Brown-headed Nuthatches at Genva WA, 10/10/2012

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Brown-headed Nuthatch
This morning I returned to the Geneva Wilderness Area.  It wasn't nearly as active today as the last time I was here in September, but it was still fun to see a Bald Eagle and a House Finch, as well as the normal birds I see here: Tufted Titmice, Eastern Towhee, White-eyed Vireo, woodpeckers, etc.  I didn't see any Bluebirds or Chickadees, though, which was kind of sad. This is one of my favorite places to find them.  The stars of the morning, though, were three Brown-headed Nuthatches.  I've always struggled to get good photos in good lighting.  This morning I was able to put the sun behind me and get a clean background behind the birds.  I think these are my favorite photos of these wonderful birds.

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Brown-headed Nuthatch
These are one of my favorite birds for three reasons.  First, they're just plain cute.  Second, their calls sound like a squeaker toy, adding to their overall cuteness.  And third, they're one of the few birds that use tools. They've been observed grabbing chips of bark with their bills and using them to dig insects out of tree. Is that cool or what? Adds new meaning to the word "birdbrain."

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Brown-headed Nuthatch
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Brown-headed Nuthatch
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Brown-headed Nuthatch

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