Autumn in the South means Warblers in your yard
September 8, 2008 – 5:52 am
Warbler in the sprinkler
Autumn in the South means that the birds change colors instead of the leaves. As I learned from my friends the other day, Warblers fly south at night in large flocks. You can see them best in early morning foraging in the trees for insects and then again late in the afternoon in preparation for their flight out again.
A few years ago I discovered them bathing in the plants while I ran the sprinkler in late afternoon. They gravitate towards large leafed plants like figs and elephant ears where they can dip their bodies in the centers of the leaves.
An afternoon bath before take-off
Warblers, like shore birds, can be very confusing to identify so I affectionately label each one “gorgeous yellow bird.” That’s one of the joys of enjoying the outdoors. You don’t need to know every scientific fact in order to savor nature’s beauty. Whether I know its name or not, each time I see a yellow blur dart past my eyes I get a thrill. I hope you get to see them too. If not, enjoy the photos.
