This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

November 4, 2010
Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

Delicate little sparrow, by appearances. But a hardy bird nevertheless. Hardier than most sparrows. While other species of sparrows sweep southward in a great, continent-wide autumnal tide, the American tree sparrow fills the gap. Under a cheery red cap, it settles in for the Iowa winter.

Finding sustenance in a frozen landscape. In seeds of pigweed, ragweed, beard grass, and wild bergamot. In the larvae of beetles, flies, grasshoppers, and the special group of insects known as true bugs.

How I love to see a little flock of American tree sparrows scuttle in to my feeders, uttering small chirpy squeaks of satisfaction at the feast they discover outside my window.

Photo copyright 2010 Michael and Diane Porter

—Diane Porter

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