September mornings in West Virginia carry a special kind of magic. The air feels crisp, the light turns golden, and the quiet hum of the woods is suddenly broken by flashes of color and song. This is fall bird migration – one of my favorite times of year to be behind the lens. Each morning brings a new surprise. Warblers flit among the treetops, sometimes staying for only a day before continuing their long journey south. The Cape May Warbler, the Canada Warbler, the Black-throated Green Warbler…these tiny travelers remind me just how connected our Nicholas County WV woods are to the greater world. What a gift it is to witness them passing through – West Virginia birding at its best!
As a nature photographer, fall bird migration season keeps me both patient and quick on my feet. One moment, the branches are still. The next, a bird I’ve never seen before, a LIFER, darts into view. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of raising my camera in time to capture a fleeting visitor before it disappears deeper into the forest.
Beyond the excitement, I find deep peace in these mornings. Watching bird migration unfold is a reminder of resilience and purpose – of how creatures so small can make journeys so great. It’s also a call to slow down, to notice the beauty right here in our own backyard.
A Few Fascinating Migration Facts:
Many warblers travel thousands of miles from North America to Central and South America each fall. These tiny birds, often weighing less than half an ounce, can fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during migration.
West Virginia’s diverse forests and elevations make it a birding hotspot, offering food and shelter along the way.
Bringing Nature Indoors:
The same images that bring me joy in the woods can bring warmth, calm, and inspiration into your home or office. If you’d like to see more from this year’s fall bird migration – or if you’d love to bring a piece of West Virginia’s wild beauty into your space – you can explore my Fine Art Print Collection.
Until then, I’ll be out at dawn, camera ready, waiting for the next flash of wings in the September light.
With wonder,
Jaki Good Miller
