Spring migration in my backyard.

Female Ruby-crowned Kinglet done in colored pencil in my Garden Sketchbook.

I'm off to a good start filling in my 2011 garden sketchbook. Not so good with my car. Sadly my check engine light came on flashing like crazy which prevented me from making a trip to the woods to check on blooming Trout Lilies and Trillium. I was going to make the trip on Tuesday when the van miss-fired, but God blessed me in other ways. I ventured out back behind my garage in hopes to photograph some birds and was surprised once again to find the first of migrating birds out there. The first ones I spotted were Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Then I saw some Yellow Warblers darting in and out of the Forsythia.

I stood back there for nearly two hours capturing the regular birds that come to my yard and feeder. Then just when I thought I was done I spotted another warbler. This time it was a Male Yellow-Rumped Warbler in his full Summer plumage.

Male Yellow-rumped Warbler

And I was surprised again when I turned around and in the Peach tree sat the female Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

Female Yellow-rumped Warbler

She is such a beauty! I love her coloring. And yep I think she will be #4 in the Letters to Chloe series.

Some times when things just don't go the way you planned God blesses you with little surprises. I would have missed these beautiful birds if I had taken off like I had planned to.

Enjoy!
Toni