Migration Rushes

Woohoo! Much has transpired in the two weeks since I last posted. The great ephemeral rushes of migration are upon us. Birding is now in high gear. Between birding, work (gets in the way of birding), sleep (I'm deprived) and eating (popcorn, almonds and crackers on the fly) who has time to nestle into the box to process photos and document the fantastic rush of 2018's spring migration?

A confiding Hooded Warbler oblivious to my presence at UW Arboretum, Madison, Dane Co, 13May2018

As I embark to settle down to write. I can predict I will likely nod off into in-completion (yes it happened, finally finishing this 4 days later than intended). But here I go, the words have been kicking around in my brain for at least a week...

Blue-winged Warbler, Cherokee Marsh-South Unit, on a glorious day of birding after morning rain showers
4May2018

April in her notorious bipolar fashion had us desperately hanging on to her paucity of migrants as her end grew close. Warblers had been sparse in numbers and diversity. However only as manic April could do, she dutifully delivered on her final day with our first decent push of warblers numbering about a dozen species.

Spotted Sandpiper, Sub-zero Pkwy Ponds, Dane Co, WI 29April2018

We exploded from a steady trickle of of succulent shorebirds,

Dunlin, Sub-zero Pkwy Ponds, Dane Co, WI 29April2018

Wilson's Phalarope, Sub-zero Pkwy Ponds, Dane Co, WI 29April2018

swallows,

Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Goose Lake Conservation Area, Dane Co, WI 29April2018

and Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers...

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Goose Lake Conservation Area, Dane Co, WI 29April2018

to recurrent orgasms of birds and more birds, sparrows, warblers, shorebirds, and tanagers. The undulating waves of one bird rush after another have been exhilarating...

Smith's Longspur, Dane Co, WI 3May2018

It has left me breathless on occasion, often trembling from excitement and always desiring more!

Tennessee Warbler, Cherokee Marsh South Unit, Dane Co, WI 4May2018

Each day yields fresh delights...

Black-and-white Warbler, UW Arboretum, Dane Co, WI 8May2018

In the common and cryptic...

Eastern Whip-poor-will, "the gorge", Dane Co, WI 5May2018

Barred Owl, UW Lakeshore Preserve, Madison, WI 7May2018

The bold and beautiful...

Summer Tanager (Dane lifer), Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Dane Co, 5May2018
One of two birds on my Dane life wish list for 2018

And the soul-soothing blues.

Black-throated Blue, Seen with my friend Shawn at Frautschi Point, UW-Lakeshore, Dane Co, WI 7May2018

Eastern Bluebird, Frautschi Pt, UW Lakeshore, Madison, WI 7May2018

I continue to fall in love with discovery, in love with finding a sense of place and harnessing the healing power of the quiet gorge, the nourishing seeps, the hidden springs and kindness of strangers, all yielding their gifts in incremental fashion with each return.

Swainson's Thrush, "the gorge" 4May2018

Solitude and beauty carry my spirit far from the crowded birding corridor where I am shunned like a modern day Hester Prynne, brandished with the scarlet letter "C" or "S" or perhaps,"FB..."

Golden-winged Warbler, "the gorge," Dane Co, WI 4May2018

The weight of human cruelty is no match for the power of a curious Golden-winged Warbler...

Golden-winged Warbler, "the gorge," Dane Co, WI 4May2018

Or a bluff decorated in sprays of white blooms...

"The gorge" 5May2018

Along "the gorge", hepatica and bloodroot have yielded to Dutchman's breeches which have now gone into senescence as well. The shooting stars are queued up for their spring debut. Bishop's Cap has just begun to bloom. Virginia Bluebell and Trout Lily have peaked in their poignant glory. Soon their blooms will also fade. All of it is so preciously ephemeral. Look up. Look down. The sensory overload at this time of year is immense. The forest floor is a constant changing menagerie of blooms rapidly transforming with the mere passing of a few days.

Wild Ginger, "the gorge," Dane Co, WI 5May2018

Truly there are so many birds and blooms, yet so little time. My attention and interests continue to be pulled in a multitude of directions. "The gorge" is beckoning me to return. However the bird activity at "the gorge" has been no match for the incredible deluge of warblers visiting the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.

Magnolia Warbler, UW Arboretum, 10May2018

My addiction to the forest sprites keeps me returning to the "Arb" for the time being. What's not to love in a place with scores of delightful birds and birders who welcome me with warm regard? With its vast landscape and hidden woodland benches, I can perfectly balance social versus solitary birding, choosing when to join my birder friends in a frenzied quest for warblers versus quietly strolling the wooded paths where the surprise of an intimate bird encounter is often lurking.

Northern Parula, UW Arboretum, Dane Co, 10May2018

The birding in Gallistel and Wingra Woods as well as at the north end of Gardner Marsh has been incredible over the past week.

In recent days I was wowed by a confiding Hooded Warbler at my feet...

Hooded Warbler, just walking right on by, busily foraging and singing within a few feet of me. 13May2018

...the delight of an unexpected Kentucky Warbler in my birding patch

Challenging light trying to capture this very vocal skulker
UW Arboretum, Dane Co, WI 13May2018

...an abundance of tantalizing warblers feeding low near the ground during our recent bout of chillier temperatures.

Black-throated Green Warbler, UW Arboretum, Dane Co, WI 8May2018

...gobs of Blackpoll Warblers concentrating at the north end of Gardner Marsh

Blackpoll Warbler, UW Arboretum, Dane Co, WI 10May2018

...and knockout views of several Scarlet Tanagers.

Scarlet Tanager, UW Arboretum, 10May2018

The past few days have also brought an influx of female warblers. Just today I saw my first fair lady Black-throated Blue Warbler as well a female Bay-breasted Warbler. These subtle beauties have joined the recently arrived female Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Blackpoll and Chestnut-sided Warblers along with female American Redstarts, a harbinger of migration's conclusion.

Bay-breasted Warbler, Cherokee Marsh South Unit, Dane Co, WI 10May2018

Soon this lovely madness will fade. Until then I will continue to relish one of the more memorable spring migrations I've experienced in recent years!

Prothonotary Warbler, Cherokee Marsh South Unit, Dane Co, Wi 10May2018
One of several I've seen this migration at various locations.