The Wind River Canyon is filled with surprises, and every once in a while something special pops up that is new and unexpected.  Earlier this week, when I was feeling especially lonely, I went out to visit with my Mountain Chickadees.  They are adept at clearing my head and putting a smile on my face, anytime.  But this time there was someone new and very bright, and upside-down a lot.  He was interested in our sunflower seeds, as are the chickadees and finches of all sorts.  This little bird was one I've never seen in the canyon, and I've been here a very long time.  

     The new little bird was very white, with markings like a Red-breasted Nuthatch, which we've had here before on occasion.  The new little bird had none of the red at all, just white feathers where there should have been that rusty color; and the markings were black instead of the blueish-grey of the Red-breasted.  I've been spending a lot of time photographing this little bird that likes to be upside-down....sometimes while eating my seeds.  It turns out this little bird, that had never been here in the Wind River Canyon before, is a White-breasted Nuthatch; now we have both!

     The reason the Nuthatch is upside-down so much is this bird is hunting for bugs, just like the woodpeckers do.  But these cute little birds also like seeds.  They are brave little birds, but not quite as friendly as the chickadees.  They are fast and fun to photograph; a real challenge much like a video game.  Here is the very first picture of a White-breasted Nuthatch ever photographed in the Wind River Canyon.         White-breasted Nuthatch, Wind River CanyonWhite-breasted Nuthatch photographed in the Wind River Canyon in Wyoming.      Since my Wind River Canyon Blog is about learning something, this should be a lesson in contrasts, so here is a cute photo of a Red-breasted Nuthatch from the canyon.  He's not as fat as he seems....he's just trying to keep warm on a cold Fall day here in the magical Wind River Canyon.  Take note of the color differences between the two species of Nuthatch.  And yes, they do seem to have an attitude! Red-breasted Nuthatch-"October Morning"-Wind River Canyon, WyomingRed-breasted Nuthatch trying to keep warm on a cold morning in October, photographed in the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming.      These are small birds, the White-breasted Nuthatch being just five and three-quarters; the Red-breasted Nuthatch is smaller at just four and one-half inches.  Small, fast moving birds make for challenging photo-shoots, and quick reactions are a prerequisite.  Get to know the birds in the forest, they could use a few extra friends.

Wind River Canyon Blog and all Photographs by Michael John Balog.

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