A splash of gold

The weather is definitely edging into winter, but I'll be happy if we continue to get days like today. Cold, but beautiful sunshine and blue skies. The chill factor has two main effects. It can reduce battery life (not really a problem) and my hands get cold (definitely a problem). (Makes mental note to dig out a pair of gloves.)

Anyway, the goldfinches don't seem to mind and I spent twenty minutes taking photos of an adult and juvenile at the edge of the woods. They were busy feeding in the tree, and if you look closely (or click the picture to zoom) you can see a bud in the juvenile's beak.
Juvenile goldfinch (left) and adult (right)

Juvenile goldfinch

Adult goldfinch

After watching these colourful little birds, the jackdaws back by my office were a striking contrast. I'm afraid you're likely to see a fair few of these shots so I'll try to vary the style a bit. This one was taken against a red brick wall. I masked the background and converted that part of the image to black and white, and also used noise reduction to soften it. I left what little colour the jackdaw offers alone.
Jackdaw
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. cakkleberrylane

    26 Nov 2008

    Beautiful goldfinches, wonderful little red faces! But the jackdaw is so dramatic!

  2. Ukwildlife

    26 Nov 2008

    great goldfinch pics. There always a twig in the way or there just that bit too far way when I try and nab a photo. I like what you ve done with the jackdaw

  3. ojsnascimento

    26 Nov 2008

    I agree with Lois, the goldfinches are lovely, but the jackdaw's photo is something special !

  4. CedarFox

    26 Nov 2008

    Nice photos of the goldfinches :up:

    By the way, I was wondering how did you get rid of the avatar in the upper left corner? I find it to be kind of ugly on my blog.

  5. sanshan

    26 Nov 2008

    I love the way he's just perching on the edge, like he'll fall off the page.

    (I find the avatar in the corner weird too)

  6. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    Neil, I got plenty of shots with twigs in the way as well. The jackdaw shot seemed to lend itself to a bit of treatment.

  7. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    Thanks Lois. I could watch the goldfinches for ages, but I'm more or less living with jackdaws at the moment.

  8. sanshan

    26 Nov 2008

    Thanks, it worked easily.

  9. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    Eric, thanks. As for the avatar (or lack of), you need to add this to your custom style sheet. Someone posted it on the forums within hours of the updates!

    #editme{
    display:none!important;
    }

  10. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    San, thanks. I was pleased with how the treatment of the jackdaw shot worked out. See above for how to remove the avatar. It's an odd 'enhancement' because generally I know who I am when I'm browsing.

  11. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    Orlando thanks!

  12. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    San, glad it worked. It was a silly bit of over-designing.

  13. Words

    26 Nov 2008

    Adele, the goldfinches are always a pleasure to see. But I can see an awful lot of jackdaw photos appearing over the coming months if I'm not careful.

  14. SittingFox

    26 Nov 2008

    Nice to see more finches, and I love the jackdaw's expression.

  15. Flying Red Fox Blog

    27 Nov 2008

    Lovelly photos, i hope we get more days like these. 😀

  16. Words

    27 Nov 2008

    Thanks Mark. The weekend forecast isn't looking too good though 🙁

  17. CedarFox

    28 Nov 2008

    Oh cool, thanks! 🙂

  18. Words

    28 Nov 2008

    Eric, a pleasure!

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