Red-Browed Finches

Neoochmia temporalis.

While returning from checking the letterbox today I took a moment to pause by the side of the house and wait to see what turned up. A shrill chirping to my left alerted me to the presence of these little finches, who after a minute or so hopped out onto this stick approx. 6m away from my position.

View all photos taken: Tuesday, 2nd September 2008, This photo: 12:35pm

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Comments

  • Lushpup Images said:
    Cute. The focus on the front bird is lovely
  • David de Groot said:
    I'm in two minds on that... I think I should have stopped down a little more and got all three birds in focus, but the background blur is quite nice as it is...
  • circle j said:
    good photo
  • MichelleLegg.com said:
    OOHHH - very nice work Dave. You've got some beautiful birds at your place. Well done on doing whatever it is you have done to encourage them.
  • teejaybee said:
    What aperture do you think would have got you all 3?
  • David de Groot said:
    Pretty much nothing in the way of attracting them, but then we do live pretty much in the bush.
    I think, I'd have to have stopped down to f/8 or f/10 to get them all in, which given the light conditions might have been a bit of an ask really. Maybe bumped the iso to 400 or 800 and dropped the exposure to 1/60th.
  • -Gadabout- said:
    Superb :D Finches like hanging about in flocks, so maybe you'll get another opportunity for a group shot :) Tho this is lovely :D
  • David de Groot said:
    Yep, these guys are always in a flock, it's rare to see one alone. It's also rare they let you get this close (6m) as they're very very skittish.
  • -Gadabout- said:
    :D Maybe you could try distracting them with your ladder and a scarecrow standing on the ladder :D Then you might be able to sneak up close :) Certainly a treat today, seeing them so close :D
  • David de Groot said:
    Hmmm... I'm not sure that'd work so well... too much movement and they just fly away completely.
  • -Gadabout- said:
    Darn - will have to devise another plan :P
  • Protanópico said:
    fantastic three in that great bokeh
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed!
    Thanks :)
  • suburbanvoodoo said:
    I like the "Focal Retardation" (err made that up - he he he ) :-)
  • David de Groot said:
    :-P
  • Margot- said:
    Cute little birds. I like your focusing choice.
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Margot - they're really shy so I was lucky to get this :)
  • Jack High said:
    Very colourful bird. I like the background too. The bird at the back seems to be watching you.
  • David de Groot said:
    Yep, they're canny little buggers and keep a watchful eye on anything bigger than them in the area.