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Goldfinch pair
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Goldfinch pair

by John Robinson

Gallery: AvianPosted March 30, 2014904 views10 comments
Goldfinches at pool> Interesting question . This is a pair and a good chance to see the sex differences. Any one any ideas ? They are supposed to be notoriously difficult. Clue- supposed to be something about the red on the head.

D71200
Nikor 70-300
120th @f9
1000 ISO
60% of full frame.
Thanks for comments on last pic
Cheers
JohnR

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 30, 2014 at 8:22 PM
Not being familiar with this version of a Goldfinch, I wouldn't have a clue, John, though I do see some differences in the shapes of the red, notably the red goes quite a bit lower on the right hand bird. I also see more yellow on the wing of the right bird.If these follow the typical avian pattern I'd guess it's the male, but it's just a guess.

Sweet image with nice eye contact from both birds and excellent detail.

Well done. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on March 30, 2014 at 8:50 PM
Dennis
Ithink there is something there in what you say. I was always told as a kid that it was the extent of the red on the male. The bird on the right certainly seems to have more "ooph" It was displaying a bit of a crest briefly too.
We could get famous here !!
Cheers
John
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 30, 2014 at 9:07 PM
The fact that they are two and probably have no problem distinguishing is good enough! :biggrin: As for the picture, good detail and a relatively uncluttered BG make these colorful birds stand out. I could wish for a lesser angle, but it may not have been available. :smile:
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on March 30, 2014 at 9:21 PM
No Phil(Thanks by the way)
The hide and pool have been there over 30 years and I did lower it a few years back . Trouble is it now fills with water !! In any case I dont want a lowere angle as it is set for birds at 5-6 feet on the front edge of the pool- back to me with head tuned to me. The DOF angle is a bout spot on at that level if you know what I mean If I go any lower apart from reflections which I hate, ! a bird the size of a sparrow is going away from the lens for about 5 inches ! I would need f42 or something to get tail and head in focus.- no chance. Thats why with the way things are the birds at the pool front are on a plane with the sensor. Like the old film days and plates with a camera with a moving back .Thats how they got away with it. Wish someone would do a digital with a sloping back !! That would sell !!
Cheers

PS
Phil - I have to say- alower angle would have worked here because the birds were not at the front and were square on , You have to make a decision as to what you are after I suppose. I know !- I need a big long hide with split level flooring !!.
John
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by David Haynes on March 31, 2014 at 12:14 AM
John,
Very cool image. I would not have a clue about how to tell the differences between the two of them. Looks almost identical. Very colorful birds. Great capture of them bathing. You got great angles of both of them. Perfect head turns.
Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 31, 2014 at 6:37 AM
Is the bird on the right more intensely red?? Nice detail Jon.
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 31, 2014 at 12:15 PM
I would say the right one is the male, since I always understood that the females have more a wedge-shape (the red is going from the back of the eye in a direct line towards the bill, where the male's red extends a little more inwards, sometimes that is)... Not 100% sure though.. Cheers, Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 31, 2014 at 1:35 PM
I could not tell the difference but an interesting color pattern for a finch, one that I do not see in my area.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on March 31, 2014 at 3:36 PM
Thanks all. I did some googling and it is the red on the head (right hand bird) There's a little extension of red behind the eye. Not too easy to see in the field though.
We learn every day.!
Cheers
JohnR
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on April 3, 2014 at 9:41 PM
Thanks all
857 views !!!! Admin - Can you look into this ?
My old mate the Fn5 presser is probably back again,- very sad.
John R
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments