Grasshopper Sparrow

This species frequents grasslands and open hillsides, and the tan background in this shot is indicative of the arid and semi-arid areas the bird prefers. These guys will often sing while concealed within the grasses but can sometimes be coaxed into the open with a bit of playback as was the case with the cooperative individual. I was stoked he chose this lush perch instead of a number of shorter, deader, and less attractive alternatives! The adjacent shots come from the same bush, and I was able to vary the background a bit by stepping a feet left or right.

Russian Ridge, San Mateo County, California, 5/28/20
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II + 1.4x TC III on EOS 5D Mark IV
1/2500 at f/8, ISO 1250