Last Friday I had a few seconds to photograph a perky Song Sparrow perched on a greasewood at Farmington Bay WMA just before I started to head towards home.
Perky Song Sparrow on a greasewood – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I heard the Song Sparrow calling in an agitated manner before I spotted it on top of the greasewood. Since I was driving towards the sparrow, I slowed down slightly and stopped my Jeep when I had a good light angle on the bird. The blue sky and the distant mountains on Antelope Island made for a wonderful background behind the sparrow.
I never did see why the Song Sparrow was alert and agitated but a Northern Harrier had flown over the road before I got to the bird. The sparrow may still have been aware of the harrier’s presence.
Adult Song Sparrow on a greasewood perch – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was only able to take twenty-six photos of the Song Sparrow on the greasewood shrub before it dove for cover and left my sight. In more than half of the photos the sparrow’s head was turned at an angle that I didn’t like. I did take a few images where I liked the head angle and the catch light in the eyes of this melodious sparrow species.
Song Sparrows are year round residents of northern Utah. I love hearing them during the winter months when a large portion of the birds here are quiet. They might not be flashy birds but I think they are beautiful, interesting, and great fun to photograph all year long.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Song Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Cute photos, I love having them in my yard.
Sparrows are such delightful birds. I wish the ones at the spca would slow down so I can try to ID them. They are so fast, especially when they’re trying to snatch a pice of kibble without the resident doggo noticing.
*piece (not sure what a pice is)