Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Handsome Like a Fox…Sparrow!

1. fox Sparrow-kab Fox Sparrow in my yard 4-3-14

I never thought I would have a Fox Sparrow as a yard bird so I was quite surprised when one showed up on March 31st. I was so excited but I wanted to prove that I saw it, so…though I knew the picture would be horrible taken through both and inner and outer storm window, I took a picture. It was a cloudy and stormy day and you can see the result below.

2. first sighting-kab Fox Sparrow through window 3-31-14

But then, they kept coming! Day after day more Fox sparrows arrived! On April 4th I counted 10 Fox Sparrows in my yard! TEN! I never even thought I would have one! But, I knew I wanted a better photo and shooting through these old windows just wasn’t going to cut it. So, on April 3rd I went outside and sat on the cold granite steps and waited for the birds to relax and go back to feeding. Eventually they did and I snapped away. These are just a few of the nearly 50 photos I took of this sparrow! There numbers have dropped off now to about 4 to 6 individual birds, but I hope at least a couple will hang around for the summer!

3. through the twigs-kab 

4. foxy face-kab 

5. fox sparrow-kab 

6. foxy tail-kab 

We are in classic spring weather mode here in Maine with warm temperatures and sunshine one day, then rain and wind the next. It’s up and down weather-wise right now but on a steady warming trend. There are so many birds in my yard that I find it hard to get anything done! I se birds out every window all day long. then, at dusk and dawn the Woodcocks take wing, peenting all the while. It is an amazing sight and you can often see me in my front yard standing with my arms by my sides and my head tilted upwards, jaw slack with awe as I stare in wonder at these birds! At the moment I feel like I don’t ever want to move away from here.

Come check out my Birding is Fun post: Flyaway Home!

7. Fox and song sparrows-kab Fox Sparrow with a Song Sparrow in the background 4-3-14

14 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful sparrow, I'm still new to birding so I guess I haven't heard of the Fox Sparrow. How wonderful to see that many.

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    1. wovenspoke, there are many subspecies of fox sparrows and to new birders they can easily be mistaken for song sparrows, but after a bit of study you can usually work it out. we have the red variety here on the East Coast but out west there is a sooty form among others.

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  2. I know what the Fox Sparrow says, "Hi Kathie, got any food?"

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  3. Hi kathie Fantastic markings on the fox sparrows.

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    1. Margaret, yes, there are! It is a handsome bird!

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  4. The Fox Sparrow is a gorgeous bird, great shots and post, Kathie!

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  5. Very nice captures of the fox sparrow! Your pics make it much more clear what the fox's markings are, compared to the bird guide photos. :)

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    1. Why Thank You, Jann, that is very nice to hear!

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  6. Hi Katie... They are such a lovely rusty color, I have seen a few in my area too!! The sparrows are so hard to photograph,as they always seem to be in some bush, you got some good ones!!

    Grace

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    Replies
    1. grammie, I had to sit and wait but it was worth it!

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Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.