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Flaming Red


Flaming Red
Photo Information
Copyright: Francine Malo (NinaM) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6596)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-12-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon 100-400mm IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-12-15 13:36
Viewed: 952
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I went out for the photo of the day but I didn't go far, it's minus 16 Celsius outside, my fingertips were freezing just holding the camera. We're supposed to get 40cm of snow tomorrow, the storm is coming from Texas and goes by the Great Lakes. That's a lot of snow, same as last week.

So I went out to fill up the bird feeders to make sure the birds will be able to feed during the storm, because the Common Redpolls are back, yes they are! There's always a big flock in the village during winter, and I would say they're about a hundred, every year. Common Redpolls are living up north but they are irregular migrators and usually come down "south" every two or so years, but it's the third year in a row they do it.

They eat like little pigs, and empty the six niger feeders that we install in the backyard about every two days. That's a lot of niger by the end of winter. I know a hundred sounds crazy but it is true: the feeders are full and there are as much on the snow feeding from the niger that falls on the ground and you can see as much if not more waiting at the top of the pine tree or the old apple tree.

They're about the same size as goldfinches and sometimes, in a flock, you can see pine siskins which look also very similar but have some yellow at their wings and no red at all, but kind of the same brown stripes on their back and breast.

Common Redpolls have a red spot on their forehead that shines in the sun. There is a black mask on their eyes and they have kind of a little mustache underneath their bill and I always see it as a little Hitler mustache... well.

The male's breast is also reddish as the female is not at all, she only has some brown stripes.

The flock flies over the backyard and then either stops at the top of the pine or the apple tree. They're very systematic like the goldfinches before approaching the feeders: they come down branch by branch until they reach it. They are very careful of predators while doing so.

BUT, they hate the tripod! I went out with it and I stood alone for nearly 45 minutes, not a bird in sight, even less a Common Redpoll. I left it out without me, because I was frrrrreezing, and nothing happened.

I took the tripod inside and 5 minutes later the feeders were full.

Also, I am just beginning trying to make photos of the birds when they're not at the feeders and frankly, it is hard! They go so fast, they don't stay long at branches, I really bow down in front of those friends at TN doing such great work and showing us pictures of birds standing on branches or somewhere else. I am very stubborn and will be able to do it - I hope - but for now, it only happens once in a while.

For three years, I participated in Feeder Watch for Cornell University where you send your observations made throughout the whole winter, 2 days per week. It is fascinating to see the maps when the Common Redpolls migrate south, from the West Coast to the East Coast of North America, they go down from the north all at once, in synchronicity. That's a big scale of migration for such little birds.

This one was shot at the feeder, as you can tell. Hope you enjoy it anyway. It's a little male showing proudly his red breast. Who could resist?

Francine

Shot in RAW, cropped and resized in JPEG for TN
ISO 400
Adjustments: vibrance, contrast and sharpness

COMMON REDPOLL FROM WIKIPEDIA

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Carduelis (but see article text)
Species

Carduelis flammea
Carduelis cabaret
Carduelis hornemanni

The Redpolls are a group of small passerine birds in the finch family Fringillidae which have characteristic red markings on their heads. They were formerly placed into the genus Acanthis together with the linnets and the twite, but their closest relatives are actually the crossbills, that are placed in the genus Loxia (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001). The latter genus could be merged with Carduelis in a single genus, for which the name Loxia would then have priority. But this would imply to change the name of a large number of species, and as their adaptations and biogeography are evolutionarily quite peculiar, it would be better to reinstate Acanthis instead, including only the redpolls. There are several different very closely related (Seutin et al., 1995) forms of redpolls which could be considered as anything from one to five species (Knox, 1988). Recent studies (Herremans, 1990; Sangster et al., 2002) tend to support three species, but this is certainly not definite.

All redpolls are northern breeding woodland species, associated with birch trees. They are small dumpy birds, brown or grey-brown above and with a red forehead patch. The adult male's breast is washed in red, but in females and young birds the buff breast and white belly are streaked with brown. The bill is small and yellow. Some birds, particularly young ones, are difficult to assign to species.

They are primarily seed-eaters, and often feed acrobatically like a tit; their diet may include some insects in summer. They have a dry reeling song and a metallic call. They lay 4-7 eggs in a nest in a tree or, in the case of Arctic Redpoll, a large bush. They can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The species are:

* The Arctic Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni (subspecies C. h. hornemanni and C. h. exilipes)

* The Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea (subspecies C. f. islandica and C. f. rostrata)

* The Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis cabaret
eqshannon, nglen, Photoslave, Adanac, angela926, lovenature, Jamesp, Argus, mariki, sherlock628, MMM, lise, inked, warnzy has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To warnzy: Few postsNinaM 1 01-19 18:29
To lawbert: Working in a freezer and living in oneNinaM 1 12-16 10:59
To EOSF1: Plus de femellesNinaM 1 12-16 09:49
To Patleboss: ÉvolutionNinaM 1 12-16 09:47
To claudine: Ils sont làNinaM 2 12-15 17:23
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Critiques [Translate]

Bonjour Francine,
Lovely captured of this beautiful cuttie and thanks so much for the effort in the freezing cold weather and sharing with us!
good shrpness, vivid colour and so much details in the shot!
very well done and pleased
merci
Tony

Hi francine,

very beautiful image, excellent quality, well composed shot.

Compliments!

Gio

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2007-12-15 15:18]

Hello Francine,
A fine image of this handsome visitor to your feeder. I love your images, but also your great notes, thanks Francine.
Rick

Hello Francine,
Very good composition and pov, good sharpness and lovely colors.
Angela

Hi Francine
Wow, an awesome close up of a Redpoll. He's a very happy looking guy. I hope he's found lots to eat. Excellent colours, details and lighting. I love his colourful red cap. Great notes. Well done.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2007-12-15 22:34]

Hi Francine

Aother beautiful shot - the framing/cropping really works well, whilst the DOF and colours are spot-on.

James

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3819 W: 190 N: 11368] (35041)
  • [2007-12-16 0:44]

Hello Francine,
Nice capture of a Redpoll at the feeder. I like the pose and the lighting. Good colours, sharpness and details of the feathers.
Thanks for sharing and have a good Sunday.
Ivan

Hello Claudine,

Very nice composition. Good POV and light. Good sharpness and beautiful colours.
Well done,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2909 W: 34 N: 8636] (32186)
  • [2007-12-16 2:10]

Hi Francine. A good close up of this beautiful looking bird. fine detail and natural colours. a good POV. well done Good notes too.
Nick.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2007-12-16 2:18]

Bonjour France,

Félicitations pour cette prise,cet oiseau est un de mes préfèré.
Merci pour le partage.
Bonne semaine.
Joseph

Heelo Francine,
What a beautiful little bird! I have not seen a Redpoll before.
Nice use of thirds and composition. Detail is excellent. I love the inquisitive look on its face. TFS
Thomas

Salut Francine,
Comme j'écrivais à Joseph, je crois bien avoir vu ces oiseaux passer par chez nous aujourd'hui mais le temps de mettre mon manteau et ils avaient disparus. Je n'ai jamais eu la chance d'en voir en vrai :( C'est une très belle capture avec de bons détails et une bonne exposition. J'ai aussi fais de la photo aujourd'hui et j'ai eu exactement le même problème que toi (comme à chaque hiver), les doigts gèlent; un moment donné, je ne les sentaient plus du tout... Merci,
Claudine

hello francine,
another fine shot, looks like the bird is saying someting, liked the colours and the composition, good lighting,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Bonjour Francine,
Très belle photo, le focus est excellent et les couleurs très belles et naturelles, composition difficile à cause de la mangeoire mais tu t'en sort avec brio, je viens de regarder ta gallerie et je suis surpris de ton évolution fulgurante,
bravo
amicalement,
Pat

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2007-12-16 8:42]
  • [+]

Je n'ai jamais photographié de mâle encore, je suis un peu jaloux ! :-) Cette photo est vraiment super avec ces beaux détails et cet oeil parfaitement clair. Vraiment superbe, merci !

Mario

Hello Francine
First Of all this is a lovely picture..it has lovely soft but yet very sharp details to it..the dof is perfect and the focus is very good with the feeder encroaching into the cameras af points.
Secondly I praise you for feeding the birds so well in thier time of need..I also feed mine in my garden and get through bags of niger and also sunflower hearts which all species seem to love.
And thirdly I work in a freezer at 25 below all day so I can appreciate the cold you are having!!
OH..theres a fourth one!!..have you considered getting the remote release for your camera..canon also do a 10 metre extension cable as well so you could be inside taking your pics with a warm coffee!!
Great shot Francine and tfs
All the Best
Paul

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2007-12-16 12:44]

Salut Francine
Tres jolie présentation de cette oiseau que je n'ai jamais vue.Belle pause et l'image est bien nette avec de beau details.J'aime bien l'arriere plan.
Merci Michel

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 51 N: 548] (2875)
  • [2007-12-16 12:59]

Salut Francine,
Ton petit pit est vraiment charmant! J'adore la pose et le sujet décentré. Magnifique détails et belles couleurs.
Bravo!
Lise

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-12-16 14:26]

Hello Francine

A lovely close up of this cute Redpoll.
The lighting is very well handled and the subtle colours are wonderful.
Excellent focus and sharpness of detail,the plumage is well captured.
I like how you minimized the feeder and the natural pine backdrop looks very nice.
Well done.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2007-12-16 18:40]

Hi Francine,
Wonderful shot of this beautiful looking bird. The red forehead and breast look awesome and you have captured it in a fine pose. Good light and shadow effect. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2392 W: 94 N: 5536] (17620)
  • [2007-12-17 2:17]

Hello Francine,
Very beautiful photo. Fantastic sharpness and details. Great natural vivid colours. Good POV, DOF and composition.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Peter

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 142 W: 0 N: 248] (769)
  • [2008-01-18 0:07]

nice one Francine! fantastic color and detail captured on this cute Redpoll. good interesting composition and nice lighting. great job!

Hi Francine,

I haven't seen a Common Redpoll before - they are beautiful little birds. And you have given us a beautifully detailed image of one to look at. The colours and light are great, as are the pov and dof. I think that the composition is unusual, but it works very effectively here.

Mike

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