A few days ago in the Wasatch Mountains, I had this Chipping Sparrow in my viewfinder long enough to only take 10 images. I liked this photo the most.

Peekaboo Chipping Sparrow, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahPeekaboo Chipping Sparrow – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The setting is cluttered, but the light was lovely, and I felt that the peekaboo look I got from the sparrow was endearing.

Quite often in the fall, this is the typical sighting I have of this species. During the spring, I see Chipping Sparrows more out in the open because the males are singing to attract mates. In autumn, they appear to be a little more secretive and skulky.

This Chipping Sparrow is in nonbreeding plumage, and she or he was silent. I did hear Chipping Sparrows while I was back East this spring but wasn’t able to photograph them because I didn’t have camera gear with me during that part of my journey.

I wish I had been able to spend more time photographing this sparrow high in the mountains, but two e-bikers rode by and scared it off.

Birds were harder for me to find than they had been in September, but because I listened for birds, I was able to find a nice mixed flock of them. The birds were all foraging in a clump of intertwined chokecherries and hawthorns. I rely on my auditory skills to locate birds as frequently as I do my eyesight during some parts of the year, and fall is one of those times.

Very soon, this Chipping Sparrow and other lingering migrant birds will be winging their way to warmer climates for the coldest months of the year. Since I didn’t get to spend much time with them as I normally do, I will feel their absence even more deeply during this winter.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Chipping Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.