When I spotted this Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) last Thursday poking about in a mass of floating vegetation in a small pond last Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I decided that I wanted to get a shot of it. That proved to be quite a challenge. The bird kept its head down and was blocked by the vegetation most of the time.
I kept waiting and shooting in vain and worried that the sparrow would eventually fly away and leave me empty-handed. Finally the bird starting moving toward one end of the vegetation and was almost in the open. I got ready and when the sparrow limited its head momentarily, I was able to capture the kind of image that I had imagined at the start.
I like the way that the sparrow is framed by the vegetation and the water that is visible throughout the image. I am not sure what it had in its mouth, but the sparrow had apparently found some kind of tasty tidbit. The partial reflection of the bird in the water was an added bonus.
It is not rare for me to imagine shots when I am out with my camera and it is really cool when I manage to bring those imagined shots to life.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Cute little guy- sparrow – favorite 🪶 The feather brings wishes from above- Love 💕
I’m sure it was wonderfully satisfying to get this shot—as it should have been. It’s all so perfectly coordinated just like nature itself. Thank you!
You did it! The sparrow cooperated too! You two make a great duo!