Photographing Red-breasted Nuthatches Isn’t Easy

Red-breasted Nuthatch checking out a fir cone – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Photographing Red-breasted Nuthatches isn’t easy to because they are tiny, they move quickly and their flight patterns are fairly unpredictable. Finding the right habitat, their habitat, can make it fun.

Almost two years ago I decided I had to get out of the rut I felt I was in and explored a few areas I’d been wanting to explore for years. Because I did I have thousands of images I would not have had of Red-breasted Nuthatches and more.

Red-breasted Nuthatch hanging upside down from two fir cones – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Since November of 2018 a full 70% of my Red-breasted Nuthatch photos have been taken because I went on an adventure one winter morning.

That brisk morning I could hear nuthatches calling and by sitting and waiting patiently I watched as the tiny birds came in to feed on the seeds they found in Douglas Fir cones. I didn’t get any great photos that day because it was late and the sun had risen too high. The next time I went back to that spot I got the photos of these small nuthatches that I’d been dreaming of.

Red-breasted Nuthatch with a fir seed in its bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

So yesterday morning I wasn’t surprised to see the Red-breasted Nuthatches in these photos. It is great habitat for them because of the abundance of conifers and deciduous trees in the area. They have ample food and shelter at this location and that draws them in.

Red-breasted Nuthatch in bright morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Me? I just have to focus on being patient and lock onto them as soon as they appear. And take a ton of photos as they forage for the seeds of the Douglas Fir cones.

Red-breasted Nuthatch nestled in a Douglas Fir – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And hope that I get light in their eyes in some of the photos I take. Sometimes I get lucky and I am able to takes images of them in a pose or setting I haven’t been able to capture before.

The image above is one such example. Usually I photograph these nuthatches clinging to the fir cones and for the most part they are upside down. Yesterday this Red-breasted Nuthatch nestled into a bough of the fir tree and foraged upright.

Adult Red-breasted Nuthatch upside down – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The next time I photographed it in the position I usually see the nuthatches in. Hanging upside down and clinging to their food source.

Red-breasted Nuthatch high up in a sky island mountain – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Every time I head to this location now I think about the photos of Red-breasted Nuthatches, other birds and animals I would have missed seeing and photographing if I had ignored my desire to explore.

Red-breasted Nuthatch on a Douglas Fir bough – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

My time spent observing and photographing these Red-breasted Nuthatches yesterday morning was challenging and great fun. On to my next adventure!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red-breasted Nuthatch photos plus facts and information on this species.