Northern Cardinal

Gallery: AvianPosted November 20, 2011293 views9 comments

Sugar Land, TX November 20, 2011 In my backyard.

D3. ISO 1000. 500/4 with 1.4x tc. f11. 1/800s -0.7ev. From Gitzo tripod with Wimberly head.

Yesterday was pretty cloudy here. I got a few good shots, but probably more important I came home with 4 really good "sticks" for "bird on a stick photography". This one has a nice hollow and the birds took to it immediately although the diameter has made for a hard DOF. I brought home a clipping of berries, as well. Even at f11 I couldn't get it all in, but I'm pleased with the cardinal. (I'm still getting the various wood critters out of my car!!

)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 20, 2011 at 7:42 PM

Nice habitat shot though the berries positioning makes this appear quite staged. There alos looks to be some cloning at the very top of the perch.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on November 20, 2011 at 8:11 PM

The Cardinal is very sharp and has a nice pose. The berries definitely add to the composition. The background is pleasing with no distractions and it's green color is a great complement to the Cardinal's attire. Nice shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 20, 2011 at 8:50 PM

The cardinal is exceptional. Colors are very nice - saturated and deep but very natural. I agree with Luke about the stqaged appearance from the berries, and about the strange look to the top of the perch (can't tell if this is cloning or simply a DOF issues). Oh - terrific image quality for ISO 1000 as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on November 21, 2011 at 7:07 AM

Great sharpness, composition and pose on this one- A striking bird indeed- Very well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 21, 2011 at 2:55 PM

A beautiful Cardinal Angela

Great perch and the bird is razor sharp. The berries throw me off too. But it looks like you will get plenty of second chances with this set-up.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 21, 2011 at 5:20 PM

The bird is beautiful, so sharp and the color and detail are excellent. Love your new perch and the berries. This is real wonderful image Angela.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Excellent color, exposure, and crisp details on the card.
I like your set-up and perch gathering abilities too

Very nice as posted Angela, Happy Thanksgiving!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on November 22, 2011 at 10:56 AM

The subject could not be any sharper,just jumps out at one ,I like the perky look he is giving you too.Even though the image looks rather staged ,it is still very good composition.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by Dottie Short on November 24, 2011 at 8:19 AM

What we won't do to capture that perfect shot. Combing the woods for that perfect stick or log, purchasing kayaks in the hopes we'll be more stealth, or covering ourselves with camo. I find the perch almost as interesting as this fine image of the colorful cardinal. I like the bright eye contact, the sharpness, the Cardinal's pose, the BG, the berries, and did you notice that at the base of the green vine there is a little hold that mimics the bird's claws? I found that interesting. The OOF stump on the right does not bother me in the least. Gotta come over for lessons

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments