Each spring I try to get shots of birds perching in blossoming trees, but the birds rarely cooperate with me—they all seem more interested in foraging for food than in posing for me. On Saturday, though, a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge paused for a moment and I was able to capture this image.
I chose not to crop this image any closer in order to give you a better view of the delicate white blossoms of a tree that I am not able to immediately identify.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Thank you for continuing to share your photos during this difficult time. It’s comforting to see your email each morning.
Thanks so much, Ann. So far the parks and refuges where I take most of my nature photos have remained open, although the visitor centers are closed. My photo walks definitely have a therapeutic effect on me and allow me to wash away some of the stress that threatens to overwhelm me when I watch too many news reports. Spring is the time of new growth and new hope and I am happy to be able to share my photos with folks who are not able to get out and see it for themselves.
You gave us a beautiful composition, Mike. Nicely done.
Very Nice Mike! Stay Safe!!
Very pretty capture. Hopefully the tree is a cherry tree and not the awful Bradford Pear.
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Thanks, Mitzy. I fear that it might be the awful Bradford Pear tree. It seems like they are everywhere in the area in which I live.
We cut down every single one that appears on our farm.
I’m glad you take the opportunity to get out every day. And I must say that sparrows, in my view, are highly underrated.
I am not managing to get out every single day, but I am try to get out as often as I can. Restrictions are increasing in many places and it is possible that we could move to a lockdown scenario at any time. As for sparrows, I try to photograph them as often as I can, though I confess that I do have trouble identifying the different species that are quite similar in appearance.
So far, we can go for walks and many parks and recreational areas are still open. We take advantage of that but of course maintain quite a distance between ourselves and others.
A wonderful image of spring, Mike – it conveys much joy!
Thanks, Eliza. I like the light, airy feel and the vibrant colors–the image speaks of spring to me as well.
Love those throat feathers up close in the breeze!