Enjoying the Unexpected

Snow, the first week of December...I haven't seen this in a while.
Arriving Saturday morning (Dec 5th), it stayed for the day, glistening and twinkling by afternoon as it dripped in the airy light. There is something comforting and satisfying about feeding birds when the weather is so cold and uninviting. All of us (me included) fluff up to stay warm. And that includes this sweet wintering White-throated Sparrow captured in the dim overcast light.

His November arrival always makes me smile. And this is the first time I've seen him on the "holly perch", the dead apple tree stump in front of the holly. A favorite perch for birds approaching the feeders, and for those dropping by for a berry snack, he typically prefers hanging out underneath the shrub. But in the midst of all this snow, he seemed to think the perch was a grand idea.

And squirrels. There are many! We seem to have a large batch of late juveniles with irresistable faces and naive curiosity. This one ventured within six feet of me. (Click the image and check out that baby fur!)

Sweet and trouble in one bundle,

their thick winter coats were striking against the snowy blends of gray and white. Add a colorful leaf or two, and we have nature's magic!

Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #67 at Birdfreak.com, to promote the conservation of our world's birds.

Bird Photography Weekly--Revisiting a Sweet Sparrow Moment

Some of my favorite moments with birds have happened just by chance.
In this case, I was photographing something else. long forgotten, when this sweet White-throated sparrow hopped out in front of me and began to forage. I sometimes hold my breath when this happens, thinking maybe he hasn't seen me yet. But then I'm clicking away and have to laugh at myself. Of course he sees AND hears me! Sweet, that's what it is. A sweet bird in a sweet moment.

These images were taken in mid April in Tennessee before this sparrow returned to his northern breeding grounds. I get to look forward to his visit again next winter.
Look at all that beautiful dappling on his chest, the yellow eye-brows, the head stripe and that rich collection of browns in his wings and back. I enjoy the brilliantly colored birds, as much as anyone. But the subtle beauty of birds wearing neutrals can often be breath-taking.

Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #47 at Birdfreak.com to promote the conservation of our world's birds. To see more great bird images click the link.

In Search of a Bit of Color

I've been working on an illustration project for kids that consists of line drawings, absent of shading and color to allow budding artists the chance to express their own imaginations. Its a fun project to both create and anticipate, but occasionally it leaves me starved for color!
So I added a little color to this sketch of a whooping crane juvenile with his wings spread during taxi training, before flight feathers have fully formed. What description comes to your mind when you see him? Prehistoric? Funny? Graceful in the rough? These were a few that passed through my mind!

And I took a short break to visit the colorful bounty that presides at Ijam's Nature Center here in Knoxville, TN, a lure that is irresistable to both me and the birds.

You have to look deeper into that birch to find the subject of the photo midst all that brillant red.

I think I'm safe in saying this is White-throated sparrow. Tennessee is in their wintering range and they are arriving. What a colorful backdrop to show off this beauty. It wasn't planned, I assure you!

Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #11 at Birdfreak.com, to raise bird conservation awareness.