Nelson's Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni)

Quite a rare visitor to the Gallery - what a great picture you've taken Mike.

A wonderful start to your Gallery.

Thanks Delia,

They are quite rare in my area as well, appearing for just a few weeks during fall migration. This was a great bird to see. It was a lifer, self-found, and in an area were they had not been seen before.

While birding a wetlands reclamation project I saw a Sora disappear into a cattail bed. I was standing quietly hoping that it would reappear. Instead this bird popped up out of the weeds to check me out. I watched it proceed to feed at close range for almost 10 minutes. I couldn't stop smiling afterwards, one of the best birding experience I've ever had.

Mike

Very nice capture of a rarely seen bird. I'd be thrilled to see one let alone get a pix of it.

phil