I believe I made it to Arkansas just in time to photograph this migrating White-throated Sparrow. These sparrows spend the winter here but will soon head north.

White-throated Sparrow adult in Arkansas, Sebastian County, ArkansasWhite-throated Sparrow adult in Arkansas – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

White-throated Sparrows breed from the Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada, south to Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and east to New England and Newfoundland. I used to have them in my garden when I lived in Virginia all winter long.

When I photographed this White-throated Sparrow two days ago, there were at least three of them in my friend Steve Creek’s Arkansas garden. It was very cool and windy that day, and some of the sparrows were hunkered down to avoid the wind. When the wind let up a bit, the sparrows fed in the garden, in the mulch, and in the grasses nearby.

These sparrows are beautiful and I truly enjoyed having this species in my viewfinder again.

White-throated Sparrow adult close up in spring, Sebastian County, ArkansasWhite-throated Sparrow adult close up in spring – Nikon D500, f8, 1/200, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday, I didn’t see any White-throated Sparrows in Steve’s garden, but I did spend the morning with Steve and Rosie at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, and we had a blast. More about that later though!

The White-throated Sparrows may have headed north after that windstorm. I am just delighted I was able to get such lovely photos of this individual bird. If the sparrows haven’t left yet, maybe I will be able to have them in my viewfinder before they really leave for their breeding season.

Life is good.

Mia

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