American GoldFinch

Gallery: AvianPosted January 2, 2011230 views14 comments

This is one from Bosque Del Apache. This little one was feasting on the thistle and stopped every now and then to look around. Background is OOF grass and brush.

Cropped from a horizontal.

NR on the background.
No flash. The catchlight is from the sun.

Techs: Canon 50D, 500mm with 1.4xTC
1/2500 @ f/8, ISO 400
Handheld from the window of my vehicle.

Larger version included.

Edit: Thanks to Richard for the corrected ID. (originally posted as a Lesser Goldfinch)

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 2, 2011 at 10:35 PM

The overall paleness of this bird makes me think this is an American Goldfinch and not a Lesser. The under tail coverts support this as well. I've seen both species at Bosque del Apache in previous years.

I like the clean look and the instantly recognizable colors of Bosque.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 2, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Great image. That perch is so perfect that it looks more like a back yard set up than nature. Bird is sharp with great eye contact.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 3, 2011 at 1:28 AM

Fine looking image Keith. Wonderful colors and I like the composition very much. What would the bird photographers do without Bosque!

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 3, 2011 at 8:22 AM

Nicely composed, Keith. Colors, detail and bg all work well.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on January 3, 2011 at 9:28 AM

Beautiful image!

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

Comment posted by Lara Ellis on January 3, 2011 at 10:18 AM

NICE!!! It really pops out against that nice smooth background well done!

Registered on April 12, 2008, 48 Posts, 30 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 3, 2011 at 10:49 AM

Awesome perch, nice catchlight, great BG

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 3, 2011 at 10:51 AM

Very nice detail Keith. This shot completely says end of fall to me. Nice job!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2011 at 2:29 PM

I love the birds pose, the wonderful dried sunflower perch, and the clean smooth background. I just love the Bosque.

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 3, 2011 at 3:24 PM

Gorgeous BG on this one, Keith.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 3, 2011 at 7:06 PM

Nice Keith. Love the perch and eye contact. DOF works and the BG is perfect for this perch and bird.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 3, 2011 at 11:59 PM

Looks excellent to me Keith, great perch, dof and bg. Nice comp too.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 4, 2011 at 2:15 AM

Very nice indeed, I especially like the earth tones and super smooth background.

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 4, 2011 at 1:04 PM

A great capture with a lovely perch and background

Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments