Mountain Chickadee in a Douglas Fir – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I went up into the mountains yesterday hoping to take photos of one of my nemesis bird species I see there. While I did see and photograph some Brown Creepers I messed those photos up because I had taken off my teleconverter while I was photographing a small flock of Wild Turkeys so when the creepers flew in they were very small in the frame in the photos I took. By the time I got my teleconverter reattached the Brown Creepers had moved up the tree trunk out of my sight. But I did get lovely photos of the turkeys, some Red-breasted Nuthatches and a few Mountain Chickadees so I was happy.
I’d been up into the same mountains the day before when the temps were probably in the single digits (I had reset my trip indicator after filling up with gas and had it set on mileage not temps at first) and scouted out some great locations to photograph creepers, nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos and solitaires.
I knew that I was the first one up the mountain that morning after a snow storm had moved through since there were no tire tracks in front of my Jeep. As usual I focused on what was in front of me while enjoying the peace I find in nature. On my way down I found some fresh bobcat prints in the snow that hadn’t been there when I went up the mountain and also found a small flock of Juniper Titmice moving through the junipers.
Mountain Chickadee flying away with a Douglas Fir seed – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I wanted to share two photos of the Mountain Chickadees I photographed yesterday morning that flew in and fed on Douglas Fir seeds. I heard the chickadees before I saw them and could tell they were moving towards the trees in front of me so I was ready when they appeared near the fir cones. The chickadees often hang on the cones to pluck the seeds out much like the nuthatches here do.
The Mountain Chickadees were eating some of the Douglas Fir seeds plus they also may have been gathering some to cache them because at times they would grasp a seed in their bills, fly away with it and then fly back in to get another seed. I was ready when this chickadee grabbed a seed, dropped towards the ground and flew off to hide its treasure someplace nearby. Once the chickadees left the area I focused on the nuthatches who were also busy in the fir.
I’m determined to get the photos I want of the Brown Creepers so I am heading back to the mountains again this morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mountain Chickadee photos plus facts and information about this species.
The spread out wing is exquisite…..
Hope you got some good Creeper shots this morning. (OK, that one doesn’t sound right either. 😉 ) These shots are wonderful — any time I see a Chickadee, I automatically think of WC Fields and his, “My little chickadee” catchphrase. 🙂
Oh wow. Love the second in particular.
Good luck this morning.
That is a great shot!!! Wonderful to see the use of plants by birds — thank you!
Haven’t seen a mountain Chickadee in some time.The second one is so fitting as they are always on the move.
Fantastic photos, again. You are my heroine when it comes to lying bird shots! Wish I had your talent
The Mountain Chickadees are prettier, I think, than the Black-capped Chickadees that we have around here. Good luck with your Brown Creepers.
Great shots, wonderful setting!