I’ve been collecting images of immature White-crowned Sparrows that I have taken over the past month or so up in Box Elder County because of all the different settings I have photographed them in. These photos are all taken within a few miles of each other.

Immature White-crowned Sparrow resting in sage, Box Elder County, UtahImmature White-crowned Sparrow resting in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Some of the immature White-crowned Sparrows were photographed while they perched or rested on sage.  Sagebrush is one of my favorite shrubs here in the West so I am delighted when birds perch on it.

Immature White-crowned Sparrow in a perky pose, Box Elder County, UtahImmature White-crowned Sparrow in a perky pose – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And I can’t resist photographing birds in perky looking poses and this immature White-crowned Sparrow hit that pose for just one frame. Because I was prepared I was able to capture it.

Immature White-crowned Sparrow with Mullein and Rabbitbrush, Box Elder County, UtahImmature White-crowned Sparrow with Mullein and Rabbitbrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Rabbitbrush is another of my favorite shrubs here in the West and Mullein is a plant I remember from my childhood, the combination of the two along with a perched immature White-crowned Sparrow simply makes me smile even though the bird is small in the frame.

Pair of immature White-crowned Sparrows on a dead branch, Box Elder County, UtahPair of immature White-crowned Sparrows on a dead branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I can’t resist photographing the immature White-crowned Sparrows when I can see that I will have more than one in the frame because I know from observing them that the young sparrows chase each other often and that can lead to some great action shots. The top bird in this photo left before the bottom sparrow chased it off in this instance though.

Young White-crowned Sparrow tucked into a Wild Rose, Box Elder County, UtahYoung White-crowned Sparrow tucked into a Wild Rose – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I also can’t resist photographing birds in and around wild roses even when they are not in bloom. In the fall the rose hips add a nice pop of color.

These are just a few of the immature White-crowned Sparrows I have photographed over the past month, it sure is nice to have them show up in my viewfinder again.

Life is good.

Mia

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