Christmas surprise

We get a steady stream of visitors in our garden, but this year it has been the usual suspects only and I have been looking forward to some sharper weather in the hope that something different might come along. Imagine my surprise on an extremely mild Christmas morning when in quick succession, my first siskins of the year turned up, closely followed by a goldcrest on the peanuts! and the fat (that's never happened before) and then not just the first brambling in my garden, but the first I've ever seen in my life. Last but not least, a male bullfinch arrived. The following morning, with my alder full of redpolls as well, I rushed out with the camera but only this guy came back although he was kind enough to spend a few minutes within ten feet of the lens. My first ever bullfinch shots. What a joy, the whole garden full of dull grey trees and brown, dead plants and this fellow sitting there like one great big Christmas tree light.
Just wanted to say thanks for all the help I have had this year from so many of you (especially Andy A) and I look forward to meeting some more of you over the coming months. Season's greetings to you all.

40D; 100-400@ 400; full frame
f/5.6; 1/250; iso 250
Av +1/3
Eric

sounds like your garden could give John R's a run for its money Eric I'd be grateful if you could send one or two of these north a little bit. Nothing out of the ordinary in my garden this year as yet, I've been particularly looking out for siskins. Last year I did get a Brambling which was a real surprise - it stayed about 30 seconds and never returned! Anyway, I'm a big fan of bullfinches mainly because I see them so rarely, so I can imagine how pleased you must have been to see this chap. Nicely captured too, the background colours are lovely.

Matt

Eric

Such a nice capture great detail.

Barry

Eastbourne

Very nice - the BG works realy well with this.

Good stuff Eric
- this is one bird we don't get very often in the garden- or in the forest come to think of it. Used to be common.
JohnR

For some reason, we get a couple of visits every year and usually they come close to the house to feed on honeysuckle fruits/berries. This one was absolutely stuffing his face with sunflower hearts and peanut chips which I hadn't seen before. it would be nice if he stuck around.

You are lucky with this Eric,
its a long time ago I have seen one.
Great!!
Bertl

I am dead envious. A beautiful image of a bird I haven't seen in ages! Nice one.

Fran

A lovely capture Eric, super detail in those feathers and the soft colours in the BG are very nice indeed.


Andy...

Eric sounds as though you had a good christmas. I was in Scotland grey and miserable for the three days I was there. Lucky you with the Bullfinch and Brambling. have a Happy new Year

Cant get near the things Eric so you are very fortunate I would say. Like the description.

Major

cracking shot, not seen one of these for a very long time in fact i cant remember its been so long

Lovely shot Eric and I'm very jealous of your garden!!