Cardinal in Snow

[RichardCurtin]

This was a backyard cardinal near the feeder during our annual snow (this IS Alabama) last month. It lasted 6 hours. I had to add some canvas to the right as I missed clipping the wing by milliimeters. 1DmkIII, 600mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, F 6.3, no flash.

[Doug Brown]

Love how the red of the cardinal is set off so nicely against the white snow. Great wing spread and dangling feet. I would have liked a slight head turn towards you. I'd consider a horizontal crop, and I'd clean up the snow to remove the vegetation poking through.

[Tim Kuhn]

I do like the wonderful wing spread and the color! I really like the image but would prefer more room around the bird.

Tim

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Richard,
I do like the translucence of the wings and the high key look. I do agree it's a bit tight....even for me......and the twigs are a bit distracting. As for the HA....this would have made a good image.....even better. Looks like you enjoyed the brief snowstorm!

[Joe Senzatimore]

I'm with dog on the Horizontal issue. Still a nice image as is. Great color and stop action. All the right parts are sharp.

[Kobus Tollig]

I like the arty feel here. Like the bg and reds contrast. For me i would like the head to face me more. Rest for me is great well done

[Arthur Morris]

Compositionally, I will be in the majority here. I love this as a VERT and I like the grasses (though I wish that they were a bit to our right in the frame (for balance). That could easily be arranged.... I wish of course that the bird were flying a bit toward you but man, what a job of focusing. Not easy in the low light. Superb. And I love the light through the wings. Is that a sunflower seed or a tiny cricket in its beak? I think the former but wish for the lighter.

All in all one to be proud of.

[RichardCurtin]

Many thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. Art - it was unfortunately a sunflower seed. I can see the grasses slowly shifting to the right as I am typing...