Sparrows by the Pond

This article shares a selection of handheld images of sparrows by the pond in my backyard. All photographs were captured through my kitchen window which overlooks the pond.

Often during hot, humid weather in July and August in Southern Ontario it can be somewhat challenging finding subject birds to photograph. It can be a bit frustrating to travel to a location that has been productive earlier in the season, to discover a shortage of avian subject matter.

During the peak of summer, this shortage of birds sometimes leads me to shift my priorities in terms of photographing dragonflies and other insects. I also spend some time with flower photography.

On the positive side, one of the consistent opportunities for bird photography that I do have during the summer doldrums, are birds by the pond in my backyard. These are very commons species like sparrows… but they can still be fun to photograph if one can catch them in action.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4078 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.4 metres

One morning last week I happened to glance out of my kitchen window and noticed a number of animated sparrows by the pond. My camera happened to be on the kitchen counter so I thought I’d spend 5 or 6 minutes capturing a few, quick images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/8, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-6400, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4150 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres

As I grabbed my camera I quickly dialed my Custom Mode Dial to C3 (my Pro Capture H setting) and went to the window to start capturing a few image runs.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4366 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres

Virtually any bird is more interesting to photograph if you can capture it in some kind of action sequence. Even if it is just hopping from one rock to another. Using technology like Pro Capture H for this type of opportunity is an invaluable tool.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3708 pixels on the width, subject distance 7.1 metres

We have a large Japanese maple that surrounds the waterfall on the top portion of our pond. If a bird is launching into flight at a favourable angle, I can often get some usable images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3857 pixels on the width, subject distance 7.1 metres

Getting in close to a small bird like a sparrow in flight often yields some pleasing images… even though the species of bird is commonplace.  l enjoy the look of concentration and intensity that is often present with these action captures.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/2500, ISO-2000, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2808 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.2 metres

I find that photographing sparrows by the pond is also a very good practice exercise as it helps me hone my shutter release timing. This is important when I use Pro Capture H with my E-M1X, and the birds are flying towards my camera. If my response time is not quick enough they can fly out of focus before I can get a good image capture.

We keep our pond running 7/24 all year round so area birds will have someplace to bath, and drink throughout the year. Even though I was only at my kitchen window for 5 or 6 minutes I was able to capture 3 nice image runs of sparrows taking flight from the water.  One of the decided benefits of building a backyard pond is attracting birds all year round.

From a photographic perspective I really love having water droplets spraying about, or having water cascading off a bird. These details add some context and interest to photographs. In the following short set of consecutive images the sparrow took flight in an upward trajectory… so I was only able to capture 3 useable photographs before the sparrow left my composition.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4087 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4589 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3765 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.4 metres

I was able to capture another Pro Capture H run of a sparrow taking flight using a more horizontal flight path. Rather than producing 3 useable images, this Pro Capture H run yielded 7 good images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4024 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4479 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4165 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4068 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 4164 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3695 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3792 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.3 metres

Our final sparrows by the pond image run is my favourite one from that day. In fact, these three consecutive images are probably my all time favourite sparrow in flight images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/8, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-3200, Pro Capture H, full frame capture, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/8, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-3200, Pro Capture H, full frame capture, subject distance 6.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/8, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-3200, Pro Capture H, full frame capture, subject distance 6.3 metres

Not everyone who enjoys bird photography has the opportunity and/or the financial capability to participate in bird photography travel excursions.  What we can take advantage of is all of the bird life in our local areas. Hopefully this article has demonstrated at least to a small degree, that even very common birds like sparrows can be interesting photographic subjects. Especially when captured in action sequences.

 Technical Note

Photographs were captured using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. I used my standard Pro Capture H camera settings for all of the images in this article: 60 frames per second, Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15, and a single, small AF point engaged. This is the 1,306 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

How you can help keep this site advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal. Both are most appreciated.

Our eBooks…

The Finding Visual Expression eBook is designed to provide readers with some photographic inspiration and composition ideas. The Little Camera That Could details our extensive experience using the Nikon 1 system. Our eBooks also include a number of travel photography publications including Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, and Nova Scotia Photography Tour. We also have a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

Donations support this website…

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.



Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article and images are Copyright 2023 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!

6 thoughts on “Sparrows by the Pond”

  1. By the By, I pickup the EM1 mkiii specifically for astro photography because of the starry night focus feature. Today, I went out in the yard and had the 300 f4 mounted, and setup for fast shooting, this camera is a speed demon, almost faster than my X. I find the X shoots faster in mechanical shutter, and the M.3 in electronic shutter which is so fast with no blackout whatsoever …

    1. Hi Randy,

      My wife really enjoys her E-M1 Mark III… I seldom use it as I don’t find that particular body comfortable to use. I find both cameras quick and responsive… but have never compared them.

      Tom

  2. I know how it is with something that happens all of a sudden. I was in my backyard making test shots with the X and 300 f4, when I spotted a gaggle (is that right) of crows flying in and around the pine tree in the front yard. I quickly grabbed my C4 which is procap L, f5.6, auto ISO, and adjusting shutter as I went. I made some amazing crows in flight, landing and other gymnastics they work doing. Out of all the cameras I have ever shot with, never had the tools that the X gives me to quickly get shots that would be otherwise impossible to catch.
    BTW, nice shots out the windur!

    Randy

    1. Hi Randy,

      I’ve also found the E-M1X is the most capable camera that I’ve ever owned. No doubt in my mind I’ve captured images with this camera that I would have missed with anything else that I’ve owned in the past.

      Tom

  3. How do you keep your pond unfrozen in the winter? I have little ponds but I rarely see any birds near them, except for this year as we had a summer drought and the birds really needed water.

    Great photos of these little cuties!

    1. Hi Joni,

      When I built the pond I designed it with two levels. Each level receives water from a small waterfall. We never turn off the water pump so there is water circulation and moving water in both levels of the pond all year round. In the winter we also have an electric floating pond heater. We place this in the bottom level. We still get some surface ice during very cold periods in the winter but there is usually some open water on both levels of the pond. In extreme cold (e.g. -25C) The surface of the ponds may be covered in ice, but underneath that ice there is still moving water. The waterfalls along with the moving water aerates the water and keeps the goldfish alive during the winter.

      Tom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *