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Couple in the Storm


Couple in the Storm
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 400, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-09 10:18
Viewed: 619
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
A couple of Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis 19-23 cm) trying to find some seeds while in the middle of the worst snow storm of the winter here in Repentigny.

From: www.birds.cornell.edu
The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record for popularity as a state bird: in the United States, it holds that title in seven states. This common bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered bird feeders throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to New York and New England in the mid-20th century.
Description
Medium-sized songbird.
Large crest on head.
Heavy, conical red bill.
Face surrounded by black.
Male entirely brilliant red.
Female grayish-tan with red tail and wings.
Size: 21-23 cm (8-9 in)
Wingspan: 25-31 cm (10-12 in)
Weight: 42-48 g (1.48-1.69 ounces)
Sex Differences
Male brilliant red, female tan.
Sound
Song a series of clear whistles, the first down-slurred and ending in a slow trill. "Cheer, cheer, cheer, what, what, what, what." Call a sharp "chip."
Conservation Status
Population density and range increased over the last 200 years, largely as a response to habitat changes made by people. The cardinal benefits from park-like urban habitats and the presence of bird feeders. However, it is listed as a species of special concern in California and may disappear there because of habitat loss.
Other Names
Cardinal rouge (French)
Cardenal rojo, Cardenal norteño, Cardenal común (Spanish)
Cool Facts
Population density and range of the Northern Cardinal has increased over the last 200 years, largely as a response to habitat changes made by people. However, it is listed as a species of special concern in California and may disappear there because of habitat loss.
The female Northern Cardinal sings, often from the nest. The song may give the male information about when to bring food to the nest. A mated pair shares song phrases, but the female may sing a longer and slightly more complex song than the male.
The male cardinal fiercely defends its breeding territory from other males. When a male sees its reflection in glass surfaces, it frequently will spend hours fighting the imaginary intruder.
Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation, feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive success than duller males
jaycee, nglen, gerbilratz, CeltickRanger, Jamesp, vanderschelden, NinaM, lise, eqshannon, kjpweb, Juyona, darwin, angela926, maurydv, smitha, Argus, goldyrs, Islander_, PaulH, albert, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-03-09 10:20]

Hi Mario,

It's Cardinal day for both of us! I have never even seen a male and female together here. I haven't seen snow on a tree like this here either. Wonderful shot of the couple - they don't look too happy with the weather. Once again great colors and sharp details and a beautiful picture.

Jane

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 371 W: 0 N: 164] (2244)
  • [2008-03-09 10:27]

Wonderful shot. I like your birds - they are really great both, amazing sharp and colors

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-03-09 10:34]

Hi mario. You are still in the middle of winter looking at this picture let hope it get better for you soon. But you still are able to post a first class picture. with fine detail and colours. so nice to get the pair together.so very well done TFS,
Nick..

Stunning capture, they go well against the snowy background,. The POV is excellent and to get both birds looking like that is great timing...very nice work, TFS

  • Great 
  • sray Silver Star Critiquer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 0] (242)
  • [2008-03-09 10:39]

Excellente prise Mario ! Belle netteté, couleur et composition . Et surtout le couple ! Bien réussi !
Merci de partager
Serge

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-03-09 10:49]

Hi Mario

Great and very atmospheric shot. Excellent pose and very good detail and colour.

James

Salut Mario

WOW ! quelle belle image que tu nous présente de ce couple
en plein dans la tempête d'hier, quelle belle luminosité
de l'image avec l'excellente netteté et détails de l'avant-plan,
cette neige qui tombe approte un gramd plusss à ton image,

avec cette excellente composition ta photo est une photo
d'une classe à part Mario, je ne crois pas avoir vu d'aussi
belle photo du femelle et du mâle Cardinal Rouge

Asbed
j'aimerais un jour faire de la photographie avec toi

Hello Mario,
A male and a female in a snow storm...great image.
Beautiful and technically well done.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1357 W: 72 N: 2886] (9535)
  • [2008-03-09 11:40]

Hello Mario,
Another excellent photo. Wonderful couple in the snow. The contrasting colours in this photo are marvelous. Perfect sharpness and POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
  • [2008-03-09 11:45]

Madame et Monsieur prennent le frais alors que nous, pauvres humains, peinons avec nos pelles. Il ne me manque qu'une paire d'ailes pour rejoindre le ciel et toutes les bonnes graines de tournesol qui m'attendent comme elles attendent ce charmant couple croqué sur le vif en plein délit de plaisir d'hiver. Merci!

Francine

I feel cheated. Seven states have a cardinal as a state bird and we don't even get to see one at all. The read against the snow is so striking. This is a great capture of the pair. I like the branches framing them a lot.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

Hola Mario.

Una verdadera maravilla con los cardenales tiritando de frio y destacando por su color en medio de la nevada.

Saludos desde el otro lado del Atlantico.

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 184 W: 51 N: 560] (2819)
  • [2008-03-09 12:00]

Bonjour Mario,
Très beau couple! Ils ont bravé cette affreuse tempête pour se faire photographier :)
Magnifique netteté sans oublier cet excellent bg bien flou.
Bravo!
Lise

Hello my friend Mario,
Lovely captured of both Cardinal in the middle of snow, just beautiful! much appreciated for your effort to share this wonderful photo which perfectly composed!
the bird colouration and the snow on the branches makes a beautiful colour contrast in the image
well done and many thanks
best regards
Tony

Sunday at the "Bird Store"...get two, not one yes two for the price of one.! Reminds me of a spring mattress sale but that would be the craziness of the US...if only folks here would stop and see the beauty in images such as this..There haev been numerous times when i have seen cardinals in snow...right before my eyes in Cleveland..and it was wonderful...but I didn't picture them. Color work was not something I did much of in my film days...I would have been happy to have this image
Bob

  • Great 
  • kjpweb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 367 W: 86 N: 1084] (4788)
  • [2008-03-09 14:57]

Beautiful to see both sexes together. Only nit with this image is however, that I instantly started freezing, when looking at it. ;)
As always - superb detail and excellent DOF. And did I mention cold?
Cheers, Klaus

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2108 W: 6 N: 2116] (13589)
  • [2008-03-09 14:59]

Hola MArio,
hermosa captura,
detalles espléndidos...
genial trabajo, color y momento óptimo,
saludos amigo.

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 478] (1814)
  • [2008-03-09 15:23]

Hi Mario
Cool shot of this pair
Crystal clear
Superb detail
Lovely color
tfs jon

Hello Mario,
Great capture of this very beautiful couple, excellent composition and pov, superb vibrant colors and good contrast, nice sharpness and depth of field, great details. WOW! it's still snowing!
Angela

Bonsoir Mario,

Très belle photo de ce couple de Cardinal. Excellents détails pour les deux oiseaux, superbe netteté. Très belles couleurs.
Bonne soirée,
Mariki

Splendida immagine, magnifica composizione, eccellenti dettagli e come sempre gestione super eccezionale dei colori, molto bello anche lo sfondo che s'intravede. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-03-10 2:21]

Magnificent shot Mario!!!
Well done on getting both the male and female in one shot!
Razor-sharp with impeccable detail.
Superb clarity.
Nice colours as well.
Superb work!
Thanks,
Joe

Hello Mario,
Fantastic! I loved the composition. Looks so romantic with the hero and the heroine caught up in a storm.:) (Reminds me of Hindi movies.)
It's a beautiful picture taken with excellent pOV, DOF, sharpness and details. The red birds and the snowcapped branches gives good colors and contrasts.Thanks for sharing this beautiful shot,
Regards,
Smitha.

Hi Mario, great composition with a couple of lovely bird in the storm, wonderful colors, splendid details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-03-10 8:44]

Hello Mario,
It's not often one can take the male and female of the same species together, especially when they differ so much as the Northern Cardinal. This capture of this pair is great and they look good in the snow storm.
Great to see this super-sharp well-composed image and thanks for sharing it,
Ivan

Hi Mario,
Very nice shot!
Very sharp, nice details!Excellent composition!
Thank you!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-03-10 8:54]

Hello Mario,
Lovely to see these two sticking together in the snowstorm. I bet they're cold and hungry!
Lovely capture, excellent focus, sharp details and beautiful colours. Very nice snowy background too and well composed. There are certainly opportunities for great shots during a snow storm!
Many thanks, Ulla

Bonjour Mario,

Il a fallu avoir de la chance pour une prise comme celle-là! Et la réalisation est parfaite. Félicitations!

Merci,

Eugène

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1068 W: 26 N: 3206] (11487)
  • [2008-03-11 2:12]

Hi Mario,
beautiful pair you have caught here, the blur of the flakes really adds someting special to the scene as a whole.
Superb clarity, colours, focus and details as always, well done!
Paul

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-03-11 4:50]

Hello Mario,
lovely pair you captured and that during the snow storm, what an accomplishment.
Wonderful composition, nice seeing the pair together so close, allows a wonderful comparative view.
Sharpness colors and details are great.
TFS..Sky

Hello Mario,
I wonder how you manage to get so many excellent bird's photos!
Hope you gave them some seeds?
Well done
Best regards
Albert

Bonjour Mario,

Ce couple de cardinal sur la branche ne semble pas être dérangé par la neige. La prise de vue permet de voir avec précision des détails et les couleurs des oiseaux. Le sujet est bien cadré. Bonne journée.

Pierre

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