
I continued on, and less than 100 feet into the woods, I got lucky again.
Kentucky Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
I continued hiking just a short distance, and then headed over to where the Fire Trail ends. I heard an American Redstart, and then a Black and White Warbler appeared.
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
I decided to try the parkway again this morning, but saw the same four warbler species, and added a Common Yellowthroat at Reids Gap (mm. 14).
Cerulean Warbler
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
But the highlight of the morning was a bear near mm. 11. It was crossing the parkway in front of me, and then sat by the edge of the road for a rest. I pulled up slowly, unrolled my car windows, and took lots of photos. It was still sitting there when I left.
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
From Reids Gap, I headed down to the Rockfish Valley Trail to look for Yellow-breasted Chats that usually breed there during the summer months. But the trail was very quiet, and I did see one Common Yellowthroat there.
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat