The last time I went to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, I very much needed the peace, tranquility, and birds I found there, including this Savannah Sparrow. The hour-long drive before dawn allows me time to decompress. I sing along to the music on the radio, and while I am not a great singer, I don’t care because singing brings me joy.
By the time I reach the road to the auto tour route, I am always in a great mood.
Spring Savannah Sparrow in side light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I heard Savannah Sparrows singing out on the marshes. This sparrow’s song lead me right to where the small bird was located. The sparrow sang as I photographed it moving from perch to perch and as it made short forays to the ground for food.
I could have sat and listened to the Savannah Sparrow sing for an hour. The soft, distinctive, melodious song soothed me that much. That is the power of song, of music, of auditory delight.
Listening to the Savannah Sparrow’s song, observing its movements, and capturing images of it reconnected me to the magic of nature that I find in the refuge’s marshes.
When I drove home with my window down, singing along with the music on the radio, I realized that despite the rough start to that particular week, I was doing great. Actually, I was more than great. Shimmering, singing, dancing, and sparkling great.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Savannah Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
We had them in south Florida only during 3 or 4 of the 18 winters we lived there. I don’t remember hearing them sing, but they certainly made their presence known at dawn at our second home in Illinois, where I processed over 300 images of the species. Still hoping to find one near our new home in Connecticut.
They are lovely. I’ve got one in my yard today. At first I thought it was the song sparrow, it is hanging out with the lazulis. Trying for photos but so far it is very flighty. I have had great yard birds this hard wet winter. The unusual ones don’t stick around, just a day or two at the feeders then move on.
What a lovely little bird with a beautiful song. You have such a great ear for discerning so many bird songs. I’m another car singer (even with classical music). There’s indeed something about singing along — and music, in general — that brings so much joy! 🎵🎶
Thanks for this lovely tribute to a bird song –to bird songs in general. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve lost the high notes so there are a lot of songs I can’t hear – a condition common in older men. So I rely on friends, and the Merlin app! to know when songbirds are in the zone, somewhere. For other listeners who might suffer the same, there are hearing aid products, I hear, that can help. Birders’ Ear, and maybe others you know about. If you have more info, I’m all ears. Thanks again!
What a nice tribute to the power of a bird singing! I miss lots of song these days — just can’t hear the high notes anymore, so rely on others – and on Merlin to let me know that difficult to see song birds are in the zone — somewhere. That’s nice to know. For all your listeners out there with a similar hearing issues –common among older men, there are apparently some hearing enhancement products that can help (Birders’ Ear). If you know of any, I’m all ears.