Photographing the Yellow Rumped Warbler

In my yard and in most of the Eastern US, it’s the hardy white throated Yellow Rumped Warbler of the Myrtle subspecies who lingers in the cold long after other species of warblers have gone south. Feasting on bay berries to survive, it’s not uncommon to see them here in November and December.

In the western U.S., the yellow throated Yellow Rumped Warbler of the Audubon subspecies thrives. Both have the trademark “butter butt” – a bright yellow patch of feathers above the tail.  NOTE: I hope to photograph this western variety on my next trip to California. Update:  My first day in San Diego and the Yellow Rumped Audubon subspecies showed up in front of my camera. See last photo below.

Yellow Rumped Warbler from
the Myrtle Subspecies.
ISO1600; f/5; 1/500 Second

Finding the Right Perch

In my yard we have a few optimal bird perching spots with lush and colorful backgrounds that receive a good amount of the morning light. They are ideal little niches with no unsightly and chaotic debris to interfere with the len’s ability to lock focus. Most importantly, I know warblers perch there.

The Focus Preset Function of the Lens

These perching spots offer an opportune time to practice a function on my telephoto lens that is never urgently needed but fun to play with. It’s called FOCUS PRESET. I don’t use this function much because it’s unnecessary for the most part… modern auto focus lenses are so fast to focus.  But, since I paid a whole lot of money for my 300mm and 500mm L II lenses, I think I might as well better understand the precision electronic data-transfer controls that make them so expensive.

Focus Preset allows the photographer to save a predetermined distance to the len’s memory and then automatically recall it.

To Set Focus Preset:

1) Turn the focus preset switch to On or On with Sound. (NOTE: The On w Sound setting simply means that you will hear a beep to confirm that focus preset is initiated. On w/o sound  = no beep.)

2) Using auto or manual focus, focus the lens on the spot that you want the lens to memorize.

3) Press the SET button

Your desired distance is now saved, and will be saved in the lens until you turn the focus preset switch to the “off” position.

To Engage Focus Preset

The auto focus function on your lens works as it normally does until you recall the Focus Preset.

Just give a little twist (either to the right or left) on the thin serrated metal focus preset ring (located right in front of the manual focus ring on the lens) to instantaneously recall the lens to focus on the spot previously saved to memory.

Kind of fun once you get the hang of it.

Subspecies or Hybrid

NOTE: In my many bird photography adventures, I have photographed several subspecies, but I have never photographed a bird that would be considered a hybrid. A subspecies is a variety of the same species….a population (usually geographically isolated) that has a slightly different appearance than others of its own species. A hybrid is born when two different and closely related species successfully breed..

An excellent article about hybridized warblers can be found at this link.

To see photos of Palm Warbler Subspecies, press this link.

Finding and Photographing Nashville Warblers

These photos of a Nashville Warbler were taken in the Allegan Forest in October, 2015 after I spent hours the night before preparing my pack and then hauling heavy camera equipment into the woods early the next morning. It was worth it. My final destination was idyllic, as was the soft glow of the morning light.

I am pleased with the images, but weary too. I need a simpler and more efficient way to transport my photo gear to and from my car and home.

This Nashville warbler was ducking in and out
of the bushes; quite a challenge for
the Camera’s auto focus.
The early morning light was strong and contrast good.
ISO400; f/9; 1/1000 Second

Heavy Gear Weighing Me Down

Transporting equipment back and forth to the site is what photographers do. Countless times I have cradled my camera and lens in my arms like a baby, thinking that a short walk with my gear will be no problem. I plan ahead by wearing multi-pocketed pants, shirts, vests, all with extra pulls, straps and harnesses designed to hook onto my tripod and other requisite gear. When I’m not supporting the camera and lens in my arms, everything is packed in my fancy, stiffly padded (and heavy) backpack.

Inevitably, the short walks turn painfully long over bumpy, uneven (slippery, wet, hilly) terrain. The camera equipment gets heavier with every step I take. I do not have a lot of upper body strength and before midday, I am sore and anxious for the day to end.

Nashville Warbler, Posing Amongst the
Red Branches.
ISO1600; f/4; 1/500 Second

Struggle Less and Enjoy Photography More

My goal is to struggle less and enjoy my photographic adventures more by getting this equipment off my back and onto a cart that is ergonomically designed to roll over tree roots and up and down uneven, sandy or snowy hills. After consulting with various nature photographers, the cart that appears to be most suited to my needs is the Eckla Beach Rolly Gear Cart.

Well Designed Equipment Transport

The company’s ad makes this cart sound so easy and convenient that I assumed that the Eckla Beach Rolly Gear Cart had its own means of propulsion. Nope. This equipment cart must be drawn or pushed. However, it’s made of light aluminum and outfitted with sturdy, wide pneumatic wheels (rustproof, sand proof, salt proof) which should reduce my struggles and make my role as a plow horse easier. It’s basically a collapsable cart that disassembles and transports easily. When assembled, you strap your gear stuffed camera bag and tripod (up to 176 lbs) onto the cart and off you go.

The company offers 2 basic models…. (1) Cart only; and (2) A cart with a built in nylon seat. As with most equipment associated with photography, smartly designed gear transport is expensive. I’ve decided that the time has come for me to lighten my load and enjoy bird photography more. I’m going to take a chance that this transport system will be worth the $200 price tag.

For more information about the Eckla Beach Rolly Gear Cart, visit this link.