A Glint of Gold (goldfinch photos)
Monday, 16. November 2009, 00:09:30
The rains moved away overnight, leaving moderately clear skies. The light, though not strong, was much improved from yesterday. Good enough indeed to lure me out to the Downs. The kestrels were quiet (unusually so), and I only saw one skim by. A few gulls circled overhead, and various of the corvid family were staking out their territory. I saw a lone wren lurking in the thickets.
And I saw gold. Or to be precise goldfinches. A small flock was busy feeding on seed heads, dashing between the low trees that punctuate this part of the South Downs. They were more often than not hidden by the branches (now largely clear of leaves), but once in a while they would perch on the higher branches or move into less crowded areas to feed.
Click on any of the above to enlarge them. There are also a few more shots in the November Birds album.
Back home, a familiar face paid a short visit this evening.
Camera note: all the goldfinch shots were taken with the Canon 40D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, supported by the Manfrotto 685B Neotec monopod and 234RC tilt head. I used the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens and Canon 430EX flash unit for the fox photo.
And I saw gold. Or to be precise goldfinches. A small flock was busy feeding on seed heads, dashing between the low trees that punctuate this part of the South Downs. They were more often than not hidden by the branches (now largely clear of leaves), but once in a while they would perch on the higher branches or move into less crowded areas to feed.
Click on any of the above to enlarge them. There are also a few more shots in the November Birds album.
Back home, a familiar face paid a short visit this evening.
Camera note: all the goldfinch shots were taken with the Canon 40D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, supported by the Manfrotto 685B Neotec monopod and 234RC tilt head. I used the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens and Canon 430EX flash unit for the fox photo.
WIDGETIZE