Winter Lineup: Chipping Sparrow

Today's spotlight is on one of our less obvious winter friends.  In these parts they are described as year-round birds, but I hardly ever see them in the warm months.  They're also shy, tending to avoid feeders unless driven by weather or poor seed prospects elsewhere, and my photos are most often from ground level views.  But I do try to attract them by scattering seeds on the deck.  Chippies are small and most entertaining to watch, especially as they forage through the lawn and edges.  And even then, it's only an odd circumstance that they catch my attention, for it's easy to miss them.  But patience has its rewards: many sparrows like this are worth the watch!