Please accept this brief moment about sparrows. Yes, I know, indigo bunting, scarlet tanager, snowy owl, ivory-billed woodpecker — but, how well can you identify sparrows? This was the question I asked myself this morning because, well, I live a very small life.
I identified the three white stripes on the head and then got the binoculars to see if a nondescript sparrow had any interesting marks. I challenge you to study a white-throated sparrow without being humbled. Brilliant yellow eye lores and starkly contrasting gradations of white, brown, and grey; none of which is apparent if you are not still and willing to look. Wait, that last part might be important.
