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Hawfinch(Female)

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted February 18, 2011132 views10 comments

Hawfinch

Finally got the female down for the first time yesterday. You can see the less gaudy colours. Both birds came down with a short interlude between. Would have been nice with them together. They would have been about 5 inches apart had they done so.
I shoot with a later crop in mind as it gives me more depth of field at these close distances. Checking out DOF tables can be quite rewarding. Its impossible to compose the shots “live” as anyone who has photographed bathing birds at five feet will know. Everything happens so fast and once one bird comes in its often a bathing frenzy that follows. This was about the best exposure I,ve had on this project as you can see by the techs.
D200
500 ISO 250th @ f5.6 (prefer the shutter speed to aperture in some cases.)
Sigma 100-300mm
Levels
About 70 % of frame.
Sharpen czm
Bean bag
Cheers
JR

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 18, 2011 at 4:39 PM

This is basically to show the differences in the sexes. Notice how the background in both shots matches by the way. There was about thirty seconds between the two birds coming down but the camera position hardly moved. Just a few inches to the right.
JR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 18, 2011 at 4:45 PM

Brilliant shot John swap you for an owl

and congrats on your photo of the week for your hawfinch

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Roy Bailey on February 18, 2011 at 4:45 PM

Beautiful bird John.Background colours suits bird perfectly.Good pose and details.What incredible opportunities you have created at that new site.

Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments

Comment posted by rosemary green on February 19, 2011 at 9:53 AM

These hawfinch shots of yours are just wonderful. Congrats on getting Birdguides photo of the week. Thanks for showing both birds for comparison.

Registered on December 11, 2010, 0 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on February 19, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Excellent work John, the subtle colours of the female are just as appealing as the more vibrant male, another top shot IMO.

Andy...

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 19, 2011 at 12:17 PM

Thanks all.
Interestingly I,ve had 98 E mails regarding the Hawfinch pics - didn't realise there were that many people out there

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Rene de Heer on February 19, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Another very nice Hawfinch image! Great stuff.
Rene de Heer

Registered on November 15, 2003, 31 Posts, 215 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Davies on February 19, 2011 at 5:50 PM

A fine capture .

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 19, 2011 at 7:12 PM

Excellent work John