Quite often my most beautiful photos are of the simplest, most common subjects that I find in nature, like this White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) that I photographed recently at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The elements of this image—the lighting, the pose, the framing, and the color palette—work together almost perfectly to create a harmonious, warm feeling for me that is hard to describe with words.
It is a bit of a cliché to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it is nonetheless true. Perhaps you’d dismiss this photo because the main subject is a nondescript little bird or maybe you prefer more colorful images with more “pop.” In my photography I try a variety of approaches to capture the beauty that surrounds us and have varying degrees of success in doing so.
For me, this one image is almost perfect. There is always the chance, however, that I will be able to capture something even more perfect in my next photos, so I’ll keep trudging on with my camera.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
For me too the sparrow is a beautiful bird.
Thanks so much. Beauty is everywhere when we really open our eyes and take the time to look for it.
I totally agree about seeing the beauty in the common everyday things. It’s important not to take such things for granted. There’s so much strife in the world these days and the beauty and wonder of everyday nature can ground us and give us peace. Thank you for capturing it with your camera.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Ann. There seems to be so much divisiveness these days and many people focus only on negative things. Slowing down and enjoying simple pleasures, like those found in nature, surely can help us as individuals achieve that grounding and peace about which you spoke.
Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your Sparrow image! For me the smaller birds are harder to get good images of! Well done!
Thanks, Reed. The little birds are definitely a different kind of challenge than the raptors or the water birds. I consider it to be an accomplishment when I can get a mostly unobstructed shot of many of the little birds.
I love sparrows, and you captured the enchantment. 🙂
Thanks. All too often sparrows don’t get the love they deserve. 🙂
Your photos are always almost perfect to me Mike. Beautiful!
Thanks, Michelle.
The magic of wildlife photography 🤗, great shots followed by the pursuit of the next. LOL.
We wildlife photographers achieve only momentary satisfaction, and then we’re off on out quixotic pursuit of something newer and better. The process is both magical and maddening. 🙂
Absolutely adorable bird. Great photo Mike. Thus little bird looks so regal in your capture.
Oops I meant “This little bird looks regal” 🙂
Thanks, Suzette. It is always fun to try to capture a bit of the individuality and personality of the different birds.
I like this photo very much. Well done Mike.
Hmmm … from the ground my naked eye might take this as “nondescript little bird” – but your image zooms incredible patterns and hue variations – GORGEOUS little bird! [There’s an analogy here for not really seeing the many people we pass in a crowd …]
The eye is perfect!
Thanks, Eliza. I was fortunate to capture the eye with the light shining on it in a way that really draws in the viewer.
There are two things I like about this shot, Mike: the warm glow and the horizontal branch surrounding the little bird like an embrace.
Thanks for the feedback, Chris. I will often try to frame my birds with branches, but this is the first time that I recall managing to do so with an almost circular branch. I love the way that you described it as “like an embrace.”
Bright colours are good to see (sometimes) but browns are also beautiful.
Different colors have different effects on people and there are lots of people who study that topic. For me, the colors that attract me are somewhat dependent on my mood. On gray winter days, I love it when I spot a colorful bird like a cardinal, while at other times I love to embrace the warm tones we tend to associate with autumn.
Yep! Perfect! Especially how the branches encircle the bird in an abstract nest!
Thanks, Sally. I hadn’t thought of the circle as an abstract nest, but that description is a perfect one.
Just about perfect! Love it!!