I photographed this Prothonotary Warbler at Minor’s Cove, which is at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is a species of bird in the Parulidae family. It is a brightly colored songbird native to North America, specifically the southeastern United States and Central America. They are named after protonotaries, clerks in the Catholic Church who wore golden-yellow robes, similar to the warbler’s plumage. They breed near swamps and wetlands and feed on insects and other small invertebrates.

The Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, located in Oklahoma, is home to a diverse array of wildlife and bird species. Among the many bird species found at the refuge, the Prothonotary Warbler is a particularly special and rare sight.

The Prothonotary Warbler is a small, brightly colored bird with a distinctive golden-yellow head and underbelly. It is also known for its cheerful and melodic song, which can often be heard echoing through the forest. These birds are migratory and typically breed in the eastern United States, making the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge one of the few places in the western United States where they can be seen.

One of the reasons why the Prothonotary Warbler is such a special bird is that it is an “obligate cavity nester.” This means that it is dependent on cavities in trees for its breeding and nesting, and therefore it is an important [Read More…]

I was photographing a Barred Owl when this Prothonotary Warbler landed near my pickup, and I was able to get a few quick photos.

It was near the four-corner intersection of the auto tour road at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

My camera and lens were resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Gear Used:

• Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date and Time Taken: May 1, 2010 (08:42 A. M.)
• Aperture Priority
• Aperture: f7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/1600 (as determined by the camera)
• ISO: 3200
• White Balance: Auto
• Metering Mode: Multi
• Back-button Focus
• Single Point Auto Focus
• Exposure Compensation: -0.33
• Focal Length: 360 mm
• Processed With Luminar 4

Related Posts:

1. Prothonotary Warbler In The Vines
2. Prothonotary Warbler Building Nest
3. Prothonotary Warbler With Spider
4. Prothonotary Warbler Are Tolerant Of Humans
5. A Bright Yellow Prothonotary Warbler

I photographed this Prothonotary Warbler in the vines near Miners Cove which is at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. These birds like staying in the dense, woody areas near water which makes it difficult to get a clear shot of one.

I parked in the area looking for a Raccoon that I had seen earlier. The Prothonotary Warbler came near my pickup and I got several photos.

I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Gear Used:

• Camera: Canon 7D Mark 2
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date & Time Taken: April 26, 2018 (09:44 A.M.)
• Aperture Priority
• Aperture: f5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/250 sec. (as determined by the camera)
• ISO: 800
• White Balance: Auto
• Metering Mode: Evaluative
• Exposure Compensation: 0.3
• Back-button Focus
• Single Point Continuous Auto Focus
• Focal Length: 400 mm
• Processed With Luminar 4

Related Posts:

1. Prothonotary Warbler Building Nest
2. Prothonotary Warbler With Spider
3. Prothonotary Warbler Are Tolerant Of Humans
4. A Bright Yellow Prothonotary Warbler

I photographed this Prothonotary Warbler building a nest in a dead tree at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It is the only eastern warbler that nests in natural or artificial cavities.

How I Got The Shot – Prothonotary Warbler Building Nest

The Prothonotary Warbler is nesting in the Baker parking area near the water. This is also next to Sally Jones Lake.

I was using a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera with a Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM lens. I had this setup resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Taken on April 28, 2020, at 07:38 A.M.

Camera Settings

• AV Mode
• Back-button focus
• Aperture f5.6
• ISO 2000
• Shutter speed – 1/640 sec.
• Auto White Balance
• Single Point, Continuous Auto Focus
• Exposure Bias – +1/2 EV
• Multi Metering
• Focal Length – 500 mm

Here is another photo I took of a Prothonotary Warbler: Prothonotary Warbler With Spider

I photographed this Prothonotary Warbler with a spider at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It flew near my pickup and waited a few seconds before eating the spider.

How I Got The Shot – Prothonotary Warbler With Spider

I parked at the Baker Parking area to photograph a Prothonotary Warbler build a nest in a tree cavity. While I was doing this, it perched on a limb near my pickup with the spider. It was a cloudy day so it was difficult to get good photos.

I was using a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera with a Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM lens. I had this setup resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Taken on April 28, 2020, at 07:50 A.M.

Camera Settings

• AV Mode
• Back-button focus
• Aperture f5.6
• ISO 2000
• Shutter speed – 1/500 sec.
• Auto White Balance
• Single Point, Continuous Auto Focus
• Exposure Bias – +4/3 EV
• Multi Metering
• Focal Length – 500 mm

Here is a Photo of a Prothonotary Warbler I photographed in a different area of this refuge: Prothonotary Warbler Are Tolerant Of Humans