The black-capped chickadee is a very special bird in this Birds of New Hampshire challenge. That is because it is the first bird that I photographed back in October 2022, starting it all. Given how common it is in Southern New Hampshire, it didn’t really come as that much of a surprise. A classic “backyard bird feeder” bird, I have seen these little guys almost everywhere across the state. The common nature of the chickadee often puts it lower on my radar when it comes to photographing birds.

It’s somewhat of a shame to be honest, and when I do get around to taking the time to photograph one of them, it is always a rewarding experience. Chickadees are playful and curious birds. Many of them (possibly because they frequent bird feeders) will get fairly close to you, allowing for some great shots.

In fact, there was one time when one of these little birds went after a moth that was flying about 6 feet in front of me. The chickadee darting in and went into a sort of hovering, dancing frenzy just out of arm’s reach as it nipped at the moth for a few seconds. It wasn’t able to get it in flight but the buffeting air from its wings sent the moth into a spiral down to the forest floor. The chickadee dove after it and following a short scramble in the leaves it claimed its prize before flapping off.