Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sparrows Of The Vermilon River. A Post To WBW.

Sparrow's Nest.
"Morituri te salutamus", so said the gladiators at the Roman games as they saluted the emperor prior to the start. Submitting a post to a birding site about sparrows is a bit risky as the identifications are so difficult, and the little guys are so hard to shoot. Well," we who are about to die, salute you" and here goes.
Every year when the wild sunflowers blossom, we do a post on the sparrows we have seen.  Risking mortification we identify them also. This year the Savannah's, the Swamp and the Chipping Sparrows are new to us.

I'm soft on the Chipping Id's. Cornell describes the Tree Sparrow as a rusty crown,rusty eyeliner,and a black bill on top. While the Chipping is described as bold white eyebrow, black eye stripe, and a plain gray breast with no markings. Amazing the variety of these little guys, and this is only a beginning.  As a matter of fact I forgot to add in the Dark-eyed Junco which passes through in the spring on its way to the Boreal forest, just to the north. It's a sparrow also. A Post to WBW @ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/
Wild Sunflowers.

Wild Sunflowers.

Savannah Sparrow- Note Yellow Eyebrow.

Savannah Sparrow.

Song Sparrow.

Song Sparrow.

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

White-Throat Sparrow.

White-throat Sparrow

White-throat.

Chipping Sparrow.

Chipping Sparrow.

Chipping Sparrow.

Immature White Crown

Immature White Crown

Mature White Crown

White Crown

White Crown

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow.
Dark Eyed Junco.


Swamp Sparrow.
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23 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlOctober 11, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    you did great with these shots (and i.d.s too!) love the beautiful savannah!

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  2. jooOctober 11, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    They are so lovely!

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  3. theconstantwalkerOctober 11, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Your wonderful sparrows aren't little brown jobs they are beautiful... lovely images.

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  4. ReenaOctober 11, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    What a great collection of these guys! I know some consider them uninteresting ... but not me! Love 'em!

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  5. Bob BushellOctober 11, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    I didn't know that there were so many, they are lovely.

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  6. LeenaHOctober 11, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I could not believe my eyes, when I saw that it is continuing and continuing :) We have three kind of sparrows but this red headed is a little like The Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) but it is not belonging to sparrows.
    Great series and I learned again new things, thanks!

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  7. mickOctober 11, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Great photos of all the sparrows. They look very difficult to ID and I'm rather glad we don't have them where I live!

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  8. eileeninmdOctober 11, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Great sparrow shots, the White Crowned is my favorite.

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  9. DebbieOctober 11, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    i just love all the different sparrows, they are so beautiful!! i don't know why folks overlook them or view them as common, they are anything but common!!

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  10. SpringmanOctober 11, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    I had no idea how many subspecies of sparrow there where until I bought a good field guide.I have read there are 140 different variations! It is a speciality unto itself just like gull identification. I can't wait to see more of your excellent captures. Excellent post Gary! The gladiator references are a hoot too! I love a little Latin. Carpe diem!

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  11. Kim, USAOctober 11, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Wow different species of sparrows. I am going to find what specie of sparrows we've got in here. Thanks for this info.

    WBW

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  12. JackieOctober 12, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Beautiful little birds, especially the Savannah Sparrow and the Chipping Sparrow, they have such lovely markings. I like our ordinary little sparrows too, cheeky little birds and noisy, our front garden hedges sound like a Sparrow ghetto with their constant chatter.

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  13. GuyOctober 12, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Hi Gary

    What a nice collection of sparrows. They certainly can be a challenge to identify and even harder to photograph a great post.

    Guy

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  14. GraceOctober 12, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    The diversity of birds amazes me. Great shots as usual.

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  15. jeanlivingsimpleOctober 12, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Gary, I really like the Savannah Sparrow because it is on my wish-to-see-list. Super photos and info!

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  16. NatureFootstepOctober 12, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    the Savannah Sparrow is gorgeous. :)

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  17. Johnny NutcaseOctober 12, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    great post! that Savannah really posed for you, love it!

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  18. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    They are all lovely little birds, beautifully photographed!

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  19. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Love the sparrows -- the white crowned is the only one I would be sure of. But it is lucky for me that Springman lets us post even if we're not sure of our ID. You are so good at it!


    I may have found a way to comment on your posts.

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  20. Kathie BrownOctober 12, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    I am seeing these in my area also, though I have not see a tree sparrow yet this year. Such a challenge, but oh so cute! Really nice photos!

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  21. ArijaOctober 13, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Gotta love those chipping and white crown sparrows! You do have a bag full of different sparrows. Here we only have the imported House finches in sometimes plague proportions. Great post Gary , , , give my love to Boomer.

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  22. snowwhiteOctober 13, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    Sparrows are always around me, but I did not know there are different species of sparrows. Next time when I see them, I’ll find out what color their crown, eyeliner and bill are. Great and inspiring blog!
    Best wishes,
    keiko

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  23. AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    What a feast for the eyes!

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