House Finch in Winter Branches

A house finch perches low in a tangle of lichen-covered branches among several small red fruits. The bird's streaked beige and gray plumage is lit by cool daylight from behind, and a shallow depth of field renders the surrounding twigs and fruits into soft bokeh. A thin strand of spider silk catches the light on a lower twig, and the finch's slight head tilt makes it appear alert.