Black-capped Chickadee

Like most small birds, Black-capped Chickadees are very swift. They are relatively tame and will eat from the hand of a human, but they flit here, there and everywhere. They are a challenge to photograph because they tend to stay in the undergrowth of trees and because they move so quickly. It is also difficult to ensure that the eye is defined since it is black and blends in seamlessly with the black cap. To get this shot, I used a flash and was very lucky that this little guy stayed still just long enough.

Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in chasing the new or rare bird to photograph. These photos of the BC Chickadee illustrate how a very pretty little, common bird can present itself in so many different settings and lighting to create a photographer's challenge any time.

Different backgrounds can accentuate the different shades of color on this bird. It is a great bird to work with to better develop photographic skills. When a good pose presents itself, it is not always easy to capture it for all time.

As I revisit and enjoy these images, I think I will spend more time trying to capture the real colors and features of this bird a little more often.

Note: I had grouped chickadees and juncos in a previous posting. Now, because of my new Bird Listing Page, I have decided to separate each species to make it easier to find specific birds.