Black Capped Chickadee

Has to be seen larger to fully appreciate the finer details!  But the composition and capture of the falling snow makes this a real stunner! 

Sincere Compliments! 

Alf 

Thank you very much, Alf!

Regards!

Dick

No comments, just appreciation.  I don't think it can get any better than this... Mike

Mike, thank you very much!

This really is a lot of fun...but still very cold!  I can stand still out there for about 20 minutes.  Fortunately, this little bird just sat there looking up at the snow for about 8 minutes...posing:-)

Sometimes you just get a lucky break.

Have a good day!

Dick

Such a beautiful capture! The snow adds so much to the image. I am surprised these little fellas stay still for so long. I've read that the Black Capped variety have the ability to go into nightly hypothermia which helps them conserve large amounts of energy. They can lower their body temperature 12-15 degrees below their daytime temp. of 108 F. An article where I found this information said that the lower the outside temperature, the more energy the bird conserves. How remarkable is that???  In Alaska, they stuff themselves with enough seeds and frozen insects to survive 18 hour nights. Another study learned that they consume up to 60% of their body weight each day, and then go into Hypothermia to reduce their metabolism which allows them to use stored body fat for energy to shiver all night long to keep themselves warm. They weighed birds in the morning and found they virtually had no body fat, but the same birds weighed in the afternoon of the same day were bulging with fat. They truly are amazing little birds!!! 

Gail,

Thank you for the kind comments on these chickadees!  They are amazing birds and I have been going out frequently hoping for a little more variety but it has been so very cold here.

5 degrees this evening which is a heatwave!

Hope all is well.

Can't wait for spring!

Dick