This tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) glared down at me as I photographed it on Wednesday in a tree overhanging a stormwater retention pond in Kingstowne, a suburban community only a mile or so from where I live. The autumn foliage surrounding the pond had several patches of impressively colorful leaves and I was delighted to be able capture some of the beautiful autumn color in the background of these two images.
In the first photo, you can see a portion of the kinglet’s “ruby crown,” a feature of the males that is often hidden from sight. The second image gives you a better overall view of the little kinglet, which only about four inches (10 cm) in length and weighs about .3 ounces (9 grams).
Ruby-crowned Kinglets are generally hyperactive, so it was unusual when this one paused for a moment in its foraging efforts and “posed” for me in the open.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Love that first shot, great colours!
Thanks. It was mostly a case of quick reactions, because the kinglet did not sit still for very long. I was lucky that the background turned out as cool as it did, because I did not have much of a chance to frame my shot and “work” the scene.
Nice captures, Mike, love that background!
We don’t have large expanses of color like I experienced in New England when I was a kid, but we do have isolated patches of bright color and I have been pretty fortunate in having the chance to incorporate them in some of my shots.
We have even less color than you, and this year we’ve had almost nothing so far.
We are in a pretty good geographic location, where we get some of the benefits of the north and some of the benefits of the south. Our leaves are falling quickly, though, and I woke this morning to see lots of them on them on the ground.
So hard to capture one 😁
Kinglets are small and fast and I rarely get a decent photo of one, but we do have both the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet in may area, so I’ll be trying to get shots of them in the upcoming months.
Love this Mike! 😊🍁
Thanks, Mitzy.