Northern Cardinal female

[Bill Dix]

We have had a very loyal Northern Cardinal pair at our feeders for many years -- I haven't kept track, but certainly a decade or more. Each year we watch them raise their new brood and then send the youngsters off to parts unknown. The oldest recorded Northern Cardinal was 15 years 9 months; I'm guessing ours must be getting close to that. They're such a common sight every day that I rarely photograph them, but here's a shot of the female, taken in late October of this year.

D7000, 500f4+1.4, ISO 800, 1/500s @ f/7.1 manual. Essentially FF.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the pose, perch, raised crest, BG, details and composition. Is this a young female? The beak looks like it is still a little dark. Very well done Bill.

[Bill Dix]

I like the pose, perch, raised crest, BG, details and composition. Is this a young female? The beak looks like it is still a little dark. Very well done Bill.

Thanks Jim. I've been assuming that this is the same female that has been with us for years. But I haven't tagged them, so I can't be absolutely sure. Maybe the dark spots are from something she's eaten?

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks Bill. It could be the same bird. I have seen the beak change colour in young ones as they mature and was curious if this was the case here.

[Vanessa caccamise]

Super detail, love the perch and bg!

[Bob Smith]

I love the colours of this little bird-and you've portrayed her against just the right BG--your lucky to have such a pretty little thing living with you in your yard.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent pose, nice clean shot if this Lady, Bill.

[christopher galeski]

Good image,nice IQ,nice perch and BG,loverly pose.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Fantastic detail & clarity, nice perch & BG Bill, well done!

[keith mitchell]

Neat pose and a sharp bird/g is lovely, wish I had these in my garden.

Keith.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

She's a beauty under that soft light, Bill. Couldn't have shown the colors more accurately. BG / perch perfect. Well captured.




Geoffrey

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice image Bill, I think about as close to perfect as it gets. Thank you for sharing.

[Barry Ekstrand]

Great shot of one of my favorite birds, I'm a big fan of the female of this species. I really like the pose and perch, excellent sharpness and exposure. Very well done.

Barry

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for looking and commenting.

[David Salem]

Great looking shot of a female. Love the details and the exposure. The perch and the smooth BG set this one off nicely. Well done Bill