Newly minted Lesser Goldfinch

Image Critiques
1

Original - _49A3831-Edit.jpg
Original - _49A3831-Edit.jpg2500×2000 1.16 MB

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical

About This Image

Some nice foggy light this morning, and another with the 2X TC on the 200-800. Minimal tonal tweaks and denoise in LR and into PS to clean up the beak. No sharpening. Cropped to 42% of original pixels. The BG is distant summer grass.

Feedback Requested

All comments welcome!

Technical Details

Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM + EXTENDER RF2x
Focal length: 863mm
Shutter speed: 1/250s
Aperture: f/19
ISO: 3200

Tripod.

4 Likes
2

You’ve really been getting the birds this year, Diane. It’s interesting how closely the juvenile lesser resembles the juvenile American goldfinch. I like that cool perch, and the detail and head turn on the goldfinch are excellent.

3

Simple, beautiful

4

Thanks, @Dennis_Plank and @Huw_Thomas ! The babies have been delightful this year, and less shy than the parents.

5

Diane ..simply a painting ..top class

Balan Vinod

6

Great photo! Love the colors. Great perch and framing.

7

Thanks, @Balan_Vinod and @timothy3 ! Last year we had very few Goldfinches and this year there seem to be a lot. (Or else the few have started hanging out here all the time.)

8

Lovely - also works very well as a square crop

Best wishes

9

All the good things already said, Diane! Another exceptional image. Maybe you could do a bird calendar?

10

Thanks, @Huw_Thomas and @Glenys_Passier – I agree with the square crop and almost did it that way. A modest twofer. Glenys – fun idea but I’d go crazy trying to organize and decide.

1 Like
11

Good pose on an interesting perch, Diane. Excellent detail and a pleasing background. The birds have been good to you this year.

12

Thanks, @Allen_Brooks – they have! After a couple of years that felt like generally reduced populations, it feels like I’m seeing more this year.

13

Wow, what a cutie pie. Beautiful position of the bird on the perch and a killer head turn. The detail is terrific as well, Diane. That’s a super cool and unique perch too. And of course that background…Just melts away and it’s so complimentary to the color of the bird. You couldn’t ask for anything better. As you like to do, 12/10!!! :))))

14

Thanks, @David_Haynes ! The perch is a branch of a scraggly old pine that is trying to hang on in the wrong environment.

15

Lovely photo Diane. Nice detail especially with the 2x. The curvaceous perch is a nice element. Love the head turn and the background too.

16

Thanks, @Allen_Sparks . I’ll be interested in watching them mature and seeing how long they hang out. – they are year-round residents here but seem to come and go, probably with food sources.

1 Like
17

A bit late Diane, but had to give kudos for such a great image of the Lesser Goldfinch…from framing to posing to sharpness and texture. Feels like it could be sitting on my finger.

18

Thanks, @Stephen_Stanton – I do get that feeling from them. If I could sit still long enough I might give it a try!

19

Right :grinning_face: ! Put some seed on a plate sit with it on your lap or close by and see what it will bring.

20

I’ll try that! Our granddaughter (10) is very active but she sat stone-still for at least 2 hours trying to get a hummingbird to sit on her finger. I think she would have succeeded except it was spring and there was too much action competing at the feeder. We could both try again, and see who can sit still longer. I’m betting on her!