Male American Goldfinch – A Flash Of Gold Leaving His Perch

Yesterday morning in the mountains was one of those days when I saw quite a few birds but photos I’m proud of were few and far between. But a male goldfinch still in fine breeding plumage helped to make the trip worth it.

 

1/6400, 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

When he landed on this spindly perch it drooped under his weight and he just went along for the ride so his body is at an angle that I don’t often see with perched birds. While he was here I took many photos of him hoping he’d either turn sideways or take off while I had him in my viewfinder.

Eventually he chose the latter and my timing with the shutter button was just about right.

 

 

1/6400, 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

He launched partially in my direction but thankfully my active focus point kept up with him so his face and the front half of his body are sharp. Typically with a shot like this I’d have sharp legs and a sharp perch but much of the bird would be soft, especially the face.

Generally I prefer lateral takeoffs but even coming more toward me like this I have light on his face, a catch light in his eye, I didn’t clip any body parts and I like the natural setting so for me this shot is more than just a keeper.

Besides, I love the perfectly placed shadow of his head and bill on the leaf. I even like its composition because there’s room on the leaf for the shadow to fly into… πŸ™‚

Ron

 

 

20 Comments

  1. Amazing – and the shadow shot is delightful.
    The skunk who often comes along with you was foiled yesterday. Definitely foiled.

  2. Very nice photos. They are such an intense yellow.

  3. A very flashy little fellow β€” and love that takeoff shot with wings thrown up, β€œready for launch.” These beauties are here all the time, eating down the tall nyger & peanut feeder so fast I can barely keep up.

    • I know what you mean, Chris. When I had both goldfinch species here this spring it was almost a full time job to keep the feeder full, or even close to full.

  4. Another ball of sunshine to start my day! πŸ™‚ I love the thought of him going “along for the ride.” I can just imagine him landing on the bush and the soft twig bending under his weight. I wonder if he was able to push off when he took flight or if Newton was his foil and he just had to “wing it.” πŸ˜‰

    • Marty, I doubt he got much resistance from that spindly branch. It was too thin and too long to hold its position or spring back quickly in reaction to his sudden takeoff. I think the bird did most of the work.

  5. Just WOW! Living in Dallas, I only had goldfinches in their drab winter plumage. And they don’t seem to want to live here. What a treat to see one in breeding plumage! And yes, I’d accept him as a mate if I were a female goldfinch πŸ˜‰ Hubba, hubba!
    The takeoff shot is just wonderful, especially with the shadow, but so is the perched shot. These lovely slices of time are outrageous!
    Thank you for bringing that beauty to me today. I really needed as I await the next atrocity coming out of Washington with the weight of dread in my heart!

    • Thank you, Laura. I don’t think the transition from breeding plumage to the midst of molt is much more of a drastic change in any species than it is in the male of this species. In the middle of molt they can look like they’ve gone through an aircraft propeller.

  6. Every morning, I look forward to your outstanding photos and explanations of bird behaviors. While I only comment occasionally, your blog is a highlight of my mornings. Today’s tack-sharp photo of the Goldfinch in take-off with catchy-light in the eye and head shadow on the leaf is simply one more amazing example . I also enjoy doing some wildlife photography, but clearly at a much different level. I enjoy learning from the master. Thanks for the photography skills and knowledge that you continue to share every day.

  7. Everett F Sanborn

    Beautiful bird and photos. And that leaf is a bonus for sure. We do get American Goldfinches during spring and fall migrations, but I’m not sure if I have ever photographed one. We have Lesser Goldfinches everywhere including my backyard. That second one with the shadow is definitely a keeper.

    • Thanks, Everett. I had both goldfinch species at my feeders in good numbers for a while this spring but now I’m seeing only Lesser Goldfinches in my yard. There’s been lots of American Goldfinches in the mountains though.

  8. sallie reynolds

    You often give us unusually seen moments in birds’ lives. When I’m watching a small bird, it is either perched or in air. Those interesting flashes of between I only see in your photographs. Thank you!

  9. The perfect moment! Beautiful Photo.

  10. BEAUTIFUL! The take-off angle is fine with me and the shadow is a bonus. They’ve been pretty well absent from the feeder tho a couple have shown up the last few days – natural foods must be coming in……

    Bird behavior very different in the yard this year – Magpies “gone”, plenty of Grackles, Brown Thrasher under the feeder (NEVER seen that before) and a Grey Catbird following me closely (like 4 to 6′) around the yard and mewing at me. πŸ™‚ Fun!

    • That catbird sounds like lots of fun, Judy. I’m jealous. The ones I see are usually very shy although I did see a couple of juveniles yesterday that were less so.

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