Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum

I had not seen Grasshopper Sparrows before today but as soon as I heard one call, I knew what it was! I had read and heard that the Grasshopper Sparrows were incredibly difficult to actually see because they spent most of their time on the ground and rarely flew up so I was thrilled when this Grasshopper Sparrow flew up onto this thistle.

You should have heard my camera's shutter going! I thought I had just one chance to get the shot. However, I actually got several chances to see & photograph this one. The Grasshopper Sparrows were at another of my research points at Glacial Park (I'm really glad I volunteered for this survey!).

The Grasshopper Sparrows preferred the more open ground around the thistles at the tops of small mounds but flew quite a long way from time to time. The field guides don't mention the yellow on the shoulders as being an identifying mark although they are incredibly clear on this bird. As I haven't seen them before I don't know if its because of pollen or if they are really that obvious all the time. To me its more obvious than the lores.