Sometimes a sparrow is all you can hope to get on a cold and snowy morning.
I left the house shortly after sunrise this morning and headed over to the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery for a picture walk–one of my favorite local birding spots!
On this particular morning, though, only the sparrows seemed to be flitting about. Given that it was a very monochromatic, snowy day, I was hoping for something more colorful —like cedar waxwings, bluejays or cardinals. But, when my preferred birds didn’t materialize, I turned my attention to the nearby, and very cooperative, little brown sparrows. Unfortunately, I was having a really hard time getting the settings right on my camera—leaving me with the snow too bright and the birds too dark. I just couldn’t seem to find the right balance—until the last few shots. One of those little sparrows landed nearby on a spindly bit of twig and BINGO! It all came together!
My little brown and white sparrow that sat so patiently for me to get my settings right!
Later in my walk, other photo opportunities presented themselves –of Gadwalls and Buffleheads, but it was that unassuming little brown sparrow that made my day!
I am a 76 year old retired teacher with an avid interest in hiking and photography. I am not a professional photographer, but spend almost every day exploring the natural world, taking pictures and honing my skills. When I review the pictures I have taken, I love researching information about the things I have found-- and then sharing my results with others. The time I have spent walking in the woods (including 4 months on the Appalachian Trail at 68) has always been somewhat therapeutic. When I added photography to the mix a few years ago, it quadrupled the therapeutic effect! Opening pictures on my computer at the end of the day is like opening presents. There are always surprises! It allows me to see so many details that were not visible to my naked eye! I have learned so many new things about birds and bugs, reptiles and mammals that I never knew before--and I have also found, that when I share with others, I invariably learn something new!
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We never know who’s going to make our day!
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We never know who’s going to make our day!!!
That’s a fact!! I’m almost always surprised!