I spotted this Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) while returning to my car after a morning walk in Mercer Meadow. As an avid bird photographer, I was thrilled to spot this bird. Song Sparrows are frequent visitors to my backyard, but capturing one on camera has been challenging.
The sparrow was perched on a branch of a tree, its melodic calls filling the air around me. The sun played a game of peekaboo, hiding behind the bird and casting shadows. This lighting situation demanded careful exposure. I wanted to capture enough detail to work with during post-processing.
The Song Sparrow, a native North American passerine bird, is a symbol of versatility, adapting to diverse habitats such as grasslands, marshes, meadows, and shrubby areas. As I learned on All About Birds, it is a common and well-known bird in New Jersey. The Song Sparrow prefers dense vegetation like shrubs, grasses, and wetlands, where it can build its nests and find sustenance.
In bird photography, patience is essential. As much as I wanted to linger and observe this sparrow for hours, I had to respect its natural rhythm. So, I snapped my photographs, capturing the moment without intruding on the bird.
@khurtwilliams one of my favorite "common" birds
absolutely.