At Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning, I was surprised to find a Swamp Sparrow near the far southern corner of the auto tour loop.
Swamp Sparrow at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Swamp Sparrows are rare winter visitors to Utah and this is the first one that I have found since I moved here in 2009. I saw this species regularly during the winter in Florida.
I had stopped my Jeep at a stand of mixed phragmites and rushes because I could hear and see Song Sparrows. Then I saw a flash from the rust-colored wings of the Swamp Sparrow and trained my lens on this individual bird.
Rear view of Swamp Sparrow on Halloween – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I would have let out a whoop of joy except I didn’t want to flush this uncommon species from the fluffy seedheads of the phrags.
The Swamp Sparrow was further away from me than I would have liked which means these images are primarily for documentary purposes. I would have loved to have gotten frame filling photos of this sparrow.
Foraging Swamp Sparrow at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
If I hadn’t stopped at this stand of vegetation and been still for the length of time that I sat there I would never have found this uncommon sparrow.
After the Swamp Sparrow flew off I finally remembered that I needed to breathe. I took a deep breath and let out the whoop of joy that I had been suppressing. Yeah, baby! What a great treat I had for Halloween!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Swamp Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Complex and vivid shots. Beautiful. Thanks Mia.
Terrific find!
I’m happy to see them each winter. Even happier if I get photographs anywhere near the quality of yours.
Beautiful!
What a treat to find a Swamp Sparrow! I didn’t know it was rare in your parts. Love the forward facing shot showing the striations on the breast. What a lovely bird. Thanks for sharing.