After a long dry spell for birds on Antelope Island today I was surprised to photograph this Mountain Chickadee, a bird I didn’t expect to see on the island.

Mountain Chickadee Surprise, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahMountain Chickadee Surprise – Nikon D810, f16, 1/400, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I checked eBird.org and saw that there have been other reports of Mountain Chickadees there but it was certainly the first one I have found and pointed out on the island.

The chickadee was so close I had to go to f16 hoping to get the enough depth of field. This Mountain Chickadee was hanging out with a flock of sparrows and I might not have noticed it if it hadn’t called. At first it was hidden in a sagebrush but then it popped right up on top.

What a wonderful surprise!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Mountain Chickadee photos plus facts and information about this species.