Pygmy Nuthatch: Sitta pygmaea,
Moraine Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park
Four years ago I found the nest of a Pygmy Nuthatch in a
broken Ponderosa Pine snag near the entrance to the Moraine Valley campground
at Rocky Mountain NP. The nest is still
active and I had the opportunity to photograph the birds again on June 11. As in the past, these little birds objected
to my presence, but once I sat down on a nearby rock they seemed to forget
about me and carried on with daily feeding activity. Both the male and female were busily bringing
morsels of insects and larvae to the nestlings.
Like all nuthatches they were bundles of energy exploring every nook and
cranny in their territory. Many times,
they alighted on this perch near me. I
had positioned myself so the meadow grasses in the background would be out of
focus to form a clean, aesthetic background.
I am constantly amazed at the joy that birds bring to my
life. I am never any happier, than when
I am looking through my camera photographing birds.
On second thought, I’m pretty happy when I’m
holding my grandkids also.
Photo by Whitney Robison
Pygmy Nuthatch: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/800 second @ f/10
