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Purple Finch in April Snow


Purple Finch in April Snow
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 427 W: 123 N: 947] (3483)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Harry Eggens favorite bird shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-16 8:06
Viewed: 6177
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 72
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A few mixed flocks of migrating birds made a pit stop to refuel at our place this past week when an April snow storm moved in. The feeders, trees, and ground were full of these Purple Finch along with American Gold Finch, a few Common Redpoll, a dozen Fox Sparrows, many Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Robins with a few Cedar Waxwings. To say the least this photographer was delighted by the sight, sounds, and photo opportunity. What a joy and an answer to prayer. Thank you Father. I found my kithchen with the window open to be a comfortable blind for many of my shots.

Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus

Description: 5 1/2-6 1/2" (14-17 cm). Larger and stockier than House Finch, but smaller than Cassin's and darker than both. Dusky rose-red of male, more raspberry than purple, extends from upperparts to breast and flanks, brightest at crown and rump. Off-white below, mantle streaked with brown, wings and notched tail brown. Female has pronounced light stripe behind eye, dark stripe on jaw, and more heavily streaked breast than female House or Cassin's Finches.

Habitat: Mixed and coniferous woodlands; ornamental conifers in gardens.

Nesting: 4 or 5 blue-green eggs, spotted at the larger end with dark brown, in a well-made cup of grasses and twigs, often lined with hair, placed in a conifer.
Range Breeds from British Columbia east to Newfoundland, southward in western mountains to California and from eastern Minnesota east to West Virginia. Winters south to U.S.-Mexico border.

Voice: Rich musical warble. Call a distinctive tick in flight.

Purple Finches are numerous and conspicuous during spring migration; pairs are territorial, the brightly colored male displaying in front of the female with his rich, spirited, warbling song. After the clutch is raised, they may be seen in large flocks visiting orchards, parks, and other woodlands. In winter they visit feeding stations in large numbers, showing a fondness for sunflower seeds.

Source: enature.com

Aperture Priority
ISO 200
F-stop 5.0
Exp. 1/200 sec.
Lens 420mm + 1.7X Pan.LT55, 714mm equivalent
Tripod

Thanks for taking a look and sharing your thoughts.
Richard
Luis52, Jamesp, matatur, uleko, Hil, jaycee, rousettus, gracious, goldyrs, SkyF, Maite, Juyona, NinaM, marhowie, Proframe, Adanac, CeltickRanger, gannu, Miss_Piggy, Alex99, Necipp, jpdenk, SelenE, inked, Tamrock has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To goldyrs: Thank you Goldyearthtraveler 1 04-18 09:45
To Proframe: Thanks Harryearthtraveler 2 04-17 18:17
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2008-04-16 8:11]

Hola Ricardo.
Your name in Spanish. You have a beautuful photo here. I like the way You framed to present here. The colors and pose, and the snow makes it a winner.
TFS My friend.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-04-16 8:17]

Hello Richard,
What an amazing photo. The colour tones are so beautiful! Excellent sharpness and pose. Great POV, composition and DOF. The BG with the snowflakes is outstanding!
Very well done!
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-04-16 8:43]

Hi Richard

Great shot - the colours and falling snow compliment each other well. Great composition too.

James

A fine tele-macro shot of a beautiful specimen in cold weather Richard, captured from a low viewpoint which displays the salient characteristics of the plumage to a perfection. That snowflake southeast of the eye is a good bonus to this fine composition.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-04-16 9:17]

Hello Richard,
Poor birds having to endure a snow storm in April!! But lucky for you to get this superb capture of one of these lovely birds! I like its pose and details are very sharp and the colours gorgeous. The light background and the falling snow looks great too. Well done!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2008-04-16 9:18]

Superb shot of the pretty Purple Finch.
Nicely composed shot with a great POV and a lovely pose with superb eye contact.
Really nice details, and the snow is a nice touch.
Excellent colours and light.

Hil

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-04-16 9:43]

Hi Richard,

I can't believe you had snow as we went up into the 90's. We have lots of snowbirds here from Minnesota - hope they didn't go back too soon. I've never seen a Purple Finch although we are overwhelmed with House Finches. This poor little one looks soooooo cold and he thought winter was over. Lovely colors, fine details, and a wonderful cold background.

Jane

Hello Richard
This is brilliant..The framing is perfect as are the lovely sharp details and pose...The bg is great and full of light which really highlights the Finch...and then the snow gently blurring down the frame..Top Work Richard and TFS
Paul

Hi Ricardo,

what a beautifully picture.
These bird in the snowflocks,good of sharpness with beautiful colors.
Great dof and pov.


regards Gert

Hello Richard,
Delighted to see your beautiful posting of Purple Finch!
best Dof with the falling snow against the perfect sharpness, good colour and details on the bird!
great shot and a good image
best regards
Tony

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2008-04-16 12:37]

Hello Richard,
he does not look happy about this late snow fall.
Mind you he does look quite cute and the red coat is a wonderful contrast to the grey suroundings.
Beautiful composition with excellent details and wonderful eye contact.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2008-04-16 13:07]

What a marvellous capture, Richard! It's so beautiful! I love the framing and composition. Very good job.
Greetings
Maite

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-04-16 13:49]

Richard, this photo is spectacular!!
The falling snow is superb!
Very nice lighting and the red plumage of this Purple Finch stands out brilliantly.
Superb sharpness and detail.
Excellent composition.
The DOF is very good!
Stunning work!!!

Joe

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2008-04-16 13:55]

Hola Richard,
hermosa captura y detalles,
exquisito pov...
sensacional trabajo amigo,
saludos

Hi Richard
very lovely and colorful bird and its capture very nice under April snow. Focus, POV and composition, also eye contact very nice. TFS, best wishes.
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer [C: 773 W: 3 N: 1157] (4077)
  • [2008-04-16 15:15]

Wow, all those birds coming up north to my home are a fantastic sight, I understand it so well... here, it's the singing of the dark-eyed juncos, above all the others, their thrills mesmerizing us. This picture is superb too, Richard, it is a wonder, a beauty within itself, I love it! Even the expression of the bird is telling a lot. Thank you!

Francine

Most wonderful bird image and great note Richard.
Perfect the way you've used a somewhat slower shutter speed of 1/200th to soften the flakes of snow.
Fantastically beautiful wintery scene with most wonderful colors, feather details and pose of the bird.
Technically perfect work with outstanding sharpness composition, DOF and exposure.
Perfect work and great note also. TFS!!!

Best regards, Harry

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-04-16 18:25]

Hello Richard,
WOW, what an incredible image Richard. The details are amazing, look at the snowflake on the plumage. The colors are vivid and the composition is very pleasing. Sounds like you had a comfortable blind. Thanks for sharing.
Rick

hello Richard

excellent image of this Purple Finch under the snow,
fine POV and framing, i love the way the branche goes on the image,
excellent DOF, lovely softness of the composition with great details
of the bird's plumage, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-04-17 3:23]

Hi Richard,
Outstanding shot of this cute little bird with amazing colours and details on its plumage. Great eye contact and you have captured a fabulous pose here. The snowfall makes the shot dramatic and certainly the Finch is not enjoying it. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

This has gone right into my favs, Richard...
A lovely shot of this absolutly beautiful bird...
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-04-17 5:27]

Hello Richard, A very nice cute and smart bird. Excellent compo and lovely view and focus. Ganesh

Hallo Richard
What a wonderful photo. This Purple Finch is a beautiful bird and you have captured it in a perfect pose. The colours of the plumage are just breathtaking and the details of the beak, paws and eye are displayed with excellence. The framing and composition are delightful. An enjoyable image with great natural colours and light. The falling snow makes a lovely background. I like the tiny white feather on the branch right against the frame of the photo. Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing. Enjoy your day.
Kind regards
Anna

Great capture of snow and bird. Fine detail and subtle color.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-04-18 0:36]

Hi Richard.
Snow in April it is cool and so impressive in bird picture. I like superb image of the beautiful bird, snowflakes on the feathers and on the air, nice colours and sharpness/blurriness. My compliments and TFS. Well done.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-04-18 20:50]

Hello Richard

This is a beauty!
The composition is wonderful,like a beautiful painting.
Terrific colours and saturation.
Excellent POV and DOF.
Great job.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 636 W: 93 N: 1243] (4195)
  • [2008-04-19 19:08]

This is a beautiful shot! I love the very natural colors of the bird. The focus and details are outstanding. Composition is excellent and the snow is a bonus for this excellent post!

Excellent job Richard, reminds me of my recent sparrow in the rain..
Everything works here..this is one of those bird shots that stands out well above the rest.
Very well done!!
Howard

Hello Richard,
Seems like your feathered friend agrees to that we don't need snow in April!
Anyway, it happens here too but lucvkily not this year...
I like the fluffy plumage to protect against the weather, great details & colours!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello Richard a very beautiful shot the colour is lovely and the snow adds so much to the image, great focus and fine detail tfs rgds Necip.

Hello Richard,

An excellent shot of this little guy, good and sharp, very nice portrait.

Thanks,
John

A very nice capture of this finch in the winter's snow or is that rain? the colors and details are remarkable. Well done Richard.
Paul :)

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-04-29 2:14]

Hi Richard,
Very nice capture with the falling snow in the background. Soft lighting, color tones, pose you captured, POV and composition look lovely. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 132 W: 0 N: 249] (771)
  • [2008-04-29 2:25]

hi Richard,
what a great shot! beautiful winter scene that you've captured superbly. fantastic composition, nicely presented. well done and tfs
Gethin

hello richard!
great feeling in this beautiful pic!
very well done!

great winter pic, TFS Ori

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