American Goldfinches (4 photos)

HikinMike · Feb 23, 2010

I made a few minor changes to my backyard pond. Some of the birds couldn't figure out how to come to the water. In the process of trying to hide the plastic, I used large rocks to line it. As I looked at the pond it looked more like a rock quarry than a pond, so I took out a section of rock and replaced it with some sod....weeds really. Seems to work better now. Within seconds of me sitting down inside the blind, I had my first visitor, an American Goldfinch. I've been noticing that the Goldfinches really like the pond. I see an occasional Sparrow or Junco at the pond so I hope the improvements will help with my 'species pond count'.

PerfectlyFlawed · Feb 23, 2010

Wow! Those are great shots!.:thumbup:.. You did a really good job. 2 and 4 are my favorites

PerfectlyFlawed · Feb 23, 2010

HikinMike said:
I made a few minor changes to my backyard pond. Some of the birds couldn't figure out how to come to the water. In the process of trying to hide the plastic, I used large rocks to line it. As I looked at the pond it looked more like a rock quarry than a pond, so I took out a section of rock and replaced it with some sod....weeds really. Seems to work better now. Within seconds of me sitting down inside the blind, I had my first visitor, an American Goldfinch. I've been noticing that the Goldfinches really like the pond. I see an occasional Sparrow or Junco at the pond so I hope the improvements will help with my 'species pond count'.

What type of lens did you use for these?

HikinMike · Feb 23, 2010

PerfectlyFlawed said:
What type of lens did you use for these?

Canon 5D, 300mm f/4L IS and a 1.4x II.

USM IS · Feb 23, 2010

That is a sharper lens than my 300mm F2.8 with converter. Is the stick leading them down to the water or nearby?.....Can't wait till spring....Mike

HikinMike · Feb 23, 2010

USM IS said:
That is a sharper lens than my 300mm F2.8 with converter. Is the stick leading them down to the water or nearby?.....Can't wait till spring....Mike

Actually that stick is not even by the water. It's part of a log situated about 3 feet away. I have a feeder station with two hanging feeders, one old tree that has 'suet' inside and one old stump with black-oil sunflower seeds.