"lbj"--NOT

"LBJ" in bird watcher speak means Little Brown Job, used to describe a small brownish bird that you didn't get a good enough look at to positively ID. You see alot of these birds in the warbler and sparrow groups because so many just look so similar at a glance. Some however, you can learn quickly to distinguish it from others. The Song sparrow(Melospiza melodia ) is one. It has a streaked breast that converges to a splotchy mark in the middle. Its a common bird in much of the USA and Canada
Unfortunately for it , it doesn't stand out. Its not brightly colored like a blue bird, cardinal or goldfinch. Sparrows in general are subdued in colors. Most people not into birdwatching do not give them a second glance.


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Though they are not colorful, they sing beautifully , you can hear their calls and songs Here...

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/sounds


al

I love small birds like this. I used to keep finches (sp.?) When I was young and loved their singing and their personalities

You're getting some good close up shots, is this from being close to the subject, a telephoto lens or digital cropping. The clarity is great.

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Originally Posted by Dave Cal

You're getting some good close up shots, is this from being close to the subject, a telephoto lens or digital cropping. The clarity is great.

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Thanks Dave,
Some of them were cropped for the vertical portrait look...I was the same distance in all the pics, shooting at 200mm. I shot these at Iso 1600 as the light was fading. I used a k3 pentax which is a 25 mp camera. The lens I used is a tamron 70-200 F2.8 lens. I shot at f10 to get some depth. I love this lens. Its become my go to lens. Its extremely functional on my cropped sensor.

al

Very nice Al, I just recently purchased a Canon S80D and like you I am a long time bird watcher. Looking forward to the Spring migration so I can get out and have fun with it. By the way does brewmaster suggest what I think it does, hops and barley maybe something else we have in common.

Hi Dave,
Nice to meet another Birder! Looks like you are in Nj? Pine Barrens and Cape May are two of my favorite spots there.

I cant wait for the spring Migration as well! :)

yes...the brewmaster does mean what you think. Though I brewed for years I do so infrequently now. I do still love a good brew though.
al

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