They are normally in fields.We usually don't even start looking for these little birds until mid winter. They can be found in the fields along with horned lark and sometimes if we are lucky snow buntings. I think this one is a male since it has all that dark streaking on its breast.
Sometimes they stick around until early spring when they are molting into their breeding plummage. Either way I was happy to see them.
On the other end of the spectrum we had what I think of as late summer early fall birds, a Great Egret. It probably won't be around here after this weekend because it is to get down into the 30's tonight. I imagine it will be heading for warmer climes.
If you want to see the Lapland Longspur a little better you can click on the pictures to enlarge them. I want to thank my Dearly Beloved for taking so many nice pictures today and letting me use them on my blog. I hope you were all able to get out and enjoy the weekend. 
It sounds like a fabulous day. I have seen that bird only in my bird book so it is so great to know you not only saw one, but let us see it also.
ReplyDeleteI love when you go birding!
Lisa, Thanks for sharing your birding information. I don't know one bird from another, but would like to learn.
ReplyDeleteDeb.
What a wonderful way to spend the day together Lisa. Your DB took some splendid photos!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots...would you thank DB! I just picked up a Tennessee Bird List and I am going to start paying attention! I know the usual suspects but there are so many more on the list to see! Gail
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteNice to get a view of some birds that aren't common to our neck of the woods! Glad you had such a good day tootling around with your Sweetie Pie! The best kind of day
The egret is magnificent! Wow! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like y'all had a great outing, perhaps the last warm one for a while. Thanks to your DB for the excellent photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, I did click on the photo of the little bird for it looked almost like an owl in the one photo. The streakings are lovely and the face is handsome. The puffy white chest makes this guy striking. I bet he is quite sought after as daddy material! HA
ReplyDeleteFrances
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I've never seen a longspur Lisa. How sweet! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen longspurs.
ReplyDeleteQuite a handsome bird--you must have been thrilled with your day out!
Great photos lisa! I should start bird watching again one of these days (if I can find the time). By the way what camera/lens do you use?
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Lisa, love the shot of the great Egret only ever seen little egrets myself. Weather looks amazing, it was 4 degrees C this morning on the way to work so cooling off a bit here.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your birding results. Even if I wdon't have a clue with ot your explanation. Glad you had such a good day for it-it was WINDY here.
ReplyDeleteBirdwatching - my favourite kind of day too :-)
ReplyDeleteLapland Longspur - that would be a new life bird for me. I see by my range map that they also inhabit SE Minnesota for the winter, so I need to be on the lookout this bird.
ReplyDeleteMy field guide also says this, "Winters on open ground, such as fields and beaches" so this one wasn't too out of place where you saw it.
I'll watch for the little LL, others might be migrating thru my area.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I'll watch for the little LL, others might be migrating thru my area.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Lisa, I love those birds! Does he use a zoom lens? How far away were you?
ReplyDeleteThe Lapland Longspur is a pretty bird....how lovely for you and DB to see one so early.......and his photos are great.....
ReplyDeleteWe to are heading for an artic chill.......
Dear Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one of these. I will keep an eye out. I never know who will come to the back yard.
The cold front passed through yesterday so I am expecting to see more arrivals. The Pine Siskins are back as are the Juncos.
I love seeing all your birds.
Your husband is a great photographer. Thank him for me too!
If I see one of these in the backyard I hope to be able to identify since his pictures are so clear.
Sherry
Lisa, I am learning so much about birds from you! The great Egret is a magnificent bird, but I've never heard of a Lapland Longspur before. DB took some great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! and good eyes, since you can hardly see the small birds among those stones.
ReplyDeleteAnd yep, you are right, maybe I should not have taken so much collagen :-)But that's the part I love best.