White Crowned Sparrows On Greasewood

Another in my irregular series in tribute to the common species.

I’ll photograph anything that has feathers but I’ll admit to an unfortunate tendency to post fewer photos of some of the more common bird species than I should. Raptors and unusual or more attractive birds tend to get more attention from my readers so I’m human enough to follow suit when I’m choosing photo subjects for my blog. As someone who despises all forms of snobbery and elitism I find that tendency to be hypocritical on my part so occasionally I make an extra effort to atone for my sins.

Today’s post is one of those efforts.

 

1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Every year in September I repeatedly visit one greasewood bush in particular because many birds, mostly common species, are gorging themselves on its abundant seeds. It’s a very large greasewood that produces massive amounts of seeds and I have good morning light on it so it’s a magnet for both me and for hungry birds.

Three days ago White-crowned Sparrows were one of the species taking advantage of the greasewood bounty. This adult posed for me for a few seconds before turning away from me to gorge on more seeds.

 

 

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Another adult with its back to me gave me a nice head turn in good light. This sparrow was closer to me so I have more detail and I like the multi-layered background better too.

This photo is one of those that reminds me that ignoring common birds is a mistake. Common subject or not I really like the image.

 

 

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

White-crowned Sparrows weren’t the only common species feasting on greasewood seeds that morning. This male House Finch was an even more enthusiastic (and messy) eater than the sparrows. I cropped this photo vertically and a bit awkwardly because there was so much out of focus greasewood on the left side of the frame.

So there you have it – my attempt to give some common species the attention they deserve and to seek redemption for my tendency to feature them less often on my blog than I should.

Old habits die hard.

Ron

 

27 Comments

  1. We have White-crowned Sparrows and House Finches, but not greasewood. Nice to see all three in that habitat. Nice detail of the two-toned beak on the White-crowned Sparrow

    • Lyle, I’ve grown to really like greasewood. Its soft greens in the spring and early summer are beautiful, it supplies oodles of bird food in the fall and magpies in particular like to nest in it.

  2. Thank you. Your ‘common’ is exotica to me, as I strongly suspect mine would be to you. And I adore (and no I am not exaggerating) them all.

  3. Well, your sighting of White-crowned Sparrows means I *must* have seen my first of season in the yard yesterday morning! I didn’t believe my eyes, but now I’m reassured. I love these happy, chirpy little birds, always busy snatching up every seed they can find. I’m more than fine with you posting images of our less-exotic feathered friends, especially ones as good as these!

    • I’m glad you like them, Chris.

      Another thing I appreciate about this species is the fact that the juvies and adults look so very different from each other it’s almost like having two species rolled into one.

  4. Morning Ron – have said this before: what’s common to you is not common to me. Love these shots!

  5. If there wasn’t common birds my backyard would be bare. I had a surprise visitor, White-breasted nuthatch the other day. That was exciting. Thank goodness for the common birds😁

    • “If there wasn’t common birds my backyard would be bare”

      That’s mostly true for me too, Diana. Occasionally an exception will occur but not very often.

  6. The White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows both have lovely and distinctive voices. I also enjoy listening to the Song Sparrow. The “common” in looks often have hidden gifts.

  7. The bird in the second photo is really handsome. Hurray for the uncommon common!

    • Hurray indeed. Thanks, Mary.

    • I guess I too must confess to this bias but these photos today, esp the 2nd one have made the “common” very eye catching indeed so I suppose the lesson here for me is to look more closely and work harder to achieve something that good.

      • I constantly have to be remind myself of the same thing, Granny Pat. Not so much in taking the photos of common birds, but more in deciding which species to post on my blog.

  8. I think those Greasewoods could feed a flock of birds. Just two days back I took photos of House Finches and House Sparrows chowing down on similar bushes here. I always try to fight off wanting to skip the common birds. They can often surprise you with some really good photos.

    • “They can often surprise you with some really good photos”

      That’s exactly right, Everett. You can get good quality, highly appealing photos with common subjects so it’s a mistake to ignore them.

  9. Cheers for the common birds and eslpecially so beautifully presented. As you know, I’m a fan of the common because so much about them is overlooked. But actually, I’m a fan of anything with feathers and I always enjoy seeing them through your lens. Thanks for sharing these. .

  10. Although i haven’t been feeling up to par of late I still enjoy every one of your photographs, Ron, every day. Always with many thanks to you for them.

  11. I really like that second shot of the white-crowned sparrow ; like you, I
    think that the subtle, graded background colors present a nice foil for
    the strong contrasts of the bird’s markings. I think the image has captured an intrinsic dignity in this little being……..

  12. NICE! What caught my attention this morning was the difference between the bills on the sparrows and finch. 🙂 Sparrows don’t look too enthused – perhaps they’ve already stuffed themselves and are “taking 5” ?

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