Including evidence of the bird’s labors.
1/2500, 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
This past November I spent considerable time photographing Mountain Chickadees feeding on Douglas Fir seeds in the Stansbury Mountains. The fact that this bird chose this particular cone was a fortunate choice for me because its scales weren’t open very far making the seeds difficult and time consuming to extract and I had a clean background. That combination gave me multiple opportunities with this bird in an attractive setting.
So this guy was working hard to get at a seed or two.
In a vertical crop of the same image we see evidence of “his” labors – falling cone debris at the bottom of the frame.
In previous posts I believe there may have been some confusion among a few of my readers regarding the difference between Mountain Chickadees and Black-capped Chickadees. They really are two distinct species – I’m not just calling these birds Mountain Chickadees because I photographed them in the mountains.
Notice the white superilium (“eyebrow stripe) of the Mountain Chickadee.
The Black-capped Chickadee lacks the white supercilium. They’re called “black-capped” for good reason since their black cap is not interrupted by white. Their ranges and preferred habitats are also different although there’s some overlap in western North America.
Ron
Note: WordPress has been acting up all morning. Just getting this post published was a pain in the patootie so if readers have trouble loading this post that’s probably why.
I love it when the little ones draw your attention!
Stephanie, the little ones ALWAYS draw my attention when they’re in a cooperative mood.
I love the last shot. Everything about it is nice.
Thank you, Jean.
Yet another series featuring beautiful industrious birds that I will never see. Thank you. And thanks to the cooperative chickadees too.
Our weather forecasters lie like pigs in mud. NO rain again yesterday. And so far (admittedly it is still early) none today. Hiss and spit. I would have your rotten winter over our rotten summer in a heart beat.
I’d take our winter over what you’re enduring in your summer in an instant, EC. No question, I complain too much.
You DON’T complain too much. I am a firm believer in ‘give us this day our daily whinge’. And part of my comment was my whinge for the day.
I’ll go for that! 🙂 Damn on the rain tho…….. 🙁
Now I know why Douglas-fir cones have bracts: they’re handles for the chickadees to grab on to. We get the Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees here and when I put mixed nuts out it’s surprising to see them haul off big cashews and walnut halves (yes, these birds are spoiled).
Lyle, I’ve never seen, much less photographed a Chestnut-backed. Some day I’d love to.
Around here seems that a whole lot of people were born with a supercilium that grows as they reach puberty. . .;)
🙂
Love both of these settings. 😍 One of the busiest little birds! Does anyone not fall in love with the chickadee after watching them at work! I just love their grab and go method of foraging…just take one seed at a time. We have the black-capped here but I’m sure their movements and antics are quite similar. Last winter I sat along a country road that had a deer carcass; it’s not uncommon seeing eagles, crows feeding upon it. This day there were chickadees, hairy and downy woodpeckers pecking at the suet that was surrounding the rib cage. At first I was surprised at these sweet little birds doing that but as I thought about it I should not have been…they were simply doing what comes naturally…suet is suet no matter the source.
“suet is suet no matter the source”
Exactly, Kathy.
I once photographed a Song Sparrow eating fish. Back then I was surprised but I shouldn’t have been.
One of the best times to get bird photos is when they are busy eating something. Excellent photos Ron. I think the color contrasts with the conifer cones makes for very attractive photos.
Thank you, Everett.
They DO work for much of their grub…… Nice comparison between the 2 – we have the black-capped here – not sure I’ve ever seen a mountain. Laughed at the photo of the black-sapped on the mullein – Joe knows it a “Indian Tobacco” – took me awhile to figure out it’s “real name”….. 🙂 “Threatening” weather but like the last storm will mostly go around us. We DO need the snow!
Yeah, I’ve heard it called Indian Tobacco too. I like that single flower on top of the flower stalk.
I’m so sick of this damned weather! This has been the worst winter I can recall for light in the 50+ years I’ve lived in northern Utah.
It’s been VERY different here this year tho, other than the huge dust storm last Sat. far from the worst…….. 🙁