Máistir Nádúraí: 2004 KEWA

5.02.2022

2004 KEWA

"Concentration attracts luck factor."

― Amit Ray

Thank goodness I never have to worry about getting a decent Kentucky Warbler photograph ever again. This one was taken ages ago (May 2004) at Baxter's Hollow in the Baraboo Hills. This bird was frenetically engaged in a territorial dispute with a Mourning Warbler. The two chased one another for several minutes, paying absolutely no mind to me. The Kentucky Warbler came to rest on this branch, breathing heavily and resting up for the next melee with the MOWA. I've gotten other decent quality KEWA photographs later on in my birding career, but I'll never forget this once in a lifetime moment with this particular bird ― just incredible luck of being in the right place at the right time.

Me, the birds, and no one else.

This species has become difficult to find at Baxter's Hollow, but I routinely observe them once each year during my annual trip to Wyalusing State Park, a phenomenal place with Cerulean, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, and many other woodland warblers.

All images © 2022 Mike McDowell

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. Prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, other highlighted natural areas include Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has appeared in various publications, newspapers, magazines and was even featured on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and a National Geographic publication. He began journaling nature observations on this blog in 2005. He's the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. He was a finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest several times. His other interests include insect macro-photography (especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies), fossil collecting, amateur astronomy, botany, natural history, and marksmanship with long-range rifles. Once a gigging musician, collecting Fender Stratocasters is a recently revived interest—most prized being a 1957 Vintage Custom Shop 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. A former IT Professional, he's spent the last 24 years employed in the sport optics industry.