I don’t post as many sparrows as I should, especially the common ones. To make matters worse, yesterday was World Sparrow Day and I made no mention of it. Today’s post is my attempt at redemption.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago, as I was walking along the shore of a local pond with my tripod and camera gear slung over my shoulder and on my way to my pickup to go home, this Song Sparrow was right in front of me on the phrags. ‘He’ seemed to be in a cooperative mood so I set up my tripod and took a few shots.
I like how most of them turned out, despite the shadow below his wing cast by the broken phrag stem in front of him.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
At one point he performed a half-hearted rouse that flared his tail and slightly drooped his wings. Another result of the rouse was…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
instant fluff-butt, caused by a loose down feather that became stuck below the base of his tail.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But a few moments later, when he turned slightly away from me before taking off, the feather was gone.
I just thought it was kind of cute while it was there.
Ron
I love the feather butt one.
Hmm …. horse feathers and feather butt maybe the names of the next birds we adopt? Grand photos of one of my favorite yard birds, Ron.
Thanks, April. Always happy to contribute a creative name or two.. 🙂
Wonderful series of LBJs…majes me thinkif a NativeAmerican friend of one if my favorute nieces…she used to call him ”Feather Butt”…
Thanks, Patty. I can see why it brings back that memory!
Thanks Ron. Lovely photos.
Thank you, Michael.
They are so sweet and love to hear them “tweet” all summer long around my bird feeder.
😊
I think you’ve earned redemption – the sparrows will forgive you for missing their special day, since you highlight one of their number with such lovely photographs.
Our resident song sparrow is a very feisty creature – guards its patch with great gusto, and it certainly was celebrating World Sparrow Day yesterday, although I didn’t know that’s what it was. I just had fun watching it!
Jealous of your resident Song Sparrow, Carolyn. If I’ve ever seen one in my yard I don’t remember it.
They are subtle little charmers – like so many of the lbjs. Our only sparrows are imports, and sadly their numbers are declining. Dramatically.
“Our only sparrows are imports”
Interesting, EC. I didn’t know that.
If ever there were an earth-toned bird, this is a fine example. With a bit of feather slight-of-hand thrown in. The common becomes extraordinary through your lens.
Glad you think so, Lyle. Thanks.
Must be that old devil, anthropomorphism, but sparrows seem to me to have such pleasant , open faces ( probably their “raised eyebrows” )– I’d choose
to look at THIS little fluff-butt any day, rather than that other one…….
Anthropomorphism has its place, Kris. I like your example.
Very nice series Ron. Does look like things are going well with the new camera. Was trying to see if I like one better than the rest, but all are equally good. I think Song Sparrows are very handsome birds. I am really bad at Sparrow ID. Even after looking at Sibley’s I often have to send a photo to one of my more expert friends.
” I often have to send a photo to one of my more expert friends”
So do I, Everett. More often than I wish I had to.
Ron – looks like that new camera is working out okay. 🤗
Better than okay in many ways, Mark. But setting up that AF system to the way I want it has been a huge challenge for me. Still working on a couple of things…
You may be a day late, but this little charmer is definitely NOT a dollar short! 🙂 Yay for the LBJs!
Thanks, Marty. To coin a phrase (not) – better late than never.
It is a cute sparrow…. 🙂 To him the feather was probably like a stuck piece of toilet paper….. 😉 They are fun to watch if one takes the time…… 🙂
“To him the feather was probably like a stuck piece of toilet paper”
That reminds me of a certain President boarding a plane…