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Leaving the Nest
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Leaving the Nest

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: AvianPosted July 9, 2015102 views9 comments

Cardinal chicks leave the nest when they are 9 to 10 days old. The parents continue to feed them for 25 to 56 days when the young become independent, & have learned how to feed themselves.

F/6.3, 1/400th, ISO 1250, 5DM2, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x @ 7:09pm & cloudy

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on July 9, 2015 at 9:23 PM

I enjoy the behavioral shots.  In addition to showing the bird or birds, we learn something about them.  You have a nice capture here Howard.  At what age do the males turn red?  Nice BG, sharp image.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 9, 2015 at 9:44 PM

Hi David & thanx for your commentcrying

Young males molt into all-red feathers in late summer and their bills turn red..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on July 9, 2015 at 11:17 PM

Nice action captured, Howard.
I liked the two different greens on the image.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 9, 2015 at 11:19 PM

 

Excellent, Howard.  Neat to catch this behavior and you did an excellent job of capturing it.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on July 9, 2015 at 11:23 PM

Wonderful capture of this behavior.  Beautiful leafy green perch and bg. Very nice, Howard!devil

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 10, 2015 at 2:11 AM

I have always been a fan of feeding images and this one is not an exception to that Howard...nicely done! Glad to see you managed all birds heads angled your way.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Thompson on July 10, 2015 at 3:58 PM

I also like the feeding shots Howard and this one is great. Details look sharp and the oof background work well. Nice family Group photo. cool

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 10, 2015 at 4:21 PM

Very nice behavioral capture, Howard. I'm not familiar with Cardinals, but thekids look fully fledged. Interesting they are still getting fed.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 15, 2015 at 6:36 PM

Excellent scene and behavioral shot here Howard, I would be tempted to crop in closer if it will hold up.  devil

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