Adult male American Goldfinch in a spot of sunshine – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While taking photos of two immature Belted Kingfishers high up in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday morning I caught a flash of yellow against darkness with my peripheral vision and took my eyes away from the viewfinder of my camera to see what the yellow bird was. I remember hoping that it was a Yellow-breasted Chat because I have found them in the same area this year but I haven’t been close enough to them to take high quality images of one of my nemesis birds.
The bright yellow bird that flew into my field of view was a male American Goldfinch that stood out like a ray of sunshine against the shadows of some tall nearby trees. It wasn’t the chat I had hoped for but the finch was so bright against the shadows I took photos of him because I knew the sunlight and shadows might lend a bit of a dramatic feeling to the images I took of the male finch. When I look at the resulting images of the American Goldfinch that I took I have no doubt that I made the right choice.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Goldfinch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Dramatic lighting + beautiful Goldfinch + wonderful composition = a perfect pic. Thanks Mia.
I really like the composition with the Goldfinch on that lone twig. What a cooleriferous shot! 🙂
What a stunner. A stunner who outshines the sun.
Nice light and contrast!
Thank you, Mia for brining this bit of sunshine to my desk today!
Very dramatic. Great shot!
Beautiful shot Mia