While birding at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center I came a across a couple of hard working Black-capped Chickadees. They were taking turns excavating a nest hole in a dead tree along a path. They would chip away in the nest hole and then take a bill full of wood pieces from inside the hole carry them to a nearby branch and let them fall. I watched them from a distance for about 3-4 minutes. It was a beautiful morning out birding but bird action and species was slow in the location I hit. Images were taken on April 26, 2019.
The Black-capped Chickadee with a bill full of wood pieces…
The Black-capped Chickadee excavates in the bottom of the nest hole…
The Black-capped Chickadee excavates on the side of the nest hole…
One of the Black-capped Chickadees sits in a small tree a short distance away waiting for its turn to do some work in the nest hole…they just kept taking turns working in the nest hole…
Hanging on the nest hole opening looking and taking a break…
Checking out the progress…
Just after landing at the nest hole the Black-capped Chickadee takes a look around before working…
The Black-capped Chickadee excavates in the upper part of the nest hole…
The nest hole in the tree…
The Black-capped Chickadee on the side of the tree at the nest hole opening…
I enjoy the sitting and waiting process. Imagine if you moved on…you would have missed a great moment with these two. thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this ambitious project of our sweet chickadee. You never fail to thrill with bird and wildlife photos!