Black Rosy Finch

Gallery: AvianPosted December 31, 2009236 views20 comments

Went up to the Sandia Crest near Albuquerque yesterday with two good friends. Had a great time photographing the Rosy Finches. Conditions were extremely cold, windy and blowing snow, but it made for some nice opportunities.

I was pleased with this image of a Black Rosy Finch on a nice snowy perch.
Thanks in advance for your comments and critique. Larger Image certainly shows more detail.

Canon 50D
500mm f/4
1/320 @ f.5.6
ISO 320
+2/3 EV
Nearly full frame. Minor color corrections in PS.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 31, 2009 at 1:58 PM

Best photo I can remember seeing of this species Keith, congrats.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on December 31, 2009 at 2:42 PM

Great detail and the bird stands out well from the background. Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on December 31, 2009 at 2:52 PM

Beauty, Keith. Perfect exposure in tough conditions. Great pose and detail and love the habitat.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Arni on December 31, 2009 at 3:15 PM

Beautiful Finch, color and detail is great, and also love the texture of the snow on the branch.

Registered on December 24, 2008, 112 Posts, 629 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 31, 2009 at 3:29 PM

I like the composition here, and the wintery setting. Good eye contatc too.

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 31, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Gorgeous Finch, and winter setting. The large version is great Keith. Bravo

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 31, 2009 at 6:10 PM

Terrific! Love everything about this!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 31, 2009 at 6:49 PM

Very well done Keith. I like the habitat and the bird. Good sharpness on the bird and a nice head turn.

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

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on December 31, 2009 at 10:28 PM

Excellent, Keith! No nits from me! Wonderful details in the larger image!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 31, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Beautiful, Keith. Wonderful detail and a great job handling a difficult exposure.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 1, 2010 at 12:28 AM

Very Nice. I wish for a day of snow here in Fl just so I can get some snowy shots

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 1, 2010 at 12:30 AM

Really nice view with the head turn. I like your composition a lot. The surrounding conifer and snow is a stunning setting. Love this color phase of the Rosy Finch, we don't get them here and it's a treat to see them being posted here!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 1, 2010 at 8:21 AM

Really a wonderful image of this species Keith, I love how the bird stand out se well from the snow-covered perch.

Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Sally King on January 1, 2010 at 9:34 AM

This is a great shot. Love the details and that you got him perched on those evergreens. The only time I've been successful in getting up to the crest so far none of rosy finches would land there. I was hoping they would. Tried to go back up yesterday morning but with a two wheel drive vehicle almost got stuck in the new snow and had to turn around. You have inspired me to try to even harder to go again. Lovely image. Hope I can get a shot even close to this good.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 1, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Hard to imagine this being any better. I'd be thrilled to have it. If I left at midnight I could be there by the time they open!

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 1, 2010 at 2:21 PM

For those who don't know this species, it is famously (infamously) difficult to photograph. They live in marginal areas, generally at high altitudes, and can be very difficult to find. I didn't get this bird until this year, and I'm a pretty serious birder. This is the best photo of a a Black Rosy-Finch I've ever seen, far superior to the ones at BNA's site. Congratulations, Keith.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 1, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Great job on a challenging exposure.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 1, 2010 at 7:25 PM

It's all been said and I echo the kudos Keith. You have a wonderful image here - the setting is just great. I've learned something too - I had no idea they were so difficult to find, much less photograph. Big congrats!

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 1, 2010 at 8:31 PM

Thanks to all for the kind comments. As Jim noted, this bird is generally at high altitudes. The Sandia Crest is 10,678 feet. These guys (and the 2 other Rosy Finch species) tend to hang out up there. Getting them in a place where you can get a decent shot is another story. Again, Thx. I appreciate the comments.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 2, 2010 at 5:30 PM

beautiful, Keith. a great shot of one of my favorite birds...

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