Black-capped Chickadees are great little birds. They are probably one of the most recognizable birds in North America. I can almost imagine Black-capped Chickadees, American Robins and Cardinals arguing about who actually is the most popular. They seem too agreeable to hold a grudge though. Judging by the US State Birds, the Chickadee has only two states while the Northern Cardinal has seven. I guess we know who is more popular, at least when it comes to politicians. I was a little surprised that the non-specific “Meadowlark” came in second with six states.
One reason I like Black-capped Chickadees so much is that they seem so friendly and trusting. There aren’t many wild animals that will eat out of your hands. This winter while filling the bird feeder, one particularly brave little Chickadee landed right next to me. I grabbed some seed and put out my hand, and the little guy hopped right into my hand and grabbed a sunflower seed. It is hard not to fall for someone that comfortable with a stranger.
Over the years I’ve had some interesting “close encounters” with wild animals. My earliest one was when I was probably only about 6-7 years old. One summer morning I had stopped to tie my shoe while walking around the south side of our house. I sat down and was completing the job when I sensed something behind me. I turned around slowly and there was an enormous white-tailed deer only a foot or two away. We looked at each other for a few moments, neither moving. Then she sniffed me over and leisurely ambled off.
One of the stranger occurrences happened as an adult hiking here in Michigan. I had my tripod over my shoulder, binoculars and a backpack full of camera gear when I heard what turned out to be two very young Red Squirrels fighting. They were right nearby, chattering up a storm, so preoccupied that they seemed oblivious to my presence. The two were chasing each other up and down a tree next to me. I froze motionless, watching. The squirrels ended up zooming right down the tree in hot pursuit of each other. The lead squirrel hopped on my boot, ran up one pant leg and then straight down the other leg with the second squirrel following right behind. That was the first and only time that I know of being mistaken for a tree. If you are wondering… yes, their toenails are sharp.
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