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The light at the end of the tunnel

April 6, 2012 by Barb 58 Comments

Our latest huge snowfall has come and gone. We had about 25cm (7+in) of some of the heaviest, wettest snow possible. As I walked around the yard, it stuck to my boots and as I grew taller and taller I had to reset my tripod accordingly ;) (true story).

It was 2:00 when the sun started to peek out and the light was absolutely dazzling – blinding. Since it’s very hard to get good shots of snow in that light, I turned my attention to our bird feeder. It was teeming with all kinds of little birds. Chick-a-dees, redpolls, dark-eyed juncos and downy woodpeckers.

Chick-a-dees have to be one of my favourite birds – how cute are these puffballs? I love that the sun is shining from behind and how it shows off their soft, downy feathers.

chickadee-3

chickadee

chickadee

I must have stood there for half an hour, watching them flit around and listening to them singing. I could hear crows and geese in the distance. Water was running from the eaves troughs and the sun felt so warm on my shoulders.

We’re a hardy bunch here in Alberta. We had just received one of the biggest snowfalls but with the sun shining so warmly down on me, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know spring is not coming . . . it’s here.

Filed Under: PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged With: birds, photoshop

Comments

  1. Julie says

    April 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    You’ve got some incredible shots lately- this one is unbelievable!

    Reply
  2. Creating Through LIFE says

    April 6, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    What a lovely Chick-a-dee!

    Reply
  3. Rosie Leavesnbloom says

    April 6, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    what a lovely wee bird – we don’t have chickadees but your little fella looks a bit like a long tailed tit that we get visiting the garden in winter.

    Reply
  4. alicia says

    April 6, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Aw, beautifully said! I’m so happy for you that there is light at the end of the frozen tunnel. Wow, how I remember those days of scouring the earth for any signs of spring. You managed to get some great shots of that bird! Thanks so much for sharing and linking to our Leap into Spring Challenge!

    Reply
  5. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    April 6, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    Oh I love Chickadees so much! I LOVE the first shot so much!

    Reply
  6. TexWisGirl says

    April 6, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    the cutest of shots of one of the cutest birds. :)

    Reply
  7. Angela Acosta says

    April 6, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Well said. Color will follow shortly. I’ve been following the appearance of each bud for months…following the light.

    Reply
  8. Amy says

    April 6, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    What a beautiful little friend!

    Reply
  9. Lydia Criss Mays says

    April 6, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    How soothing and beautiful. There’s not much better than appreciating the beauty birds so gracefully have to offer. My mom just had blue birds hatch and keeps us updated with pictures. There’s something brilliantly beautiful and inspiring in her pictures, just as yours are too.

    Happy seeing beautiful!

    http://seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2012/04/pay-it-forward-with-eggs.html

    Reply
  10. Andrew says

    April 6, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Lovely images of a beautiful little bird Barb.
    It’s so similar to our Long-tailed Tits in Europe.
    Enjoy Easter.

    Reply
  11. Evelyn S. says

    April 6, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    The backlight in these images is absolutely amazing, Barb! Chickadees are so cute, anyway. I always want to know what lens was used to capture such wonderful photos. As for spring…we are in the stage of measurable snow that melts by afternoon, then sunshine, then sleet, then snow that melts as it hits the ground. It’s still too cold for spring, but I’m hoping!

    Reply
  12. Deanna says

    April 7, 2012 at 12:37 am

    Oh I just love your little “puff balls” one of my fav birds too. Just soooo cute. Happy Easter and I hope that spring sticks around for you now.

    Reply
  13. Branson says

    April 7, 2012 at 2:07 am

    That bird is sooo cute! Love it!

    Reply
  14. Seeing Each Day says

    April 7, 2012 at 4:43 am

    What great light in these photos – and such a cute subject. I’d love to see the 4 cleverly taken shots on a wall in a set of frames. Happy Easter to you.

    Reply
  15. Nadege, says

    April 7, 2012 at 6:54 am

    Stunning images of the little bird.

    Reply
  16. Mona's Picturesque says

    April 7, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Hi, visiting from the Leap into Spring Challenge :) Can it get any cuter – that little bird is ♥

    Reply
  17. Crafty Gardener says

    April 7, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Beautiful chickadee photos. It’s nice to meet another Canadian blogger. We’ve been seeing photos of your snow on The Weather Channel, I’m in south eastern Ontario. Hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
  18. Jill says

    April 7, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    It sounds like a wonderful moment. The bird pictures are just beautiful.
    Happy Easter and spring to you!

    Reply
  19. joo says

    April 7, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    This bird is so cute and your photos are lovely:)

    Reply
  20. Kathy says

    April 7, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Fantastic captures!

    Reply
  21. mindy m. says

    April 7, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    The light that is shining through his tail feathers is lovely! Your patience paid off, these are great!

    Happy Easter!

    Mindy~
    http://www.mooneyequalsmc2.com

    Reply
  22. Kristi, Live and Love...Out Loud says

    April 7, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    I love these, Barb! I’m horrible when it comes to capturing wildlife with my camera, but you do it so nicely. And I agree with you…there’s always light at the end of a tunnel.

    Thanks so much for joining us in the Leap Into Spring Photo Challenge! Next week’s theme will be Easter/eggs. Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter!

    Reply
  23. Helene says

    April 8, 2012 at 2:43 am

    I love these photos. I’ve had several visit the kitchen feeder but had yet to catch a photo as good as yours!

    Reply
  24. Aiketa says

    April 8, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    I love each and every picture!!! So so great!

    I’m visiting from The Simple Things.
    Regards from Barcelona.

    Reply
  25. dancingaspensfarm says

    April 9, 2012 at 5:20 am

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  26. Connie Smiley says

    April 9, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Gorgeous shots, Barb! I love those little birds, too, but they are so quick–you did well to capture them.

    Reply
  27. Tricia says

    April 10, 2012 at 4:01 am

    Goodness, these are cute! I hope your snow is melting. It’s been kind of cold here but, luckily, no snow :)

    Reply
  28. Seraphina´s Phantasie says

    April 10, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    What a wonderful portrait of this little bird. Great photos !
    Have a nice new week, Barb. Kind regards, Synnöve

    Reply
  29. Kristi Bowman says

    April 10, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Adorable little Chickadees!!!!

    Reply
  30. Gary says

    April 10, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    He’s a beauty!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    Reply
  31. Sivinden says

    April 10, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Wonderful captures, sounds like a nice experience watching the birds and taking pictures:)

    Reply
  32. Wanda..plain~N~simple says

    April 10, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Cute photos! Chickadees are one of my favorites to photograph.

    Reply
  33. NatureStop says

    April 10, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    A cutie and great shots!!!

    Shantana

    Reply
  34. Karen says

    April 10, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Great bird portraits!

    Reply
  35. heyBJK says

    April 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Gorgeous shots, Barb! Amazing detail!

    Reply
  36. Fjällripan says

    April 10, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Beautiful photos of this lovely little bird! :)

    Reply
  37. Frank says

    April 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Very SWEET. Lovely images.

    Reply
  38. HansHB says

    April 10, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Great shot, – perfect post for WBW!
    Have a nice evening!

    Reply
  39. Andrew says

    April 10, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    I know I have already seen these Barb but your lovely images look even better second time round.
    It’s a wonderful little bird to see.

    Reply
  40. ginanorma says

    April 10, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    Oh I quite love the chickadee’s too!!!

    Reply
  41. Ruth says

    April 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    Simply beautiful images, so sweet! I do hope you thaw out once and for all, and the warmer weather soon comes your way :)

    Reply
  42. Poetic Shutterbug says

    April 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    Fabulous shots and how absolutely beautiful he is.

    Reply
  43. eileeninmd says

    April 10, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    Love these cuties, great shots of the chickadees.

    Reply
  44. mick says

    April 10, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    Great photos. Those are such cute birds.

    Reply
  45. Springman says

    April 10, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Nice shots! We share many of these same birds in Michigan. I agree you are a hardy bunch in Alberta, high plains drifters, and home of the Alberta clippers…From the Great Lakes we wish you an early spring!!!

    Reply
  46. Arija says

    April 11, 2012 at 1:14 am

    The black capped chickadee really is a little charmer!

    Reply
  47. Sallie (FullTime-Life) says

    April 11, 2012 at 1:51 am

    I love chickadees too — (we don’t see them here in Florida, but often when we’re in Oregon). They don’t usually sit still for very long, you did great to get these wonderful shots!

    Reply
  48. Michelle Renee says

    April 11, 2012 at 2:08 am

    Chickadees are some of my favorite puffballs, too. I hope it warms up for you soon!

    Reply
  49. Andrea says

    April 11, 2012 at 2:56 am

    This is my first visit to your blog and I certainly picked a wonderful time. I love the birds all puffed up in the winter to stay warm and your shots are spectacular. The Chickadee is the perfect choice.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

    Reply
  50. Hanne Bente says

    April 11, 2012 at 5:58 am

    Incredibly beautiful picture you show.
    Wishing you a good day.
    Hugs Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

    Reply
  51. Stewart M says

    April 11, 2012 at 9:31 am

    Hi there – very nice shots!

    And its Autumn with us!

    Cheers – Stewart M – Australia

    Reply
  52. Mary Howell Cromer says

    April 11, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Barb, such sweet images of this little one! I have a difficult time getting such nice images of Chickadees!

    Reply
  53. Carole M. says

    April 11, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    they are simply adorable with that sweet tiny beak too. Just beautiful photography; well done!

    Reply
  54. bailey-road.com says

    April 11, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    So cute – all fluffed up against the cold. Great shots!

    Reply
  55. Micha S. says

    April 11, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    Beautiful photographies! Thank you for sharing!
    Micha

    Reply
  56. Pieces of Sunshine says

    April 12, 2012 at 12:59 am

    Amazing little puff-balls indeed, especially in your first photo. Makes you just want to hold one in your hand!

    Reply
  57. Andee says

    April 12, 2012 at 2:10 am

    What a cutie!

    Reply
  58. rebecca says

    April 14, 2012 at 4:39 am

    that is the cutest little bird! you captured it beautifully Barb! thanks for linking up with the simple things! :)

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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