One Wet Cardinal

[Bill Dix]

Northern Cardinal, Laguna Seca Ranch 3 weeks ago.

D500, Sigma 150-600 @ 270mm, ISO 3200, 1/320s @ f/8 manual.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

We were concerned about the rain predictions while we were in south Texas, but as you've shown nicely in this capture, the rain adds greatly to the quality. Nice light and love the wet perch and drops of water on his back.

Geoffrey




https://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[gail bisson]

I like everything about this but would not include the flowers in this set-up. Not much you can do about it now!!
Rain drops are nicely streaked and none in front of the eye which is always a bonus.
Reds look good and I like the black perch that contrast well with the red,
Gail

[Glenn Pure]

Really wonderful work Bill. Such a beautiful bird too. The rain, the colour, the light - all work nicely to make this. Detail is excellent and your rendering of tone up to the usual high standard. I'm not that keen on the flowers either but this is such a good shot, it hardly seems to matter. BTW, how did you and camera keep dry? Umbrella?

[arash_hazeghi]

pretty nice setup Bill, rains adds a touch too

TFS

[Raybel Robles]

Very nice photo. The rain adds a a special touch to it, and you have great details on the cardinal. I agree I wouldn't have added the flower since it doesn't add much to the photo.

BTW how was Laguna Seca? I'm planning going there sometime next year and would love to know what you think of it?

[Bill Dix]

Gail and others, thanks for the comments. I agree about the flower. It is an unnecessary distraction. I had thought about removing it initially but left it in. Here's a version without it -- a simple Content-aware Fill and a bit of cloning touch-up.

Glenn, I should have mentioned that this was shot from a blind with a roof.

Raybel, Laguna Seca should definitely be on your agenda if you are going to be in the area. You might also consider Martin Ranch for more raptors. Unfortunately, when we hit South Texas, a Norther blew in and the dark skies, rain and wind meant that the birds were pretty sparse and photographic conditions tough. No shortage of Green Jays and Crested Caracaras at both places, but not too much more. If I were going again it would be in the spring when some breeding-plumage passerines should be around.

[Raybel Robles]

Raybel, Laguna Seca should definitely be on your agenda if you are going to be in the area. You might also consider Martin Ranch for more raptors. Unfortunately, when we hit South Texas, a Norther blew in and the dark skies, rain and wind meant that the birds were pretty sparse and photographic conditions tough. No shortage of Green Jays and Crested Caracaras at both places, but not too much more. If I were going again it would be in the spring when some breeding-plumage passerines should be around.

Great! I'm definitely planning on going, I was thinking the same, that maybe in the spring would be the best time.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot Bill, yes I prefer no flowers too.
A few people are using Sigma now and the results look great is this the contemporary or the sport?

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Jonathan. This is the Contemporary. Lighter (which is why I bought it) but less water resistant than the Sport. Although I have a few minor gripes, I've been very pleased with the image quality.

[keith mitchell]

Bill I go for the op it all looks great to me,excellent piece of work.

Keith.