Single Goldfinch feeding on Dandelion seeds
I spotted a pair of Goldfinches, land on the ground today, which is unusual and they were feeding plucking the dandelion seeds from a dandelion. You can just make out the dandelion in front of the bird, and one seed floating in the wind.
I quickly lept for my DSLR, and changed to a 300mm lens, hand-held, no tripod, on max, taken through the kitchen window!
Since April 2009, I’ve had Goldfinches visiting my garden regularly feeding on the Nyjer seed, before April 2009, I’d never seen Goldfinches in my garden. This weekend Lindsey told me she had seen Goldfinches around the Magnolia tree and the telephone wire (maybe this is why broadband playing up!). On further examination, I discovered a nest in the Magnolia tree, and to may amazement a few minutes later visited regularly by a pair of Goldfinches.
Goldfinch birds nest in Magnolia tree
Goldfinch on the nest
So time to get some tek out to get some pictures for the web…. (some time passes and ….)
I’m still trying to get better photographs, but at present my Canon EOS 350D Digital SLR is connected to my Leica APO Televid 77mm Spotting Scope using a Leica Photo Adaptor, this seven element adaptor converts the Leica Televid into an 800mm telephoto lens, with a focal ratio f/10. It’s then used with a T2 Ring adaptor to connect to the body of the DSLR. (no autofocus, strictly manual mode, and the camera in Av mode). The DSLR is tethered to a Windows XP Professional virtual workstation using an active USB 2.0 cable using Canon EOS Utility to remotely control the camera and take the photographs every 30 seconds and upload them to the workstation. (I’m using a virtual workstation, because the Canon software doesn’t spport Vista 64-bit). A bunch of scripts and other tek is then used to upload them to the webserver.
If you look at the right hand side panel, you’ll see the images taken every thirty seconds, if you are lucky, you’ll see the goldfinches on the nest.
The magnolia tree (nest) is approximately 40-50 feet from the camera.
The only issue, is ther DSLR runs on batteries, because I’ve not got a DC coupler for it! I’m also looking for a 30mm – 42mm Step-up ring to connect the Firewire CAM which would be better, I’ll not where out the shutter!
Here’s a small video clip of the Goldfinches visiting the feeder in my garden.
I now get four Goldfinches regularly visiting the feeder everyday. The only problem is being a 2 port feeder, they squabble over which bird gets the food, as can be seen in the video clip. Video clip is taken about 30 feet from the feeder, they get spooked if I’m closer. Time for a larger feeder!
I only posted one photograph of the Goldfinches on the feeder yesterday, I didn’t want to bore you with too many photos. With the remaining photographs which were taken between 30 seconds – 1 minute intervals, I’ve created a short time-lapse 4 second movie clip. Here it is:-
I could have just created a movie from the digital video camera, but where’s the fun in that!
Goldfinches on feeder
I’ve just quickly dashed out into the garden in my slippers, with camera and zoom lens, balanced on the rotten wooden fence and got off a few shots…
Sunday Goldfinches!
The problem with the Goldfinches, they always show, when I’m not in the garden! I’m hoping to get much better shots, but I cannot play at present, because I’ve been given my orders to wash-up and tidy the kitchen! But I’ve got a few gadgets to try and get better shots!
These are the best photographs I’ve managed to shot at present. (click the photo’s to view). These were both taken with a rather old Canon EOS 300D Digital SLR and Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. It’s not the camera which is the problem, it’s trying to catch the finches at the right moment!
Single Goldfinch on nyjer feeder
Two Goldfinches on nyjer feeder
It’s very difficult to get close-up pictures, the feeders are at the bottom of the garden, I’ve tried sitting down at the bottom of the garden waiting, but I think I need a bird hide! (everytime I come into the house, the come back and feed on the feeder).
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