Chipping Sparrow with food for its chicks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This spring I was hoping to take photos of Chipping Sparrows gathering nesting materials but after taking this photo yesterday I believe I have missed out on that opportunity in the sky island mountains of the West desert.
I was photographing a Lark Sparrow when I spotted this Chipping Sparrow with food in its bill fly in and land on a juniper bough. As soon as I saw the food in its bill I realized that this sparrow is already feeding its young. Adult Chipping Sparrows eat their food where they find it and only fly around with prey in their bills when they are taking it back to their young.
I still may be able to take photos of Chipping Sparrows gather nesting materials high in the Wasatch or Uinta Mountains. I hope to head to the Uintas soon. I didn’t get over there last year because of the pandemic and safety concerns. I missed seeing those mountains though and want to take a slow, leisurely drive through them as soon as I can. Driving fast through forested areas means you can miss SO many birds which is why I like to drive slow through forests.
I mentioned a few days ago that I thought the shutter on my Nikon D500 had died. Well, sometimes the D500 it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I plan on using it until it really does die. Griping about it doesn’t change the situation and when it actually does die I still have my backup Nikon D810 to use until I decide what to do about the D500. My D500 has 613523 shutter releases and counting.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Chipping Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful contrast of low-angle light and dark sky – this photo really comes alive!
Echoing Marty.
And a big sigh at intermittent problems.
Nice composition of the bird in habitat.
A nice leisurely drive in the Uintas would be wonderful. I look forward to all of the photos you share when you’ve gone out on drives.
Love those Chippers. My shutter keeps locking up too. It is long out of warranty. I am debating what to do, call the repair shop or follow the video about cleaning the gear.
Wonderful shot, especially as it is telling me that there’s another generation out there. 🙂