I have a serious case of unrequited spring fever. It’s been a long and dreary winter and it’s not over yet so when I stumbled across these images from last spring a few days ago I decided they were worthy of a post.
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 640
It was just after a spring rain in May last year when the sun came out and I noticed this male White-crowned Sparrow fluttering around in my neighbor’s lilac bush so I quickly grabbed my gear and started firing away.
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/3200, f/8, ISO 640
The sparrow seemed so ecstatic over his bath that he let me get close and pretty much ignored me.
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 640
The leaves and especially the flowers were loaded with water and the sparrow was taking full advantage of the situation.
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2000, f/8, ISO 640
And the ecstasy continues. I guess there’s just something special about bathing in lilac water…
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2000, f/8, ISO 640
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2000, f/8, ISO 640
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 640
Canon 7D, 1.4 tc, tripod, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 640
Some of these photos are far from perfect – the light was harsh, the bird was side-lit, I often didn’t get a catch light in the eye and the contrast was high, especially with all the bright white flowers. In one of the images the sparrow is even soft. But I still thought the behavior was interesting enough for a post.
Ron
These are wonderful. How fun to see a bird having fun. The color of the bird and the flowers is nice and the detail is great.
Pleasing shots of this White-crown, and it definitely looks like spring (or what spring should be!). But with out high tomorrow here in Phoenix expected to be 90 degrees I’ve got a serious case of unrequited winter fever.