Finding birds has been tough lately and yesterday was about as discouraging as it gets.
240 miles of driving and hours of searching for birds resulted in exactly two subjects in my viewfinder – a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow and an adult Red-tailed Hawk that was too far away for decent photos. It was a frustrating morning but at least I was pleasantly surprised by my sparrow photos when I got home and looked at them on my big screen.
1/640, 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
The sparrow gave me about three seconds with it before it was gone but I got two poses and I like them both. The darker mostly clean background highlighted both the fall colors of the wild rose and the bird. My first instinct was to brighten both of these photos a bit but when I tried it I ended liking them better like this.
1/640, 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
This is the other pose I was able to get in the burst before the little rascal took off away from me. I keep waffling about which one I like best, and I do like them both, but I’ll admit to wishing that twig didn’t look like it was growing out of the sparrow’s head in both shots.
We need some cold weather and snow to bring in some birds. The 70 degrees we had yesterday just isn’t going to cut it.
Ron
These are two I would buy to have framed. They would make a lovely set. Really gorgeous!
I really like the pictures. The colors are beautiful.
Good! Thanks, Trudy.
After reading your intro, I was set for disappointment of some kind. I was not disappointed. I like both photos but the second one more because it shows off the head and neck as well as the bill that matches the rose buds.
Sorry you had to drive 240 miles and was disappointed.
The weather forecast for tomorrow drops the high by 19 degrees to 53 degrees and drops 6 degrees further on Tuesday to 47 degrees…good news!!
Yup, good news, Alice. Now if we just have some mornings with light next week…
Beautiful shots. Both are great and very artistic.
I’m glad you like them, Betty. Thanks.
These are both beautiful shots. And I never saw the twig as growing out of the Sparrow’s head until I ready your comment… I’m thinking I like the second shot a little bit better, because it shows what looks to me like an expression of curiosity.
Thanks, Susan. In the end these two shots ended up in a tie for me. Both have relative strengths and weaknesses that balance each other out.
Like Marty I didn’t notice the twig until you flagged it. Perhaps I am not as easily distracted as people tell me.
Love the subtleties of this beautiful lbj. And its setting.
I hope your bird drought ends soon.
I hope so too, EC. Thank you.
A long drive but some beautiful shots. We all have those days.
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. Mine are coming more often.
Pretty photos Ron. Love the lighting and the color just the way it is. Sorry you had to work so hard for bird opportunities.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott Az
Thank you, Everett.
The shots of the sparrow certainly came out well even with the twig growing out of it’s head. The dark background and the colorful foliage set the bird off well.. 🙂 VERY quiet bird wise here – few junco’s, the usual chickadees & magpies, one kingfisher, one blue jay and a large raptor of some sorts are “it”. Hopefully that doesn’t mean a nasty winter is coming! 🙁
Thanks, Judy. It’s often “quiet” this time of year but this is TOO quiet.
I didn’t really notice the twig as a distraction until you mentioned it, Mr. Killjoy. 😈😉😂
I’m especially fond of the second shot and the Sparrow’s head angle. There’s something in the line from the head stripes through the wings and then the tail that I find very appealing.
Always glad to enlighten you, Marty! 🙂
I do like these images…and especially the darker background. Your birds always have that great ‘in the spotlight’ look which I really love. Simply natural with perfection abounding. The leaves of the rose are a beautiful color along with the twigs and hips; everything looks beautiful with that dark background. ❤️ Whoever said ‘just a sparrow’ has never studied these little ones. I especially smiled at the first photo…quick glance made me think of a quail with the slight twist of the twig. 😍 Bird shots have been hard to come by here also…my feeders give me dozens of birds (Juncos are quite numerous these days) but somehow I feel like I’m cheating with their pictures. I did come across an eagle yesterday that gave me a stare down so it made my day.
Yup, that twig ‘sprouting’ from the head sure isn’t ideal.
I saw a few juncos yesterday up north but they were all too far away. I find them difficult subjects when they aren’t at my feeder. Thanks, Kathy.