Play it again, Sam

My old friend the White-Throated Sparrow returned today and offered me the opportunity to get up close and personal! 🙂

“Spirit” (White-Throated Sparrow, Adult White-Striped, Zonotrichia albicollis) Nikon D300, 1000mm (600mm w/1.7x teleconverter), F/6.7, 1/160s, ISO 640

At this close range we really get to admire all the colorful markings that makes this sparrow stand out in a crowd. I, for one, am diggin’ that little stripe of gold (no, no, not the obvious one on the crown – yes, I agree that is brilliant -but the one right there underneath the eye, see it?) as well as the touch of gold in the wings. My, such a lovely little bird! 🙂

White-throated sparrow? Check!

Still adding to my catalog of local birds and happy to report a fine capture of a White-Throated Sparrow! 🙂 I’d been following this species for quite some time and finally all the elements (composition, lighting, subject) came together.

“Looking Back” (White-Throated Sparrow, Adult White-Striped, Zonotrichia albicollis) Nikon D300, 1000mm (600mm w/1.7x teleconverter), F/6.7, 1/60s, ISO 640, Selective Silver Efex Pro Sepia Toning

The males and females are identical so we shall never know which sex is shown here, but no matter. You can choose whatever one works for you. 😉 

I chose to apply selective toning (once again) for this image but this time in sepia since it nicely supports the bird’s natural coloration. 

Now where’s that male Cardinal…?!!