Nuthatch in winter

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Nuthatch in winter

January 25, 2014 by Mike Powell

I didn’t think that there were many birds in my suburban neighborhood at this time of the year, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of different species during a post-snowstorm walk, including this White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). For most of hte time that I was observing it, the nuthatch was in the typical head-down position, but it finally turned its head to the side and I got this shot.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Canon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, Nuthatch, Runnymeade, Sitta carolinensis, white-breasted nuthatch | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on January 25, 2014 at 5:09 pm | Reply dogkisses

Oh, So absolutely beautiful!!! I love this bird, and this is a wonderful photo! Thanks for sharing.
- on January 25, 2014 at 5:16 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, I am glad you like the shot. Normally I observed these little birds only at feeders, but this one was perched on a tree in the backyard of one of my neighbors.
on January 25, 2014 at 5:09 pm | Reply Mjollnir

I’ve said it before Mike but you must have more patience than any other human being! Waiting for the habitually upside-down to turn their head is the mark of a true nature photographer or a complete loony. The jury’s out on that one, mate! lol 😀
- on January 25, 2014 at 5:14 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I had a friend who once complained that I never finish the things that I start. I had to correct him, noting that I had made a complete fool of myself on numerous occasions. For the record, I do tend to have a lot of patience and enjoy observing wildlife, occasionally forgetting that I have a camera in my hand.
  - on January 25, 2014 at 5:16 pm Mjollnir
    
    You sound a bit like me, sad to say! Wait for hours for the perfect photo op then realise your battery’s still on the charger at home. Hail, and well met, fellow Loony! 😀
on January 25, 2014 at 6:09 pm | Reply judysbirds

Good shot, Mike! I love watching these hyperactive little birds!
on January 25, 2014 at 7:07 pm | Reply Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Such a great shot!
- on January 25, 2014 at 7:23 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sheryl. I was happy that this little guy stopped for a minute–usually they are in constant motion.
on January 25, 2014 at 7:33 pm | Reply naturesnippets

Sure are cute and energetic small birds. Watched a pair one time in the woods. One went in a small hole, came out and flew off. the other one went in the hole and immediately back out, followed by a real mad flying squirrel! Soooo, you never know …..
on January 25, 2014 at 8:27 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

You got an amazing photo, I am always amazed my the patience required to get these special shots.
on January 25, 2014 at 9:45 pm | Reply Sue

Very nice, Mike.
on January 25, 2014 at 10:22 pm | Reply krikitarts

Nuthatches are endlessly fascinating for me. We see them here in Omaha and up at our cabin in northern Minnesota, and to me, they are the squirrels of the avian world. I never tire of watching their upside-down antics as they seem to hop down a tree trunk as if gravity drew them back to the trunk, rather than to the ground below. Miraculous!
on January 26, 2014 at 3:29 am | Reply afrenchgarden

Wonderful photo. Nuthatches are beautiful, elegant birds but ours over here are a different colour.
on January 26, 2014 at 8:59 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I enjoy seeing these little guys but you don’t see many looking anywhere but down.
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