Rufous-sided Towhee

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Some time ago there was a television program called "Northern Exposure". In one episode a character called "Holling" was out with "Ruth-Ann" trying to photograph a rare Rufous-sided Towhee. In Alaska this bird might be rare (I'm not sure that it goes that far north) but around Vancouver it is a fairly common sight at anytime of year. Despite their numbers, it is somewhat difficult to get good photographs of this bird because it likes to stay hidden inside bushes. Even when it is otu in the open, it doesn't stand still in one spot for very long, frustrating attempts at good composition. This little fellow however constantly landed on the top of a stump between quick foraging trips and so allowed this photograph to be made.

Here's additional information provided by the camera along with the original file

 File name            	:DSC_2265.NEF
 File size            	:3.5MB (3654019 bytes)
 Date taken           	:Fri, 15 Feb, 2002 12:49:27 PM
 Image size           	:3008 x 1960
 Resolution           	:300 x 300 dpi
 Number of bits       	:12 bits/channel
 Protection           	:Off
 Camera ID            	:N/A
 Camera               	:NIKON D1X
 Quality mode         	:HI (5.4M Raw Compressed)
 Metering mode        	:Matrix
 Exposure mode        	:Programmed auto
 Speed light          	:Off
 Focal length         	:360.0 mm
 Shutter speed        	:1/180 seconds
 Aperture             	:F5.3
 Exposure compensation	:-0.3 EV
 White Balance        	:Auto
 Lens                 	:80-400 mm F4.5-F5.6
 Flash sync mode      	:N/A
 Exposure difference  	:0.0 EV
 Flexible program     	:Yes
 Sensitivity          	:ISO160
 Sharpening           	:None
 Image Type           	:Color
 Color Mode           	:Mode 2 (Adobe RGB)
 Hue adjustment       	:3
 Saturation Control   	:N/A
 Tone compensation    	:Less contrast
 Latitude(GPS)        	:N/A
 Longitude(GPS)       	:N/A
 Altitude(GPS)        	:N/A