White-throated Sparrow And A Bittersweet Memory

Today marks the one year anniversary of me finding my first, and so far only, White-throated Sparrow perched in a greasewood in Utah at Farmington Bay WMA.

White-throated Sparrow at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I usually log onto Facebook while my morning coffee is brewing. I check out my timeline to see what my friends may have posted after I have gone to sleep and to check out what is in my Facebook memories.

This morning my memory from one year ago was that I shared a photo of this out of range White-throated Sparrow because I was simply too excited to wait to share it the next day here on my website. I also wanted local friends to know about this sparrow.

The first person to comment on that Facebook post was my friend Billy Fenimore. Billy already knew about the uncommon visiting sparrow because almost immediately after I photographed the White-throated Sparrow I called him to let him know about the bird and where it was. He worked at the nature center that is just a couple of hundred yards away from the spot where I found it. We chatted about the bird, families, and what other birds we had both been seeing.

On Facebook Billy posted this:

Billy Fenimore

I believe I may have seen it a few seconds before you ❤️ – your the best – great catching up today!

The sentence about seeing it before me was an inside joke between Billy and me.

Earlier this week when I found my first Swamp Sparrow in Utah up at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge without even thinking I started to reach for my phone to give Billy a call. Before my hand had moved an inch I remembered that Billy is no longer with us.

I know that Billy touched many lives and brought joy and knowledge to legions of people. I miss you, my friend, and I know that many other people do too.

Life is short, live it full tilt.

Mia

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