Day 133 - Black-capped Chickadee

Photographing these guys aren't a mean thing, I tell ya!  The little birds always pick the darkest or the tallest part of the tree to perch themselves, and you'd be darned if you can reach them with inadequate telephoto or ISO capabilities.

Anyway, these birds are teaching me a virtue I can't admit to having - patience!  I waited around for this guy for at least 45 mins. - once squatting on the ground, once climbing on the rock, then almost slipping down the side of an embankment to finally get a shot that's at least passable.

It's really tricky with these guys, but I have to say that once I got these near decent shots after about 10 totally useless ones, I am certain I had a smug grin on my face that the passers by wondered at.  I tasted victory and boy, did it taste sweet! :)

Both images were flashed at -1stop, at ISO 1600, the highest my camera could take.  I had to remove some noise in post, as they had turned out really grainy!