American Goldfinch and Rose hips – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Earlier this week I left home well before the sun came up, sat on my rear end for over five hours, traveled over 230 miles and the only decent image I took was of this American Goldfinch perched on a wild rose surrounded by scarlet rose hips. Had it not been for this one bird that I found I would have been totally skunked for bird photos that morning but at least I enjoyed the scenery.
Was it worth getting up so early and traveling so far? I’m still on the fence about that though I believe that the images I took of the goldfinch are the only ones I have ever taken with rose hips in the frame so maybe it was.
American Goldfinches are in their nonbreeding plumage at this time of the year which isn’t as vivid as their breeding plumage but I like the subtle coloring and sometimes find it more pleasing to my eyes and easier to photograph than the bright yellow plumage of the males in breeding plumage.
I think I can safely say that if I were able to see into the future and knew before I left home that my photos of this American Goldfinch would be my only keepers that morning that it is likely that I would have stayed home. Perhaps it is a good thing I can’t see into the future though or I would have missed out on finding and seeing the Northern Mockingbird that may be overwintering in this same location. Photographing a Northern Mockingbird in a snowy setting is now on my dream list.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Goldfinch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Not skunked.
You captured beauty. A high price was paid, but the rewards were high too.
Mia, I love the picture and setting. I am sure it is hard to make a long trip and come back with only one or two pictures. I get a dry run many times when I go to the mountains and look for Moose or Deer.
May your wishes come true!