On May 23, 2010 we left E. Tawas, MI at 0900 in a dense fog. At around 1030 the top of the fog began burning off; patches of blue sky came and went overhead but visibility at water level was still less than two hundred yards. On and near shore air temperatures were way above normal. Insects began hatching and alighting on the boat and us. I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. When I turned my head to check it out, I saw that a bird had landed on my crew’s (another Dave) hat and was eating the insects that had settled there. Dave hadn’t felt a thing. I whispered that there was a bird on his head and told him to remain as still as possible. Then I eased my way below to get my camera and managed to get one photo before the bird flitted off.

I didn’t recognize the bird. When I got home yesterday, I used a bird book to try and identify it. It appears to be a Blackburnian Warbler. If I’m wrong, please let me know what type of bird it is.

The bird stayed on the boat for over three hours, wandering all over from stern to bow feasting on the insects.