A Little Chickadee

Monday, January 14, 2013,

This is a Black-capped Chickadee that I managed to get pics of recently. Chickadees are not hard to come by, especially at this time of year, but they are quick-moving little buggers and can sometimes be tricky to photograph. These guys are with us all year round but we tend to see much more of them during the winter months. They do breed here but I think it’s possible that we also see migrators from northerly climes enjoying our balmy weather. I’m just guessing here. I am not a birder, I’m just paparazzi.

  I took these pics at Frank Melville Memorial Park in Setauket. This is such a wonderful park and it has so much to offer no matter what the season. There are several easily accessible trails that take you through some very interesting woods. There’s even a stand of bamboo that not only looks cool but sounds even cooler if there’s a breeze. There’s also two ponds and a saltwater marsh as well. Sounds good, huh? You should come and check it out for yourself. This place is a pleasure at any time of year. JK

Chickadee At Avalon

Tuesday, October 11, 2011,

I like Chickadees. I just do. They’re so sociable and charming that they don’t need to be draped in colorful garb. I hesitate to use the term “cute” but let’s face it, these little buggers are indeed cute. This guy was was feeding amongst the seed heads in the furthest of the farm fields at Avalon Preserve. My good friend and the head of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, Sue, is very fond of telling us to save the seed heads, don’t cut your flowers, and she’s right. There’s a good deal of food and nutrition to be had in those “dead flowers”and birds need that stuff. Other animals as well. Those cute (Oh! There’s that word again.) chipmunks that we all enjoy seeing are big seed eaters too. The pretty petals may be gone but those flowers still attract plenty of wildlife, so keep the seed heads and enjoy the view. JK

JK