Douglas Fir cone in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 1250, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Douglas Firs are tall, long-lived evergreen trees that are native to Western North America and Pacific coastal areas. Here in Utah we have Rocky Mountain Douglas Firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) growing in many of our mountain ranges. The cones of Douglas Firs provide food for birds and mammals and the trees provide shelter and nesting areas too. I’ve been paying attention to the Douglas Firs we have here for several years because of the birds I know I can find eating the seeds of the trees from their cones.
Pine Siskin taking a break from eating sunflower seeds – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 320, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Pine Siskin eat the seeds of the firs and since they can easily be heard while they are foraging. I often rely on my ears as well as my eyes to find them. Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees also feed on the seeds and they are often as vocal as the siskins while foraging.
Red Crossbill drinking at a puddle of water – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR at 400mm with 1.4x TC, natural light
Red Crossbills have bills that are highly adapted to removing seeds from the cones of conifers including Douglas Firs.
Clark’s Nutcrackers and Dark-eyed Juncos will also eat the seeds of the firs.
Red-breasted Nuthatch on a Douglas Fir – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The seeds of Douglas Firs provide food for Red-breasted Nuthatches too which they will consume on the spot or cache for eating later. Like the siskins I listen for these nuthatches to determine when they are in the area.
Right now this year’s crop of the female cones of these firs aren’t mature yet so I will keep checking on them and when they are mature I plan on parking near some Douglas Firs to photograph whatever birds come in to feed on the seeds.
Paying attention to the natural food sources of woodland birds can make it easier to find them and once you find those food sources being patient comes into play because if the food is there, the birds will come but it might take time.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos and here to see more of my bird images.
The passing of a season + a great photographer = beautiful pics. Thanks Mia.
I often see pine siskins and nuthatch at our bird feeders.
So beautiful photo’s and telling of the tree’s uses! love mom
Beautiful collection. I watched red tree squirrels collecting the cones this morning at Silver Lake.
Douglas Firs are such stately trees! Love them…Nice series….esp. The Nuthatch….
Patience which will be bountifully rewarded.
Douglas firs are high up on my list of favorite botanicals. Thanks for showcasing their important niche this morning. 🙂