Birding at the Grandview Nature Preserve

My first weekend with my new camera, and I knew I had to venture beyond my backyard and try it out on a trail. I went birding previously at the Grandview Nature Preserve, where I identified my first bluebird, osprey, tern, common yellowthroat, and red-winged blackbird. I figured this would be a good first outing with my new gear.

Although I didn’t get as many firsts this time, I still saw some new birds and took some cool pictures.

After a disappointing first half of the hike, I came across some trees where I saw some action.

At first I thought these cuties were some kind of sparrows, but on later inspection, it seems I stumbled upon a flock of yellow-rumped warblers!

You can see the characteristic yellow rump above.

Who goes there?

*Mission Impossible music intensifies*

I was surprised to find how varied the coloration and markings are on yellow-rumped warblers. I believe the one above is a male because of the darker shading.

After spending some time with the warblers and a surprise mockingbird, the trail dumped me out on a small beach. As I meandered towards the end of the beach, I happened upon a flock of small birds.

This here bird is a ruddy turnstone. He struck me as the de facto leader of this group of sanderlings; he had an air of authority to him that even I paused to respect.

The sanderlings almost remind me of mourning doves; they have a certain tranquility about them.

Hmmm…is the one in the middle tired, bored? Did his friend make a bad joke? Does the one behind him smell bad? Mysteries abound with this trio.

Half-satisfied with the outing, I started making my way back to the preserve entrance.

Hey, look! A…song sparrow?

I also caught sight of a group of mallards. I love a good duck!

And, I would be remiss to exclude the noble Northern mockingbird, who perched just a few feet from me as I neared the preserve entrance.

My second outing at Grandview was unfortunately not as productive as the first. If I go again it’ll definitely be earlier in the morning, when the sun isn’t beating down on me and there’s less foot traffic. But it definitely wasn’t a waste; I’m getting better at using my camera to track birds, and I’m glad to have some new (and old) ones for the proverbial scrapbook!