Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 16, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Seems to be that time of year when Goldfinches are frequenting thistle plants, and I found a decent spot close to home where the birds are filling their bellies with their favorite food. This image was taken in early evening light, cropped about 20% from the left and slight crops from the top and bottom.
Pentax K10D, Pentax 80-320 @320mm, f5.6, 1/400, iso 100, AWB
Nice crips shot. I'll have to admit I've never associated Goldfinches with thistle plants and have never seen one on a thistle plant. Apprently they prefer the thistle seeds at the feeder to the thistles in the field.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on August 17, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Toni, excellent work!
Posted by scott lanz on August 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Nice detail and color, and I like seeing it in its natural habitat and food source.
Posted by Kirk Greene on August 17, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Excellent image. I have a local spot where I have seen them tearing up some thistle as well. I'll have to try & there soon before it's too late.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Thanks guys!
Phil...it would make sense that the Finches like the feeder better..it's less work! I can't say one way or another because I don't feed them in the summertime..there is plenty of natural food out there for them at that time of year. They certainly did appear to enjoy the thistle plants though.
Well done Toni, excellent color contrasts here. Have you tried a crop of the left? My eye gets caught in the lower left corner. I also like the inclusion of habitat - beats the usual bird-on-a-stick images!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 19, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Thanks, Joel. I have thought about cropping more from the left since I posted this and it is doable...the original, even after cropping the 20% earlier, is still tack sharp at full size. If I can't..no big deal as I have more besides this one.
It's certainly not a deal breaker Toni. The real world is seldom as orderly as we photographers make it appear, or would like. I do like the honesty of how it is right now too...just throwing ideas out there.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 20, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Joel, sometimes we miss seeing things in our own images, so I'm always open to ideas!
Posted by Mike Klarich on August 21, 2008 at 1:36 AM
Discussion
12 repliesPentax K10D, Pentax 80-320 @320mm, f5.6, 1/400, iso 100, AWB
CJ
Phil...it would make sense that the Finches like the feeder better..it's less work! I can't say one way or another because I don't feed them in the summertime..there is plenty of natural food out there for them at that time of year. They certainly did appear to enjoy the thistle plants though.