Song SparrowNovember 2005
 



No matter how you look at them, sparrows are tough. There are lots of different kinds, and they tend to look somewhat similar. Even so, as long as I'm trying to document birds showing up at my feeders at Cooper's Pond, in State College, Pennsylvania, sparrows are a significant member of the bird population.

Song sparrows generally feed on the ground; they're happy to pick up seed either scattered about or seed thrown out of the feeders by other birds.
 

Song sparrow
   
As shown above, song sparrows have a streaked breast (and a center "heart" mark) and distinctive muttonchops.

I don't know why, but I tend to photograph song sparrows in many different places. The following two were taken in Little Pine State Park.
 

Song sparrow
 
  I thought it was very good of this fellow to show both right and left sides in turn. If everyone were so cooperative!
 
Song sparrow
 
  If anyone noticed, the first photograph shows a fluffy, round song sparrow - because he (or she) was photographed in March when it was cold. The second two photos were taken in June.

Photo note: I used a Pentax *ist D, with the SMC-A* 300mm lens for the first shot and the SMC 400-600mm reflex lens for the second two.




My Pennsylvania bird list

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