These Dark-eyed Juncos (also known as "slate-colored juncos") with their snowy white belly feathers puffed up for warmth, are one example of how all those elements come together to create breath-taking beauty. Quiet, simple, beauty.
The kind that requires being still to enjoy. The kind that makes winter magical.
I recall thinking last year, I'll never get a good photo of a Dark-eyed Junco. They forage in groups and fly at the least provocation. But this winter has been different (and maybe I'm different, too.) Rather than being covered with an influx of finches, my feeder area is frequented by small, quiet, wintering flocks of juncos and white-throated sparrows, giving me the fun opportunity to observe different birds and their behavior at close range.
On several very cold, snow-covered days last week, I enjoyed these shy, ground-foraging birds, their beauty and softness lighting up the bare winter grays. If I stood very still, they seemed to forget I was there, landing nearby, kicking up snow, pausing to break open sunflower shells. Likewise, I forgot about the cold.
I recall thinking last year, I'll never get a good photo of a Dark-eyed Junco. They forage in groups and fly at the least provocation. But this winter has been different (and maybe I'm different, too.) Rather than being covered with an influx of finches, my feeder area is frequented by small, quiet, wintering flocks of juncos and white-throated sparrows, giving me the fun opportunity to observe different birds and their behavior at close range.
On several very cold, snow-covered days last week, I enjoyed these shy, ground-foraging birds, their beauty and softness lighting up the bare winter grays. If I stood very still, they seemed to forget I was there, landing nearby, kicking up snow, pausing to break open sunflower shells. Likewise, I forgot about the cold.
Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #73 at Birdfreak.com to promote the conservation of our world's birds.
Great shots! When we lived in western NY the arrival of junco always meant snow was not far behind. I miss seeing them but this current cold wave is quite enough here is SC without snow/ice :)
ReplyDeleteI just love them! Dark-eyed Juncos are some of my favs, and you captured them delightfully~
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the Dark-eyed Juncos Vickie. I always look forward to their arrival beckoning winter to show itself.
ReplyDeleteI love that shot of the Junco kicking up the snow in search of seed. It really gives me the feeling of how crisp the winter is there.
I love those muted colors in your images, the subtle shadings of gray and brown. It's so easy to miss on a dark winter day.
ReplyDelete...you got wonderful photos this winter! I love these little birds... They are so pretty with their little pinkish bills.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the Junco. They are one of my winter visitors too.
ReplyDeleteCapturing the one junco mid-kick - now that's a cool shot!
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't commented on your blog in a while. My elderly computer has trouble with certain blogs for some reason and unfortunately yours is one of them. Seems to be working okay today though - yay!!
Beautiful pictures, Vickie! I especially love how you have junco in sharp focus and the background in soft focus.
ReplyDeleteVery nice Vickie!
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