Recently I’ve posted photos of White-crowned Sparrows, American Goldfinches, Song Sparrows, American Robins and a different House Finch. I’m on a roll with the ‘common’ species.
This photo was taken in the mountains two mornings ago while I was photographing robins squabbling over berries at the hawthorn bush I described in my previous post.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Until recently I might have ignored this male House Finch when he landed on a bush far to my right of the hawthorn. The shooting angle out my pickup window was an awkward and uncomfortable one and after all he was ‘only’ a House Finch. But he looked so handsome with his reds almost glowing in the morning sun I made the extra effort and I’m glad I did.
When he eventually took off I caught him in this unusual posture that I like very much. To me it almost looks like he’s dancing or in the midst of ballet practice. I think the position of his wings, his stretched out neck and especially his raised left leg contribute to that impression.
I’m not sure why his bill is stained red but my strong suspicion is that it’s berry juice from the nearby hawthorn. And yes, if I had my druthers there wouldn’t be a twig in front of his right wingtip.
I’ve been having fun photographing all these common species lately. Yesterday morning while I was stuck at home with a malfunctioning server and a comatose blog I even spent some time trying to photograph House Finches (and House Sparrows, gasp!) on the densely packed red flower clusters of the huge amaranth plants in my garden.
Because of problems with light filtering through trees to the east I was mostly unsuccessful but it kept me entertained and my mind off my troubles.
Ron
Cute, reminds me of the Karate Kid. 🙂
If we didn’t have “common” birds, I wouldn’t have anything in my backyard 😁
I’ve been out of town and someone 🤨 forgot to fill the feeder. The bushes were filled with bird conversation ❗️ They’re happy I’m home.
Diana, like me many birds aren’t known for their patience…
I reckon all birds are common. We just happen to see some more often than others.
This wonderful photograph reminds me of a long-ago band director we had who had a habit of beginning a new piece by raising his baton and leg and both came down on the first beat of music.
He was nowhere near as handsome as your Mister Finch! Although the baton did resemble that twig …..
“I reckon all birds are common”
Wally, that’s true of many of them but I could only wish it were true of too many others who are on the brink.
It sounds like your band director was a character, but then many of them are.
I think you have captured that rare subspecies of House Finch who has two different songs. One sounds just like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and the other is “”The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music”.
I, too, think the twigs fit. The foot and the twigs…
Lyle, I count at least a dozen twigs there (depending on how you count them). I like them all. Except one. Really only part of one.
Jim is right. You listen to him lol. I feel the beautiful bird is well framed by the twigs. Love the shot!
Thanks, Jean.
i actually like the twigs…they help place the subject in space…and add a nice note of realism..this image makes me happy…
I like them too Patty. Except for that one…
Such a fun and joyful photograph! I enjoy watching House Finches’ antics. (And so much better than having one tapping at my window! He’s moved on, fortunately, but it was a noisy couple of months.)
That would truly be annoying, Marty.
There was once a flicker in my neighborhood that roosted at night under the eaves right outside my bedroom. It would wake me every time when he changed position because I could hear him scratching on the wood. I’m a very light sleeper.
That would drive me bonkers (well, more bonkers than I already am) — I’m also a very light sleeper.
Stop with the twig thing! They’re birds. Lots of them live in twiggy places. Twigs add context…and lord knows these days isn’t it all about adding context?
Common species + uncommon poses = Extra Ordinary
Jim, I don’t begrudge birds for living in a twiggy world. In fact I’m glad they do, for a lot of reasons.
But for the same reason a portrait photographer wouldn’t be happy with a broom handle or an electrical cord hanging in front of your aunt Edith in a photo (s)he took of her I don’t want distracting twigs in front of my birds. Or leaves in front of their faces. Or busy backgrounds, whether they’re made up of leaves or twigs or whatever.
Perfection is essentially unattainable in nature photography but I’ll always strive for it. And lament distracting elements in front of my subjects. That’s just not gonna change.
That said the twig in front of the wingtip of this bird isn’t a major distraction and I can easily live with it. But if I had my druthers…
You are right. This IS a skilled ballet dancer. A dancer who can dodge those irritating branches/twigs with ease.
Huge thanks for this morning’s delight.
Thank you, EC.
Stunning shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Charlotte.
Oh how lovely! Birds just rock. Such very cool critters that make my heart sing.
Finding the beauty in the normal things that surround us every minute of the day is a sign of being easily amused, and thus, mostly happy in our lives. Especially in these times, that’s a very good thing because it gives us a safe place to rest from the all turbulence swirling around us that threatens to drag us down into any one of a number of black holes.
I know your server problems were annoying. But hey, we all survived 😉 Here at this facility, the Internet connection is iffy, at best. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rewrite stuff, and several times only to see the rewrite disappear, too. Good news is I THINK they’re going to let me go home on the 27th!! Holding my breath until it REALLY happens!!
But thank you for that safe place in the turbulence. I’m so very grateful, over and above regular level of gratitude!
I really, really hope you can go home Laura. I think that your birds and your furs will give you the healing that you need most now.
EC I KNOW that’s right. We have a synergy going on in our family that’s pretty outrageous. I think we magnify each other’s positivity and love so that we’re all loved and at peace as much as possible. I know they keep me focused on the magic so that my little corner of the world is an island of serenity and sanity most of the time. I can’t wait to get back there.
If only we all had such families – and recognised the love, the magic, the healing they have to offer.
That’s wonderful news, Laura! I wish I could snap my fingers and you would be home and already healed.
So glad that you’ll be sprung soon! Keeping my fingers crossed. As they say in dog training: Heal! 😉
I guess I will have to be in the minority, I rather like all the twigs, sticks, trees, flowers, etc. that are in a bird photograph. It gives me an idea of their habitat as well as the difficulty it had to be by the photographer to get the shot.
Love the shot!!
Thank you, Dick.
Ah, twigs, branches, leaves, etc, the curse of bird photography. Really good action photo Ron. We have a minimum of four House Finch extended families in the backyard so when I am out I almost always just ignore them, but I will admit that I am sure I have missed some interesting shots by so doing.
Everett, if you try to photograph them I suggest you go for the unusual, whatever that might be. Challenge yourself – if nothing else it’s good practice.
He just makes me happy. And definitely like dancing.
Good!
‘Common species’ always have seemed to me akin to the ‘vacant lots’ people talk about. For those with eyes to see, they really don’t exist!
Good point, Shoreacres.
Wonderful photo, Ron! 😀 The red staining from whatever source “fits” and he appears to be doing a figure skating spiral or “dancing”. 😉 Good to get a change of perspective on what to photograph even if frustrating not to be getting what you’d REALLY like to capture.
Beautiful clear day yesterday – didn’t even complain about a bit of wind that came with. Looks like a bit of smoke is moving back in this morning.
“figure skating”
Wish I’d thought of that, Judy. I think that’s the best analogy for the photo.
Yay for the ‘commoners’… what a delightful photo! Please keep these lovely portraits of our near neighbors coming…
“Yay for the ‘commoners’”
That’s a great way to put it. Thanks, Alison.