Migrants are still parading through, sometimes stopping long enough to check out the facilities.

Our FOS (first-of season) tanagers have been here. The Scarlet Tanager is now in non-breeding plumage, with dull yellow feathers like the females, but with darker black wings.There has been one male here three times or three males at different times, who knows? Only the bird, and it won't tell me. This one spent eight full minutes pondering the bubbler and finally getting into the basin, where it was watched by a Downy Woodpecker.

9-23-20 Scarlet Tanager 9-23-20 Scarlet Tanager 9-23-20 Scarlet Tanager 9-23-20 Scarlet Tanager 9-23-20 Downy Woodpecker and Scarlet Tanager

This female Summer Tanager didn't hesitate as long. It was joined by a Carolina Chickadee and Magnolia Warbler for easy size comparison. Its raised head feathers form a bit of a crest, not often seen, and its color has more of a warm, orangey tinge.

9-26-20 FOS Summer Tanager female 9-26-20 FOS Summer Tanager female 9-26-20 FOS Summer Tanager female and Carolina Chickadee 9-26-20 FOS Summer Tanager female and Magnolia Warbler 9-26-20 FOS Summer Tanager female and Magnolia Warbler

Philadelphia Vireos have also been here a few times, considering a splash-bath, or maybe not.

9-24-20 Philadelphia Vireo 9-24-20 Philadelphia Vireo

A young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak joined the onlookers one day.

9-28-20 Rose-breasted Grosbeak immature male

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still vying for the feeders and flowers, fattening up for the long flight ahead.

9-24-20 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, immature male

Warblers in small flocks still seem to be circling the neighborhood. Some days, I'll see eight or nine species in different combinations. Northern Parulas are one of the smallest, like this female.

9-23-20 Northern Parula

Magnolia Warblers wear some of the best camouflage. If you look up at one, it blends in with the sun and yellowing leaves. From the side, the mossy greens and grays on its back help it blend into the natural scene. 

9-24-20 Magnolia Warbler

Bay-breasted Warblers are likewise suited to the environment they must traverse in the season.

9-25-20 Bay-breasted Warbler

Finding enough food is what it's all about when these migrants make a rest stop. This Black-throated Green Warbler was catching flying ants, tasty little snacks.

9-27-20 Black-throated Green Warbler with insect

Nashville Warblers also blend in as blue plus yellow equals green.

  9-27-20 Nashville Warbler

So, what accounts for the Halloween Warbler, the American Redstart? Black and orange, light and shadow, it flutters down onto a branch as gracefully as a leaf.

9-28-20 American Redstart
 

The dull yellow female Tennessee Warblers are easily mistaken for leaves.

9-27-20 Tennessee Warbler
 

The Ovenbird walks along the floor of scattered leaves, blending in with earth, sticks and stones. It doesn't call, "teacher, teacher, TEACH!" in the fall and is easily missed.

9-28-20 Ovenbird
 

We all have stresses and worries in these strange pandemic times,

so here's a tiny bit of pure, unadulterated joy to brighten your day!

(Black-throated Green Warbler)

9-25-20 Black-throated Green Warbler in the Bubble