outdoor photography

Field Sparrow Yesterday morning I checked my feeder as I was heading out for work and I saw a strange-looking sparrow on the ground under my feeder. I pulled out my binoculars and saw it was a Field Sparrow. What a surprise! I put out my feeder just after Christmas, and over the weeks since then, the number of birds coming to my feeder has steadily increased. I've now seen 11 species at my feeder, but this one is by far my favorite. I never thought of Field Sparrows as feeder birds, but there it was, along with about 8 Chipping Sparrows, which have been regulars at my feeders. I guess this one was passing through, saw the chippies and decided to rest here on its migration north.  I opened my window and fired off a couple shots before heading off for work.  That afternoon, it was gone.

Lark Sparrow On Saturday I drove out to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive to see a Lark Sparrow that had been found there the day before.  It was seen near the gate area, so I didn't do the whole drive. I just walked up and down Lust Rd until I finally saw the Lark Sparrow. Lark Sparrow While waiting for the Lark Sparrow to show up, I also saw a Field Sparrow, which also is a bit unusual in Central Florida. To my knowledge, neither bird was seen the next day, though people did photograph a Clay-colored Sparrow in the same general area. Field Sparrow  

Field Sparrow I would be pretty excited to find one of these birds in Florida this year, but they were out in style at Occoquan Bay NWR this past July.  They were a highlight of my time there.  They may be plain-looking, but they have a pretty distinctive call, and I think they're kind of fun. Field Sparrow Field Sparrow Field Sparrow