Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Yesterday while I was out photographing on Antelope Island State Park I came across a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows right next to the road.
Until I viewed this image on my monitor I hadn’t noticed that the Sagebrush has started to green up, another sign of spring.
I like how the juvenile White-crowned Sparrow stands out from the sagebrush in the background.
My EV; or exposure compensation, shouldn’t have been at +0.7, it should have been lower. I had been photographing a Rough-legged Hawk in flight against a blue sky before I took this image and had forgotten to reset my EV to 0.0 but I was able to bring the global exposure level down a smidge in post processing to correct that.
White-crowned Sparrows have a clear whistling call followed by a series of trills or buzzes that I can easily pick up on but normally I see this species before I hear them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
I really like these handsome birds. The juries are so cute with their brown crowns!
Thanks Julie, they are cuties!
Now there is a bird that I am very familiar with. We have them in huge numbers down here right now. Great shot, Mia.
Thanks Bob, great to see you back!
Beautiful capture of a great looking juvenile!
Tammy, thanks so much for your kind comment, much appreciated!
Mia:
Like Dan, I have trouble with ID on the juveniles. I think your terrific image is now burned in my memory and, hopefully, will help me with ID in the future.
Thanks for commenting Dave. I still get sparrows confused at times.
Mia, do I ever relate to the EV situation … although this image looks fantastic. Last year I blew out a few Osprey shots for the same reason. Thank goodness for RAW and PP (although those particular shots were too blown out to salvage). I sometimes turn them into B&W and use the “art” excuse (hehe).
Ingrid, you made me giggle with the “art” comment. Hey, B & W images are beautiful! Thanks so much for your kind comment.
Very beautiful!
Thanks you much PrairieBirder!
Great eyes to spot it!
Thank you Judy!
Very nice photo Mia. I always find the juveniles hard to figure out ID at first
Dan, I often have trouble with juvenile sparrow ID, I see these quite often so I get the ID on them right … most of the time! Thanks for your comment.