One of my most difficult avian subjects.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago I spent some time at and near my favorite spring and fall migrant trap. I was mostly in search of migrating warblers, and I found some, but this Ruby-crowned Kinglet also put in an appearance. RCKI’s are one of the North America’s smallest songbirds and if they’re not the flittiest species I see and attempt to photograph in my area, they’re close. So any decent photo I get of a RCKI is a keeper.
I tried to get and keep this tiny bird in my viewfinder for longer than I care to think about, but it was so flitty in the busy setting I almost never locked focus on it. But when it landed here it screwed up by choosing a relatively open spot and holding reasonably still for long enough for me to fire off several shots. Of the few I had to choose from, I like this one best.
If you prefer a slightly less cluttered setting, here’s a vertical composition of the same photo.
If you notice that my narrative this morning is a little rough around the edges, my excuse is that I slept in – big time. As I publish this post I’m still in a bit of a caffeine-deprived fog, so I hope you’ll cut me a little slack.
Ron
Migrant trap – “Some places seem to have a knack for concentrating migrating birds in larger than normal numbers. These “migrant traps” often become well known as birding hotspots. This is typically the result of local weather conditions, an abundance of food, or the local topography.”
They are the bird that makes me feel like Captain Ahab after my small Moby.
That’s only the second Ruby Crown Kinglet I have ever seen in my life in the wild. When I was a teenager I rescued one that was Tangled in some fishing line here in Idaho. I got to hold him in my hand before I let him go and check him out what a cool little bird.
Voting for the vertical crop today. Glad you were able to spend some moments with this little cutie. Also glad you slept in and took a nap — definitely a good idea to put some extra rest in the bank for your upcoming “medventure.”
Thanks, Marty. I’ll need as much sleep as I can get in the bank, based on how little sleep I get in hospitals.
I love nurses (my mom and both sisters were/are nurses), but I can’t forgive how loud they are at the nurses station when they’re laughing, telling jokes and stories and carrying on at about 80 decibels all night when their patients are trying to sleep. Desperately needing to sleep. It never fails…
We need to get you some noise-cancelling headphones.
From late fall through winter we can find Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the underbrush in nearly any outing. Getting a photo is a whole different ballgame. The constant flitting and movement is the easiest way to distinguish them from the Hutton’s Vireo which is here throughout the year and looks very similar. (Ruby-crowns leave the valley to breed at higher elevation). Vireos are very sluggish in comparison. The longest views of Ruby-crowned Kinglets I usually get is when they come to our suet. Perhaps the only bird more elusive is the Golden-crowned Kinglet but that’s because they stay well up in the conifers. I hear them but seeing one is another matter. If a Ruby-crowned Kinglet ever sits still long enough, look for its yellow feet. With their constant motion it’s not an easy feature to see.
Dan, RCKI’s are altitudinal migrators here too.
Their yellow feet always look a little funny to me. Not so much because they’re yellow (to go along with dark legs) but because they look so… thick – almost like they’ve been dipped in thick yellow liquid rubber that’s been allowed to dry.
I almost included a photo in today’s post that included the feet but the photo I wanted to use was a little soft.
A truly lovely capture. The vertical crop for me this morning. Thank you. And I hope you have recovered from your caffeine free start.
Thanks, EC. Yeah, I recovered but I just ate lunch so now I’m beginning to feel like I need a nap.
Naps are GOOD.
The vertical, definitely. The flittiest, possibly. I can’t recall if you’ve ever posted pics of a Wilson’s Warbler? One just visited my fountain, and I had actually written in my iBird notes how bouncy, chirpy and flitty he was, as per usual. Which is why I love them … and RCKIs! 😉
Chris, I’ve posted a few Wilson’s Warblers over the years. Here’s the most recent one from a couple of years ago.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2020/09/17/wilsons-warblers-wood-warblers-and-rictal-bristles/
Rictal bristles! I had no idea (since I apparently missed that post 2 years ago), and likely will never see them on any Wilson in my yard, they’re always much too busy flitting about for my binocs to lock on to their little beaks!
My coffee-deprived brain read “flittiest” as filthiest, and I was wondering why you were describing such an adorable creature as filthy. A re-read got that straightened out, but now I’m wondering if you knew it was a kinglet and not a warbler as you were photographing it, or if that came later in processing? ID based on behavior/size? Whew!
Bernd Heinrich in his “Winter World, The Ingenuity of Animal Survival” discusses kinglets – truly amazing! Thank you for this post!
Carolyn, I was pretty sure it was a kinglet while I had it in my viewfinder, but I always confirm by looking at my photos.
Congrats on capturing this little “flitty” gem! The vertical composition is certainly the favorite, thank you for including it. Hope you’ve had your coffee by now 🙂 Sleep is good for the soul.
“Sleep is good for the soul”
And I’m likely to get some more of it before long. Thanks, Kathleen.
Nice shots Ron. Have never heard the Migrant Trap term, but have been to them without knowing what they are called. I know you don’t like crowds and I don’t either, but in today’s tech world with ebird etc it is hard to avoid them when notice of a find is sent out.
Hope the back is holding up ok while you wait.
Everett, this migrant trap is so remote, and such a long drive for most birders around here, I’ve almost never seen another birder when I’ve been there. Fits me perfectly.
I found this photo not only beautiful but moving.
Take Care and Thank You,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye. In the case of kinglets, “moving” can have additional meaning… 🙂
Very sharp picture of one so elusive. Perky and alert describes this little one, as opposed to his surroundings showing the effects of a long hot summer
Dudley’s Migrant Trap has become one of my preferred birding locations, too. Through your lens, of course.
Lyle, this particular migrant trap hasn’t been as productive this year as it has been in the past. Probably because of the “long hot summer” you mentioned.
What a sweetheart! The expression on “her” face warrants her appearance here, and it’s a fine photo all around.
For what it’s worth, the vertical composition pleases me.The out of focus branch in the background trains the focus on your little friend there.
“For what it’s worth… ”
Alison, when it comes to composition I’m always interested in the preferences of my readers. Thanks for providing yours.
No idea how you managed to get photos of such a flighty tiny bird. Around my place we get the small flocks of Bushtits, and I can barely get a bead on them with binoculars; and then for maybe a second or two at best. That’s some real quickdraw photography. Well done!
Michael, Bushtits are one of the reasons I hedged my bet by not saying unequivocally that kinglets are the flittiest birds I photograph. Bushtits are probably just as difficult.
Nice! They certainly would “blend into the woodwork” when not in motion. 😉 Vertical composition works better for me today.
Apparently we’re a bit of a “Migrant Trap” this year – flock of Robins through yesterday, a surprise!
Bit of rain last night – appears they’re getting a fair amount up around Cut Bank and along the Hiline – they need it too!
Judy, from the photos I’ve seen of your place on the creek I suspect it would make an excellent migrant trap. With birds you never know though…
I hope CB is getting some moisture.
With all that is going on for you lately, Ron, sleeping in was probably good for you so no excuses required. RCKIs are something we don’t have here (that I know of) so I’m always intrigued enough to look up online to hear them when a recording is available. It’s a pretty little bird but what I like best is your description: “flittiest” is my “cute” word of the day, embodying all the frustrated desire every bird photographer will know.
Granny Pat, at first I hesitated to use “flittiest”, and even deleted and replaced it once, but in the end it seemed to work best for the situation.
You needed that break after an exhausting hunt for that perfect shot of the kinglet.
Kenneth, I don’t think a “perfect shot” of a kinglet will ever be in my portfolio. Whenever I’m lucky enough to find one they seem to go into hyperdrive as soon as they see my lens pointed their way.