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Baird's Sparrow
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Baird's Sparrow

by Terry Sohl

Gallery: AvianPosted August 6, 201198 views11 comments
My wife doesn't understand why I get excited about things like this..."It looks just like the ones in our yard" was the response when I showed her pictures of the first Baird's Sparrows I'd ever photographed (or seen, for that matter). But I dig sparrows!

Canon 50D, 400 5.6L, ISO 400, 1/500, f6.3, 430EX @ -1 2/3.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 6, 2011 at 9:46 PM
I'm sure that on this website you will find many who are just as excited as you about this beautiful shot of such a secretive sparrow. The revealing pose of the bird and lovely detail all set off with the yellow flowers and motley green bg are outstanding Terry.
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 6, 2011 at 10:28 PM
You made me chuckle with what you wrote about your wife and this sparrow Terry I know some of my non-bird photographer friends think I am a little "out there" by getting so excited about birds.

Beautiful setting, pose, detail and composition. I like this a lot as posted.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 6, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Beautiful markings and a nice setting. One of the prettier sparrows, I think. I like the delicate perch you've included. Nice capture
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on August 7, 2011 at 12:14 AM
It takes something of a discerning eye ;^)

Beautifully patterned plumage of which you've captures great detail Terry, very nice indeed. I'm not familiar with this particular species of Sparrow, so perhaps it is in fact much larger than ones I have seen before, all the same, to my eye is appears somewhat too large in the frame. Assuming that you did crop something from the original, if this were mine I think I'd likely give more vacant space around the subject to allow perhaps a better sense of proportion.
Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 7, 2011 at 2:35 AM
Great catch! And we all understand the excitement..
Nice pose, fine detail, lovely yellow flowers and complimentary BG.
I think, if it were mine, I might clean up a few of the bits of branches that seem to touch the head, giving a cleaner outline for this beauty.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 7, 2011 at 5:20 AM
Love the detail and intracies in bothe the bird and the perch Terry

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Marquart on August 7, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Very nice Terry, the yellow flowers really put the finishing touch to it for me. If you were to frame and hang this I agree a little more distant, less close-up might look better. :toast:
Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments
Comment posted by David Hemmings on August 7, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Nothing wrong with digging Sparrows! I have had the same reaction many times, nice image!
Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 7, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Well I'm excited by this! Hard to imagine getting a cleaner better shot of this secretive species.

The story of your wife's reaction rings true as well and reminds me of an incident 25 years ago when we lived in NJ. I was very excited to find a Dickcissel coming into one of our feeders and called my wife over to see the new yard bird. Her response was: oh, you mean that "funny" looking white-throated sparrow that's been around for a week?
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 7, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Hi Terry you know the saying about my wife does not understand me :confused: to get back to the image fine detail lovely pale bg and yellow flowers make it for me.
Keith. :smile:
Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 8, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Great bird Terry. The catchlight looks a bit flashed, but other than that a well detailed, well exposed avian photo. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments