Posing for the Camera

I caught this pretty female Cardinal the week before Christmas, while she was perched on a bush. She would turn her head this way and that way, checking things out. This was my favorite pose. The white background is OOF snow.
Pentax K10D, Sigma 170-500 @400mm, f8, 1/60, iso 200, tripod

You've done a wonderful job with the exposure here, and the bird is gorgeous in pose and detail. it is hard to get over the whiteness of the top of this image, but at the same time it is what also makes it compelling. Excellent capture of a harsh winter environment.

Nice capture. Good crisp image.

A beautiful bird nicely captured, Toni. I've spent many hours in my blind waiting for one of these pretty ladies to pose for me - and I'm still waiting.

Great shot, The head cocked pose makes it work for me.

Beautiful expressive image, Toni. I might try cropping about half of the white background from the top.

Love that pose, Toni...great catch.

Thanks, guys!

Ken....I'm using my living room for a blind and the Cardinals come by 2-3 times a day to the feeder. These bushes are just below the feeder, and sometimes birds will sit there while waiting their turn.

Chuck...you're probably right regarding a crop from the top. I left it in there so the image can also be used commercially, leaving some room for text, if needed.