Eye on the prize

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Red-bellied Woodpecker in late February »

Eye on the prize

February 22, 2020 by Mike Powell

This Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) had its eye on the prize, with the prize being a cluster of wizened poison ivy berries, yesterday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. These tiny songbirds rely on seeds and fruits to make it through the winter. I won’t be long, though, before they revert to a diet of primarily insects—I like to think of them as seasonal vegetarians.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Canon 50D, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, poison ivy berries, Regulus calendula, ruby-crowned kinglet, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on February 22, 2020 at 7:06 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great capture, Mike. It won’t be long before he’s hidden from view.
- on February 22, 2020 at 7:14 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. When the foliage is back on the trees I know that it is time to start looking for insects to photograph. There are fewer birds in the winter, but at least I have a fighting chance to see them among the bare branches.
on February 22, 2020 at 8:34 am | Reply weisserwatercolours

…..wow. Talk about a laser-focused stare. That is one wee, yet intense creature you’ve treated us with this morning, Mr. Powell.
on February 22, 2020 at 8:38 am | Reply mitzybricker

Sweet photos!

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on February 22, 2020 at 8:44 am | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

Perpetual motion machine… 😂😂. I appreciate shots of these little guys for the patience required getting a good shot. Nice.
on February 22, 2020 at 11:40 am | Reply Michael Scandling

This guy is really intense.
on February 22, 2020 at 3:13 pm | Reply Birder's Journey

Lovely shots of this delicate little fellow…great job capturing these poses.
on February 22, 2020 at 7:24 pm | Reply Bonnie Marshall

You bring interesting comment and pictured beauty into our lives, Mike. Your dedication is always evident.
- on February 23, 2020 at 6:40 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much, Bonnie. Your comments always encourage and inspire me. People choose to blog for all kinds of reasons. You have described pretty well the what I consider to be the purpose of this blog, i.e. sharing a part of myself and my world through my words and images.
on February 23, 2020 at 8:56 pm | Reply nliakos

Haha, seasonal vegetarians indeed! What a cute little bird. Interesting that the poison ivy berries don’t harm them.
on February 25, 2020 at 4:14 pm | Reply Laura Denise

Beautiful composition!
- on February 25, 2020 at 6:12 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura.