A winter male Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus was observed feeding in a grassy farm field along Helen Road near Crabtree, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania on 24 February 2001. The following photographs were taken using a digital camera held up to the objective lens of my spotting scope. The effective magnification is 96X (32X scope times 3X of camera lens).
Note the well-defined cheek patch and rufous neck color typical of winter male Lapland Longspurs. The rufous-edged greater coverts can be partially seen through the grass.
A Horned Lark is standing in front of the Lapland Longspur in this photograph and provides a nice comparison. Compare the black mask around the eyes of the Horned Lark to the outlined cheek patch of the Lapland Longspur. The rufous neck of the Lapland is also evident in this picture.
This shot shows the rufous neck, streaky back, rufous-edged greater coverts in the wing and white breast with only minor streaking under the wings typical of winter male Lapland Longspurs.
This shot shows the well-defined cheek patch, rufous nape of the neck and the dark breast band typical of winter male Lapland Longspurs.
Another view showing the well-defined cheek patch and dark breast band.