Spring adult Lark Sparrow on a barbed wire fence – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
One of the first birds I heard singing three days ago in the West Desert of Tooele County was a Lark Sparrow perched on top of a sagebrush. That Lark Sparrow was a long way from the road and I only took a few documentary photos of it while I listened to it sing.
Up the road a bit I spotted another Lark Sparrow perched on a barbed wire fence in the early morning light. I was able to take some frame filling images of that sparrow.
Lark Sparrow perched on a fence with nesting material – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Moments later I photographed a Lark Sparrow perched with nesting material in front of a sagebrush. The setting is messy but I liked how this photo shows the nesting material dangling from the sparrow’s bill. This sparrow flew towards the south side of the road with the nesting material.
Lark Sparrow adult gathering nesting materials – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I believe it was the same Lark Sparrow that a few moments later flew back towards the edge of the road where I photographed it gathering more nesting materials. Although I wish I didn’t have out of focus grasses and woody materials in front of the sparrow in this frame I do like how this photo feels like it is a window into the sparrow’s world.
Lark Sparrow with nesting materials in its bill – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the Lark Sparrow had a bill full of nesting materials it hopped onto a clod of dirt and took off to the south from there.
I enjoyed observing and photographing the Lark Sparrow as it gathered the nesting materials and hope that they have a successful breeding season.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Lark Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
This series of Lark Sparrow pics is wonderful. I love the eye contact, textures, colors and, of course, the incredible detail you captured. Thanks Mia.
A beautiful and industrious nest builder. I hope her work is met with complete success.
Superb photo series! These sparrows are so uniquely handsome.
Thank you for sharing a special experience!
They are such a striking sparrow, great shots with the nesting material.
Great shots!!