I love these bright little goldfinches that have been visiting the trees in my yard. Couldn’t decide which shot to post, so I’m posting both to get the front view and the side view. Top Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second. Bottom Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
Beautiful images, Sean! Wonderful bokeh in both shots that speaks well of the Nikkor 500mm pf lens. Good for you for hanging in there for a copy of the back ordered lens. I imagine you like the weight of the new lens compared to the 200-400mm lens, no?
Thanks Sue. Yes, I’m loving this new lens for walking around the yard while playing with my dog. It’s so easy to handle. Can’t wait to get it out on a proper trip. Funny thing, I had sent one of my cameras in for repair after damaging it in Africa (fell from the carry on compartment). When I got home and finally got the lens, I mounted it to the camera just back from Nikon repair. The first hundred or so test images just weren’t up to the standards I was used to with the 200-400. I was quite disappointed. Then I realized that Nikon had changed all the settings on my camera back to factory defaults and I was actually shooting “normal” quality jpegs rather than raw files. Once I got that all settled I started to fall in love with the lens. Very sharp, but the best thing about it is the size. Very much like having the 70-200mm f/2.8 but with 500mm of reach.
When we lived in Michigan, I used to hang a finch feeder from the roof of our gazebo. They would show up by the dozens, line up on the roof edge to patiently and politely wait their turn for a spot, chattering all the while. Their version of Starbucks I suppose. They always brought a smile. Thanks for posting these cuties!
Ha. Yes, they are so brilliantly plumed. Every time I start thinking that our birds here in the northeast don’t compare in color to those in other parts of the world, I look at the gold finches, the bluebirds, the cardinals, etc. Plenty of color up here to rival anywhere else.
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I love these bright little goldfinches that have been visiting the trees in my yard. Couldn’t decide which shot to post, so I’m posting both to get the front view and the side view. Top Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second. Bottom Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
So special when you get a chance to see them flying by great views
I love it that they live on my property. Such great birds here with the eastern bluebirds, house finches and gold finches being so common.
How much actual gold is in a goldfinch? 1 ounce? 1.5?
I think you’d need several of them to make an ounce. The gold is purely decorative. They’re all coal on the inside.
Or is it more like metaphorical gold, like “Solid Gold 70s Hits”? The hits aren’t actually gold, you know.
Beautiful images, Sean! Wonderful bokeh in both shots that speaks well of the Nikkor 500mm pf lens. Good for you for hanging in there for a copy of the back ordered lens. I imagine you like the weight of the new lens compared to the 200-400mm lens, no?
Thanks Sue. Yes, I’m loving this new lens for walking around the yard while playing with my dog. It’s so easy to handle. Can’t wait to get it out on a proper trip. Funny thing, I had sent one of my cameras in for repair after damaging it in Africa (fell from the carry on compartment). When I got home and finally got the lens, I mounted it to the camera just back from Nikon repair. The first hundred or so test images just weren’t up to the standards I was used to with the 200-400. I was quite disappointed. Then I realized that Nikon had changed all the settings on my camera back to factory defaults and I was actually shooting “normal” quality jpegs rather than raw files. Once I got that all settled I started to fall in love with the lens. Very sharp, but the best thing about it is the size. Very much like having the 70-200mm f/2.8 but with 500mm of reach.
great pic. ) I loved the color of yellow in the bird. )
Thanks Michael. They’re beauties.
Glad you posted both.
Thanks Donna.
When we lived in Michigan, I used to hang a finch feeder from the roof of our gazebo. They would show up by the dozens, line up on the roof edge to patiently and politely wait their turn for a spot, chattering all the while. Their version of Starbucks I suppose. They always brought a smile. Thanks for posting these cuties!
Ha. Yes, they are so brilliantly plumed. Every time I start thinking that our birds here in the northeast don’t compare in color to those in other parts of the world, I look at the gold finches, the bluebirds, the cardinals, etc. Plenty of color up here to rival anywhere else.