One of my favorite photos of this tiny and frenetic dynamo.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The photo was taken just over a year ago in northern Utah as the bird was preparing to rouse, thus the fluffed up feathers. I like being able to see a portion of the scarlet crown patch in this male because usually it’s entirely concealed (females lack the crown patch).
Kinglets are some of my most difficult and uncooperative subjects because they’re almost always on the move – they rarely give the photographer long enough in the same place to lock focus on them. Throw in the extremely dense habitat they prefer and their diminutive size and you have a tough subject indeed. I couldn’t believe my luck when I caught this one out in the open, on a perch I like and in good light.
My shutter speed is excessive but I’d been shooting birds in shade and when he landed on this well-lit spot it shot up (I shoot in aperture priority) and I sure as hell wasn’t going to take the time to make any adjustments.
Ron
They certainly are elusive subjects. In Colorado I did catch two males in a sort of confrontation and both had their red crowns deployed. We see a few some winters in my south Florida neighborhood.
Fantastic shot! Love the peek-a-boo of the ruby crown of the little puff. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. I hope you’re thriving (or at least surviving) your first few weeks of classes.
A gaggle of 8th graders can seem frenetic too. 😉 In 30 years of teaching, I don’t think I’ve ever worked this hard, but they’re doing some really good stuff.
Love that you were able to catch the pocket dynamo when it was almost still. And that his crown is at least partially on display.
Thank you, EC.
These are great little birds, along with the Golden-crowned Kinglets. I look forward to their migration in spring and fall as they are the first to usher in the new season. This capture is lovely, Ron.
I’d love to get some nice shots of Golden- crowned some day. Thanks, Judy.
I have ruby-crowned kinglets around my home and have never been able to snap a photo of one! Those shy fluff balls are packed with energy and seem to know when someone is trying to capture their image. Congratulations on this delightful photo showing the ruby crown and bright eye. You must have the patience of Job.
“You must have the patience of Job”
Only with birds and photography, Melanie. In other aspects of my life I’m sorely lacking in patience…
I love these little birds!I remember the 1st time I ever saw one – just trying to keep up with him using a pair of binos was a chore, never mind taking such a nice photo. Bravo!
Yup, if you haven’t experienced their frenetic movements you really can’t appreciate them. Thanks, Joanne.
WOW!! Congratulations on this capture. Having watched these birds and having tried to photograph them, I actually have an idea of how unusual this shot it. I like that the ruby crown is visible. I’ve never seen it except in your photos.
I don’t often see the crown either, Susan and I probably never would if not for the excellent optics of my telephoto lens. Typically they only flash their crown for a moment or two.
Very nice photo Ron, and neat to see a little bit of why they are named Ruby-crowned. And very true regarding always moving and their choice of habitat. Thanks for sharing.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
Cute little devil. 🙂 Almost looks like “paint” dropped on it’s head which does match some colors in the leaves. Don’t know that I’ve seen any – if I did it was just a little bird in the brush..;)
Lots of folks don’t even notice them, Judy. They’re tiny and usually buried in the thickets so it’s easy to miss them.
Terrific! Love those fluffed feathers. 😍 Great colors here…nice pick-up of the crown color with the leaves. Frenetic is the perfect word for them; describes their motion perfectly. I love catching any bird rousing…last week I caught about 30 turkey vultures relaxing in the morning sun near a marina, preening, spreading their wings, rousing…what a fun time. I’m sure everyone of them shook their feathers many times!
Kathy, I think one almost has to experience this species to fully grasp what “frenetic” really is. You obviously have.