Yellow-billed Cardinal

[Patricio Murphy]

I didn't hav much time to travel this last months, and the spot we use to go in buenos Aires, the Costanera Sur Natural Reserve, was (is) going through a severe drought, so most of the birds have gone looking for food elsewhere. The big ones (great egrets, swans, herons and bitterns) are still missing, but recently (and luckily) we started to see some activity in small birds. This one is from last saturday. The tripod was set for another (bigger) bird that was coming and going from another branch, hence the framing, which I quite like, despite the bird being somewhat small.
Comments and critics welcome!

http://www.patriciomurphy.com.ar/foros/recs410/20081004_081.jpg

Nikon D200, AI Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 ED-IF on Manfrotto 190D tripod, 488RC2 ball head. 1/200, f/8, ISO400, A mode +1 compensation

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

I like this very much Patricio. It is well composed with great color pose and detail. The eye contact is good and the composition is very pleasing. Many thanks for sharing.

[Jeff Wear]

I do not mind the crop ,you can not always get really close .The color is very nice ,a new bird for me .Thanks

[Maxis Gamez]

Composition works for me. However, the light looks a little harsh.

[Linda Robbins]

The composition works for me too. Lovely subject and pose. The light is a little harsh, but still a nice image. Hope you get some rain!

[Patricio Murphy]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments! More argentinian birds to come :)