Brown-headed Nuthatch or Eastern Bluebird?

A Downy Woodpecker drummed away on this partially dead Black Willow last winter. Dead trees are so full of life... it lives by a pond I visit often. Four days before Christmas, Black Willow was loaded with Eastern Bluebirds. I put the car in park.

A group of blue ladies flew away on other business, leaving her to investigate alone. They always take my breath away.

No need to leave the car. I sat and watched her from my driver seat for a while, wondering how she’d pack herself into such a small cavity. A very nice one, with an awning.

There are times when the camera must take a back seat. Birds do everything for a reason and during times like this I settle myself and wonder if there will be a story to tell.

Who claims this spiffy, small cavity today?

Ah ha! Ms. Bluebird wasn’t alone

and she became spooked when

two Brown-headed Nuthatches seemed to claim their territory. Tiny and brave, they went about their business,

doing what nuthatches do, scaling the bark and scooting in and out of a small, one-room apartment, perfectly sized for them.

Oh, why not. Risk it. Get out of the car, Mary and power up the camera. Unbelievably, I don’t think they noticed me or heard my camera’s digital tones. Opportunities like this are rare for someone who loves to photograph birds. Have you ever raced to your computer to view images you think might be very good? The disappointment is too familiar.

I recently read a remark from a blogger in New England, “…photographing birds is hard work.” I never thought of it that way. However, truth be told, a few days, weeks, or months pass and maybe several hundred photos get dumped before I nail a glorious, unedited series of shots. Yes, it’s hard work, struggling to maintain the virtue of patience and practicin' cussin' skills.

A few minutes later, she returned.

Hmmm. Tight squeeze?

Do you realize how lovely you are?

Come on, let's see more of you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sweet nutty.