I raised my camera to my eye when I spotted a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) extracting seeds from spiky Sweet Gum balls on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. As I pressed the shutter release, the chickadee took off and I captured this fun photo of the departing little bird.
I really like the way the head is tilted upward and how the tiny claws are still extended. Most of all, though, I love the way that I was able to capture the feather details in the extended wing.
Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good—this was definitely not the shot that I thought I was taking.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love this action shot. The shape of the fanned out wing with its overlapping feathers and the tilt of the head made me think of a Flamenco dancer.
I love the detail you captured on the wing here, Mike. Lovely!
Wh