Lesser Goldfinch

Gallery: AvianPosted July 18, 201179 views11 comments

Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)

Place: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ
Date/Time: June 13, 2011 6:23 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick, SB-800
Exposure: Aperture priority spot metered, ISO 400, 1/60th, f/7.1
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 68% of frame

About the only feasible venue for bird photography in summer near Phoenix is the Boyce Thompson Arboretum about 60 miles to the east. The birdiest spot at BTA is a tiny artifical brook that begins at a tiny outflow at a small stack of stones. It is a nasty place to shoot, however, because it is mostly hidden by low bushes that put most of it in deep shade, with straight-down-the-lens backlight from the limited shooting position.

I've stuggled here for a few years, pushing my ISO to get 1/40th second shutter speed in natural light, trying various levels of fill flash from the camera position, and for this shot strong flash from a remotely positioned SB-800. I placed the flash on an old tripod a few feet from the ”stage,” and fired it from the D300 built-in flash set to Commander mode.

From this initial test I have hope that I've finally mastered this location. This is getting dangerously close to an outdoor studio set-up for me: about all that is missing is building a similar water feature in my own back yard. I'd do some more shooting here if the park maintenance people ever got around to fixing the water – it has not been running on my past three visits.

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger version provided.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 18, 2011 at 9:26 PM

Rich, very nice head turn and your use of flash looks natural to my eye. I like the colors and textures in the setting and you have good detail in the goldfinch. I can't imagine having to shoot in the conditions you endure in the summer down there.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 18, 2011 at 10:27 PM

The bird casts a strong shadow, but I would not have guessed there is flash at work here. Merely looks like the strong summer sun of Arizona. This looks good to me.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 19, 2011 at 1:36 AM

As subtle as flash can get, Richard. Well done, and a very good bird.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 19, 2011 at 9:20 AM

really nice work with the flash, Rich. glad you're able to at least do a little shooting during the brutal heat, even if it's not your preferred style.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 19, 2011 at 9:48 AM

This looks like it worked well, Richard. The light looks quite natural in the image. Without your commentary I'd have guessed about 10 am. I don't have any qualms about some degree of setup. When we put in our own water feature I tried to arrange it to give me reasonable early morning and late evening light and I try to arrange the plantings around it to work with that light. Admittedly, water isn't as scarce here as it is where you are, but the birds sure seem to like it.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on July 19, 2011 at 11:14 AM

Richard it sounds like hard work !but your end result proves that it works it looks great to me.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 19, 2011 at 4:26 PM

I don't know about the "studio " setup idea Richard..
I have 5 such set ups on the go and eventually if done right they blend ih really well and I,ve never done one yet that hasn,t been busy with birds at some time.
hard work keepin g them going at times but as with this shot -well worth it.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM

This looks like a difficult place to photograph between the downward angle and water reflection. When I first looked at the image I did not realize you used flash until I read your comments. Good feather detail and look from the goldfinch. Not my favorite time of year for SE AZ as the heat certainly takes it's toll on the birds and me. Nice job in getting this and not having it look like a typical flash image, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 20, 2011 at 3:45 AM

Would have sworn it was natural sunlight Richard - great effort

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 21, 2011 at 7:27 AM

Good eye contact/head turn and l like the brook setting here, looks natural enough..
Sharp details and great use of flash, most often a necessity in the arboretum.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 24, 2011 at 8:40 AM

Rich,

You do such outstanding work with flash, I wouldn't have known you used it except for reading what you wrote. Beautiful finch, lovely setting, details and sharpness. All of the things I have come to expect from your work.

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