Connecticut Warblers at Lake Park 5/19/23

Friday morning, a Connecticut Warbler was heard singing from the Locust Ravine at Lake Park. I started the morning at Whitnall Park and was just waiting to hear a report of one. I quickly left and went to Lake Park, arriving just past 10am. It took a few hours, but I finally got on the bird after it came to the base of the ravine for a bath. It then flew up and continued walking the ravine side. There was a group of us in the base of the ravine looking up, trying to follow this bird through the vegetation. Since the undergrowth is quite tall already, it was extremely difficult to see the bird move throughout the vegetation. I snuck up the side of the ravine, about halfway and waited for it to come into a clearing area. It did and came into view about 20′ in away from me. I was able to freeze his movement with the sound of my camera shutter going off. That worked out perfectly, as it froze right in front of me, mostly out in the open. It then continued to walk towards a thicker area. I was looking through my camera to see if any of the photos turned out, when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. It was another Connecticut Warbler, coming from the same direction as the first one. This time though, the bird was only 10′ away from and which is too close for my lens to focus. Another warbler flew past giving an alert chip and I saw both Connecticut Warblers at the same time, fly into some brush a little further up and away from me. After a minute or so, one of them started walking back down the ravine, providing the others with some good views. It’s been 3 straight years of good looks at a Connecticut Warbler in the Locust Ravine, which I hope continues in the future. Photos below are from late morning/early afternoon Friday. Enjoy!