Pic of the Day

Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile articapillus, Jack Pine forest; Mio, Michigan

     I was driving around the Jack Pine forest of Mio, Michigan looking for Kirtland's Warblers when I found the nest of this Black-capped Chickadee.  I was driving along one of the logging roads when I just happened to see this chickadee fly into a hole in a jack pine.  I immediately stopped, and backed-up to where I had seen the bird.  The nest hole was in a 4-inch diameter jack pine that was leaning about 30 degrees off the vertical.

     It was not long before I saw the chickadee fly to the nest with insects in its beak.  I quickly moved the van into a position that would allow me to use it as a blind.  No sooner had I aimed the camera at the nest, the chickadee alighted on a branch just above the nest entrance with a beak full of insect larva.  I took a few dozen shots and then left the chickadee to it nesting duties.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/100 second @ f7.1

Pic of the Day

     Black-capped Chickadee – Magee Marsh:  One of the great things about Magee Marsh is the fearlessness of the birds.  They go about their daily activities unconcerned with human presences on and about the boardwalk. 

     This Black-capped Chickadee was nesting in a cavity of a limb that hung over the boardwalk and about six feet high.  The nest was in the perfect place for photography.  Beginning in the early morning the male would bring its mate food while she remained on the nest.  This shot was made just after a food delivery.

     Dozens of people gathered around the nest  to watch the male ferry food to the female.  On occasion she would fly-out of the nest, alight on a limb and allow the male to feed her, then she would dart back into the nest with lighting speed. 

     I used a slower shutter speed in order to balance the flash that illuminated the bird with the background.  This technique was best achieved when sunlight struck the background foliage.  Hope you enjoy the image!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/80sec. @ f-11, Fill Flash