Hawfinch +hide !

Hawfinch from the session when one bird arrived in front of the kitchen window. It came evry half hour almost to the minute. This was the only one not on the ground amongst sunflower seed which does not look good. They perch rarely and you have to almost block the way in to the seed with a stump or something.The hides were already in position on the lawn anyway so that was a bonus. Always best to leave them there even if mnothing much is happening.
Anyway I was a happy bunny that day.
D100 Cosinon 100-400
iso 640 100th sec @ 5.6
JohnR

Really nice image John, It's probably just me being picky but I'm not sure about the branches on the right, on the other hand however, perhaps it balances the shot.

Either way I really quite like this, well done John !

Drew

I bet you were happy as a Bunny John, this is a fine image of a very difficult species to photograph, the light falling on the face is very nice, I think some are going to suggest removing the twig on the right, but for me it's perfect as posted, very envious indeed.


Andy...

You type faster than me Drew and your right about the twig balancing the shot

Andy...

Lovely shot John. I think the composition is well balanced and I love the level of detail you've achieved.

Tim

Thanks both. I did think about it but then the image has been published a few times and they all left it in so - I thought I'd not bother.
Thanks
JohnR

A quick question if I may John, would an Editor remove the said twig without your consent ? and once an image has been sold, can they change it as they see fit ?

Andy...

Andy
Not sure is the quick answer . Its not happened with me but they have often flipped an image or cropped it ridiculously without asking.I suppose people don't moan too much in case they upset the piccy editor/researcher ! You must never do that !
Cheers
John

I would love to see one of these John what a fantastic bird, this is a very nice quality image.

Cheers John

Andy...

The colour, sharpness and detail here is amazing! I'd love to see one too.

Nice one John, agree with Drews comment about the branches and it does look a tad noisey, but I cannot believe the amount of different species you get, each day!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

Works for me. I've never even seen a Hawfinch

Lovely Hawfinch John iso 640?
Very nice indeed.
Mitch.

Thanks
Stephen- in a couple of hours a day through the window this weekend I,ve had 18 species.
Cheers
JohnR

Lucky you - I have just filled in my garden birdwatch form and had the usual 7
(collared dove, wood pigeon, blackbird, robin, house sparrow, starling and dunnock). You made the most of the opportunity, most of us would be chuffed with this.

David

Nice work John, endless species in your domain.. Thanks for sharing..

Brett

Thanks all.
David
I had - Blue, Great, Cole,Marsh,and L.T.Tit. Nuthatch, G.S.Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow,Blackbird, Yellow hammer, Stock Dove, Pheasant,Goldfinch, Redpoll,Chaffinch,Greenfinch and Siskin.
Then there was Buzzard, Raven,Crow, Magpie,Jay Woodpigeon ,Heron passing over.
JohnR

Here's the hide used. It's one of my portable pop ups . You dont need camoflauge really else we would all be driving around in funny coloured cars !!
JohnR

lovely image of a cracking bird

Paul

Amazing hide, John. Did the grandchildren decorate it?

Very good shot of a bird I haven't seen in my neck of the woods. I think the twigs provide what judges call "a stopper".

My Birdwatch lineup: Blue and coal-tit, dunnocks, wood pigeon, chaffinch, greenfinch, robin.
Disappointingly, no sign of the Great Spotted Woodpecker which visits regularly, despite the plentiful bribes planted all around my feeders

Is this your garden John???? I reckon it has national conservational importance!!! Some species you attract!

nice shot John sure would love to see one of these birds, really like the perch but the weed/twig is a bit distracting,

quite a tally for the birdwatch, i might not be able to compete with the quantity of species you get but no one can compare with the quality or amount of feral pigeons i've got

I like your hide John. Is it you that's been tagging all our street signs?
Great shot of a hawfinch; where have they all these hawfinch posts come from all of a sudden?
Eric

Another cracking shot John

Danny

Lovely shot, beautiful colour and detail. Nice hide too!

Thanks againall. So you don't like my art work !
I must point out that the garden is as near as SSSI as you can get. It's surounded by 2000 acres of it.! And its costs at least a couple of hundred a year in food.
The hide spent many a season out on the mud in the Exe estuary too. The birds used to think it was a funny boat !
Cheers
JohnR

The more I look at these birds the more I want to photograph one.....

Top stuff John.

You really do inspire me John!, thanks for sharing

Beautiful image John.