White-crowned Sparrow

Gallery: AvianPosted February 5, 2012164 views13 comments

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: February 2, 2012 8:50 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/500th @ f/8
Raw on Mac G4, PSCS3, 74% of frame
Not baited, not set up, no cloning, no noise reduction

Taken about 90 minutes after sunrise, about the limit of the good morning light here in AZ. I spent that 90 minutes standing in one spot in the open where the sparrows have been coming in to feed on the grass seeds every day.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on February 5, 2012 at 3:15 PM

This is extremely pleasing to the eye Richard and has IMO, a very artistic quality to it. I first couldn't help but admire the complimentary colors of the OOF BG, perch and foreground branches. The sparrows cocked-head down pose is wonderful. Hopefully viewers will switch to the larger view to take in the qualities of this image. Congrats!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 5, 2012 at 3:31 PM

I echo what Craig commented. Is this a juvenile?

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 5, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Contemplative pose and subtle background-great light. A very pleasing image Rich.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 5, 2012 at 5:18 PM

beautiful, Rich. I love the color and light, and the pose and comp are excellent and work hand in hand. great detail in the larger version.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 5, 2012 at 6:06 PM

Very nice pose of the bird you captured, Richard. Fine detail, in particular on the eye, too.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 5, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Great image, Rich. I like the simple perch and the downward gaze. The light is beautiful. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 6, 2012 at 12:09 AM

Rich,
I too echo what Craig said particularly with regard to the pleasing back ground. The Larger image really sets this one off. The eye detail is exceptional Rich.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Peter May on February 6, 2012 at 8:51 AM

Wonderful.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Hi Richard

Beautifully captured, An angelic pose, with marvelous detail and color, especially the larger version

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 6, 2012 at 4:51 PM

Great pose and splendid light on this image- The soft BG is very pleasant as well- Thanks for sharing, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on February 6, 2012 at 6:10 PM

Lovely image Richard.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 7, 2012 at 4:50 PM

Hello Richard

We get these guys in passing Fall & Springtime only. Our guys have a more prominent White Crown & darker Head. Nice & Sharp Eye. Beautifully soft muted Background. The Eye has good detail & catch light.

Thanks for sharing.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 7, 2012 at 5:23 PM

Is this a juvenile?

- Phil

Our guys have a more prominent White Crown & darker Head.

- Bill

Adults have the white stripes on black that gives the species its name; immatures as seen here have tan and brown in the same places on the crown. In AZ we start out with mostly immatures and some adults over the winter the immatures gradually get their adult colors so when they move north in the spring we see almost all adult birds. The color difference is enough to fool some people who think the immature birds are a different species, and sometimes they get reported as Chipping Sparrows (which are also here but look much more like the abundant Brewer's Sparrows).

I've got many shots of both adults and immatures on my web site.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments