An American Goldfinch Series ends with an Argument

[Gary Fairhead]

I took these Saturday and Sunday in the rain or between rain drops. :rolleyes:

Canon 30 D and 400mm F5.6 on a Manfrotto 190 CL Tripod with Manfrotto 222 head.

The first 2 shots were ISO 500 at F5.6..1/250 sec and 1/320 sec.
The 3rd shot is ISO 200 at F5.6 and 1/250 sec...note the lines in the BG are elongated rain drops.
The 4th shot ( looks like someone is getting an ear full) is ISO 250 F10 at 1/250 sec.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/Femal-Goldfinch.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/Goldfinch.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/Gold-green.jpg


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/argument.jpg

[Anthony J Howe]

Detail and colours are awesome.
Very impressive shots. The expression on the Goldfinch's in the last shot is magic.
I also like the (c) note in the first image Gary, clever.

[Sindri Skulason]

Excellent shots as always. Very sharp with good colours. Great pose and composition. Love the bokeh. The signature works well in nr. 1. ;-)
How do you like the 30D? I'm trying to decide if I should buy one.

[ClareH]

Hi Gary,
four great shots, ( I didn't know you made railings :) )
All sharp and great colors & nice bokeh.
#2 I like the rain drop on his foot and great pose.
#4 show them beautifully, nice to see both in one shot (are you sure they are not talking about you ? :confused: )
All the Best,
Clare

[Photodawg1]

Very nice. I think they enjoy eating in the rain, more than the sun!

[clivingston]

Beautiful shots Gary. The third is my favorite. The composition and the soft colors accent the subject perfectly. I also like the natural perch.

[kwsanders]

Great series, Gary. I really like #4.

[Gary Fairhead]

Excellent shots as always. Very sharp with good colours. Great pose and composition. Love the bokeh. The signature works well in nr. 1. ;-)
How do you like the 30D? I'm trying to decide if I should buy one.

Thanks Sindri. The 30 D is a great camera. I still use the 350 D because its a good camera as well but the 30D is hard to put down. It has some very intuitive designs built in. I can compensate the exposure without taking my eye off the viewfinder with just a turn of the wheel on the back ( same wheel as the 20 D I think), I can change ISO on the fly with the camera to my eye. The variable ISO 250, 320, 500 ...I use all the time. The LCD is huge and gives lots of feedback. Spot metering is debatable but that is all I have used for the past 2 months,,,,biggest nit? Noisy. The clunk of the shutter screams quality but it is noisier than the 350D.

And thanks to Anthony, Clare, Photodawg1, Chris and Kerry for looking and commenting.

[Airedale1]

Very nice series, love the 2nd and last shots.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

biggest nit? Noisy. The clunk of the shutter screams quality but it is noisier than the 350D.

And yet, noticeably quieter than the 20D. Love it. Beautiful shots.

[ZipDude66]

Nicely done Gary! Last photo really works for me, he’s telling her a thing or two. The more you talk about the 30D the more I wish I would have upgraded.

Zip

[JohnnyG]

These are really beautiful and so sharp!

[Paul A]

They are exquisite Gary, well done.

[Gary Fairhead]

Thank you Paul, Ronald, Zip,Johnny G and PaulA . I appreciate your taking the time to comment. :D

[Mitcon]

Fantastic set of shots Gary as always mate, love the 2nd and 3rd most. Lovely colours, very well done.

[abigailandsam]

Very nice series, Gary. Clean backgrounds and detail.
I tweaked the last shot in Photoshop by adding a bit more USM and it really pops.

[RonnF]

Beautiful images, Gary. Great sharpness, color, pose, composition and bg. Number 2 and #3 are my favorites.
And thanks for the detailed EXIF. ;-)


Ron

[Gary Fairhead]

Very nice series, Gary. Clean backgrounds and detail.
I tweaked the last shot in Photoshop by adding a bit more USM and it really pops.


Thanks for the tip. I just tried it and it does look better.:D

And thanks to Mitcon and Ron for looking and commenting:D

[dancad]

These guys are fun to watch. We have lots of these guys/gals in our backyard and its great to watch them chase each other between the trees and just singing their hearts out!

I like #2 best here..great dark BG and a nice profile of the male goldfinch.

[Gary Fairhead]

Thanks for the comment Dan. My yard is where I took the shots. I have counted as many as 12 males at once and many females as well. They are starting to get used to me and one almost landed on my hand when I was filling a feeder...until he realized what he was doing that is:D