A bolt of yellow

An unexpected visitor in our own yard. I could scarcely believe my eyes, matching the color of the lemons in our tree. Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, Orange-Crowned, Townsend's? I followed it through obscured glances up the tree, along the fence and finally to a low lying succulent. He tipped his head towards us as a gentlemen tips his hat, revealing a peaked cap of black feathers. No mistaking that bird now, it was a Wilson's Warbler. Looking very sharp and healthy I might add, brilliant yellow feathers even in the dull overcast light. We watched him flit to peck the underside of leaves, hover and arc back mid-flight, and even give us a Phoebe style tail bob. Sat on the wooden flower beds, he snapped excitedly at a passing fly. He missed that one, but pinched another and took it off behind the trimming.

I know we have Wilson's around during Summer. I've seen plenty in thick willows by water, but never in our backyard. I wondered if this was a migrant, stopping over to refuel on his way back South? I've heard Fall species have been passing through so it's not out of the question. He worked his way back the way he came from shrub to shrub, then up into a big plum tree. We lost sight of him, but his chittering call droned on. I wonder if we'll see him again, or whether he'll be taking off tonight and moving on further South.