We don’t get much snow here is Northern Virginia, so I was really excited to visit my marshland park yesterday to see what birds and animals were active. There were lots of crows and Canada Geese, but I was mostly attracted by the frenetic activity of the sparrows.
The sparrows moved around quickly in the snow and on the ice, foraging for food in the dried out vegetation in the cattail field. This little sparrow, which I think is a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), paused for a split second and lifted its head, which made it possible for me to get this shot. (Most of my other shots have the sparrow’s head in the shadows or buried in the vegetation).
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I was at the marsh at Fisher’s Creek yesterday, Mike, and saw the same thing. The Sparrows were so busy feeding to fight the cold that they ignored my presence, even when I was fairly close to them.
The biggest challenge for me was not proximity, but actually getting a clear shot–most of the time they sparrows seemed to be in the thick underbrush or the shadows.
Lol. Sparrows always seem to be thick in the underbrush. I took dozens of Sparrow photos yesterday – only ended up with a couple of clear shots.
What big eyes! Nice of him to sit still for a moment so you could get the shot.
It must be a rude shock having to deal with finding food buried in snow…the bird looks confused about all the white stuff.