Immature White-crowned Sparrow at Sequoyah NWR, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaImmature White-crowned Sparrow at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/400, ISO 1000, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Late last week, while driving through a forested area of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I was delighted to photograph an immature White-crowned Sparrow.

The bottomland hardwood forests at the refuge provide ample shelter and food for sparrows during their nonbreeding season. Photographing them can be challenging, but I often use a stop, sit, and stay approach.

When I see little birds flitting about on the forest edge, I stop my vehicle, sit still, and stay for a bit, which allows them time to come back out of the scrubby edges. I make sure I’m ready when they do.

Driving through forested areas fast means missed opportunities. Which, by the way, I don’t like that at all.

I only see White-crowned Sparrows here during their nonbreeding season, and I try to take advantage of every chance I get with them.

My time with this immature White-crowned Sparrow was short but memorable.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.