Been focusing on sparrows lately (big pics 56K beware)

[Maestro]

Spring migration is already getting into gear here in my area of Texas. I've seen purple martins and barn swallows already back in the area. One of my typical summer sparrows is a lark sparrow. Technically in looking at guides it says that lark sparrows are year-round but I rarely see them in the winter and fall, just spring and summer.

Here is the first one of 2008.
http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/265156737_KS4tS-X2.jpg

Of course the typical winter visitors are with me such as the savannah sparrows.
http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/130508982_HXWAx-L.jpg

http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/266641424_xJQs7-X2.jpg

I think this one even is cracking a small smile. [;)]
http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/248150656_qqbeE-X2.jpg

The white crowned sparrows are still with us as well.
http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/266564779_5mBUK-X2.jpg

Another winter visitor that actually was a lifer for me was the Harris's Sparrow that showed up in the brush in the pasture next to my house.
http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/266361693_rsjsA-X2.jpg

http://Maestros.smugmug.com/photos/266669955_YZm7C-X2.jpg

[Harryb]

Good set Stephen especially the first. :thumb

[Krasniewski]

:agree The first shot has great focus and composition!

[Jim T]

:clap :clap :clap Very nice!! #1 and #7 are my favs!

[Maestro]

Good set Stephen especially the first. :thumb

Thanks Harry. I think Lark Sparrows are very handsome little birds.

[Maestro]

:agree The first shot has great focus and composition!

Thanks for noticing the composition. I've been working on setting up the photo better in my mind before clicking, but admittedly I still do quite a bit of compositional cropping. :D

[dbaker1221]

nice shooting Stephen .:clap I've not seen most of these sparrows before. Except for the white crowned

[jwear]

very nice but a few are too busy .I know how hard it is to get them in the open

[Giphsub]

Good set Stephen :thumb I'm rather partial to sparrows myself. Very cute little birds.

[Maestro]

nice shooting Stephen .:clap I've not seen most of these sparrows before. Except for the white crowned

Thanks Dave. That was the first time I had ever been able to photograph the Harris's Sparrow. They should be getting ready to go back up north now.

[Maestro]

very nice but a few are too busy .I know how hard it is to get them in the open

Thanks and I completely agree with some shots being too busy, but that is the way I found them in their natural habitat. Basically, it was just me walking in a field seeing what I could get. I do plan on visiting a few photography ranches here in the Texas this year that have dedicated set-ups with blinds so I can get those frame filling, clean shots.

[Maestro]

Good set Stephen :thumb I'm rather partial to sparrows myself. Very cute little birds.

Thanks Mike. I usually call sparrows, LBJs, Little Brown Jobbers. I am horrible at their identification so I stick to the ones that stand out. :wink

[riddim_maker]

Nice job Stephen:thumb
I'll start paying closer attention to the sparrows in my area from now on,
they all tend to look so much alike, but, as I can tell by your post, there's more than meets the eye. Thanks for sharing

[PrescottPhotog]

Spring migration is already getting into gear here in my area of Texas.

Hi Stephen.. Nice job getting focus amongst all the small branches, that can be very hard, especially for us old guys wearing trifocals..:rofl :rofl

[Maestro]

Nice job Stephen:thumb
I'll start paying closer attention to the sparrows in my area from now on,
they all tend to look so much alike, but, as I can tell by your post, there's more than meets the eye. Thanks for sharing

Thanks Russ. Sparrows are difficult to ID and from a distance all look the same, but they are handsome little buggers in their own right.

[Osprey Whisperer]

Looks like you were quite busy Stephen. Must have been difficult to spot these little ones among all the branches. Way to go.

[Maestro]

Hi Stephen.. Nice job getting focus amongst all the small branches, that can be very hard, especially for us old guys wearing trifocals..:rofl :rofl

Thanks. I wish they were cleaner shots, but you got to take'em when you can. :D