Some days it seems like most of the birds are hiding from me, but I can usually count on seeing at least a few sparrows. Last Thursday I spotted this little sparrow, which I am pretty sure is a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), perched in the reeds at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
I still have a bit of trouble with identifying some sparrow species, but I am getting better at looking closely at the facial markings and other identifying features that help me to distinguish one species from another. Some experienced birders can identify birds by their calls, but with a few notable exceptions I am not at that level.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I know those days.
Great shot.
This is a lovely portrait. I like the warm hues and Autumnal light in this shot and the way that, and the range of browns in the background, highlight the plumage of the bird.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Laura. Once again I am impressed with your keen artist eyes that immediately focus on things like color and light (as well as composition). I aspire to pay as much attention to the artistic elements in my photos as much as I do to the technical elements–it’s always a balancing act of sorts.
I think you do possess an artist’s eye. I see it in the way you frame your subjects in particular.
Here in Belgium, the sparrow has been voted bird of the year, which means that numerous projects will be set up in 2024 to give this bird, which has disappeared in many places, more opportunities again.
That is great to hear. Sparrows are very common here and there are multiple sparrow species where I live. I hope the projects this year are successful in increasing the sparrow population in Belgium.