One of the things I enjoy most about driving the quiet backroads of Kodiak Island in Alaska is that you never know what might be waiting around the next bend.

Julie and I spotted this Golden-crowned Sparrow perched on the tip of a young spruce. For several minutes, it simply sat there in the soft morning light, occasionally looking around while we watched.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

After giving itself a vigorous shake, the sparrow stretched its wings high overhead and bowed forward, briefly revealing the brilliant golden crown that gives the species its name. The entire sequence lasted less than a second before the bird settled back into its normal posture as though nothing had happened.

Fortunately, I had added Sony's 2X Teleconverter to the new Sony 100–400mm GM, giving me the reach I needed as I waited for one of those fleeting moments that wildlife photographers live for.

Sometimes the most memorable photographs don't come from rare species. They come from common birds displaying behaviour that most people never notice because it happens so quickly.

Stay tuned for my mini-review of the new Sony 100–400mm GM. After spending time with it in Alaska, I have a few observations that may surprise you.