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Goldfinch on Coneflower
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: John Reasbeck (ubc64)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 21 N: 208]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (789) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-08-31 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Nikon D70 |
| Exposure: f/10.0, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Map: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-09-01 11:06 |
| Viewed: 3959 |
| Points: 12 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The paragraph below appears in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Goldfinch:
The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico during the winter.
The Wikipedia article goes on to say the following:
The American Goldfinch are granivores and adapted for the consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and agile feet to grip the stems of seedheads while feeding.
To illustrate the above adaptation, yesterday, I spotted two goldfinches pecking at the Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) in front of our house in Mystic. They had pushed their well-clawed feet deeply into the center of the spent flowers, and were bending over so that they could harvest the seeds. Goldfinches are sufficiently light so that the stems will support this activity. As far as butterflies and bees are concerned, the coneflowers can no longer offer them anything. But, for goldfinches, they offer new food at the end of the summer. I crept up toward them as carefully and as quietly as I could. One of the goldfinches flew off immediately when he saw me. The other one, however, was OK with my being there – presumably, as long as I didn’t get any closer. I readied my camera and took a few shots. A tripod would not have been possible to set up, so I had to hand-hold my D70 with its 28-300mm non-stabilized lens. However, I had previously set the ISO to as high as I dared, 400, and I was able to set both the shutter speed and aperture acceptably for the maximum zoom of my lens. The shot I selected shows the back of the goldfinch, as well as the head, quite well. He has seeds on his beak still after his breakfast. In fact, virtually all of my shots show seeds on his beak. He was clearly enjoying himself! |
mamcg, anel, angela926, tuslaw, Janice has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- mamcg
(9843)
- [2008-09-01 17:20]
- [+]
I love much of Americas endangered species and these have some relation with me or I belong to that soil, the great Americas ruined by immigrants.
Best regards.
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- anel
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(40574) - [2008-09-02 0:37]
- [+]
Hello John,
A very interesting looking bird and beautiful colours for this picture. Amazing to read the latin name, Carduelis tristis (sad). May be because of its black tail and feathers. For me a very beautiful picture.
Best regards
Anne
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- EOSF1
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23955) - [2008-09-03 4:56]
- [+]
Hello John, lovely pose of the Goldfinch with its head turned. Good sharpness and exposure, well done, thanks!
Mario
Hello John,
Nice capture of this goldfinch, good sharpness and
depth of field, lovely soft background, excellent
details in th plummage, good catchlight and nice pose.
TFS
Angela
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- tuslaw
(19883)
- [2008-10-21 19:11]
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Outstanding image John,
I love the American Goldfinch and you have captured this male wonderfully in this very natural looking setting. The sharpness and detail, not to mention the colors are all right on the money.
I tried many times this year to photograph one in it's natural habitat and never got a decent shot. TFS.
Ron
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- Janice
(18832)
- [2008-11-10 1:52]
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Oh, how cute he looks up there on the coneflower. That shows us how light he must be. And he has some seed stuck on his beak too.
His colourful patterns show up well - nicely captured John
TFS
Janice
John, this is an outstanding shot of this Goldfinch.
If you get time, check out my photo website:
http://billhoughtonphotography.com