White-crowned Sparrow on Rabbitbrush giving me the eye – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
During the winter White-crowned Sparrows appear over much of North America, here in northern Utah we can see these beautiful sparrows year round although during the breeding season I see them the mountains far more frequently than I do down in the Salt Lake Valley. There is a large influx of White-crowned Sparrows here during this time of the year when the White-crowned Sparrows that breed much further north begin to arrive, some may travel further south for the winter and some will stay here even when the snow gets deep and the temps drop to single digits. They are hardy little birds.
When I spotted this White-crowned Sparrow perched on a blooming rabbitbrush yesterday I quickly swung my lens toward it, focused and started taking photos as quickly as I could. The yellow in the background was more rabbitbrush in the distance. The sparrow was probably no more than twenty feet from me and I was able to take frame filling images of it.
The dark, smudgy spots on the bill of this sparrow are from something it ate, the bill doesn’t have actual spots.
Adult White-crowned Sparrow on Rabbitbrush – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I have quite a few images of White-crowned Sparrows feeding on the seeds of rabbitbrush later in the fall and into winter but not many of them perched on rabbitbrush while it is in bloom so I was happy to have the opportunity with this one perched on the sunny yellow flowers yesterday morning.
This sparrow didn’t stay perched on the blooming rabbitbrush long before it flew away.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Whenever I see a White-crowned Sparrow or hear its song that is so very beautiful, my spirit smiles. What a joy!
What an absolute charmer.
Nice, nice, nice!
I usually only see these birds in the winter here, too. I like both images but especially like the first…the turned position and the composition are really pleasing….
So beautiful!
I love the crisp look of the White-crowned Sparrow. One of my favourite winter birds.