I believe this shot will become one of my favorite photos of the species. There’s nothing spectacular about it but I think it has a lot of things going for it.
1/1600, f/6.3, 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
Three days ago, in the same general area where I photographed yesterday’s Loggerhead Shrike, I took dozens of photos of this immature White-crowned Sparrow but this is the only one in the bunch that I thought really came together. The light was a bit sketchy due to cloud cover but in this single photo ‘he’ gave me a pretty good head turn while he was in a spot on his perch where he was naturally framed by the branches below and above him with a mostly clean background.
White-crowned Sparrows may be common, at least around here, but I think both the adults and the immature birds are uncommonly handsome and to my eye this one appears to be in unusually fine fettle.
A handsome bird framed appealingly by natural elements so I decided to share.
Ron
I’m glad you posted this photo! Not only because I love sparrows of all kinds and this is a great capture but also because it helps me sort some things out… this fall I took lots of pics of sparrows that come through this way in Sept and October and it looks like I’m mixing up immature White-Crowned with Field Sparrows. I have lots of both species in the same photo shoots… better sharpen up my ID skills!
Joanne, many sparrows are a tough ID, that’s for sure. With a few exceptions I’m not very good at it myself.
Another winner of this species, Ron. 🙂 The little buds above his head are a nice touch among all the bare wood.
Thanks, Marty.
I read your post first thing every morning but rarely comment. Love the picture of the White crown Sparrow, my favorite bird. Beautiful. Thank you for your wonderful pictures.
Good to know you’re “out there”, Kim. Thank you.
I would say this is a decidedly soft photo. But in a good way. All the mellow earth tones, the Sparrow securely ensconced in the limbs of the tree and balanced seemingly effortlessly with toes caressing his perch, the gradually out of focus background. Perhaps serene is a more apt description. Thanks for sharing.
Lyle, my jaw dropped a little when I read your first sentence and before I finished reading the rest of what you wrote. The bird is sharp as a tack but I see what you mean.
What a terrific shot, professor. I profess to being amazed by how everything came together in this one!
I was pleasantly surprised myself, Arwen. In the field I thought I’d missed the shot where he was framed this well with a pretty good head turn.
Beautiful! Thank you for your gifted eye.
Take Care,
Kaye
Ha, I wish my “gifted eye” could see better, Kaye. I’ll need to get my cataracts fixed soon.
A pint-sized beauty.
My eyes are particularly drawn to his ‘eyebrows’…
Thank you, EC.
Truly artistic. You have a good eye and great knowledge. Thanks for all your work,
Thanks, Betty.
Everything did come together for this one. Really neat when nature provides a frame like this one. And our always alert photographer was right there to grab hold of the opportunity.
Everett, I wish I was “always” alert but I’m not. Can’t tell you how many nice shots I’ve missed because I wasn’t paying close enough attention. I do work at it though…
Very nice sharp photo of the bird! Love how the colors of the branches compliment his beak and feet. The blurred background colors compliment the whole pic. Great job!! Thx for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Kathleen.
As nice a “frame-up” as you could ever wish for–and beautiful color
harmony, but with excellent value-contrasts for strength. A great image !
Much appreciated, Kris.
It DOES come together Ron….. 🙂 A pretty “LBJ” well framed….. 😉
Thanks, Judy.
True beauty! You are such a fine artist! Thank you for sharing.
Mary, I’m not sure I’m such a good artist but I appreciate your very kind words.
Definitely card worthy !
Thanks, Granny Pat.
A wonderful photo Ron. I really like his coloring and the stripes on his wing.
I’m glad you agree, Mark. I think he looks pretty good framed like this.
Great shot!
We are still waiting for our first immature White-crowned this fall.
We did get our first fall Tree Sparrow a few days ago.
Thanks, Dick. We have lots of them around right now. Good thing because many other species are unusually absent.
We have noticed that as well here in the East. Also, I am quite concerned that we only reported six butterfly species here in our community this year. I hope this is not an omen!
Agree! handsome bird, handsome setting, great detail.
Thanks, Terri.