Still Another Unusual Deck Visitor

You're not going to believe this. I hardly believe it myself. Strange as it may seem, we had another relatively rare warbler visit us. We are the very fringe of its range and it is rarely seen around here.

I was out on the deck and I saw him land on the birdfeeder pole. "Is that what I think it is? Oh, please turn around so I can be sure."

The bird turned and almost glared at me. No doubt about it. He is a Black-throated Blue Warbler. Right there in front of me. And staring right at me.

He hopped onto the deck railing, revealing his beautiful markings. The Black-throated Blues that live in the Appalachians are darker than those who reside in the New England states and Canada.

I sat there enthralled as I watched him flitter from place to place.

I willed my camera to click more silently. He was clearly aware of my presence and looked up every time I took a photograph. I was so afraid he was going to take off at any moment.

One of his prominent markings is the white patch at the base of his wing. Some refer to this as a "pocket hankerchief" and I wouldn't disagree.

This little goldfinch seems to be wondering what kind of strange bird this might be and what he's doing at the feeder.

The Black-throated Blue does eat seeds, but they rarely come to birdfeeders. He can't seem to figure out exactly how to get the seed.

Finally, he decided he'd be better off looking for insects in the woods and he flew away. But not before he captured my heart. Imagine my good fortune at having seen four (count them) FOUR unusual warblers visiting our deck...the Blue-winged, the Black and White, the Worm-eating, and now a Black-throated Blue. What a treat.