The Lincoln's Sparrow shows less geographical variation in song than any other species in its genus. This bird was named by Audubon after his friend, Thomas Lincoln. Lincoln shot the bird on a trip with Audubon to Nova Scotia in 1834. The Lincoln Sparrows are very secretive; often not seen or heard even where they are common. The first time I spotted one, I wasn't sure what it was. I tried getting a photo of it at the time but too many people were walking along the sanctuary's path, and it was skittish enough to fly off and my photo, once I got home and uploaded it to the computer to frame, it was just way too blurred to save. I remembered the coloration and did some research on it with my bird guide book; finding out what kind of sparrow it was. The following day Bud and I returned on my request to see if we could find it again. No luck. Then, on the 2nd day after first spotting it, we again returned in hopes it would give me a chance to get a decent photo. As we were disappointed, and getting ready to return to the car, we not only saw ONE but there were TWO in the pathway, scurrying around on the ground, foraging for tidbits of nature!!! Luckily, at a distance without disturbing the couple, I got some good photos for identification...
LINCOLN'S SPARROW
photos taken: Hans Suter Nature Reserve - Corpus Christi, Texas
Habitat Range:
The Tri-colored Heron has striking breeding plumage including a blue bill with black tip, wine-colored legs/feet and deeper coloration of the buff-colored back. Gorgeous any time, during this season of mating their colors I ask; is it possible they be more colorful?!!! On another birding 'drive by shooting' we spotted two Tri-colored Heron[s] all decked out in their breeding colors:
TRI COLORED HERON
photos taken: Laguna Madre Shores - Corpus Christi, Texas
Habitat Range:
...and a backyard capture. One early evening at dusk, just before the sun set, I happened to be walking by the dining room windows and from this vantage point, I can see one of the bird feeders that is situated in the center of the window's view. Along with a couple of cardinals and several sparrows, I spotted a 'speck' of blue just a few feet away on one of the large leaves of the bird of paradise plant. I knew just what it was, and grabbed my camera to load the battery in hopes that it would still be there as I sneaked quietly out the back door. Leaning up against the wall of the house, I waited. It returned from it's short hop away as I made my way toward the corner...aiming my camera, tho not getting a very good focus advantage 'cause of its rapid flitting around here and there!! An Indigo Bunting!!! A couple years ago, I spotted one in our yard, but it never returned. Last year I wasn't into birding like I am now, and I don't know if we had any buntings. But this year, I try to keep track of our backyard bird activity. I'm reading in my guide book that Indigo Buntings molt this time of year. So, I'm thinking that this one is a young one [I've viewed others in 'molt' that the authors claim 1 or 2 years old], molting as it ages into the beautiful deep rich blue...
INDIGO BUNTING
photos taken: Our back yard - Corpus Christi, Texas
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Excellent views of Lincoln's Sparrow and very interesting information about it.When I saw my first one I was also baffled, thinking it to be some variant of a more common sparrow. Like you, I had to go to the books to be sure, and really didn't "count" it on my life list until I finally got good looks and was able to ID it in the field.
ReplyDeletethank you for id'ing the lincoln's sparrow! i've seen them here the past month or so but hadn't looked them up, yet! i knew they were a bit different than others i've seen!
ReplyDeletelove the indigo and the tri-color, too! would love to see them as well!
love your Blue birds but.....I adore the new header of yours. Gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeletewell, i went back and looked at photos of mine and i think i might have a savannah sparrow here instead of a lincoln. sparrows drive me crazy!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, nice to study the details!
ReplyDeleteOh MY, I am in HEAVEN!!!!! I have never seen a Lincoln's Sparrow! And I guess the only place I will is here and now! And the Tri-Colored Heron, WOW, what an amazing bird! The blue on the beak is fabulous, your pictures are so good!I must admit I have never even heard of this Heron. We have seen a blue bunting one time many years ago and they are so gorgeous! And your header, it is fabulous! I also love the background and the whole design. Is it a drawing from a picture?
ReplyDeleteAnni, Thanks for remiding me about Lincoln's Sparrow. Soem use the word "nondescript2 to describe such birds. I prefer something like "subtle" or "cryptic". After all it's not what you look like but who you are that's important. like the tri-coloured shots and no, I can't think of any better or more appropriate name.Thanks for hosting once again.
ReplyDeleteLove the tri colour heron. Wonderful bird photos, as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm rather new to birding and often find members of the sparrow family hard to distinguish from one another. Your photos of the Lincoln sparrow are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI didn`t know of the Lincoln` sparrow,great shots of the birds,my first time here,phyllis in Pa
ReplyDeleteGreat post Anni, really enjoyed learning about the Lincoln Sparrow, one I have never heard of before.
ReplyDeleteLove the sparrow shots and that heron is awesome! I'd love to see a Tri-colored sometime!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection of birds, Anni! Love the Lincoln Sparrow and the Tri-colored Heron. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteAnni, nice capture of the Lincoln Sparrow.
ReplyDeleteHeron wins! In my book always a winner and so cool to see a tri colored one!
ReplyDeleteLove the new look of your site! Great photos of the Lincoln Sparrow :) I've seen an Indigo Bunting around my property a couple of times - beautiful♥
ReplyDeleteWow Anni your blog is gorgeous with the biding theme ! .. I love this little sparrow !
ReplyDeleteYou got great shots for a skittish bird .. I am never fast enough for most of my attempted shots. Nice to see Nova Scotia mentioned in your post !! I am a "Blue Noser" so it made me smile big time .. thanks !
Joy : )
Awesome shots of the tri-colored heron! Also, great info and photos of the Lincoln sparrow. The Indigos are fairly new visitors and I do hope they stick around a while.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful birds to see. I have to keep my eyes on the Lincoln sparrow this summer :-)
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, beautiful birds:) Greetings
ReplyDelete