Tiny ruby crown

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Tiny ruby crown

February 27, 2020 by Mike Powell

I feel lucky when I am able to capture an unobstructed shot of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). I feel doubly fortunate when I manage to get a shot of the tiny red “crown” that is responsible for the bird’s name. Last week I spotted this Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “the male’s brilliant ruby crown patch usually stays hidden—your best chance to see it is to find an excited male singing in spring or summer.” I have seen some photos of Ruby-crowned Kinglets with their red feathers standing on end like a Mohawk hairstyle, but I have not yet seen that phenomenon in person. Spring is almost here, though, and I will keep my eyes open to see if I can spot an excited male singing kinglet. (I recommend that you repeat the words “singing kinglet” several times and you will almost certainly end up with a smile on your face.)

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Canon 50D, kinglet, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Regulus calendula, ruby-crowned kinglet, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on February 27, 2020 at 8:24 am | Reply weisserwatercolours

….you’re right–I’m smiling!
on February 27, 2020 at 8:43 am | Reply mitzybricker

Beautiful capture, Mike!

Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
on February 27, 2020 at 11:25 am | Reply Michael Scandling

Wow! You’re just batting 1000 here.
on February 27, 2020 at 11:41 am | Reply Eliza Waters

Nice capture of this cute little compact bird, Mike. The red dot reminds me of a bindi on an Indian woman! 😉
on February 27, 2020 at 12:11 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Beautiful Mike! Fun to see the Ruby-crowned Kinglet!
on February 27, 2020 at 1:54 pm | Reply Louella Lester

Great shot🙂
on February 27, 2020 at 4:04 pm | Reply Steve Gingold

That’s a two-fer. Tiny bird and tiny crown. Very nice, Mike.
- on February 28, 2020 at 7:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Steve. This kinglet is one of the smallest birds in our area and is a real challenge to photograph. I don’t think any of us would be wildlife and nature photographers if we didn’t enjoy the challenge of shooting challenging subjects in an environment that we cannot control. 🙂
  - on February 28, 2020 at 4:04 pm Steve Gingold
    
    Absolutely agree, Mike.
on March 1, 2020 at 7:17 am | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Cannot say I have EVER seen one of these. Thanks!
on March 2, 2020 at 10:15 pm | Reply Laura Denise

🙂