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Cardinal amid evergreens

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted December 17, 2012229 views8 comments

This dwarf Alberta Spruce bush beside our patio is a frequent stop for birds visiting our bird feeder. The background consists of White Pine trees. This photo was taken several years ago from my kitchen window. I believe there was a light dusting of snow and/or frost on the bush.

Panasonic DMC-FZ28. 85mm at F/4.4 for 1/50 sec. ISO 100.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on December 17, 2012 at 9:54 PM

What a handsome fellow. Great capture of a really nice pose. I feel that the light is pretty harsh on the spruce needles and the feathers are a little soft. The BG on the large version is a bit distracting. A really nice image as is but some small tweaks might make it especially gorgeous.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on December 17, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Now that's a tree topper. Excellent color and comp. Well done.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 18, 2012 at 12:08 AM

Nice color combo, and I like the "pyramid" composition. Unfortunately, the red channel is blown causing a loss of feather detail (reds and yellows are very difficult colors to capture accurately in my experience).

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on December 18, 2012 at 9:33 AM

The cardinal has a nice perch and makes a very Christmassy image. Can you "recover" some of the blown reds in levels?

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on December 18, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Thanks all for your comments. Yes, this image isn't real great quality-wise. It was taken and edited several years ago. I may have to revisit the original and try again although not sure if original is real great either. Just couldn't resist posting this, though, for the red & green challenge and also as an appropriate Christmassy image. Maybe I'll play with it and add some Christmas decorations to the tree and experiment with various filters. Possibly turn it into a Christmas card!

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on December 18, 2012 at 12:17 PM

I agree that the lighting is a little harsh, but I still like the image. The Cardinal is beautiful and Spruce is a nice perch. Maybe desaturating the reds a little could help bring back some to the lost feather detail. I think this would make a wonderful Christmas card!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on December 18, 2012 at 5:58 PM

Definitely red and green, Carolyn Derstine. Methinks this specimen may have swallowed a Christmas tree bulb....

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 20, 2012 at 6:12 PM

A great choice for the WC Carolyn. I quite enjoy this and now I need one of these guys to top off my Christmas tree.

Happy Holidays to you!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments