Unexpected Cardinal Shots

stick35 · Dec 21, 2003

Nothing too spectacular, but when I picked up my latest set of pictures I was suprised to see the 2 action shots below.

First - The bird (I think it's a male cardinal) posing for me...

One shot of him leaving up...

And my favorite - him diving down...

Nytmair · Dec 21, 2003

wow, that last one is amazing, the seeds flying to the right... very lucky to catch that little guy

vonnagy · Dec 21, 2003

kewl last shot, love the action and the graceful bomb dive flight! I'm not a bird expert at all, but I believe its a female cardinal.

thanks for posting!

MDowdey · Dec 21, 2003

thats great work!!!!!!!

the females are the brownish looking ones...the males are the big red guys.

md

stick35 · Dec 21, 2003

Thanks for the nice comments and the clarification of gender.

There is also a male that comes around. He is absolutely gorgeous! Brilliant red. But he is extremely weary of human presence. Every time I try to get him (on film) he takes off. I'll get him eventually and I post it. I take these pictures from about 12 feet away shooting out my living room window. I'm thinking of rigging up some kind of blind so that they can't see me.

craig · Dec 21, 2003

The "dive bomb" or last shot is spectacular. I love the way he is flying out of the frame. Something to hide behind is a good idea. Maybe a long lens. I can't be sure, but I will bet that there are remote control devices. That may be expensive. (sometimes, I'm a sucker for gadgets). Keep in mind that if you're camera has a mirror flipping they me hearng that.

ramjamband · Dec 21, 2003

Great photos, what lens and exposure settings were you using? Were you using the cameras auto metering or your own manual settings. Just interested as any shots like this I try never seem to work.

cowbert098 · Dec 21, 2003

ooh I really like that last one, great shot!

stick35 · Dec 21, 2003

ramjamband - I was using the automatic settings with my Nikon N75 using a 70-300mm lens at 300mm.

TwistMyArm · Dec 21, 2003

That last shot is awesome.

bogleric · Dec 22, 2003

The dive bombing pic is really excellent. The DOF is just right and so is the framing of the picture. Definitely a very difficult shot to achieve.

Keep up the good work.

terri · Dec 22, 2003

I have to join in and say Great shot!! Definitely a female cardinal. Probably her mate is the one who comes around the feeder, although you probably have a few couples who frequent the food source.

What a wonderful shot. I agree the DOF is perfect and her leaving the frame with the feeder still swinging is just TOO good. It belongs on a holiday card or calendar, if you knew where to submit it, it's a winner. Be proud of this one!!