Home»Gallery»Portola Valley Ranch, Windy Hill, Etc.»5/31/2020 Chestnut-backed Chickadee Extracts a Seed

Returning from a morning walk, turning my camera to activity in the tree, I try to stay focused. Later, I discover a treasure.

A Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is wrestling with a seed clump. It finally extracts a single seed, letting the rest of the clump fall. Then it works on the tiny seed, gripping it firmly between its claws on the branch. It bursts into song!

These little birds live at a higher metabolism than I (or my camera). Its rapid movements, even flitting away and back, are too quick for me to focus on or comprehend in real time. Lateåçr, I realize that I have managed to capture a few tolerable photos.

I love this cute little bird.