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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> CTF 131 - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band >> Challenge 131 - Eligible > Fixing a Ho...me *
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14-APR-2007 Michael Shealy

Fixing a Ho...me *

Black Forest, CO

I heard this Pygmy Nuthatch knock, knock, knocking and setup a tripod and remote shutter release to catch him/her 'throwing' out the results of enlarging the nest for the Spring hatch.

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
1/250s f/11.0 at 300.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge19-Apr-2007 03:22
Thanks for commenting, Tom, Rod & Brent. I love these little guys. They come to our sunflower feeder and take one at a time away to peck it open. Then they fly back for another. Thanks again, -mikey
Rod 17-Apr-2007 08:24
It wasn't my observation Brent, I just read what's written under the picy:-)
Brent 16-Apr-2007 22:20
This is very well captured Mikey; Rod is right that you can see the wood chips it is spitting out. Great work.
Guest 15-Apr-2007 20:15
Good catch Mikey! I've seen these guys in action & they're really quick, so I know how patient you were. I like the sharp focus of the forground against the soft/warm texture of the bark in the rear. Nice tones on the breast feathers.
TomD.
ctfchallenge15-Apr-2007 15:59
I just looked in my Birder's Handbook to see which sex builds the nest and found some interesting notes about Pygmy Nuthatch "society". They raise young in family groups of up to 5 individuals, all feeding and tending to the young. All of them help build nests (holes); many times refurbishing woodpecker holes. In the winter they colonize in groups of up to 15 individuals in one hole, saving on energy to keep warm. -mikey
ctfchallenge15-Apr-2007 15:18
Thanks for all the kind words and comments. Yes, this little Nuthatch boy or girl (I'm not sure which one is the nest-builder and sexes are identical in appearance) is spitting out wood chips that it has been knocking out of the inside of the hole. It is so fast, it would appear at the hole for only a second, then go back and knock, knock, knock for a minute or two. That's why I set the cam on a tripod w/remote shutter actuator in hand. I waited and waited, then it would appear for a second and go back in. Looking thru the VF all that time, holding up the 300mm, even with IS, was difficult. Thanks again, -mikey
Rod 15-Apr-2007 09:31
Be more impressed Sharon:-) this pygmy bird is spitting the wood chips out. Good shot a.
elips15-Apr-2007 03:41
Very nice, Michael! Are the little bits of wood in the air what she is throwing out of the nest? If so, I am even more impressed, good work! ~Sharon
ctfchallenge14-Apr-2007 23:34
The composition with the tree angles makes this shot interesting. -COAmature
ctfchallenge14-Apr-2007 22:43
Cute shot. I like the angles Britt
janewigginsphotography14-Apr-2007 19:33
Awesome capture! I like he way you can still see the eye. jano
ctfchallenge14-Apr-2007 19:29
I like your little Nuthatch in her ho....me, which really is a hole! Very cute and a nice take on the title! CJ ;-)