Black-capped Chickadee

[Sue Thomson]

I have been working really hard to get my feeder birds used to me, but for the most part, they keep their distance while I am outside.

Today was different for some reason. I went out to fill the feeders and try to get pics of a new little bird I didn't recognize but which had been hanging around the past few days. Got the pics of it, and will post them separately, but then I decided to take a pan of water out for the birds and as I was setting it down on the table, a chickadee came and sat on the feeder about a foot away from my shoulder. So I grabbed a small handful of black oil sunflower seeds out of the train engine and held it out for him.

I thought my heart was gonna stop when he landed on my finger!!! WOW!

Then I picked up the camera again and was just getting it focused on the seeds in my hand when he came back for more. Just caught that shot, then he came back time and time again, and each time I managed to get one or two shots of him.










At one point, I just stood and watched him. He sat there on my hand and looked back at me for quite a long heart-stopping moment. We just stood there quietly looking at each other, making eye contact, we blinked and I talked softly to him Then he picked up another seed and took off with it. He wasn't in the least afraid of me. The Dawg was even right out there with me and there was no fear of him either.

This has got to be one of those days that goes down in history for me. It's six hours later and I am still in awe.

Now to work on those brilliant male house finches! I bet it's not impossible ...

Cheers,
Sue

[Lance Peters]

HI Sue - amazing story - he must have been able to tell you meant him no harm :)

:)

[Alfred Forns]

I would be too Sue !!!! I think you got a friend with many encounters to come !!!

... btw we can only post one image per post. We have been working (will have hopefully soon) an essay forum for just what you did here which I think is great, let you know when its ready. No harm in keeping this one up and I like it a lot, just makes you feel good !!! Big Congrats !!!

[Glenn Romain]

Outstanding Sue love them all :)

[Katie Rupp]

Thanks for sharing, Sue, I would have been pretty excited to have that experience!

[Gus Cobos]

Congratulations on your new friend...it looks like he's there to stay in his new home...:):cool:

[Sue Thomson]

Oh, thank you for sharing my joy and excitement!!! I am STILL beside myself!

Sorry, about the multiple images. I was not aware - and even if I was I probably would've broken the rules - this time!!! I'll behave now. ;)

Is anybody here participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count? I am.

Cheers,
Sue

[David Thomasson]

Congratulations to you and your new little best friend, Sue. I adjusted color and opened the shadows a bit.

[KurtPreston]

Is anybody here participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count?

yes! And Project FeederWatch this year as well. Nice captures of the chickadee! They are brave little buggers :) I especially liked #2 because of it reaching down to grab a seed.

[Harold Davis]

nicely done, sue! i like david's repost of the first one. looks nice. it must have been an experience. i have some spare peanuts if you need them to feed your birds!