Adult Black-capped Chickadee perched in a hawthorn – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Photographing Black-capped Chickadees away from bird feeders can be a challenge because when they are in the wild finding them is a matter of good eyesight, hearing and always being aware of the view in front of me.
More often than not I hear Black-capped Chickadees before I see them. I absolutely adore their cheery calls.
On the first of September I heard a Black-capped Chickadee and was able to determine that the bird was at the back side of a hawthorn. I paid close attention to the movement of the chickadee that I could see through the leaves of the tree and when it came out into the open I was able to take a series of images of it where there was an out of focus, red hawthorn berry just below its tiny bill. I can’t really say why I like that bright red spot in this photo but I do.
Black-capped Chickadee close up in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning in another location in the Wasatch Mountains I was able to take a short series of close up photos of a Black-capped Chickadee and that was a thrill for me. Since the early days of my bird photography obsession I’ve liked being able to take intimate close up photos of wild birds when I can because the photos show fine details in their plumage that I might not see with just my naked eyes.
I’m happy to have had these two little Black-capped Chickadees in my viewfinder this week. I enjoy seeing, hearing, and photographing these perky primarily black and white birds.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-capped Chickadee photos plus facts and information about this species.
I had the same thought as EC about the relative size of call vs. bird. 🙂
At this moment, I’m also watching our neighborhood RTHA through the clerestory windows as she circles on a little thermal.
That is a remarkably penetrating call for such a small bird.
Huge thanks for sharing their beauty.
Another fine set. Excellent detail, as usual.
Very nice. I have them year round in my yard, they are fearless!
I have had a Black-capped Chickadee in trees next to my house for the past two years. I hear it all the time. I gave up looking for it a long time ago. Meanwhile, I just enjoy the call.