Vespa…by Brad Marks

We are officially in our last phase of our southern migration. Not for a lack of effort, I’ve missed a few target birds that somehow managed escape The Beast. A few of those species appear to have headed north just a few days before we arrived at their wintering grounds (read Whooping Cranes and missed by less than 2 days). With a little luck we’ll be able to catch those escapees later in the year. I cannot complain too much as my annual species counts now sits at 268 with a good chance that number will edge up a bit more if the Warblers manage to make it across the Gulf tonight and visit us here at High Island. The first wave was hitting South Padre Island while we were down there last week. Hoping they’ll phone their relatives back home and give word that the bugs are a plenty. That would be an understatement for the horde of Mosquitoes we are currently battling. LBJs have an all new meaning – Liters of Blood Jettisoned – we’ve replaced the soap dish with Deet juice. While we try to defend against these needle-nosed bugger sorties, Brad is going to take the helm and bring you a more traditional meaning of the LBJ.

Take it away Brad…

This story is about another LBJ that was nearly overlooked.  I’m learning to photograph everything; I can sort out duplicate photos later.  Lightroom can help me sort and “fix” nearly 100% of the photos I take.  However, even Lightroom can’t fix the pictures I don’t take.  Future enhancement perhaps?

Jan and I had just been in Golden Gate Canyon State Park at Panorama Point seeing the Grey-headed Junco.  The elevation at Panorama Point was over 9000 feet and rather chilly for April in Colorado.  Two hours later we found ourselves at the more temperate Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge (RFNWR) at just under 6000 feet of elevation northwest of Denver.

Once I parked the car and opened the doors, we were hit with a blast of warm air.  The outside air temp was nearly 80F, well above average for April in eastern Colorado we are told.  This is the same parking lot where I saw the Western Meadowlark (here), and the Grackle (here).  Lurking in the shadows of the tall grass was another LBJ.

Vesper Sparrow by Brad Marks

Naturally, Jan started taking photos while I was still putting my camera together.  Long time readers of Wildlife Intrigued are beginning to notice a pattern.  While I’m readying my camera, Jan is already getting photographs for the next feature story.  Besides, you never can tell when you need another LBJ photo to fill out a gallery or story.

Even at home on the big screen, this LBJ looked like many of the others we’ve photographed on our vacations.  I was just about to give it the “just another sparrow (JAS)” moniker when I noticed the “V” pattern towards the back of its head, where I imagined its ear would be.  Fortunately, Jan took enough photos from varying angles to be able to see the “V” clearly enough to differentiate it from other sparrows.

Vesper Sparrow by Brad Marks

Mystery solVed, hit the jump for the reVeal!

The “V” helps identify this bird as a Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus).  The Vesper was moving around between the grass and the gravel parking lot.  Before I could see the photos on the big screen, I thought it was just another sparrow like we have at home.  Jan was happily clicking off photos as fast as her camera could flip the mirror and open the shutter (see notes). 

I know, I know, I can hear some of you laughing through the screen.  Being a relatively new birder, all LBJ’s look alike for the most part.  And other than the “V”, and a few very distinct feather patterns, it looked like any other sparrow.  The Song, Lark, and Savanna Sparrows all look similar.  The Song Sparrow has more heavy streaking and a bit more contrasts in its colors.  The Lark Sparrow is also similar but has a very strong eye stripe, plus some reddish/brown bits the Vesper does not have.  The Savanna Sparrow is the most similar looking except for its yellow highlights over its eye, sort of like eye shadow on some middle-school girls.  There are a few other differences between the Vesper and all of these sparrows, but these were the most helpful in identification.  Of course, it may be a hybrid of all of the above, but I don’t think I’m lucky enough to find one of those . . . yet.  I’m sticking with the Vesper designation.  Astute Wildlife Intrigued readers can help educate me if I erred.

Vesper Sparrow by Brad Marks

When I was reviewing the photos at home, I wasn’t convinced that it wasn’t JAS, so I set the photos aside to look at later.  In Lightroom I assign a keyword of LBJ plus the date of the photo plus a sequence number.  This helps me keep all of the unknown birds separate until I’m smart enough, or beg for enough help, to give the bird its proper name.  This one had an LBJ assignment (aka. LBJ-04242023-01) for several weeks before I stumbled on the “V”.  If the Vesper had been exhibiting any of its natural behaviors, identification may have been a bit easier.  Actually, it was. 

Vespers, sometimes called a Grass Finch in olden times, can usually be found in open grassy areas (check).  They spend most of their time running around, hopping on the ground (check).  Vespers can usually be found in mixed flocks of other sparrows (no photo evidence here).  Vespers will scratch the ground to find seeds from grass, weeds, or grain crops (no photo evidence here).  They also like to pick off spiders and insects from low plants during the breeding season. 

Vesper Sparrow by Brad Marks

Off the edge of the parking area, our subject found a friend.  Or a rival, I really can’t tell from the photos after the fact. 

A mated pair will nest on the ground in a shallow depression.  Together they will raise 2-6 eggs up to three times per breeding season.  Vesper Sparrow populations have declined an estimated 30% in the past 40 years, mostly due to grassland loss and removal of hedgerows.

I looked around for Jan to see if I could catch the same bird from a different angle, but she was gone again.  Jan had already abandoned me in the parking lot to find more birds.

Vesper Sparrow by Brad Marks

By the time I had my camera ready, Jan was already well down the first pebble path into the refuge.  The Vesper had flown the coop.  At least as far as I could see, or in this case, not see.  The Vesper must have been annoyed by all of the paparazzi. 

Thank you for reading.  If you want to see more photos of the Vesper Sparrow, please visit here.

Credits

Thanks again to Jan and proofreading and editing.  Thanks to Jan for all of the photos in this article. 

Notes

Yes, we still use DSLR’s; I haven’t gone mirrorless yet.  Something about all of the glass I already have for DSLR’s that would require an adapter to work with a mirrorless body.  Actually it would be two adapters since both Jan and I are taking photos.  Or I will have to replace all of my existing Nikon N-series glass with Z-series lenses.  Even my generous salary and bonus structure from Wildlife Intrigued isn’t enough to make that feasible.  Someday perhaps . . .   However, if someone from Nikon wishes to sponsor the Photography department at Wildlife Intrigued, please contact our Legal Department.

46 thoughts on “Vespa…by Brad Marks”

  1. When I saw the title I thought Jan had taken an interest in photographing feral Italian scooters. But no, she got the Sparrow of Evening Prayers. “Our father who art everywhere. Give us this day our daily seeds, and while you’re at it zap those pesky paparazzi with a few bolts of lightning!” Wonderful photos. So the Vampire Skeeters down south like your Midwestern blood? Our skeeters go nuts devouring people from the Heights who visit us.

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    1. Thanks Tim. LBJ’s are tough, and sometimes I’m reluctant to photograph even more I have to identify at some point. Luckily, I haven’t gotten any hybrids or very rare ones because I don’t think I’m fortunate enough to find those . . . yet. It was also a clear blue sky sort of day, so lightning wasn’t on our minds. I don’t remember if I had the lightning rod (aka. monopod) with me that day or not. The mosquitoes haven’t made their appearance in the upper Midwest quite yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

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        1. I am very worried about one of these mutant Skeeters hitching a ride back home in the RV, mating with our much more docile versions at home and then …well, we will definitely have to move ha.

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    2. Unbelievable down here, apparently everything in Texas is bigger…and in this case that is NOT a good thing. They probably are super aggressive for our sweet red Midwestern syrup. Linda stepped out of the RV at High Island to water the dogs and came back in completely covered … as in completely blacked out legs with those suckers. Not only did they attack, they stuck her and started sucking in microseconds – now she looks like she has the measles. Luckily I brought the REPEL 24hr oil and that kept them at bay while we were out in the woods looking for Warblers. Not sure what all these Purple Martins are doing around this campsite, but clearly not doing their job.

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      1. We Corraleaños are a bit of a dirty lot, so the skeeters see us more as background noise than food. We only shower once a week, we eat a lot of spice foods, whole wheat breads, tortillas, and garlic. One time a guy who worked for my dad from the heights wanted to go fishing with us. He was a very clean cut kinda guy, meat and potatoes, white bred type of dude. We when took him to the lake to fish, and while the skeeters completely ignored we Corraleaños, our friend looked like a bear he was so completely covered with mosquitos. It was really sad.

        On the same fishing trip, Laurie towed a great big cabin cruiser to shore that had died in the middle of the lake rowing the John boat we were in.

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        1. I can tell you with no uncertain terms if I looked like a bear because of those blood suckers I’d be in the car high-tailing it back to the safe Midwest…gives me the shivers just thinking about that eeeeessshhh. Sounds like Laurie is an olympic rower! Have you seen the YouTube doc called The Standard that competed in the Atlantic Row Event? 45 minutes saying no way in hell ha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBu4wXFs0ns&t=6s Tosh and Ultra-Marathoner.

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          4. Never been a huge fan of water outside of a pool where I can see the bottom and pretty confident I won’t become a snack for some water dwelling creature lurking below. I will admit though, I did enjoy play in the huge waves at South Padre Island on our recent trip..only to get done and see the flag for high jelly fish warning …ugh.

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          5. I hate being in water were I can’t see the bottom or what’s under me. Jelly fish are one of those critters that’s get you, too. I love my desert surroundings.

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          6. I like the ability to use the advantage of my legs…with that said, Snakes can’t hide as well in water as they can the desert soooo…nah, I still prefer the land.

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        2. I had a neighbor some years ago that drank a lot of gin. No mosquitoes ever bothered him, they just doubled up on me and my DEET. Bit me right through my denim jacket.

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          1. No alcohol for me. Dirt and garlic seem to do a good job. We don’t generally use DEET, but we keep it on hand for visitors.

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          2. I can bathe in the stuff and still get bitten. Once Jan and I were out setting up my scope. She in Tshirt and shorts, me in jeans and a denim jacket slathered in Deep Woods repellent. I had to stop and go inside because the mosquitos were so bad. I think she counted 100 bites on my back, through the denim.

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          6. I don’t know how people in these areas live without the DEET. Know it isn’t the healthiest of stuff, but I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the outdoors without it.

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      2. Does the REPEL oil bother the camera plastic parts? I’ve had experience in the past where repellents ate parts of the composite radio case causing some very distinctive finger prints melted into the radio.

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        1. DO NOT… I repeat, DO NOT get that Repel oil for that matter the Repel spray on any part of your camera. I lather up and then always have wet wipes in the car to wipe down the inside of my hands. I’ve eaten through all the lettering on all the dials before I realized what was causing it. Also note, if you have Repel on and sit down at a plastic (or vinyl) tablecloth it will transfer all the ink to your skin and eat the tablecloth. Nasty stuff, but when used wisely it will make for a whole lot better day in the heavy Mosquito areas..oh, and DO NOT get it on your camera!

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  2. Wow, how great, Brad, for you and Jan to come upon these vesper sparrows. That is one I have never seen, and I studied each photo with relish. How great that you didn’t just pass over them as LBJs, and another reminder of why we don’t pass over anything. Great job you two, and definitely intriguing.

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    1. Thank you. I remember Brian telling me “shoot everything, sort later.” (That could be a good photograper/birder T-shirt slogan) That’s exactly what we (OK, Jan) did on this one. That single parking lot yielded three bird species without walking more than a few steps from the car. Four if you count the hark circling hundreds of feet overhead, but I want more than six pixels in a photo. Glad you stopped by Jet.

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  3. At least you two didn’t hurt your necks looking up and following those birds flitting about. Always fun to see how birds blend into their environment.
    Brad, the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter is only a couple of hundred dollars, not including the new Z camera body. But could you two be the first kids on the Intrique block to own and use mirrorless. Shooting with Olympus for a few years after leaving Canon I enjoy not carrying about the extra weight, plus the capabilities of the new bodies are amazing. Just two cents. Your children don’t need an inheritance. 🤓😳🫣

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    1. Thanks Jerry. When these camera bodies wear out I’ll have to seriously consider mirrorless. But the remaining gently-used DSLR’s available are so inexpensive. Plus the DSLR’s keeps my muscled toned from the extra weight. 😉

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        1. I definitely feel my shoulders and arms are stronger, and a bit conditioned core from toting around that large glass. No monopod the past few times, but could have really used it on some long reach standing shots.

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  4. Nice work analyzing an LBJ to come up with its i.d.!

    I recently went through the same cost analysis you did concerning converting to mirrorless. Checked my lottery ticket. “You are not a winner.” DSLR still working just fine. Bank account sighed in relief.

    Two things have helped me sort out a Vesper when I can get a good enough look. That eye ring is just distinctive enough to eliminate some other species. If you can catch one displaying its tail feathers (usually as they take off), there is some white edging that other sparrows don’t have.

    Have a great weekend.

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    1. Thanks for the extra ID tip Wally. We didn’t happen to see this one take flight, they were mostly imitating roadrunners. Ditto on the bank account, but am considering DSLR upgrades. All of mine are north of 150k clicks, two rapidly approaching 200k clicks (if not just past on these last two trips). Certainly gotten my money’s worth from these camera bodies. Glad you stopped by.

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  5. Yep, looks like a Vesper. I really liked your description of the Savannah Sparrow, Brad. 😀 Lark Sparrows, which look kinda similar to Vespers, have a very distinctive song with lots of random pauses.

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  6. Catching up on my post-reading, as I’ve been on the road.

    Great post, Brad, and so close to my own experiences – I hadn’t thought of coding the unidentified LBJ’s for later study, that is brilliant!

    Sorry to hear you’ve had to battle our Texas-sized skeeters, Brian. I have the same problem – my hubby cannot serve as bait to lure them away from me, they turn up their little probosci, and wait for my juicy self to show unshielded skin. Have you tried Picaridin? It doesn’t contain DEET (the chemical that eats plastic), and several folks have told me it is very effective (I’ve been too chicken to try it so far).

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    1. I have tried Picaridin a couple of times actually and I honestly do not think it works as well – Repel offers a version of that along with my favorite DEET product and both times I came back with too many IV holes – think it is in their Tick product in the red can. The DEET will DEFINITELY eat your camera plastic and unfortunately my first camera is solid proof of that – took me a bit to realize what was causing it as I had no idea at the time. Now days I always keep wet wipes in my car – lather up with the DEET and then immediately take the wipes to clean off my hands. So far that strategy has kept all the writing on my new camera bodies since. I do have neoprene on The Beast just to help keep that protected from brushing against me etc.

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    2. Sam, glad you enjoyed it. I’m not sure my LBJ numbering is brilliant, but thanks. Just goes to show how many birds I need to learn about. My first attempts were one giant category called LBJ. I quickly discovered that wasn’t going to work, so I started with simpler numbering: LBJ-1, LBJ-2, etc. When it got to LBJ-17 I knew I was in trouble. That only made my confusion a bit tougher as I still had no idea when I took them. The dates at least gave me a sense of which birding trip the LBJ was from. I still have a bunch to identify (fuzzy photos, too far away, shadows, etc.), but at least I know when I took them at a glance. I really appreciate you stopping by Sam.

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