On Approach

Gallery: AvianPosted November 2, 2013301 views14 comments

Northern Cardinal female from a series I shot 3 years ago, but never posted here.
F/7.1, 1/3200th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4 ext. & natural light.
Clear & sunny. I used manual focus to a spot above & behind the platform, and simply ran 10fps bursts as the bird would approach..

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 2, 2013 at 11:57 AM

I like the action you caught

Was this a landing or take off? Either way it is well done. I like the detail with the wings wide open. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on November 2, 2013 at 3:02 PM

I love all your photos, but, this may be my favorite......Very cool POV

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 2, 2013 at 6:14 PM

Love the wings spread and the feet down, excellent shot Howard this is a real winner!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 2, 2013 at 8:16 PM

Nice action pose and good detail. The white areas of the background are a bit of a distraction for me.

Is this at a feeding station?

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 3, 2013 at 9:14 AM

"The white areas of the background are a bit of a distraction for me."
They were even lighter, brought those areas down a bit..

This is Dec. so the grass is mostly gone revealing the caliche at the surface Rich.
The Edwards plateau soil of central Texas is mostly a yellow clay, with a limestone base..
And yes, the bird's near touchdown at a feeding station about 4' of the ground. I should've mentioned it, thanx for bringing it up.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 3, 2013 at 12:15 PM

This image caught my eye in the gallery, Howard. Well done.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 3, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Nicely timed for the framing and interesting technique.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 3, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Nicely timed for the framing and interesting technique.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on November 3, 2013 at 2:12 PM

Great timing.. Intense look on the bird's face! Hats of ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on November 3, 2013 at 10:08 PM

Hi Howard

It's always a pleasure to view and comment on your photos.. i like the wings spread and landing pose here, and the sharp head detail

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Robbie Knight on November 4, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Great capture and thanks for sharing. I love the feet, eyes, color left to right and alula. I might try to push the color on the front wing edges and rectrices (removing the shadows) if you can maintain a natural look. Nice natural looking action shot ! Thanks for posting - RK