Bathing House Sparrow

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Bathing House Sparrow

November 28, 2020 by Mike Powell

As I was walking around a small suburban pond recently, some movement in the underbrush caught my eye. Several small House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) were splashing about in the shallow water of a tiny rivulet that ran into the pond. I managed to capture this whimsical little portrait of one of the bathing sparrows, whose glance suggested to me that my presence was not exactly welcomed.

Posted in Autumn, Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged bathing sparrow, Canon 50D, House Sparrow, Kingstowne VA, Passer domesticus, Tamron 150-600mm | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on November 28, 2020 at 8:40 am | Reply Dan Antion

I’m not sure I would have seen him, Mike. He blends in pretty well.
- on November 28, 2020 at 9:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  As is often the case, Dan, movement is what attracts my eye mostly. When birds and other creatures stay still, I frequently have trouble finding them.
on November 28, 2020 at 8:53 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Great photo opportunity! The photo looks like a lovely painting. Thank you Mike.🙏👍
- on November 28, 2020 at 9:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Suzette. I used a shutter speed that was pretty slow, so there is a softness to the image that I really like.
  - on November 28, 2020 at 9:03 am Suzette Benjamin
    
    Yes! I see it. Nicely done!
on November 28, 2020 at 9:00 am | Reply Eliza Waters

I like the blue reflections around it, contrasting with the rusts and browns. Nice portrait, Mike!
- on November 28, 2020 at 9:03 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Eliza. The colors combine to give the shot an autumn feel. It is kind of a strange image in some way, but I think it works.
on November 28, 2020 at 9:10 am | Reply shoreacres

It does have a lovely, autumnal feel. The colors are pleasing, even though they aren’t the stereotypical “fall colors.”
on November 28, 2020 at 9:33 am | Reply kenneturner

It always the angles and lighting that make the difference between an average photo and a great photo. This one is a work of art.
- on November 28, 2020 at 10:10 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, kenne. It’s always a bit tough for me to evaluate my own photos. With some images, like this one, I end up asking myself if I like them despite the angles and lighting or because of the angles and lighting. 🙂
on November 28, 2020 at 3:32 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice Mike! The water makes an interesting background!
on November 28, 2020 at 5:06 pm | Reply krikitarts

The reflections in the water make it look almost metallic, with the feeling of an engraving.
on November 28, 2020 at 6:52 pm | Reply Steve Gingold

What a great panoply of colors and shapes, Mike. Very nice!
on November 29, 2020 at 9:26 am | Reply nliakos

What did you expect–spying on a lady (or a gentleman) making her (or his) ablutions?
I love the many colors of bird, leaves, water, and wood.
- on November 29, 2020 at 9:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Nina. It’s hard for me not to feel a little like a peeping Tom when I zoom in with my long telephoto lens to get a closer look at scenes like this one. 🙂
on November 29, 2020 at 5:28 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

I do not see that as whimsical, more like GORGEOUS!! I agree with Suzette. Maybe you should paint that during watercolor season 🙂