« Oh, so THAT's where everything went! | Main | Quote »
August 24, 2007
Friday Feathers
Meet the sparrows.
A medium sparrow-like bird, the House Sparrow is one of the first bird songs heard in cities in the spring. Introduced from Europe to Central Park in New York City in 1850, it is now seen across North America. Note: there's at least ONE House Sparrow in the photos below. I think the ones above are female sparrows.
There are many different types of sparrows and other than the House Sparrow, it's not that easy to tell them apart. I usually ignore these birds when I see them since they're always around and not exactly a prime target of mine. Their coloring is bland and my previous photographic attempts to capture a decent shot brought lackluster results. Last weekend the weather was overcast and there wasn't much else around to shoot. I think the sparrows were daring me to photograph them, as I sat watching them fly in a group from their perch on a nearby roof, then to a tree and finally settling on the fence posts.
Blandness aside, I didn't actually see the action below until I transferred the photos to my laptop. I imagine the bird on the right screaming at the poor bird on the left.
I'm guessing the bird on the left was being scolded. :-)
Evidently these birds are not really sparrows but members of the Weaver Finch family, characterized by their large, oversized domed nests. The nests are constructed with scraps of plastic, paper and whatever else is available. It's an aggressive bird that will kill the young of other birds in order to take over a cavity.
In this photo, the second bird from the left is staring at me, while a bird next to it is peeking through the fence.
This last photo is a favorite; not in quality, but in the amusement I found with the sparrow-in-flight that appears ghost-like in the background above its relatives, as if it's saying, "I'm outta here!"
Cindy
Comments
Great Pics, Cindy! The Sparrows certainly put a smile on my face
Brain matter deposited by: Vanessa on August 24, 2007 8:12 AM
Outstanding!
Brain matter deposited by: Ted on August 24, 2007 11:25 AM
Absolutely great. I love those photos - very amusing as well as good, petal.
Brain matter deposited by: zed on August 24, 2007 11:32 AM
Vanessa! Hi! Welcome! Thanks, and I'm glad the sparrows made you smile. Give a hug and kiss to Chris for me!
Ted - thanks!
Zoe - :-)
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on August 24, 2007 8:29 PM
I will give Chris a kiss for you and I will make sure to tell him its from his Aunt Cindy in NYC!
Brain matter deposited by: Vanessa on August 24, 2007 10:33 PM
these are cute. it is as if i can hear what the birds are talking about. nice
Brain matter deposited by: marcus on August 25, 2007 2:25 PM
I have a sparrow that occasionally stops by on my lanai (balcony), and for some reason he/she sounds like he/she is scolding me for not having provided him/her with refreshments. Honest.
Brain matter deposited by: RONW on August 27, 2007 5:51 AM