Another in my irregular series on the ‘common’ species.
And they don’t come much more common than Dark-eyed Juncos which occur throughout almost the entirety of the North American continent in numbers estimated to be about 630 million individual birds. That’s about two juncos for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Five days ago in a remote area of Box Elder County this one popped up on a rock while I was photographing other birds. The side mirror of my pickup was in the way of my long lens and I was shooting through tall vegetation so I had to contort my body into an incredibly awkward position to get the bird in my viewfinder. As a result this is the only sharp and unobstructed shot I got.
And I’m happy to have it because I like the natural setting, the background colors and the seemingly demure demeanor of the junco.
In 1831 John James Audubon said of this little sparrow, “there is not an individual in the Union who does not know the little Snow-bird,” and to many people “snowbird” is still the preferred common name of the species.
Many folks never see this bird until the snow flies but here in Utah we’re lucky enough to have them year round.
Ron
Notes:
- Notice the three mostly greenish out of focus straight lines at upper left that form the shape of an arrow pointing directly at the junco’s head, as if some greater power was trying to show me where the bird was. Once I noticed that arrow I couldn’t unsee it. I actually find it amusing.
- As I type this it’s raining – our first significant rain in months. I actually went outside in the dark and savored the sound and the smell.
The patio at our local Panera Bread (in a historic mid-century building) is a haven for Dark-eyed Juncos. I used to grab an early dinner and grade papers or do a little studying out there, so I wasn’t necessarily fixated on my meal. Some of the little stinkers can be pretty damn ballsy — jumping up on my plate and trying to sample my food. I also had one poop on a student’s paper once. The bird was not wrong.
Wow, I can’t imagine a junco being that tame, Marty.
And I loved your last sentence.
Some sparrows get pretty bold — the ones at the shelter hop right into the food bowls of even the largest dogs.
I envy you your rain. We’re back up in the 90s again next week.
About the only sparrows around here who do things like that are House Sparrows.
What a wonderful composition! You’re right about that background and the bird’s “pose”. A winner!
Sigh. Junco > Snowbird > The Sunshine State. One of these things is not like the others.
They don’t even visit us during migration. 🙁
Thank you, Wally. On the flip side you have lots of birds that we don’t.
Love, love, love this capture! Darling bird. Happy you’ve had some rain!
So am I. Thanks, Linda.
Sweet picture. You are lucky to have them year round.
Thank you, Jean.
Oh what a beauty! And as usual, what a glorious image. I miss seeing those little guys. Back when I lived in Dallas and enjoyed the environment and the budget to keep a wide variety of species well fed and happy, those little beauties visited my feeders in droves during the fall, winter and spring. What a joy! HOWEVER, I’ve never thought of them as sparrows? So as usual, you’ve taught me something new. I love how you do that 😉
Sorry I’ve been quiet. I’m healing here, despite that the process is going MUCH, MUCH more slowly than I’d like. While the computer is close, it’s not close enough to the bed (where I’m largely stuck–ARGH!) so typing hurts my lower back A LOT. I’ve never had much in the way of back pain but now, it’s a big part of my overall pain picture. My sincere condolences to all of you who suffer with it! It’s pretty darn hideous. I know it makes me yearn for redundancy in movement.
I don’t know who on the human design team thought it was a good idea that we stand upright with only two legs. Seriously? What could possibly go wrong with that? And who thought that only two hands/arms was going to be sufficient? Of course, the biggest faux pas was the no-feathers/wings thing. What were they THINKING? EEEK! LOL!
Anyway, I fully sympathize with the contortions required for you to bring us these glorious images!!
I’m thankful that I can at least see and read your posts, so I’m never far from my daily Ron Dudley dose of joy! And I’m so very grateful for that! I’ll get back to the kitchen computer soon. A bit of furniture moving is required. Then, you’ll get sick of seeing me again 😉
Oh and what is this “rain” thing you speak of? We haven’t seen rain in my part of the desert for I don’t remember how long. Oh we’ve had two or three teeny tiny little sprinkle events, 37 drops or less (and yes, they were countable), but nothing beyond that. Now having said that, I JUST yesterday got rid of about 99% of the proliferation of dead weeds that sprang to life the last time we had a bigger sprinkle that actually dampened the ground, so I expect a deluge shortly to re-germinate the seeds that were spread about as a result of all the previous weeds having gone to seed. Then, the process starts again. DARGH!
Laura, don’t you worry about commenting when it’s inconvenient or painful. Put all your effort into healing.
As one of the many ‘owners’ of a chronically bad back I’d vote for you to be the designer of the human body.
Echoing Ron’s comments Laura. We all want you to be healthy – and pain free.
PS: We call the sort of rain you have been having ‘incontinent pigeon rain. Splat, splat and it is gone. Sadly we see more of that kind of rain than any other.
EC what bothers me most is that all the noxious weeds I JUST got rid of will be back immediately after they get a little water! Cody (Brittany) and Hannah (long-haired mini dachshund) bring a bunch of it into the house every time they come in. It sticks to their coat and it’s often a bear to remove! Zoe rarely brings it in and Bella hasn’t yet carried any in. Both are Jack Russell TERRORISTS, Zoe a broken coat (partly fuzzy) and Bella a short coat.
Oh yes. My father told me that if any plant grows well it is a weed. And the noxious ones grow really well.. And a big sigh on those that cling to fur/coats/socks.
Laura, your description of “Jerk” Russells is too funny. I’m glad you’re home and sorry that you’re still having so much pain. I’m part of the bad-back and full-body pain brigade and I wouldn’t wish that on (almost 🤔🤫😈) anyone else! And the knee design? WTF? Wings and feathers for the win!
Juncos are a bane for me in identifying the subspecies!
Wonderful photo, he has a mischievous look like you caught him doing something!
Thanks, April. I think this one is the Oregon variety.
Yet another charmer that we don’t have. I hope your contortions in taking this stunning photo didn’t give you lasting grief.
And isn’t the scent of rain gorgeous. Petrichor is one of the very best perfumes in my eyes – and seems to give the earth almost instant benefits. A woman on a bus once told me that ‘you can keep things alive by watering them, but they need rain to grow’. She had a point.
That woman on the bus might be right, EC. This year big parts of my garden didn’t do much more than stay alive without rain and only regular watering.
“Am I cute or what?” That’s what this little junco seems to be saying to me. And I wholeheartedly agree. Love the colors of bird and background; your contortions were well worth it for such a lovely portrait.
The “snowbird” designation is new to me, too, as they are in my SoCal yard throughout the year, though never in great numbers.
Thank you, Chris. Interesting that you have them all year. Their range map (Cornell) only shows them in SoCal during the nonbreeding season.
I guess I misspoke (miswrote) what I meant … looking at my iBird notes, they’re here reliably though in small numbers Dec-Apr, then gone for a couple, then a smattering show their pretty little faces in Sep-Oct. One was in the fountain having a quick bath just yesterday, even though Merlin ID says they’re not likely to be seen here now. But experts disagree— iBird map shows they’re here year-round. So, 😐.
Lovely photo of a favorite bird. I had no idea they were so numerous. What makes me happiest about your post today, Ron, is hearing that you’ve had some good rain! May it continue!
Nina, it looks greener out there already!
I’m so glad you contorted! This guy does look demure. Wonder if it’s cause it seems his socks are falling down? With all that seasonal background color and his sweet pose, why do I keep focusing on his feet? Another great capture, Ron!
Never heard juncos called snowbirds. Maybe because we don’t get much snow here in the CA. bay area …
Jamila, your ‘socks falling down’ line made me chuckle.
Beautiful capture of the Junco – I’ve never thought of them as “snow birds” as we do have them most of the year. They are a subtly beautiful bird.
They’re “threatening” rain for us – we sure need it! Been doing the wind/smoke thing…..
Thanks, Judy. I’m hoping this storm will clear out most of our smoke.
Also, Great shot of the Oregon Junco male.
Thanks, Dick.
Gotta love the pink bill and matching little pink legs. Ironically, I do associate Juncos with snow only because when they start showing up here I know the nightly news will be reporting snow in the mountains.
Yup, they’re almost like little weather forecasters.
That is an excellent photo Ron. Love the background. He looks like he is the king of the Juncos who has come out to view his kingdom in the morning and is thinking all is well. Have never heard the Snow-bird handle.
And yes, we have them all over here.
Everett, as you may know we have a ski resort here named Snowbird. I’ve always wondered if juncos were the inspiration for that name.
I think that could be. Sounds logical. In our younger days we have skied at Park City and Deer Valley. But now the body is much happier being a birder than a skier 🙂
I gave it up decades ago because of my bad back and because of the crowds. Every school kid in the state had the same days off I did and there were times I thought every last one of them was in the ski lift line in front of me.
That photo is is perfect for our fall viewing.
Thank you, CJ.
Great photo of one of my favorites. I really like the profusion of colors behind him. I’m always happy to see them at the feeders…I’ve been getting them for a few weeks now. Sometimes I have to wonder if they really do migrate…occasionally I will get a quick glance of what seems to be a junco in the more evergreen wooded areas as I’m out driving about in mid-summer. Perhaps they just leave for the quite of the woods for a break.
Kathy, as I said we have them all year but only in the mountains during most of the year. They come down into the valleys when the snow flies.