Cardinal vs. Pyrrhuloxia

Gallery: AvianPosted June 25, 2014416 views22 comments

We just finished up our last Texas workshop of the season at Santa Clara Ranch in Texas. It was hot but the action was fantastic at the waterholes. This Cardinal was fighting with the Pyrrhuloxia over the set up perch above our feeding station.

Canon 5D3 500F4 1/3200 F6.3, iso 1000, Gitzo tripod, Wimberley head

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Todd Bauer on June 25, 2014 at 4:33 PM

That's cool.

Registered on May 28, 2014, 50 Posts, 176 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on June 25, 2014 at 4:35 PM

Great timing and techs on this one Nate,
A real pleasure viewing this image . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 25, 2014 at 4:57 PM

Pretty awesome, Nate. Nice to get this kind of action with both birds so sharp. I think that to add a little extra zip if you brought out the catchlights in the eyes of both birds a little more it might be nice, but I would be perfectly happy to get this as it stands.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by David Salem on June 25, 2014 at 5:14 PM

What a great looking shot. Cool aggressive poses on both the birds with their open beaks. The perch and the nice mottled BG make for a real nice frame. I agree with Charlie on the enhancement of the catch light, especially with the cardinal. That is if it is not against your ethics. Very nice work.

Registered on June 25, 2014, 6 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on June 25, 2014 at 5:25 PM

Love the action -- reds look really good against the green

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 25, 2014 at 6:05 PM

Excellent Nate, this is the one I'm after..
I just want to know how many clicks you burned to get it?

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 25, 2014 at 6:23 PM

Thanks everyone. Howard, I burned through 5k of shots in 3 days, but these weren't the only subjects certainly

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on June 25, 2014 at 6:41 PM

The poses on both birds are great. Love how the the green background compliments both birds. Very nice. Dave

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on June 25, 2014 at 7:00 PM

This is just incredible! What were they tussling over...just the perch? Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 25, 2014 at 7:02 PM

Thanks David and Sharon. Sharon they were fighting over the perch - probably because the feeder is directly below it.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on June 25, 2014 at 8:00 PM

WOW! what's not to like, absolutely mesmerizing.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 25, 2014 at 8:09 PM

Great poses ! I'd personally clone out that branch on the left and the little branch under the left of the perch.
Loved Santa Clara when I was there, and hope to go back.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on June 25, 2014 at 10:58 PM

Are you kidding me Nate??? That is just stellar action here. Great view of both birds eyes, both beaks open, both tack sharp and in the focal plane, both birds exposed correctly and a killer background. Oh, the perch ain't bad either. I hate to even suggest anything for improving this but an easy fix would be to clone out the little tiny seed or whatever on the Cardinals head. Good Grief, this is just awesome. Congratulations on a super post.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on June 26, 2014 at 8:38 AM

Wow, sweet shot Nate! Wonderful capture of the action!

Ray

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on June 26, 2014 at 11:07 AM

As good as it gets... Excellent image

, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 26, 2014 at 6:45 PM

There are no words I can think of to compliment this photo adequately.

Great Shot Nate!!!

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

Comment posted by Greg Oakley on June 27, 2014 at 3:34 AM

Wow - fantastic image Nate

Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Bauer on June 27, 2014 at 11:39 PM

P.S. If you're counting views, add thirty, because I keep coming back for more. (I would have been thrilled to get both males eating sunflower seeds at a feeder).

Registered on May 28, 2014, 50 Posts, 176 Comments

Comment posted by Krunal Janani on June 28, 2014 at 4:29 AM

Exquisite

Registered on September 16, 2010, 60 Posts, 1370 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 28, 2014 at 9:31 AM

Thanks for your comments everyone!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 30, 2014 at 7:59 AM

Excellent in every sense of the word Nate. Looks like a very productive trip you had this year. I sure hope to see more of you images from the trip. Congrats on a very fine image!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on July 1, 2014 at 2:45 PM

Nothing to say, just excellent in one word...

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments