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The power of observation


“Linked In” (Purple Finch, Female) Nikon D300, 1000mm (600mm w/1.7x teleconverter), F/6.7, 1/100s, -0.3EV, ISO 640, Silver Efex Pro ‘Full Spectum’ Filter

In my opinion, good observation is one of the best skills a photographer can develop, especially in the unpredictable world of wildlife photography.

Take this unusual capture of a female Purple Finch for example…you simply can NOT plan for shots like this!

Now in this case, having a large lens already set up helped, but even so, when my radar goes off, I know time is of the essence and I must manuever quickly in order to be successful. 

Four clicks was all I got and ONE was all I needed! 🙂

36 Comments

  1. The picture isn’t showing for me 😦

    • Sigh, Michaela. I think WP is having some issues. Hopefully, it will clear itself up and you will be able to see it!

  2. That’s a keeper! Great stock photo material, too.

    I had a similar experience with a Chickadee. I got one frame. The second frame had his feet and a part of wing in the upper part of the frame. 🙂

    • Thanks, Scott! A magic moment indeed!! (Oh, and of the FOUR clicks only the first one was useable because in the second and third click, the bird was looking down and in the fourth shot, the bird was exiting the grid).

      I’ve NEVER seen the birds do this before…they always sit on TOP of the fence, but not inside one of the grids. Glad I could be there to catch it! 🙂

  3. Finally!! I can see it!! 🙂
    That is too cute! Picture perfect 🙂

  4. awesome! he looks like he’s looking around warily before escaping through the fence to freedom.

    i agree about being a good observer. i can feel when i’m walking around with my camera when i get into “photographer” mode and i suddenly see so much more of whatever i’m looking at. and that is always when i get better shots.

    nice one!

    • Ha! I guess SHE is. 🙂 (Maybe she’s escaping to meet her forbidden love…you know, the male cardinal!) 🙂

      Thanks, Stephen! We should all be more observant!

  5. well…darn good job!

  6. I can’t see it, and it’s killing me!!!! It sounds fabulous! 😀

    I’ll check back later….

  7. Ahh! I see it now — it IS fabulous! What a great catch!

    • Woo hoo! 🙂

      Thanks, Christine! It is ‘catches’ like this that make for a good photo day!

  8. What an awesome photo op! Love it. He looks so cute sitting there. Good catch…I’m jealous.

    • Thank you, Jan! (‘He’ is actually she…..hmmmm, doesn’t anyone read the info below the photo? Kidding! 😉 )

  9. I think it’s overexposed. I just see white. (The image doesn’t load for me 😦 )

    • Ha! Funny Sean. You actually had me worried there for a split-second! 🙂 No idea why this particular posting is having so many issues. You can try right-clicking to ‘show picture’, or clicking on the image itself or refreshing your internet screen. For those who have been having trouble seeing it, eventually they can so have faith! (I appreciate your patience as WP appears to be experiencing technical diffculties).

      • Finally it showed up. Okay, the exposure is better now. 🙂 This is cool. I love that the bird has a look of wanting to be somewhere else. Perhaps I got that from reading your post, but I think it’s truly there.

      • Excellent! I knew it would. 🙂

        From my experience, all small birds seem to have that ‘look’. I think it comes from them being so hunted that they are cautious no matter what they are doing. And hey, if it adds to the drama, then so be it! Thanks, Sean! 🙂

  10. Beautiful capture. I really like this one.

  11. Sweet, I have one nesting in my porch as we speak.

  12. I’m disappointed. It won’t open for me either.

    • WordPress had a bug issue yesterday which since has been fixed. You need to clear your cache in order to have the image show.

  13. Got the picture and it is just great!!!!
    Keep up the good work. Love Ya

    • Woo hoo! See? It was worth the wait! Thanks, mom! Love you, too! 🙂

  14. Nice shot, but not knowing the purple finch – is it really purple?

    • Thanks. More raspberry than purple in my opinion, and of course, the coloration is only seen on the male! Figures, right? The female is light brown and white with darker brown streaks.

  15. Man alive, what a catch. And with a 1000mm lens! Was the bird in Canada or something? 🙂 I’m assuming you didn’t shoot this one-handed while riding a bicycle, right? 🙂

    • LOL! You crack me up, Dave! Glad you like it!

      Close… I was playing a concerto with my right foot while balancing a ladder on my head… 😉


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