Great shots of intimate moments with White-throated Sparrows, and I enjoyed reading how specific birds became characters in your life. I often say routine run-ins with a bird don’t make it unexceptional, they’re an invitation to get to know a bird—and you got to know White-throated Sparrows very well. Thank you for writing.
Thank you! So true, it's easy to overlook "common" wildlife in favor of something more exciting and rare. But it's kind of like the difference between seeing a celebrity and making a friend. A celebrity seems more exciting, but the value of friendship is deeper and lasting, much more impactful :) Thanks for visiting!
Wonderful photos and encounters with those White-throated Sparrows! That's amazing you were able to get close. I really like the call the males make when they arrive in Spring. That song for me truly rings in the Spring season.
Thank you! I just find birds endlessly fascinating. They have interesting species-level traits and lifestyles, of course - but then each one has a little individual personality, as well! It's good to get to know the neighbors :)
That you were able to get so near the sparrows speaks a lot about how birds see and trust you. I am trying to build a relationship with two common ravens, but it has only been a few months.
Thank you! I feel so privileged when a wild creature ignores me enough to come close :) My kids are the best at it - I've watched them sit still in the forest with seeds for long enough to have chipmunks and birds landing and running all over them 🤣
Ravens are so wonderful - we've just begun to hear their first throaty calls in our area. I'm sure your patience will pay off - and all the efforts at relationship-building in the meantime are so enjoyable and valuable in themselves.
What a delightful introduction to Eyebrows and Fluffles! It's fascinating to learn about their colour morphs and how they interplay with their behavioral traits. The moments you've shared with them truly highlight the beauty of nature and the lessons it teaches us. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming tale and for reminding us to appreciate the small wonders around us.
Thank you! Good question! I'm not totally sure, because once the birds leave the feeders I'm not very good at keeping track of what they're up to in the forest 🤣 But my hypothesis is that the April/May White-stripes were busy declaring their territory, and being prominent at the feeders was part of the behavior to stake out good locations. I suspect that might be why we really never saw Tan-stripes - they were possibly boxed out of this "richer" territory, or maybe just less bold to visit feeders.
We actually experience a dip in all birds to the feeders during nesting/fledgling times. They prefer wild food sources, which our area is happily rich with in summertime. So once the birds settle into nesting pairs, we actually see less of them for a little while - we'll catch glimpses of them busy about the forest and meadows, hear lots of singing, and then usually see our regular visitors on rainy days when the feeders become the easiest food source 🤣 Smart little creatures!
And what a line: '...finding balance in a challenging world, charting a path of sustainable tomorrows, making the world a better place one curious human at a time!'
Sydney, what an acute observer you are and such a good photographer. And your wordage is just an added facet. Thank you.
Great shots of intimate moments with White-throated Sparrows, and I enjoyed reading how specific birds became characters in your life. I often say routine run-ins with a bird don’t make it unexceptional, they’re an invitation to get to know a bird—and you got to know White-throated Sparrows very well. Thank you for writing.
Thank you! So true, it's easy to overlook "common" wildlife in favor of something more exciting and rare. But it's kind of like the difference between seeing a celebrity and making a friend. A celebrity seems more exciting, but the value of friendship is deeper and lasting, much more impactful :) Thanks for visiting!
Wonderful photos and encounters with those White-throated Sparrows! That's amazing you were able to get close. I really like the call the males make when they arrive in Spring. That song for me truly rings in the Spring season.
Thank you! Yes, their song is so awesome! It's a favorite background music on farm days here :)
“Finding balance in a challenging world”—YES!
The birds know... :)
Sydney, You add a lot to a beginning bird watcher. Thank you. D
Thank you! I just find birds endlessly fascinating. They have interesting species-level traits and lifestyles, of course - but then each one has a little individual personality, as well! It's good to get to know the neighbors :)
Me too. I could watch them for hours, and they always give me a lift, no matter what :-).
Gorgeous Sydney, always such a pleasure reading your letters and meeting your friends 💛
Thank you, I'm so glad you stopped by! 💕
That you were able to get so near the sparrows speaks a lot about how birds see and trust you. I am trying to build a relationship with two common ravens, but it has only been a few months.
Thank you! I feel so privileged when a wild creature ignores me enough to come close :) My kids are the best at it - I've watched them sit still in the forest with seeds for long enough to have chipmunks and birds landing and running all over them 🤣
Ravens are so wonderful - we've just begun to hear their first throaty calls in our area. I'm sure your patience will pay off - and all the efforts at relationship-building in the meantime are so enjoyable and valuable in themselves.
I am invested in the "little White-throated Sparrow soap opera." 🤣
Coming late to this post, but what fun to learn about the 2 colorations of this bird and to peek over your shoulder at Eyebrows and Fluffles!
So glad you stopped by and got to meet them! :)
What a delightful introduction to Eyebrows and Fluffles! It's fascinating to learn about their colour morphs and how they interplay with their behavioral traits. The moments you've shared with them truly highlight the beauty of nature and the lessons it teaches us. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming tale and for reminding us to appreciate the small wonders around us.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Winston, and for the re-stack! I'm so glad you enjoyed meeting my little feathered neighbors :)
Wonderful photos and video. I enjoyed reading about Eyebrows and Fluffies and their mating patterns. 😄
Thank you! I'm so glad you stopped by! :)
It's a pleasure to stop by and watch birds vicariously through your eyes :-)
I love them both and I now CRAVE to have a garden myself. One day...
Oh yay, that's a such beautiful dream to nurture until it becomes a reality! 🌷💕 And welcome, thank you for subscribing, I'm so glad you're here :)
Adorable. Happy sigh. 🤗🤗💕💕
Aw, the best kind of sigh! hugs!💕
What a delightful story. I loved the names, the intrigue, the lessons. Great photography!
Thank you so much! So glad you stopped by :)
I love this post, Sydney. And as always the photos are fab.
I learned a lot. Btw, do you think that the April/May seed visits were to do with raising fledglings?
Thank you! Good question! I'm not totally sure, because once the birds leave the feeders I'm not very good at keeping track of what they're up to in the forest 🤣 But my hypothesis is that the April/May White-stripes were busy declaring their territory, and being prominent at the feeders was part of the behavior to stake out good locations. I suspect that might be why we really never saw Tan-stripes - they were possibly boxed out of this "richer" territory, or maybe just less bold to visit feeders.
We actually experience a dip in all birds to the feeders during nesting/fledgling times. They prefer wild food sources, which our area is happily rich with in summertime. So once the birds settle into nesting pairs, we actually see less of them for a little while - we'll catch glimpses of them busy about the forest and meadows, hear lots of singing, and then usually see our regular visitors on rainy days when the feeders become the easiest food source 🤣 Smart little creatures!
Such magic shots of the sweetest little birds.
And what a line: '...finding balance in a challenging world, charting a path of sustainable tomorrows, making the world a better place one curious human at a time!'
Sydney, what an acute observer you are and such a good photographer. And your wordage is just an added facet. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, they warm my heart!💕 I'm so glad you took some time to visit with me, and Eyebrows, and Fluffles :)
Fun, lively writing about Eyebrows! Enjoyed every sentence!
Thank you!