This year, I was thrilled to photograph Tufted Titmouse in my friend Steve Creek’s very birdy and extremely wonderful Arkansas yard. I stayed with Steve and his dog, Rosie, while I was recovering from my earlier trip to Virginia.
Adult Tufted Titmouse in Arkansas – Canon R7, f8, 1/800, ISO 1600, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500 mm at 500m, natural light, at a feeder
I saw Tufted Titmice in Virginia, but I was super busy there clearing out my mom’s apartment of 25 years and didn’t have any bird camera gear with me. While I was in Arkansas, Steve graciously loaned me his Canon R7 and taught me how to use it.
Both of the Tufted Titmice photos that I am sharing today are from the first time I used Steve’s Canon R7. I hadn’t even been in Arkansas a full 24 hours when I took these images.
I was tickled to be able to sit in comfort on Steve’s deck with these titmice and other Eastern birds in my view.
Immature Tufted Titmouse in Arkansas – Canon R7, f8, 1/2000, ISO 1250, Canon RF 100-500 mm at 472m, natural light, at a feeder
Steve’s yard attracts all kinds of birds and wildlife primarily because his yard is full of native trees, shrubs, and plants. The birds are at home in the tall pines, oaks, hawthorns, and mixed shrubs at the back of his yard provide safety and nesting areas.
I was delighted to photograph immature Tufted Titmice coming into the feeders with the adults at times.
While this past year has been rough on me, it also brought me joy. I was able to spend time with my mom before she passed and that meant the world to me.
I was able to reconnect with my niece Kristal and her daughter Wren in Virginia. I visited with my oldest son and his wife Lisa in Texas. And I had an amazing time sharing the birds and wildlife of Arkansas and Oklahoma with Steve and Rosie.
I survived what 2023 threw at me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tufted Titmouse photos.
What absolutely incredible photos! The detail is astounding. That Canon R7 really pops some tight shots. Both pics should be sitting in frames over a fireplace. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful recollections of your mother and good friend. Titmice are by far the most common visitor to our feeders here in Connecticut. Along with the chickadees and nuthatches, they retrieve sunflower seeds one at a time and fly to a perch to hack them open. I noticed that they are more efficient at this than the other species and return for a new seed much more quickly. They can really drain the tube feeder.
Beautiful photos and a great friend Steve helped with the recovery. I hope you are on the mend from this past weeks illness.
Your friend Steve, is the very best kind of friend to have and I love that he and his garden brought you comfort and joy at a very difficult time.
Thanks, Mia, I’m functioning again with the “read more” button.
And, I’ve had a rough 2023, too. Your blog has helped me keep my nature connection which has helped me stay grounded and able to function.
It has become really apparent how connection to your very deep love of birds is, when I lost that connection.
Thanks for all of your hard work, and for sharing it with us.
Sue