While in upstate New York for the holidays one subject I had hoped to shoot were some of the irruption bird species that aren’t usually in New York state. On that list were Common and Hoary Redpolls, Crossbills, and this bird, the Pine Grosbeak. While I missed out on the Common Redpolls and didn’t even see Crossbills, I did spend several hours one afternoon photographing Pine Grosbeaks feeding on some crab apple trees. Getting a clean shot was very difficult, and the light was poor, but I’m pretty happy with this photo. While the branches are a little more intrusive than I would prefer, I like this photograph for the soft color palette and how the winter gray in the background and the orange red of the crab apples complement this male Pine Grosbeak’s coral pink plumage.

Techs: Canon 1D Mark II N, 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, 2x Mark II Extender, 1/500s, f/6.3, ISO 800.  To order this print, purchase stock rights, or view other photos I have for sale, please visit my website at www.karipost.com.