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Northern Cardinal


Northern Cardinal
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 107 N: 4804] (21334)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/8, 1/400 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-18 7:03
Viewed: 390
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis 19-23 cm) near the feeders in the garden.

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
siggi, eqshannon, jaycee, nglen, Arjun, Argus, gerbilratz, SelenE, Juyona, Jamesp, Evelynn, albert, CeltickRanger, goldyrs, uleko, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 286 W: 3 N: 779] (2796)
  • [2008-07-18 7:08]

Hello Mario,
A fantastic Northern Cardinal picture. The red color is well saturated. Nice pov and composition. TFS,
Siggi

Great angle on this red one Mario...Crystal clear. I have some leaded crystal glasses we use for celebrations...sometimes when company is over I like to show them how they ring...like a sharp high pitched bell...and also very clear, hence crystal clear...just like your image!
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 8 N: 4638] (14987)
  • [2008-07-18 8:51]

Hi Mario,

A beautiful Cardinal from last winter. Fantastic pose, colors, and details. The eye is wonderful and his crest looks like you arranged it just for this shot. You captured the Cardinal facial expression perfectly. Beautiful background and composition on the diagonal branch.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2008-07-18 9:47]

Hi Mario. Such a thing of beauty . I just love the red feathers on top of the grey just showing through. with great hair do and light in the brown eye. you have captured it with fine detail and natural colours. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

Have a nice weekend.

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 3 N: 735] (3444)
  • [2008-07-18 9:49]

hello sir
As usual wonderful shot.the colours in the bird is amazing, beautiful composition
TFS

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494] (23373)
  • [2008-07-18 9:49]

Hello Mario,
A technically superb capture of a male Northern Cardinal taken from a nice POV with its head turned to give a fine catchlight in the eye. Its crest is well raised here and teh composition against a neutral BG in fine ligting is superb.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan

Hi Mario, amazing details and colours to this, excellent pose, he looks like a punk with the feathers raised. Good diagonal branch adding to the overall excellent composition. regards h

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 68 N: 2509] (8277)
  • [2008-07-18 10:49]

Hello Mario,
Light and colours in this photo are amazing. So clear. Excellent sharpness and details. The contrasts against the OOF BG are very beautiful. Perfect composition and POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1002 W: 6 N: 2700] (10017)
  • [2008-07-18 11:09]

Salut Mario,je suis surpris encore une fois par l'exceptionelle qualite' des couleurs,tous les jours un grande spectacle,la perfection n'as pas besoin d'autres comments,seulement mes plus gros compliments encore et merci de partager cette beaute' de la nature,Luciano

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2349 W: 61 N: 3802] (12200)
  • [2008-07-18 11:15]

Hi Mario,
I like the hairstyle of this guy :o) Very well composed and exposed. Details on the plumage and the pose are very good. TFS
Have a nice weekend,
Selen

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2041 W: 6 N: 2025] (13275)
  • [2008-07-18 13:18]

Hola Mario,
excelente trabajo con hermosa iluminación...
color y exclusivo pov.
saludos

Hi,
On the road now with slow connection. Just marking up the best ones this time.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-07-18 14:15]

Hi mario

Superb shot of this cardinal - wonderful detail and great colours. Expertly done.

James

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 522 W: 47 N: 668] (2151)
  • [2008-07-18 20:06]

One of the prettiest I've seen. The background really works well displaying this one nicely. He certainly gave you a beautiful pose. Great capture Mario!

This is a real beauty with that backlighting. All of your birds look so healthy and well groomed.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 788 W: 31 N: 20] (5002)
  • [2008-07-19 1:09]

Hi Mario,
beautiful bird, unusual species and interesting note. I like it a lot. Fantastic feathers and colours.
Gr., Aleksander

Bonjour Mario,
Superbe oiseau bien rendu par une magnifique photo
Merci pour tes précisions sur la méthode employée
Bon W-E
Albert

salut Mario

ton image est tout simplement superbe, par la pose du Cardinal rouge,
par son regard vers toi du bout de son oeil, par le sourire qu'il a dans son regard,
et par la superbe netteté et détails de son plumage, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2466 W: 168 N: 7458] (23564)
  • [2008-07-21 6:36]

Hello Mario,
Gorgeous capture of this beautiful bird - I wish we had them here! The colours are fantastic here against the grey background tht matches the plumage so well. Great sharpness and a fine composition too.
TFS and regards, Ulla

great colours and contrast! Very nice composition and pov. Sharpness great too. I like the bird's pose a lot, very natural.
Tfs
Ilias

An amazing shot of this Cardinal Rouge....Very well exposed and framed!
Cheers!
Goldy

Bonjour Mario,

Ce cardinal rouge sur la branche semble figer sur place. La bonne luminoisté fait ressortir les belles couleurs de ses plumes. Les détails et les couleurs sont clairs et précis.

Bonne journée.

Pierre

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