In my area most sparrow species aren’t easy to approach or catch out in the open for most of the year but when it’s very cold and they decide it’s time to begin their communal morning feeding routine they become much braver souls. Earlier this week I photographed three species of sparrows as they harvested seeds from their frost-covered parent plants.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When the sparrows first began to feed, literally every twig was frost-covered (like the twig on the left) but their frenzied activities knocked the frost off of some of the twigs and seed clusters. This Song Sparrow was in the process of plucking the seeds in front of its face.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Here a Dark-eyed Junco has landed on a frosty branch for a moment as it contemplates its next food source.
Confession: Earlier this week I shot for two days with my IS (image stabilization) inadvertently turned off and didn’t notice it (embarrassing!). I couldn’t figure out why most of my shots weren’t as sharp as usual and feared a malfunctioning camera or lens. I was much relieved when I finally figured out the problem. Anyway, that’s why this junco isn’t tack sharp.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But it was the plucky juvenile White-crowned Sparrows who put on the best show. Rabbitbrush seeds seem to be one of their favorite foods and they were very active as they browsed the frost and snow-covered plants.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Sometimes there was so much seed “fluff” stuck to their faces that their bills could barely be seen. This bird was one of the more dainty eaters.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Their twitchy feeding movements made it difficult to capture interesting poses but I liked the curve of the left wing on this one. Normally I’d crop to include more room on the left but there was another bird there (you can see its shadow on the snow in the background).
1/1600, f/8, ISO 400, 100-400 @ 370mm, not baited, set up or called in
I decided to see if I could get two birds sharp with catch lights in the eyes of both birds so I switched lenses for more depth of field and got several shots that turned out pretty well. When they’re feeding and usually have their faces buried in the rabbitbrush it isn’t easy.
It’s finally starting to warm up a little around here (+32 yesterday) so some of the snow is beginning to melt but there still should be occasional opportunities for morning hoar frost. I always look forward to that.
Ron
Sensational shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
Wonderful sparrows, they’re beautiful and so hearty to be wintering where the temps drop below 0. And to think, I’ve spent winters past every morning delivering seed to a cornfield for the sparrows, afraid they wouldn’t survive nights in the tens and teens. Jeez. These are wonderfully photographed, captured in the act of getting by just fine without help thanks. But maybe there’s more to eat there than here…
Great images! I also love to watch these little birds.
A fabulous series. I do hope I manage to see a Junco while I’m in the US early next – despite the softness!
Love the fanned wing in image #5…these birds are so curvy and cute…I love the little round sparrows, juncos, finches and chickadees as much as their more colorful, more exotic cousins.
Love these images…birds are wonderful, but equally delightful are the frost crystals…BEAUTIFUL!!! Especially in the second and third frames!
I’ve been looking at these photos several times over the course of the day, and in the end I realized that the third photo explains to me why the drawings of sparrows in the Sibley guide look the way they do – this sparrow has the exact same shape as those illustrations. So I feel better about what those illustrations look like (I’ve never liked them particularly). They have to be accurate if they look like your photos…:-)
Sparrows are such lively souls and you catch their character so well! thanks for the images.
That last shot is outstanding.
I love sparrows, Ron. You’re lucky to have such a great setting for these birds. The frost makes the scene quite magical. I really can’t believe how sharp these photos are, but I’m happy that you continue to impress. Gives me a lot to look forward to.
Ron, simply stupendous Sparrows! Now I know what I need to slow them down so I can get a photograph – SNOW!
I really like the shot with the wing extended as well as the one above it with the partial tail-spread. And, of course, the “two-fer” works very nicely!
I’m not sure the snow slows them down any, Wally but I tend to like it in the setting (as long as the light’s not harsh, then it’s an exposure nightmare). Thank you.
Hooray for the little brown jobs. Thank you. The last is a wonderful double delight.
The world would be a poorer place without LBJ’s, wouldn’t it Elephant’s Child?
Hi Ron – I don’t usually comment though I always appreciate your artistry and knowledgeable comments. Today I had to write because the last photo in this series knocked my socks off – and made me think I’d like to see more photos with greater depth of field for context. It’s a lovely setting with the seeds, frost and background branches, plus the fact that you got 2 perfect birds in the composition is amazing and a reminder that they are flockers. Thanks!
I always have that second camera and lens with me when I’m shooting, Betsy. And at times I don’t think to use it when I should. Your comment reminded me once again…
These are beautiful, as always. I would never have known there was a problem with the Junco picture if you hadn’t said anything…
But I’ll bet you can see the softness of the junco after I pointed it out, Susan. I sure was upset with myself for making such a dumb mistake.
Beautiful Ron!!
Thanks, Deb.
Love these photos especially with the seed fluff all over their beaks. And I really like the shot with the left wing out. Great. I don’t have any fluff like that in my area so the sparrows and juncos are all over my feeders. My shots are never as good as yours. I don’t take a lot of sparrow shots Sparrows just take over everything and keep Eastern Blue Birds away. But I still feed them!! You can see some of my shots on Facebook if you ever have time or are interested!!
I like seeing the fluff (and other food debris) on their faces too, Ellen. Some folks don’t – a matter of style, I guess.
How lovely! The delicacy of the frost and the rabbitbrush along with the sparrows, catch lights and all. I especially enjoy the last two photos… also the junco, even though your IS was off. 🙂
Alison, I almost didn’t include the junco here because of the softness but I liked the splash of blue color in the mix with all the other photos so I went with it. Glad you liked it too.