American Goldfinch 2 (?)

Hi Len,

  Beautiful image with wonderful colors, details & background.  Take care, Patsy

First, I'm not sure if this is indeed a sparrow.  I'm fairly new to this 'birding' game.  Whatever, I like the lighting of this shot more than my other similar offering because there was a fresh layer of snow on the ground which reflected nicely on the bird.  The colour in the background is from leaves which haven't as yet fallen off the trees.  The overall brightness of the scene allowed for a shorter shutter speed which may have something to do with it's apparent sharpness.  (plus a little teasing from photoshop)  :-)  Thanks for your input.  Best, LM.

Thanks for your visit & observations.  Most appreciated.  Best, LM.

A really beautiful shot with very nice lighting and details, Len!

Thanks for voicing your appreciation of this offering.  It's one of my favourites of my bird photos this year.  Best, LM.

Thanks for the confirmation.  Being new to 'birding' I wasn't 100% sure this was indeed a sparrow.  I was very pleased with the way it was lit.   Best, LM.

Hi Len. I like the composition, with the  branch crossing diagonally the picture.  Good sharpness and beautiful colors of the background (and bird too). Good job!

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

One of your best so far!  Sharp, nice pastel colors, beautifully composed with perfect bokeh!

A lot of elements came together nicely to make this one of my favourite bird photos this year.  Standing very still in the freezing cold near the bird feeder for 20 minutes or so finally paid off.  The background colour was a bonus that I was pleased to take advantage of.  A fairly high shutter speed helps to tame these jittery creatures.  Thanks for your visit.  Best, LM.

Thanks for your upbeat comment.  It's nice to know that others feel my efforts weren't in vain.  Inspirational!  :-)  Best, LM.

I have to agree.  The subject matter is like many of your bird shots, excellent.  But the addition of the background leaf color makes this image special... Mike

Thanks for your validation.  I kinda wish now that I had opted for the 55-300.  Could use the extra reach.  But then I'd probably lust for a 400 or 500mm.  A 'birding' friend tells me there's no end to it.  Personally I think he's done OK with what he has.  Best, LM.

I especially like the background, how it's integrated with colors of the goldfinch! Brilliant shot all together, Len!

Best regards

PDE

Standing in the fresh new snow for twenty minutes' while this fluffy creature took it's time getting to the tree holding the bird feeder, finally paid off.  I think persistence and patience are the key elements in the success of this, and any bird photo for that matter. Thanks for your visit.  Always good to hear from you.  Best, LM.

Hi LM, look lonely but it's a great capture.The pastel colored backdrop is lovely...

Nice to hear from you again.  He may look lonely but the feeder was only a couple of feet away and he was simply waiting his turn for a perch to become available.  The backdrop was a pleasant bonus.  Best, LM.

Superb image - love the clarity of the bird and the lovely pastel colored background. If I was so fortunate to have captured this image, with my bird brain as a factor, I would have cloned out the bottom left twig but that is really "nit pecking".  Please be reminded that I consider this image to be delightful. 

That's what I like, EASY photoshop solutions. :-)  Thanks for your visit & validation.  Best, LM.

Len, This is a gorgeous photo! Love the bird...love the background!  You must be loving that new camera!

All the best,  Greg

Yes, I'm in 'hog heaven' with the D5100.  No regrets.  I've had some luck with small birds which are not too spooked by a human standing 10 ft. away from their food supply. However, the kit 55-200 has some limitations for wilder birds where 400+ mm would come in handy.  Always another level to lust for it seems.  Photography is kind of like boating.  A boating friend tells me a boat is a hole in the water into which you continuously throw money.  :-)  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family.  Perhaps our paths will cross between now & the end of 2015.  Best, LM.

Very nice colors, good looking smooth background. I would clone out that small branch at the left bottom corner.

With your suggestion to clone out the twig, bottom, left, it would seem that you and Tony are 'birds of a feather' on this one.  :-)  As I said to Tony, an easy PS solution.  Thanks for taking the time to view and to suggest an improving tweak.  Merry Christmas.  Best, LM.