Camera: Nikon D2H

Shutter: 1/500

Aperture: f/5.6

Exposure Setting: Manual

ISO: 400

Strobe Flash: Did Not Fire

Lens Focal Length: 500 mm lens with teleconverter on a monopod

White Balance: Auto

Shooter's Comments: I have been trying for 3 months to take a photo of an American Goldfinch eating seeds off a flower. The first time I spotted one, I didn't have my equipment ready for the shoot. Afterwards, by the time I got a 500 mm lens with a teleconverter on a monopod connected to my camera, the bird would be gone.

I started leaving a camera and long lens ready to go, but I didn't see any birds eating any more. Then one day I saw a finch feeding a baby finch in my garden. I went to take a photo, but my dog barked, and they flew away. Dogs are great for keeping rabbits and deer out of your garden, but not so great if you want to take pictures of the birds.

I finally got a shot of this American Goldfinch who was so busy ripping the petals off a zinnia to get to the seeds that he didn't fly away when my dog barked.

I used an old manual Nikon 500 mm lens with a teleconverter that enlarges the image. Nothing is automatic so I have to quickly determine the exposure and focus on my own. Because of the weight of the lens I use a monopod to help steady my shot. I see a lot people using a tripod with their long lens when shooting nature. I prefer the monopod because it is lighter and I don't have to spend time setting up for the shot. As soon as I see a shot, I steady the monopod, focus, and shoot.

-- Cathie Rowand, photojournalist

Editor's Note: Great shot, Cathie! The super-long lens really makes the bird pop out of the photo.

-- Lara Neel, visual editor