Hibernation's End

4/29/2026

Well, it has been a minute. I spent most of winter indoors. That is a bit of shame. We had a good amount of snow, by Indiana standards, this winter. The winter was also bitterly cold most of the time with a lot of wind. It was just not much fun to be out in; so, I did not go out. Maybe I am just getting old. A few weeks ago, I finally pulled the camera back out. I needed to get some practice in before migration kicks into gear. Many state breeders have already arrived - some are even feeding young already.

They say that a swallow does not make spring, but it would not be spring without me getting a couple of Tree Swallow shots in. With this in mind, I headed to my go-to spot at Eagle Creek Park.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

This is all I got this day. I was a bit rusty, and it showed. I also had some camera issues. Turning the camera on and off seemed to fix the issue. Hopefully, this is not a sign of something larger. It was a good morning to be out, though. The weather was nice; maybe a bit too nice for April. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were everywhere.

The following weekend, I was back at Eagle Creek Park, again. The migrants warblers had arrived. Northern Parula and Yellow-throated Warbler were singing everywhere. I also had some Blue-gray Gnatcatchers; including one stealing spiderweb for a nest. Eastern Phoebe were calling near the parking lot, and a Canada Goose was nesting on the roof of the bathrooms. I guess it is Spring. The weather was beautiful day, and I spent a while walking the park. Brown Thrasher were particularly active, and I managed some good looks at (but zero photos of) an Orange-crowned Warbler.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Brown Thrasher

Blue-gray Gnatcather

The following weekend was the last weekend of April, and I got a bit more ambitious. I started by heading down to Morgan-Monroe SF for some birding. I got there a bit late, but I am not sure it mattered. Heavy fog had settled into the area. The woods were alive with song, though. I think I heard more Hooded Warbler singing than ever before. All of the usual suspects were here. I think my only real miss was Wood Thrush. Hooded, Worm-eating, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Kentucky, and Cerulean Warblers were singing in various spots around the park. Yellow-throated, White-eyed, and a single Blue-headed Vireo were all present, too. Louisiana Waterthrush and Northern Parula round out the remaining warblers; although I did have a few heard-only Tennessee Warbler. I had a good but tiring morning of walking up and down hills. Not much for photos, unfortunately.

Cerulean Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

Kentucky Warbler

Hooded Warbler

The next morning, I was back at Eagle Creek Park. I had high hopes for the day. It did not quite work out the way I had hoped, though. I pulled into the park and made a slow circuit of it. I generally drive with the windows down and listen for activity. The park was unexpectedly quiet. The weather was a bit cold, and the skies were overcast. I pulled into the marina, and the place was drowning in song. There must have been a hundred Yellow-rumped Warblers singing from the trees. With as many Yellow-rumped Warblers as there was, I would have thought I could get a photo. Nothing was pish responsive, though.  I slowly picked out a few Palm Warblers in the mass of birds flitting about the trees. I heard one Blackpoll Warbler, one Black-and-white Warbler, and saw one Yellow Warbler. This was not the morning I was hoping for.

In an effort to salvage something from the day, I headed over to the Crest. This is a beautiful little prairie area. I have long enjoyed coming to this spot to look for Henslow's Sparrow, and they were on my mind as I pulled into the park. One was calling close to the road. My primary target was Prairie Warbler, and I could hear it as soon as I parked. I walked back and located the warbler in the top of a very tall tree. I spent some time in the area pishing at Field and Swamp Sparrows and some Common Yellowthroat. Amazingly, the yellowthroats wanted nothing to do with me. I left the area and wandered out to where I heard the Henslow's on the way in. The Sunday birding group had it perched up on a stick and singing near the path. I grabbed a few shots, and then it flew further back in. I tracked it down for a few more shots before joining the group for a bit. They were heading back towards the Prairie Warbler, and I figured it would not hurt to take a second look. Spoiler - it paid off.

The warbler was in a tall tree. At least it was a different tall tree. I skirted around to get the sun at my back and watch the bird. The group tried walking past the tree, and the bird flushed back and low; eventually singing from somewhere out of sight. I slowly tracked the bird down. In the end, we surprised each other. I stepped around a bush and there it was - hanging onto a branch and singing. I slowly raised the camera and fired a few shots, but it flew after finishing another song.

American Goldfinch were quite active. They are still transitioning to summer plumage and look quite striking. Eastern Bluebird are feeding young already. A few Chipping Sparrows were singing from the soccer fields. There were reports of Blue Grosbeak from the park, but I did not hear any while I was there. The winds steadily increased and the cloud cover blew out. With the full sun and wind, it was time to head home.

Eastern Bluebird

Field Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Eastern Bluebird

Henslow's Sparrow

Henslow's Sparrow

Henslow's Sparrow

American Goldfinch

Field Sparrow

Palm Warbler

I have always loved shooting in grasslands. Maybe it is just that everything is at my height. The experience has made me eager to get out for some more grassland shooting. With migration kicking up, that may have to wait. Plus, there is a special visitor at a park nearby, and I need to get out for some more shots of it while it is here. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading,

Mike