American Goldfinch

Gallery: AvianPosted January 21, 2011204 views20 comments

At least I'm about 90% sure, but it's been almost a year and it doesn't quite fit either lesser or American. Another one taken February 21st at Cave Creek, Arizona.

7D, 500mm f4 + 1.4TC, Black Widow on Gitzo legs, f8, 1/160, iso 250, Av mode with -1/3 compensation. Normal processing in CS4. Cropped from 18MP to 11MP.

I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Thanks,

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 21, 2011 at 12:34 AM

I would have guessed American Goldfinch but I'm not the best at that. I like the perch a lot. The nice background and the pose really show off this cute little bird. I like your framing.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 21, 2011 at 12:50 AM

Dennis, really nice bird! Sharp, good pose, great perch and BG. The perch might need another round of sharpening.
I'm not sure about the right group of twigs - you might experiment with removing them, and see what you think.
Nice!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on January 21, 2011 at 6:42 AM

Very nice Dennis, great detail, nice perch and background.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 21, 2011 at 7:23 AM

Vey nice capture. Good exposure and BG. I would also try remove the group of twigs on the right.

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 21, 2011 at 9:18 AM

Beautiful,Dennis. I love the pose here and the perch. Lovely detail. The extra twigs are well below the main twig and to me just give some ambiance that the shot would not otherwise have. There is a catchlight but you might consider brightening it up a little so it's more visible.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 21, 2011 at 9:20 AM

Nice perch and image! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 21, 2011 at 9:43 AM

Beautiful capture, Dennis ! Nice perch, great Bg, fine detail

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 21, 2011 at 9:57 AM

Dennis: I like the pose and perch. A little fill flash would have really added some pop to the eye. Another vote for looking at removing the perch stuff in the LRC. A very nice image overall.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 21, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Well done Dennis! Sharp details, clean comp, & a great looking perch..
Looks like the American in winter plumage to me, for what it's worth

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM

Crazy sharp - nice head turn and good perch with pleasing BG. This Goldfinch made it easy on you.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 21, 2011 at 1:26 PM

Dennis,
I love the pose, the perch and the background. Great detail too. Beautiful image.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 21, 2011 at 6:08 PM

Dennis,

I like the pose of the finch, the subtle colors in the background and the interesting perch. I might consider increasing the exposure a tiny bit globally. The light in the birds eye shows nicely in the larger image.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on January 21, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Beautiful detail, Dennis. I think the perch is interesting, and the bg really goes well with the shot. Well done.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 21, 2011 at 9:31 PM

Hi Dennis

Everything is just great on this caprure, head pose, detail. B.G. perch and color . The perch could be trimmed.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 22, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Very nice image with great detail on the bird. I really like the perch, but I would consider cloning out the portion in the right lower corner and maybe lighten it just a touch.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 22, 2011 at 6:27 AM

Love the perch Dennis and nice detail. I'd be tempted to lighten the eye a fraction as the large image shows there is something to work with.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 22, 2011 at 9:38 AM

The larger image works well for me Dennis. Plenty of detail in the eye and the overall comp is fine as posted IMO. Nice and sharp and great detail. Nice BG too. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 22, 2011 at 10:51 AM

Dennis, at first glance, I thought this looked fine for Lesser, but now I'll admit to feeling a little confused. great bg and detail, the lower right doesn't bother me.