Sometimes the smallest birds give me the best surprises. This White-throated Sparrow was busy picking at fresh buds while I watched from the road.
Wildlife Notes
I photographed this White-throated Sparrow at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was feeding on buds from a tree I could not identify. I also saw other bird species working the same buds nearby.
What grabbed me was how focused the sparrow was. It stayed perched and kept nibbling and pulling at the buds instead of dropping to the ground right away. That gave me time to get a clean series of frames.
If you enjoy winter behavior like this, I also wrote about it here: White-throated Sparrow winter feeding.
For quick ID, I look for the bright white throat and the yellow spot in front of the eye. The striped head pattern also helps, especially when the bird turns just right.
Photography Notes
I made this photo from the comfort of my pickup truck. I rested my camera and lens on a bean bag on the window for support. That setup is simple, steady, and fast when birds pop up close.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: February 13, 2023 (09:57 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/2500
- ISO: 1250 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 800 mm (Fixed)
The light that morning gave me a clean background and crisp detail on the bird. I aimed for a fast shutter speed to freeze any head movement while it fed.
Closing
Sequoyah NWR always seems to offer something new, even when I am just driving and scanning the trees. If you visit in winter, keep an eye out for small birds feeding in the buds and brush along the road edges.