It's a Swamp Thing

Oil on Panel - 4 x 4 inches

     This spring, while watering newly planted trees, I heard the song of a Swamp Sparrow singing from a marshy area on my property, an area that is host to a few vernal ponds, too. Because that spot is wet, especially in the spring, it draws more bugs to my liking. Therefore, I don’t visit it very often, but it sure was nice hearing this guy singing his heart out while I lugged over 100 pounds of water in the wheelbarrow, day after day, to about a dozen saplings. 
     This bird has two characteristics that I find interesting. First, male Swamp Sparrows exhibit seasonal plumage dimorphism, which means their appearance changes during the mating season. Males will display bright rusty feathers on top of their heads to attract a mate and/or show dominance. Conversely, outside of the breeding months, their head feathers change to a dull brown. Instinctively, I can think of two other birds with seasonal plumage dimorphism: the American Goldfinch and the American White Pelican. 
     The second interesting trait of the Swamp Sparrow has to do with Gloger’s rule which pertains to species having darker pigments in wet, humid environments (places where bacteria thrive), and lighter pigments in drier environments. It is believed this peculiarity, specifically Swamp Sparrows having more melanin in their feathers (darker), helps ward off feather-weakening bacteria.

My photo of the Swamp Sparrow referenced in my painting, taken May 6, 2025. Photo ©Becca Mulenburg

     For a few weeks, I’ve taken time away from the canvas to concentrate on buckthorn eradication. Fall is the best time for that, and I am a determined warrior in the fight. But on rainy days, which have been few and far between, I managed to sneak in this little painting. 
     I have artwork showing in two exhibits. Currently, Superior Reflections, my painting of a Rock Pigeon, which apparently is a juror favorite since this is its fourth time showing in four separate juried shows, can be seen in Duluth, MN at the Arrowhead Biennial. Just in case you're wondering, I really do enter other artwork, but jurors keep choosing my Rock Pigeon! 
     Three miniature American Robins, one of which was awarded Honorable Mention, will be on display at the Miniature Painters, Sculptors, & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS) Miniature Show in North Bethesda, MD starting Nov. 22, 2025.
     Stay wild, my friends!



References

Greenberg, R. (1988). Seasonal Plumage Dimorphism in the Swamp Sparrow. Journal of Field Ornithology, 59(2), 149-154.

Kricher, J. (2020). Peterson Reference Guide to Bird Behavior. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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Copyright notification: The internet is a scary place. I have seen my artwork on unauthorized websites. This is called stealing, also known as copyright infringement. The only authorized websites allowed to display my artwork are www.beccamulenburg.com, www.beccamulenburg.blogspot.com, and galleries currently showing my work. Any other website, posting, sales of my work, or the like, is illegitimate and operating under copyright infringement which is against the law.  Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. Please be aware. Copyrights do not transfer with the sale of any of my artworks.


Location: Duluth, MN 55811, USA

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