American Goldfinch and ripe serviceberries – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was happy to have this male American Goldfinch perched with ripe serviceberries in front of him for a few moments yesterday high in the mountains. I started off the morning either in heavy clouds or thick fog with low light. Later in the morning I had better light and more luck with birds than I had earlier.
I was sitting in my Jeep where there is a mix of Western Chokecherries plus Western and Utah Serviceberries when this goldfinch flew in and landed on the top of a Utah Serviceberry. I love that he landed where there were ripe serviceberries below him.
The serviceberries in the mountains are doing well this year because we have gotten sufficient but sporadic rainfall during the growing season for the fruits to grow.
This male American Goldfinch didn’t eat any of the berries while he perched at the top of the shrub. He simply looked around and checked me out too. I could hear other goldfinches flying by but they didn’t come down to join this one.
Even though this finch didn’t stay long on the serviceberry his bright yellow feathers and his presence brightened my morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Goldfinch photos plus facts and information about this species.
The beauty of this pic is in it’s deceptive complexity. It seems so direct; so simple with beautiful colors; exquisite detail and a balanced composition. So simple yet so complex. Great shot Mia. Thanks.
Sundhine posing on a branch ….👍
Wonderful to hear that the service berries are ripening. And thank you for this sunny little charmer.