We have this window in our kitchen, that we both love to stand at and look out of. Until last year, we always had a piece of furniture in front of it but after taking that out for some work going on in that room, we realized that nothing should deter our access to this most favoured spot in our home.
From this perch on the second floor, there is always something interesting to see. We often stand there, arm in arm for a better fit, and talk, while we gaze at the world outside our window.
In the winter months when the leaves are off the tree situated just beyond it, we get a full view of the goings on in the street. To see are many cute dogs being walked, bikes being ridden, and cool fashionable downtown dwellers out and about on foot.
In the summertime when the leaves are on the tree, the spot transforms into a treetop oasis, and you’d barely know there was a large city out there.
So the other day I was treated to a visit by this sparrow while I sipped my morning coffee. (I know he is a he because of his colouring, as females sparrows are more a uniform browny-beige colour.) He flew to this branch but my camera was not by my side. I considered going to get it, but then thought there was no way the bird would wait for me.
But he did choose to wait. So I ran to get the camera and speedily changed lenses in order to zoom in with my telephoto. Birdie allowed me to get some front view shots, then turned around to show me (and subsequently you) his handsome tail plumage.
Then, as quickly as he appeared there, he was gone.
Now, these sparrows are very common birds in Toronto all year round, so there is nothing remarkable about seeing one. But in all my years of taking pictures I have never been able to get such close-up photos, unmarred by movement blur. It was a rare little gift that I was happy to have been offered.
Here’s hoping your week is going well.
xo loulou
It is so cute!
You got great photos and he is so sweet. Love the fluff!
What a little fluffy darling! Gorgeous photos. x
Fantastic to get such brilliant photos. How lovely!
Wow, he’s fluffy! Great shots! I’m also impressed you can tell a sparrow’s gender. Did Eddie see him, too?
Haha Annika! No Ed did not see this bird, although I do often hold him up to the window for a look around.
These are fabulous photos… it’s so lovely to be able to watch birds.
Great close-ups, what a cutie! :)
xx Kaisa
http://reindeertrails.blogspot.com.es
So cute, and so round. What lens do you use for close uo? I have been considering shopping around but have no idea what to look for. All I know is that I need a close-up lens. The quality of your photos is magnificent!
Hi Laura :) Thanks. My equipment is Canon and the macro lens I use goes from 55mm to 250mm, so depending on how far away I am from my subject, I can manually adjust it. To give you an idea of how close up I can get, this bird was about 10 feet away from me.
Do you think he might be a baby? He seems so fluffy :) It’s rare to see an adult that fluffy!
Hi Tess. I thought he might be a baby too, with all that fluff, but I could find nothing on the web about baby sparrows being fluffy, unlike robins. So I can’t say for sure he was a baby. He wasn’t particularly small in comparison to other sparrows.
Okay these photos of this bird are amazing! Can’t believe he sat so still for you! Thanks for sharing! Xo, M&K at brewedtogether.com
Sweet! I have a dove in the tree in my downstairs neighbours garden that often comes very close. It used to have a nest in that tree too :)