The annual fall migration sparrow backyard invasion is under way, so I took advantage of it a bit last week. Set up a few stumps and rocks, spread some black-oil sunflower seeds at their base and voilą, instant setup! Quite dark out that time, but my elbows braced on the ground permitted slow SS, but still lots of motion-blurred subjects (but sharp perches!) Once in a while one would stay still long enough...
By next year the stripes on its head will be jet black and pure white, very cool, and probably my favorite sparrow species.
Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/80s., f/6.3, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, some dodging to shadowed areas (flanks, lores), FF.
I love the perch, background, sharpness, ect. You nailed this image, despite the low light.
Age wise, this isn't a juvenile bird, as hatch year White-crowned Sparrows only retain their juvenile plumage until August (juvenile plumage is their very first plumage, in which they are covered with streaking, similar to a HY Chipping or Clay-colored Sparrow). This bird is in its 1st winter (immature) plumage. This is a very common misconception with this species.
Backyard White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile).
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