No birding seasons are the same. They vary with the weather and this season the weather varied from one day of birding to another. Still have a few more weeks to go for this birding season, already we had spring, summer, fall and a bit of winter while birding. A couple of times all four seasons in one day, that’s the Canadian Rockies for you. No biggie that’s why I have outerwear, it all adds to the fun of birding. With mixed weather, we got a few surprises as well. Like more of one type of bird and or rare birds to the Rockies being spotted. And as far as bird photography, I took lots of images that I am happy with, including a few of a Fox Sparrow.
I have seen about 15 different species of sparrows in Banff. Most people I would say are more familiar with the non-native species, the House Sparrow. Which is often found where people reside. The Fox Sparrow gets its name because some Fox Sparrows have the foxy-red colour, even though within the species their colour can vary. The one pictured is slate-coloured. They have a beautiful call. When they are passing through our area they find a location and can often be heard singing around the same spot.
This season I was hearing two in two different locations. I tried for half an hour to get a clear picture of the first one. I could see it around the willow shrubs, but it was hard getting a clean look. And when I did get a few pictures of it with nothing in front, the image was too busy with shrubs around it. I continued my walk and about a km later I could hear the second one singing. It was located across the water, so no chance of getting a good picture of it. But on my way back, it was singing on my side of the water and perched perfectly for me. I quickly pointed my camera toward it and as it sang I got several good images on a spring winter like morning.
