Kirtland’s warbler- the bird that started my quest

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This warbler ,and it is a special warbler, began my quest and sparked my drive for finding rarities. I was shooting all the local warblers back in 2015 just getting to know all the species when I bumped into a couple over at Montezuma wildlife refuge. They saw my interest in warblers and asked had I ever been to Magee marsh in ohio? I said no and they began to tell me of the glorious thing known as "The Biggest Week in American Birding". Around the first week of May running into Mother's day people from all over the country would trek to Upper northwest Ohio in search of a plethora of migratory birds moving through on their annual spring migration. The stars of the show were the warblers that passed through and the rumor was that on some days they are literally dripping from the trees. I googled it and started watching youtube videos on it and decided well this is the place I need to go. So up to this point I never traveled much and certainly not alone but I decided to suck it up and do it. I stayed in Port Clinton and its about 30 mins away from the marsh and on my first day there I realized that this was the place! I had heard that occasionally a Kirtland's warbler would pass through and you had to be real lucky to get it Well no luck the first year , I did a little chasing around Ohio but to no avail. Then on my second year there was a sighting! I was there a mass of us moved over to a treeline and...a female magnolia warbler. Disappointed but short of breath the excitement was intense. They had a twitter feed that was fed information by local guides that would spot and locate birds, it was the best system ever! Third day in "kirtland's warbler seen, not a false alarm, main parking lot". I rushed over and everyone was peering into the trees including Moose Peterson, a famous wildlife photographer. I followed a group down into the east entrance of the boardwalk following a "yellow-cap", they were trip consultants that volunteered to spot birds on the boardwalk. Seasoned bird pros that could spot a single twig movement and name the bird, genus and species! We were all peering in and I yelled is that it over there on the bark of that tree and the Yellow hat said yes and told me good spot! I was feeling like a real pro...lol The bird then disappeared again into the woods and there was a huge group out front of the woods with everyone working the bushes with their binoculars. In the meantime the Ohio DEC showed up and yellow taped off the area so no one would try to go in the woods and chase this bird. It was a momentous time! While hanging with the group I noticed a woman come over whisper into another man's ear and they hurried back over to the east entrance. Well that's my cue, I take off at a fast walk and get down there not even making it to the first bend and a young lady says" you looking for the Kirtland's?" I nod energetically and she says, "its right there". Dumbfounded I look in the tree to my right and it is busily hopping around on it less than 6 feet away! It then flys across the path lands in a tree and I manage to get 3 pics of the bird. I was actually shaking! I have now seen the bird at least 2 more times and had much better looks but nothing will be like that first time!! That sold me on bird photography and especially warblers and I have never looked back. I have not missed a season at Magee except for the "covid closure" in 2020 and will be going back again this year! The Kirtland was amazing but more importantly I have made many friends that I continue to bird with from there and we all share in our passion for this hobby.

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