Everything is Permuted

Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

A splash of gold

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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.

Three Gothic Portraits (Jackdaw)Fox of the Day

Comments

Loiscakkleberrylane Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:33:19 AM

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

Orlandoojsnascimento Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:53:48 AM

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

NeilUkwildlife Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:59:39 AM

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

EricCedarFox Wednesday, November 26, 2008 3:54:00 AM

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.

Sansanshan Wednesday, November 26, 2008 5:07:31 AM

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)

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:27:33 AM

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

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:27:57 AM

Orlando thanks!

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:29:19 AM

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.

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:30:43 AM

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;
}

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:35:44 AM

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.

Sansanshan Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:37:41 AM

Thanks, it worked easily.

Adele BrandSittingFox Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:17:58 PM

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

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:41:36 PM

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.

Words Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:42:06 PM

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

Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog Thursday, November 27, 2008 2:37:36 PM

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

Words Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:37:52 PM

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

EricCedarFox Friday, November 28, 2008 3:46:54 AM

Oh cool, thanks! smile

Words Friday, November 28, 2008 7:35:21 AM

Eric, a pleasure!

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