Red-Browed Finch

Neochmia temporalis.

When I got home this morning there was a flock of red-browed finches on the driveway. I carefully got the camera out pointed it out the door of the car. After several minutes they ignored me and gradually hopped closer until I could get some relatively close shots (this one is cropped though, they didn't get that close).

It's a bit noisy as I had to shoot at ISO 1600 to get enough shutter speed to ensure the birds weren't blurred (dark overcast day here today).

View all photos taken: Friday, 10th October 2008, This photo: 9:31am

Previous Photo: Brown Quail

Comments

  • accesser said:
    Nice work so they got used to you in the car then that's what what I'm hoping to try at my place some time.
    Looks ok for iso 1600 better than a bury one, The rain last night and this morning was pretty decent it made for a slow and low visibility drive along the gateway to the airport
  • David de Groot said:
    Yeah, the car was off (no way a bird is going to get used to an idling diesel), and the door open, but I sat very very still and quiet and they eventually ignored me. These little fellows are notoriously difficult to shoot as they're very skittish and very small.
  • ankewill said:
    Very cute.
  • HPVD Photos said:
    Looks good David, can hardly see the noise.
  • teejaybee said:
    Only noticed the noise when I looked harder after you alerted us to it :) I think he needs some lessons in eating etiquette :D
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed :) And they make the cutest little high-pitched cheeping all the time too.
    I've noticed recently if you get the exposure exactly right, the noise isn't so bad at high iso, but you do lose a little in definition.
    I have no idea what they were eating, but they seemed content shoving their beaks into the mud. ;-)
  • looby88 said:
    Cars make quite good hides ! Cannot imagine how these birds got their name !!!
  • David de Groot said:
    I know, it's quite a mystery eh ? ;-)
  • looby88 said:
    LOL !!!!!
    Well I think so, why not "pink footed grey job " instead ?
  • David de Groot said:
    Or maybe Olive-winged Finch ;-)
  • looby88 said:
    exactly, far more sensible ;)
  • MichelleLegg.com said:
    What a beautiful bird. Love the grey strip down the red beak - nice work Dave.
  • David de Groot said:
    They are indeed quite pretty, also quite small, quite shy and quite difficult to get a decent photograph of ;-)
  • circle j said:
    top shot david
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks John :)
  • Peter Hegarty said:
    Good to see you making good use of the 100-400 there Dave........ when are you picking yours up :)
  • David de Groot said:
    Alas not for a while Pete (hopefully Canon will release an updated version before then) ;-)
  • benefit of hindsight said:
    a pretty little bird, I won't go into the "beautiful plumage" etc direction :o)
    I'm impressed with your ISO 1600 - although seen large the noise is noticeable it still does not seem too intrusive to me
  • David de Groot said:
    Something I've noticed of late is high-ISO on the 400D is much like slide film, you have to be pretty much spot-on with the exposure or it'll all end in tears. ;-)
  • Yorri¢k said:
    oooh very nice and close
  • David de Groot said:
    Neat eh ? Alas, I had to give the 100-400L back to it's owner today.