Red-breasted Nuthatch giving me the eye – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While trying to get up into the mountains of the West Desert the other day I heard a call that excited me, it was the call of a single Red-breasted Nuthatch. I love to hear them but I love to photograph them even more so it was frustrating that I couldn’t see the nuthatch and that I couldn’t get to a spot where I had hoped to see more of them because of slippery, sloppy, muddy roads.
I’ve found that in order to photograph Red-breasted Nuthatches away from man made feeders in the wild you first need to locate them and then you need to have buckets of patience while waiting for them to come into view. If you don’t have the patience to sit and wait you will miss out on great opportunities with this species. I’ve also learned that the moment you decide to move on to another location is when they will most likely show up.
The song of a Red-breasted Nuthatch can be heard here.
Red-breasted Nuthatch at the edge of a mountain forest – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Because the nuthatches feed in trees finding a location that will get nice light on the birds can be a challenge and because they normally feed upside down under branches it can be even harder because the underside of branches are often in the shade. Not only are they a challenge to photograph because of light they move a lot and they move quickly which increases the difficulty of getting sharp photos.
Despite the challenges I am enchanted by these small forest birds, their calls and songs, their habit of hanging upside down to feed and their striking plumage patterns. All I want now is a few warm, sunny days to help dry up the dirt roads so I can get back into the high country to look for Red-breasted Nuthatches again.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-breasted Nuthatch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice shots, Mia!
That is one distinctive (and unmistakeable) call.
And a small charmer. I a v grateful for your patience.
Great images. I love their call, which carries over long distances. Often I can’t see them even when I can hear their call.
Very cool pics. Love the colors and your narrative is so helpful in learning about this fascinating bird. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful, they are hard to catch photos of, I have them in my yard year round. I usually hear the beeping before I see one. Have you seen their mating dance, or bob?
Now that is a Neat Shot!
There is a part of me that wishes we still lived in an area where we saw these fellows regularly.
Life of good indeed!
So excited had some spend the winter this year in northern Arkansas. Still around but I know they will be leaving soon.
Cool photos, Mia
Red-breasted Nuthatches have to be my favourite bird. I love it when they hang upside down. Wonderful photos as always.