Jim, I suggest you use manual mode. Just like the E-trade baby "takes charge of his investments wolf-style", you can take charge of your images. Honestly, chickadees aren't skittish at all. But any bird except maybe albatrosses and boobies nesting on Pacific islands will fly away if you approach it. Because of this, I again suggest you use a feeder setup. It's very simple! Set up a natural perch or two (branches, dead trees etc) near (within 18'') your feeder and life will become a lot easier. Well, almost [:P]


brendan