Throughout the winter I searched in vain for a Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), but finally managed to spot one last Thursday as I was exploring a stream in Prince William County, Virginia on a sunny spring day. According to the Audubon Field Guide, the Winter Wren is “A secretive little bird of dense woods. It often creeps about among fallen logs and dense tangles, behaving more like a mouse than a bird, remaining out of sight but giving an occasional kimp-kimp callnote.”
When I took these photos, I was standing in a dried-up stream bed, so I was almost at eye-level with this tiny bird. This angle of view allowed me to get much better shots that I would have gotten if I had been shooting downwards at the subject. I recommend that you click on the images to get a closer look at the beautiful details on this wren, including its speckled feathers, upturned tail, large feet, and sharp bill.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great photos, beautiful little bird.
I love wrens! I’m happy HE found you!
Very nice find and photographs, Mike!
Funny story. Winter Wrens are seldom seen in Florida during migration. My wife and I visited a county park several years ago in November. She remained in the car and read a book while I pounded a few trails searching for birds to photograph. She heard a loud “chip” and turned to find a Winter Wren perched on my camera bag in the back seat! A good day for her!
Great story, Wally. There is something almost random and serendipitous about so many wildlife encounters. 🙂
Ready for the season.