Black-capped Chickadee foraging in mulleins – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two days ago I was able to spend a few minutes taking Black-capped Chickadee photos as small flock of them foraged in Common Mulleins. Some of the chickadees were adults and some I believe were young of the season because of the begging behavior I saw and heard.
Black-capped Chickadee perched on an old mullein flower stalk – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
The Black-capped Chickadees were probably searching for insects in the mulleins of which there are always multitudes at this time of the year.
Common Mulleins are not native to North America but they can be found throughout the continent. The old, dried flower stalks can and do persist for years after blooming. This chickadee is perched on one of those old stalks.
Black-capped Chickadee and Common Mulleins – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
As is this chickadee which was near a blooming stalk of mullein. My focus at this point was on the birds though, not the flowers. As abundant as Black-capped Chickadees are I don’t have as many photos of them as I would like because in my experience when they are not near bird feeders they can be challenging to find and photograph.
Back view of a Black-capped Chickadee in mulleins – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
I enjoyed the few moments I had with these Black-capped Chickadees as they foraged in the mulleins. The chickadees left the area soon after I took this last image of one that perched on a wire fence near where I sat in a mobile blind. This is likely one of the adults, their plumage can look pretty worn after a busy breeding season!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-capped Chickadee photos plus facts and information about this species.
Once again – like a stuck record (remember those?) – I gotta say that the textures, colors and details you capture are simply astounding! What a wonderful group of pics. Thanks Mia.
Yet another charmer. Thank you.
Always a sweet pretty bird that comes to my feeder year around. Getting some rain today in my area, but the smoke is still thick.