Winged Wednesday 2/28/2023

[Eric Gofreed]

Today's Winged Wednesday is my third installment of the sparrows. Birders affectionately refer to sparrows as LBRBs (little brown round birds). With the availability of fine optics binoculars and cameras with telephoto lenses, the real beauty of these LBRBs can be fully appreciated. Next week, sparrow-like birds.

Brewer's sparrow: Brewer's nest in sagebrush, brushy plains, and along the tree line in the Rockies. In the winter Brewer's sparrows are found in weedy fields and saltbush. This one was found near Florida Canyon, Arizona in winter

Golden-crowned sparrow is a far west sparrow found in California up through Western Canada. This one was found at "V bar V Ranch" near Sedona, Arizona

This is the Desert Song sparrow, a subspecies of the song sparrow that is only found in Arizona. I found this one at Sedona Wetlands.

Belding’s Savannah Sparrow: The Belding’s Savannah Sparrow is a salt marsh subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow. The Belding’s sparrow has a larger longer bill. The underside has darker thicker striping, the top has thicker bolder streaking and facial markings are bolder. Belding’s sparrow is on the California endangered species list due to loss of habitat.

For comparison, this is the typical look of a Savannah sparrow

This is a juvenile Harris's Sparrow was photographed a few weeks ago at Bosque Del Apache.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Your photography is exquisite I love all of these images

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Your photography is exquisite I love all of these images

Thanks, Ben

 

[Trent Watts]

I have four more sparrows for today's Winged-Wednesday. One is a Savannah Sparrow similar to the one Eric showed. I did not know about the Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. Very interesting Eric.

This Lark Sparrow was photographed in the very Southern part of Saskatchewan around "The Big Muddy" area.

This Vesper Sparrow was photographed on a friend's acreage near Saskatoon.

This is a Savannah Sparrow found at a farm about an hour drive from where I live.

This Swamp Sparrow was in St. John's Newfoundland.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

My longest lens is 300mm, so I can't capture portraits of sparrows like you can. But I did see a kestrel on a recent road trip. Or is it a hawk?

 

[AlanLichty]

I decided I could Bee Happy for this week's wings

 

[Eric Gofreed]

My longest lens is 300mm, so I can't capture portraits of sparrows like you can. But I did see a kestrel on a recent road trip. Or is it a hawk?
View attachment 57032

Great photos, Trent. I need the swamp sparrow. Perhaps, the Lark sparrow is trying to impress the lady or gathering food for the chicks.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

My longest lens is 300mm, so I can't capture portraits of sparrows like you can. But I did see a kestrel on a recent road trip. Or is it a hawk?
View attachment 57032

It is always a treat to see a kestrel... at a distance or in a photo. Thanks for posting this shot

 

[Roger Bailey]

Have a Picture of a Wilsons Warbler for my contribution this week.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Have a Picture of a Wilsons Warbler for my contribution this week. View attachment 57040

That's a beautiful photo, Roger!

 

[Eric Gofreed]

I decided I could Bee Happy for this week's wings

View attachment 57033

Bee-autiful photo, Alan