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American Goldfinch


American Goldfinch
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/1000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-02 6:22
Viewed: 930
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
From the archives again, an American Goldfinch photographed in Québec city by -20C.

From: www.birds.cornell.edu
A familiar and abundant small colorful bird, the American Goldfinch is frequently found in weedy fields and visiting feeders. It shows a particular fondness for thistles, eating the seeds and using the down to line its nest.
Description
Small bird.
Bill small, pointed, conical, and pink.
Body bright yellow to dull brown.
Wings dark with large white wingbars.
Tail short and notched.
Breeding male bright yellow with black cap and wings.
Size: 11-13 cm (4-5 in)
Wingspan: 19-22 cm (7-9 in)
Weight: 11-20 g (0.39-0.71 ounces)
Sex Differences
Summer male is bright yellow with a black cap whereas female is drab olive. Sexes similar and drab in winter.
Sound
Song a long series of twittering and warbling notes. Common contact call a "tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit," often given in flight. May be described as "per-chic-o-ree" or "po-ta-to-chip."
Conservation Status
Abundant and widespread. Populations appear stable.
Other Names
Chardonneret jaune (French)
Dominiquito viajero, Dominiquito triste (Spanish)
Cool Facts
The American Goldfinch changes from winter plumage to breeding plumage by a complete molt of its body feathers. It is the only member of its family to have this second molt in the spring; all the other species have just one molt each year in the fall.
The American Goldfinch is one of the latest nesting birds. It usually does not start until late June or early July, when most other songbirds are finishing with breeding. The late timing may be related to the availability of suitable nesting materials and seeds for feeding young.
The American Goldfinch is gregarious throughout the year. In winter it is found almost exclusively in flocks. In the breeding season it feeds in small groups. Whether it maintains breeding territories is debatable.
The American Goldfinch is mostly monogamous, but a number of females switch mates after producing a first brood. The first male takes care of the fledglings while the female goes off to start another brood with a different male.
Argus, hansh, eqshannon, siggi, crs, jaycee, Alex99, CeltickRanger, Juyona, Evelynn, Hormon_Manyer, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Evelynn: FlashEOSF1 1 12-03 08:40
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2008-12-02 6:35]

Hello Mario,
A fine capture of an American Goldfinch taken from a pleasing POV on the branch against a cold blue sky(-20! brrr!) in fine lighting.
I like the way you composed it to keep the brown leaf whole to add balance.
TFS this fine image taken from your archives of last winter.
Ivan

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 1 N: 126] (536)
  • [2008-12-02 7:06]

Hello Mario.
I like your picture of this little goldfinch. Great of sharpness and a good looking POV. Nice colors and smaal twinkling spots in his eye.
Tfs and greetings.

Hans

Well the azure blue sky tells me that your pollution problem coming from Ohio's coal burning plants has calmed down quite a bit...and your acid rain as well? It has been 30 years since I have been to the 300 foot chimneys which spew out toxins and they reached all the way to Quebec where people were outraged....yet this sky sets off your bird so very well Mario...BTW do you have a brother with same name:-) I think I member playing with you a few years back....hope you get that one..over most heads I am sure..
Bob

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4723] (16252)
  • [2008-12-02 7:18]

Hello Mario,
Very nice and colorful shot, lovely. POV, framing, lighting and details are excellent. Congratulations.
Regards Siggi

Bonsoir Mario,
Un piqué toujours aussi extra avec une superbe PDC, bravo. Les quelques fois où j'ai tenté de photographier des oiseaux, ils m'ont gavé au bout de 5 minutes à ne pas vouloir se poser plus d'une demi seconde! ;-) Les bouquetins sont d'un naturel bcp plus calme! lol
Gilles

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-12-02 9:45]

Hello Mario,

You have handled the flash light with great skill getting very fine colors and good details of the bird. Image is very good being sharp and taken from a fine POV.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-12-02 10:55]

Hi Mario,

This is even more beautiful than yesterday's post. An exceptionally lovely face on this Goldfinch - face, eye and plummage are detailed wonderfully. Gorgeous colors against the blue sky. An excellent pose on the diagonal branch - lovely setting - superb composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2008-12-02 11:18]

Hi Mario, again.
Once more brilliant shot of the American Goldfinch. Amazing BG and terrific bokeh of the lens. Reproduction of all even tiniest details of the bird is stunning. I like DOF a lot as well as POV and composition of the image. Great lights and colours. Shot is very pleasant for look. Bravo.
Alexei.

Hi Mario,
this shot present great composition, good POV and natural colors.
TFS
Angelo

Hi Mario,
Excellent capture of this American Goldfinch with good pose and composition, sharp details, good catch-light in eye and beautiful colours.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 403] (1393)
  • [2008-12-02 14:04]

Hi Mario
Great shot with very nice color and superb sharpness,detail.
tfs jon

Ciao Mario, beautiful diagonal composition with wonderful bird, great natural colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

salut Mario

belle image de ce Chardonneret jaune, j'allais dire la place
ressemble au Boisé Papineau mais photo fait à Québec,
j'aime ton excellent POV et cadrage, excellente netteté
et détails du beau plumage, et ce ciel bleu hivernal, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2262 W: 10 N: 2630] (15565)
  • [2008-12-02 22:09]

Hola amigo,
buena iluminación,
fino foco y tiempo de relax, :)
bonito encuadre,
saludos Mario.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-12-02 22:55]

Hi Mario,
Another outstanding shot of this beautiful American Finch with impeccable sharpness and lovely colours. Beautiful lighting and the BG looks superb. Excellent DOF, POV and composition.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Mario,

Do you just used your on camera flash? I suppose you get pretty close in order for it to work so well. You get amazing sharpness.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-12-03 13:55]

Hi Mario,
a very good photograph of this American Goldfinch!
Superb sharpness and detail.
Well composed.
Nice bright colours.

Well done,
Joe

simply a wonderful shot. clear, well exposed - wonderful. Ideal lens for this application

Bonjour Mario,
Beautiful and razor-sharp as always from You, with great lights and perfect DOF. Have a great new Year, MF.
Best wishes, László

Bonsoir mario,

Le chardonneret jaune sur la branche semble gonfler ses plumes pour se protéger du froid. La prise de vue permet de distinguer les détails et les couleurs des plumes de l'oiseau. L'image est claire et mette. Le sujet est bien cadré. L'intensité de la lumière fait ressortir les couleurs. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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