Smaller birds seem to enjoy foraging for Sweet Gum seeds while the seed pods are still hanging on the trees, like this Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) that I spotted last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Many of you may recall a somewhat similar posting last month featuring goldfinches. If you have not yet seen it, check it out at Goldfinch and Sweetgum.
Although I enjoy photographing raptors, like the Bald Eagle that I showcased yesterday, I derive an equal amount of pleasure observing and attempting to photograph tiny birds like this chickadee. Beauty is everywhere.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beauty is everywhere, Mike. Nice shot.
Chickadees are great!
Very nice Mike! The Sweetgum adds an interesting visual element!
Beautiful, Mike, but isn’t it a chickadee?
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Nevermind! 😂 Saw Chickadee in your title! 😂
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
🙂
Wonderful clarity, Mike, and a well-timed capture!
Thanks, Eliza. When I am taking shots like this from quite a distance away, I am never quite sure how well they will come out. I took quite a few shots of this little chickadee and this is one of the few that came out well.
Always happy to see another chickadee. They have sure been missing from our feathered friend inventory this year.
We are all way out of our “comfort zone” this year, Gary. Despite our discomfort, nature seems to be getting along just fine and I am happy to provide you these brief windows into the world that was once familiar to you (and hopefully will soon be again).
I’m really enjoying reflections of memories through your posts, Mike, and I wish you and yours wonderful holiday togetherness, in spite of the challenging restrictions.
It certainly is! And this is gorgeous!
Certainly is!
[…] from the spiky seedpods of the sweetgum tree. In the past month I have done postings featuring chickadees and goldfinches. Today I am spotlighting a beautiful House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) that I […]
[…] from the spiky seedpods of the sweetgum tree. In the past month I have done postings featuring chickadees and goldfinches. Today I am spotlighting a beautiful House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) that I […]