White-crowned Sparrow perched on a budding tree, Box Elder County, UtahWhite-crowned Sparrow perched on a budding tree – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Spring migration is underway here in northern Utah and while I am excited about the prospect of photographing birds I haven’t seen since last fall I am still thrilled to photograph the birds I see here throughout most of the year.

White-crowned Sparrows are quite common in the Salt Lake Valley in the winter and I see them often at Antelope Island, Farmington Bay WMA, the West Desert and further north on the slopes of mountains. During the summer I see them less often because most of these sparrows head up into the mountains to nest and breed so they are harder to find during their nesting season unless I head up into the high country which is fine with me because I like to head up into the mountains during the heat of the summer because it is always slightly cooler up there.

Three days ago after I photographed the female American Kestrel eating her prey on a lichen-covered rock I was able to take a few photographs of a single adult White-crowned Sparrow that was perched on a budding tree. I liked the eye contact I had with the sparrow, the opening buds on the tree and how well the sparrow stood out from the plain background. Sure, it is a little brown bird that people might overlook but I will photograph them every chance I get. To me their subtle coloration is quite beautiful.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.