Greenfinch in the Snow

[Jim Wetherall]

This Greenfinch was photographed in my garden near the feeders on a very snowy day at the beginning of March. We haven't had snow like this in SW England for about 6-7 years so as soon as I got home from work I quickly got my gear ready to take full advantage, very glad I did!
Canon 5D MkIV
Canon 600mm f/4 II
Gitzo Tripod with Wimberley II head
f/4
ISO 3200
1/1000
Very minimal crop for composition.
Minimal adjustments in Lightroom Classic: White and black clipping points, highlights and shadows, bit of vibrance.
Further adjustments in Photoshop CC: Levels, hue and saturation, removal of a few distracting elements, neat image noise reduction, smart sharpening.
All comments/criticism are always appreciated.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp and beautiful and the BKGR twigs are great. The bird is a bit too far forward in the frame for my taste. Is the perch one that you erected?

with love, artie

[Jim Wetherall]

Thanks for the feedback Artie, much appreciated! The perch is au natural in every way! It's part of a weeping willow tree at the front of my house, we have a ton of feeders hanging in underneath it and it's become a hive of activity with bird life. Great for the birds but tricky for a photographer as I'm constantly trying to focus in between the numerous branches!

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Jim. As the background stuff is so sweet and the perch is pretty ugly you migh consider doing some trimming and erecting a fw perches with character..r not!.

with love, artie

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jim, I like the inquisitive pose with the slight head turn, and you have brought out the finer plumage detail nicely. Yellows look good, and the wintery backdrop adds a lot to the image. I agree, cleaning up around the perch for the future will work.

[Bob Smith]

Terrific detail of feather Jim and the BG is ethereal. The inquisitive turn of head gives a nice punch to the shot too.

[Noel Heustis]

Jim - I'm glad you took advantage of the snow day. I love shots with snow falling like this. The details on the bird are wonderful and the mood from the weather is great. I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[Bill Dix]

And take advantage you did! Fine image with great color and detail, and the snow tops it off. A little large in the frame for my personal taste. If I know where I'm going to set up in my yard, I will sometimes trim a few twigs off of a natural perch -- the ones that aren't parallel to the sensor.