Black-throated Blue Warbler

The simple bird bath we have on the rail of our back deck attracts all sorts of birds. This Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) stopped in for a quick drink. This species breeds in Southern Canada, New England, and down the spine of the Appalachians at higher elevations. It has stopped in on its annual migration to South Florida or the West Indies for the winter.

Phoebe and Yellow-rumped Warbler

The Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) in the left panel of the photograph above has seemingly turned its head completely around to look at me taking its picture through the kitchen window. The right panel shows an aptly-named Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) straining to reach the water. Individuals of this warbler species will stay around all winter in our area. They are also called Myrtle Warblers because, unlike other warblers, they are able to digest berries from Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera).