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.