Sunshine Girl

Gallery: AvianPosted January 30, 2014272 views25 comments

I made this shot of the female cardinal today around 1:30pm, clear & sunny. There was a light colored branch behind the bird that was a bit OE, so I've removed it. Cropped to 8.1mp from the original.
F/5.6, 1/5000th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext.
Thank you for looking, comments welcome as always.

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 30, 2014 at 10:01 PM

Nice timing on this Howard. I like the wing position and the clean BG. I think a bit more sharpening around the eye would make it even better.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on January 30, 2014 at 10:09 PM

Colors look great added with the wing action makes this a very pleasing shot -- nice capture

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 30, 2014 at 11:35 PM

Wonderful flight shot and sharp where it needs to be, nice job in getting this shot, well done Howard.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 31, 2014 at 2:47 AM

Excellent flight shot - I especially like the the fanned wings and head-turn. Sharp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on January 31, 2014 at 3:35 AM

Howard you have caught this very well, wing position and outstretched feathers make it for me.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 31, 2014 at 5:34 AM

Here's the original near full frame with the branch in.
Makes it look like a take-off rather than a flight shot of course..
Added a touch more sharpening at the eye with Viveza, in addition to the usual web sharpening.
Curious as to which is better? Which do you prefer?

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 31, 2014 at 7:55 AM

Hello Howard

Sweet Capture. The female is so striking with her unique colouring!
Wings are well positioned.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 31, 2014 at 8:15 AM

Awesome action capture Howard. I very much like the first version you posted, but I think I like the original with the branch a bit more. Great wing position.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 31, 2014 at 8:26 AM

Very good flight shot IMHO! I like the detail in the face and body, while the wings slightly blurred give movement to the image. It might be just my monitor but it seems like it could use just a touch more contrast. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 31, 2014 at 8:40 AM

Very nice image. Nice work on the branch removal.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on January 31, 2014 at 9:35 AM

Sweet! I like it with the branch included but maybe remove the hard shadow on the branch. Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 31, 2014 at 10:29 AM

Holy cow! Amazing pose...repost is even better! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on January 31, 2014 at 10:43 AM

Wonderful images, Howard! I love the position of the wings. Very nice bg. I think both images are really cool, but I prefer the one without the branch.

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

Comment posted by Thomas Miller on January 31, 2014 at 12:19 PM

Fantastic catch!

Registered on March 10, 2011, 56 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on January 31, 2014 at 1:19 PM

Really a nice BIF capture Howard. Love the feet and the DOF you achieved across the OOF front wing to the sharp body details on back to the OOF rear wing. A neat effect.

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

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on January 31, 2014 at 3:39 PM

Outstanding. From my beginners eye I like the branch included.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 31, 2014 at 7:17 PM

Beautiful, Howard. Not sure which I like more-they both appeal to me a lot.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 31, 2014 at 9:30 PM

Hi Howard

Life is difficult enough. without you making us choose between these two delightful captures

seriously i like by a hair the first version. love the colors and the action and structure of the wings

Albert Darmo
Canada

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 31, 2014 at 10:23 PM

I like the repost better. For me the branch provides the missing part of the story by providing a point of reference.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 1, 2014 at 12:47 AM

Very nice flight shot of this cardinal. Not being a big fan of cloning I personally prefer nuumber 2. I like the wing position and how they are all fanned out. Excellent capture!

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 1, 2014 at 9:23 AM

Wow! Outstanding Howard, what a great catch, your timing is incredible!

Ray

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on February 1, 2014 at 11:35 PM

Way to go! THe wing spread is fantastic and the bird is looking at ya. I love it!

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 2, 2014 at 7:09 AM

Howard,
Great capture whatever way you look at it

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on February 3, 2014 at 2:43 PM

Nice BIF shot, thanks for exif information...

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 3, 2014 at 6:15 PM

Very nice stop action Howard

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments