Male House Finch in front of a red barn – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Just a simple photo this morning of a male House Finch perched on a greasewood in front of an old red barn at Farmington Bay WMA.
What I like about this House Finch image is the pose and head angle of the finch, the light, the smooth bokeh in the background, and the light in the eye of the finch. The pink and reddish tones in the background are from an out of focus old red barn. I also like that just a bit of the sky is visible in the top right corner of the frame.
What I don’t like about this House Finch photo is the out of focus bare branches of the greasewood to the left of the finch. I wish they hadn’t been there or that I had been farther north and perhaps then they would not have been so distracting to me.
I could remove those out of focus, bleached bone-colored branches of the shrub in post processing but I don’t like doing that much manipulation to my photos.
The red barn in the background got me to thinking about what is up with the common name for this species.
The name “House Finch” irks me a little. These finches existed before human made houses did but somehow they got stuck with common name that includes buildings we construct. I feel the same about House Sparrows, House Wrens, Barn Owls, Barn Swallows or any other birds that got stuck with something humans have constructed out of sticks, bricks, and mortar in their common names.
I know that for a period of time House Finches were called “Hollywood Finches” when they were sold as caged birds in the eastern U.S., yuck. Hollywood? I’m very glad that name didn’t stick.
Streaked Rose Finch would work nicely because House Finches are in the genus Haemorhous which includes other American rosefinches and that name would at the very least be more descriptive of these colorful finches than “house” is.
I know, the birds don’t care what they are called so what difference does it really make? Maybe at the end of the day it doesn’t matter at all. Yet I have to wonder if all of the great birdy minds were asleep in their beds when this species was named.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my House Finch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful shot! Love the House Finches colors and the detail you captured is remarkable. Thanks Mia.
Gorgeous.
And I OFTEN think that those responsible for naming birds were asleep or not the full quid.
Maybe “house” comes from Haemorrhous, haima – blood; orrhos, rump. Well, you know it ain’t so, but it makes me feel better! I also like the oof branches, don’t know exactly why.
I love the colors and composition!
Such a handsome fellow!
Lovely photo of this charming bird. I like the out of focus branch behind as it adds some depth to the photo. Thanks for sharing!