Spring Chickadees

Everyone sees chickadees at their feeder during the winter. This pair set up a nest and is raising a family. I have been watching the nest daily hoping to film the young peeking out of the nest.  Family commitments will not allow more time at the nest so the young will meet the new world without an awaiting photographer to record them.

Nest Building

I spent some time last week watching a pair of chickadees excavate their nest.  They are just as entertaining and frenetic in the spring as when at winter feeders . Both worked on excavating the nest and one was so impatient to get in that it looked in to see how the other was doing. They were laying in carpet (grass, etc.) on Saturday so the nest must be complete. Hopefully there will be some young to see in a couple weeks.

GoPro for Wildlife

I'm testing my daughter's GoPro  for wildlife.  Despite its small size these feeder birds and squirrel definitely were aware of its presence. If I were serious I would put the housing in the area to allow the animals to get adjusted to it and then put the camera in. I don't know the minimum focusing distance and these shots may have been inside that limit. I think the wildlife focus is a little soft. On the other hand maybe the lens was a little cloudy from humidity in the case in the -10 degree weather.  More testing will be done in warmer weather.

Technical: camera controlled with iPhone app. Edited with iMovie

Pecking Order

Feeders are great for the interaction although the stress probably does burn some extra energy.  But when the diet is peanut butter there should be some extra fuel for a good fight, albeit a brief one.  Filmed at Sax Zim Bog.  Techinical: ambient sound added, 50% normal speed