<< Previous Next >>

Northern Cardinal


Northern Cardinal
Photo Information
Copyright: Gregory Lazzaro (glazzaro) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 473 W: 108 N: 1293] (4605)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-02-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: NikonD200, Sigma 120-300mm F2.8, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/80 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Vanderschelden's favourites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-02-01 21:08
Viewed: 4218
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Good Evening

Well I started Freeze Fest II today! Went out for just an hour this afternoon and sat out in the hide. In just that hour my legs went numb with cold. But it was worth it, today I have help from Red Wing Blackbirds. Three of these guys hit the regular feeder I have setup and would not let any of the other birds in. This forced the Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmouse, Wrens, White Throated Sparrows and Gold Finches to land on my staging branches, talk about your luck! In fact just before shooting at the direction of my wife, I changed the thicker staging branch for a much thinner one. Glad I did too, was extremely pleased with the results. So, I have several shots that I want to show that turned out really well, so I say Welcome to Freeze Fest II. See you out on the site.

Greg

My setup when shooting:

1. Setup a Y shaped branch using a tree stand to hold it upright, place peanut butter in 1 inch holes that were drilled in the backside.
2. Positioned the branch close to the hide and checked several times to make sure that none of the peanut butter showed.
3. Got in my two man hide/blind about 15 feet away from the branch.
4. Set the camera to manual mode.
5. Fired off several shots each time, checked the results and then fire off some more.
6. I constantly checked the level meter in the camera for changes in the light strength.

Camera Settings:

Location: Middletown, Delaware (Backyard)
Special Equipment: none
Processing: Saturation, contrast and levels.
Weather: Cold, flurries, ice and gray skies. Afternoon (14:54 PM)
Tripod : Yes
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens : Sigma 120-300mm with 1.4X TC
Focal Len : 300mm
Flash : No
Exposure Mode : Manual Mode
Metering Mode : Spot
White Balance: Cloudy
Exposure: 0
Shutter: 1/80
F Stop: F 4.5
ISO: 200
jeanpaul, timonejoon, TAZ, coasties, uleko, gallezeric, vanderschelden, Maite, jaycee, Tamrock, RAP, horia, hibou, XOTAELE has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Wow! you made me a firm believer in the Sigma lens, the quality is top notch showing crisp detail. Very nice natural looking reds. :)

Hi Gregory

He is sad, alone...
Great shot with perfect exposure. It is sharp with nice details. I like the pose of Cardinal. Nicly done.
TFS

Regards
Timon

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-02-01 23:01]

Hello Greg

Cardinals are such beautiful birds,and you have captured this one so well.Awesome detail in the plumage,beak and eye.The composition and POV are excellent.The DOF is well handled,and the neutral blurred BG really helps this bird stand out.Excellent camera work.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-02-02 1:17]

Hi Greg,

It was worth the cold I must say,this is an excellent shot of this red colored,no nits at all,well done and TFS

Paul

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2007-02-02 1:18]

Hello Gregory,
Another master piece ! In one word : superb ! This shot is made of beauty and quality. The composition is simple and so smart. Sharpness, DOF et colors are excellent. Useful complementary note too.
Bravo and TFS

Hi

Congrats on an excellent shot. Well composed, good clear detail, tack sharp and nicely saturated colour. :-)

Usefull note, overall.
Great shot with amazing details of the plumage.
Good, natural colors.
Nice BG, too.
Andrea
(pts later)

hi Gregory,
photograph tallied very well of beautiful colors and a good cheer composition

eric

Beautiful and magic. I like a this picture .
have a nice day

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-02-02 7:24]

Hi Greg,
This is great, the best shot of a Northern Cardinal that I have seen on TN. The detail, the comp, BG and presentation are of professional quality.
I look forward to seeing the rest of your harvest from the hide!
TFS and have a fine weekend!
Ivan

Hello Gregory,

Excllent colors Bg POv DOF Nice one

TFS Kyle

Another very good one...
No critiques
Another favourite too!
I share Argus' opinion; haven't verified though:-)
Outstanding!
TFS
Annick

Bonjour Gregory
Excellente prise de vue de ce cardinal rouge .Les couleurs sont magnifiques belle composition les détails sont superbes
bon week end et merci...JP
Les sourires demain

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2007-02-02 9:21]

Hello Gregory
A new marvel in your list and a new joy for my eyes. What a beautiful bird and wondreous scene! I love its colorful plumage.
Thank you very much for sharing and for the interesting note.
Greetings
Maite

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-02-02 12:10]

Hi Gregory,

Awesome! This is simply beautiful but everything has been said in previous comments. I love it.

Jane

hi greg!
very good with fine sharpness
and nice pov and dof
lovely background to!

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-02-02 15:54]

Hi Greg... another great compo with the characteristics always.

Composition: *****
Sharpness: *****
Color: *****
Lighting: *****
Background: *****
Framing: *****
DOF: *****
Focus: *****
POV: *****
Frame: ***
Note: *****

Only to criticize the thickness of the elected frame, but as always it is a point of view.
Best regards... Ricardo

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-02-03 5:37]

Hi Greg and sorry for the delay

This charming red-cardinal look amazing!
I must say that i've seem quite a few of these in the past days on TN, but this one is just outstanding!
After all...it a "Greg's post" ;)
Having said that, it's clear to everyone that the bird is wonderfully isolated in the shot, having a very nice blurred BG in the back, that is has super sharp details and that is superbly framed and composed. :)

Bravo, my friend for another splendor, and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • hibou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 217 W: 1 N: 331] (1629)
  • [2007-02-03 19:00]

Hello Gregory,
One of my favorite bird. An other perfect shot! All details, colors, composition, BG, etc. are just perfect. Congratulations and TFS
Donald

Perfecta Gregory. Los colores están maravillosos así como los detalles. Buenos BG y DOF. Una nota además de lo más interesante.
Saludos, JL.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF