American Goldfinch

Gallery: AvianPosted December 20, 2009167 views14 comments

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: December 19, 2009
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick, SB-800
Exposure: ISO 200, aperture priority matrix meter 1/640th @ f/5.6, fill flash @ -1.7 ev
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 62% of frame

It might be hard for anyone elsewhere in the country to imagine, but American Goldfinch is uncommon to rare in AZ. I've probably seen 10 or fewer in AZ in 15.5 years, and this is only the third I've seen at the Water Ranch. A friend and I came upon it about an hour after seeing a flock of 25+ Lawrence’s Goldfinches which get a lot more attention here when they are around.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please base any critcal comments on the larger version.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 20, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Congrats on finding a rarity! They are plentiful in these parts....

The only thing I'd like to see on this is more DOF to capture the bloom in front of the bird in focus. This background is surprisingly clean for your tastes

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Congrats on finding a rarity! They are plentiful in these parts....

The only thing I'd like to see on this is more DOF to capture the bloom in front of the bird in focus. This background is surprisingly clean for your tastes

Yes, this is the Official State Bird of New Jersey, and I recall how I took them for granted as a birder when I lived there for 24 years.

I agree about the background being rather plain and boring (at least by my standards) but these thistles are isolated and the background is an overly busy dry pond too far behind the bird to provide decent texture and context.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 20, 2009 at 6:42 PM

Rich, the subtle and directional light in this image is wonderful. You captured a real mood here. I love the perch plant and the fact that one of the seed passes in front of the bird. This gives the image depth. Add on the color and texture of the BG and you have a very satisfying image. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 20, 2009 at 8:15 PM

An excellent presentation Rich. I like it's simplicity and the effects of the light. When I find myself photographing a bird in side light I usually hope it has faced away from the light source since it's breast is nearly always lighter than the rest of the bird and tends to be easily blown out, leaving darks with no detail. Here you have the orientation I dread, yet both your breast whites and the darks of the back, wings and tail have detail. Nicely done. And congrats on the rarity!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on December 20, 2009 at 8:54 PM

Great presentation here. I like everything about this! Fine work!!!!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on December 20, 2009 at 9:35 PM

I think the perch has alot of interest and the BG color is pleasing. I wish for a slightly better head angle. Nice lighting and exposure. All around lovely image.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 20, 2009 at 10:42 PM

Very nice Rich. The BG is very pleasing .

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on December 20, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Beauty Richard ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 20, 2009 at 11:38 PM

Very nice Richard, plain background or not - the thistles make a wonderful perch

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 21, 2009 at 7:45 AM

nice, Rich. Even if the bg is plainer than you prefer, the perch is a classic goldfinch habitat. Looks like you got the flash just right.

American Goldfinch are quite rare up here on the south rim also, but this fall was a good one--I only saw a handful, but it was more than I'd seen previously.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 22, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Rich,

Glad to see this image posted here and on your blog. When I lived in AZ I don't recall ever seeing an American Goldfinch so I am glad to see you spotted this uncommon visitor to your area.

I find the light in this image soft & appealing, the golds, tans & browns very soothing.

I love the head angle you have presented here, a turn more towards the viewer may have cost you that delightful catchlight, good work on capturing this image when you did for that reason alone.

Lovely details, pose and setting.

An image I'd be proud to have in my files, excellent work.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 22, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Really nice, Rich. The soft sidelighting really highlights the bird and perch.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on December 23, 2009 at 9:01 AM

Nice catch Rich, it's always fun to see a bird that is rare in your area, even more fun when you get a good photo of it.

I like the composition and the side lighting. The clean background helps me keep focus of the subject. Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 25, 2009 at 6:50 PM

A delightful image, especially like the perch and smooth background.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments