White-crowned Sparrow Attempting To Feed In The Wind

I photographed this adult White-crowned Sparrow near a campground at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge last month as it tried to feed on berries in a stiff breeze.

 

whitte-crowned sparrow 6544 Ron Dudley

 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

I include this shot to show you how the sparrow would lean from left to right as it tried to maintain stability on its wobbly perch.  If you look closely you can see the shiny, dark red berry that it has its eye on just beneath the birds left foot.

 

 

white-crowned sparrow 6558 ron dudley

  1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

 At least twice when it attempted to pluck the berry (now partially hidden by a leaf) the sparrow lost its balance in the wind and needed to use its tail to stay on the perch.

 

 

white-crowned sparrow 6572 ron dudley

   1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

 But attempt # 3…

 

 

white-crowned sparrow 6587 ron dudley

   1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

was successful.  The sparrow displayed the berry for a quick moment before gulping it down.

Nothing momentous here, just another small challenge in the daily life of a wild bird.

Ron

 

17 Comments

  1. Ron, have you ever thought of collecting bird stamps? Steve has some absolutely beautiful ones.

  2. Ron, do you ever use the auto setting?

  3. These are quite lovely, and I’m so glad you included them all. I’m especially taken with #2 & #3. This is one of my favorites of your spectacular postings. Thanks, Ron.

  4. It’s always interesting to see what animals go through to get food. Not long ago we saw a lizard jump into a bush for no apparent reason, but when it dropped back onto the rocks, it had a grasshopper which it quickly devoured. I always enjoy seeing a series like this one.

  5. I love the detail that you captured in the last one. This is great.

  6. Charlotte Norton

    Wonderful shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Charlotte

  7. That’s one cute LBJ!!! Love the fanned tail…amazing he isn’t bowled right over….the first is my favorite….love the puffed up pose, the composition, textures, incredible detail. Your comments always lead me to see things I’d otherwise miss. .Every success for these little guys is momentous…as are the odds they’re up against–man made and natural–day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute….second by second. That they survive at all is absolutely momentous, isn’t it…

  8. love the shot with the tail feathers fanned out so beautifully, Ron!!!!

    • Thanks, Lois. I almost didn’t include that shot because there’s no eye contact but then I remembered that this post is more about behavior than it is aesthetics…

  9. Great series!!!!I have way too many sparrows and don’t really appreciate all of them. Thanks Ron.

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