Song Sparrows are born (hatched) to sing, as suggested by their scientific name, Melospiza melodia.
Four days ago I had just left Antelope Island and headed for home when I heard a Song Sparrow singing in the vegetation along the causeway just east of the marina. As I approached the source of the calling I spotted the sparrow at the top of a sagebrush but just before I got my pickup stopped another vehicle whizzed by and spooked the sparrow. So he dived to the ground and completely disappeared in the vegetation.
After the other vehicle was gone I figured that this time of year the sparrow’s urge to sing from an elevated perch might bring him back to the top of the same sagebrush, so I waited to see if that might happen.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It didn’t take long before ‘he’ popped right back up to his previous perch and began to sing again.
In all of my shots of him I got Great Salt Lake in the background, which I like a lot. In this light the difference in color between the lake and plain blue sky (which I tend not to like very much) is subtle, but for me it’s significant enough to be a good thing.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
His urge to sing was so strong he continued his serenade while he was in the process of turning on his perch to face the opposite direction. And then…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
he sang some more.
It was a delightful way to end a sunny and relatively warm morning on the island. In contrast to…
what it looks like in my back yard right now. During the night we got nearly 4″ of snow and we’re supposed to get more later today. Looks like I’m stuck at home for yet another day.
Oh well, more water for the lake. The mountains are getting hammered with snow and the Jordan River, which runs from Utah Lake to the south to Great Salt lake, is running higher and faster than I’ve ever seen it. Things may be looking up for Great Salt Lake.
Ron
I really like the eagerness in that first photo. And the subtle colors are just beautiful.
And good to hear the GSL is getting a bit of a boost. We could sure use some additional moisture on the Colorado Front Range.
Thank you, Bill. This storm is only a drop in the bucket but every little bit helps.
Love those song sparrows! They are one of the first signs of spring around here too.
Joanne, I think of their persistent calling as a harbinger of spring.
Your patience was well rewarded, Ron. What a lovely fellow. We’re fortunate to have them year round. There are a few that are regulars at the animal shelter (free food from the dogs), and I occasionally hear them if I’m there very early in the morning or late in the day.
Fresh snow is so pretty — when you don’t have to shovel it. As you say, hopefully, it means good things for the GSL. We’re getting a little break now through Friday to try to dry out before a cold weekend storm. Please keep your fingers crossed for our hillsides down here (and for my giant tree).
Marty, we have them year-round too.
Fortunately, this snow didn’t stick to our sidewalks or driveways (or roads) so there’s no shoveling involved. This time.
Fingers are crossed.
What is keeping you home is a gift for the rest of Utah. That is great news. We need more of that here and hopefully will get some more soon. Nice shots of the very musical Song Sparrows. Always fun to watch and listen to them.
Thanks, Everett. I’ll try to send some of this your way…
I love his posture in shot #2, with his wings lifted and thrown back,
as if to gather breath to propel his song–wish I could have heard
him. It’s wonderful that your knowledge of behavior enables your
intuition as to when to…….. “wait for it “……and be rewarded !
Thanks, Kris. That “intuition” doesn’t always work but it works often enough to be very helpful on occasion.
Sparrow was REALLY into it! 🙂 Glad he popped back up.
We have an inch or so of snow, icy roads and +3 – winter not done with us yet.
Interesting behavior yesterday. A finch hit the window and was stunned. On the ground about a dozen other finches surrounded it for awhile – one jumped on it’s back for a second. Spooked of course, but later the finch was gone. Leucisitic still around after not seeing him for a few days.
That would have been fascinating behavior to watch, Judy. And to photograph…
Oh, the joy of that little bird! I’m glad he popped back up after being scared. My day is always better when our resident song sparrow makes an appearance in our yard.
We had snowflakes falling yesterday while the sun was shining and it was about 40 degrees, very weird. And then last night I looked out to see what I thought was very bright moonlight – it was bright because it was shining on a couple of inches of very puffy snow (central WA). As you say, good for the Lake!
Carolyn, you’re lucky to have even one Song Sparrow in your yard. I don’t recall ever seeing one in mine.
Heralding in a new season.
You may be stuck, but I can’t help but see the beauty of the snow covered yard. Of course, this all from a guy who does not live where it snows.
Michael, right now my yard probably looks better covered with snow than it would without snow. Snow hides a lot of faults. I did get the garden mostly cleaned up the other day but my poor back is paying for it now. So the timing of the snow couldn’t have been much better…
That bird knows how to make a joyful noise! Booo on being stuck at home!
Arwen, there’s a possibility for good light tomorrow. Maybe then…