April 21, 2013 - Leucistic Chickadee
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This year we’re having trouble letting go of winter in Minnesota. Last week in the Twin Cities, we had a snow/freezing rain storm. I found this small oak tree at the Arden Hills city offices. The branches had a thick coating of ice and there were lots of small icicles hanging from them. But I really liked the lone oak leaf that was defiantly hanging on.
We had another heavy snow storm on Thursday and Friday of this week. We were at our lake home in northern Minnesota during the storm. Here’s a male Red-winged Blackbird who showed up at our feeders about 10 days ago. As he was being pelted by the snow, I’ll bet he was second guessing that decision.
We have a large number of Black-capped Chickadees visiting our feeders. Chickadees usually look like the one on the right. The one on the left is unusual because it has a white tail. When a bird has some white feathers like this, it is said to be leucistic. Three years ago we had three leucistic Chickadees coming to our feeders. Here’s a link to that story. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Pictures-of-the-Week/2010-Pictures-of-the-Week/3-28-2010-Leucistic-Chickadees/11610590_CbpGLt#!i=818436666&k=f3SfWZw
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I just had to show you this photo. In the middle of March I was at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, to attend their SOAR Festival. One of the activities they offered was to have your picture taken with Was’aka, one of their male education Eagles. I’m not sure how to interpret the look I’m getting from Was’aka. He looks really insulted.
Alby Shaw
on April 21, 2013Great interaction: owl/leucistic human. Wonderful shot.
Well done keeping us informed for so many years with such wonderful photography.
Diana
on April 21, 2013Congratulations, Earl, on six years of sending out your Pictures of the Week! You've given a lot of people some wonderful images and great information about birds, mammals, insects, and wildflowers.
Linda
on April 21, 2013Earl, what did you say to Was'aka to make him glare at you like that? Question his manhood?? :-)
earlorfphotos
on April 21, 2013They're buried under 2 feet of snow.
andrea lee
on April 21, 2013Cool photos. Where are the spring ephemerals?