Northern Cardinal

[Jim Crosswell]

Canon 30D
100-400L IS
400mm
ISO 250
f7.1
1/800s
tripod
remote switch

This was taken in my backyard in 2008. If i was taking this now I would use a higher ISO. I wish the bird was in better plumage but you take what you can get. All C&C welcome.

[Danny J Brown]

Nice image, Jim. Unique perch, great background and a venerable favorite in the bird department. I sympathize with you on the plumage - all of our cardinals look like this right now, it seems.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice comp, OK perch, great BG. You've already mentioned plumage. Light looks like it was getting on the harsh side of things. With 1/800s. your ISO was OK as is...especially on a tripod.

[Harshad Barve]

nice pose , perch and BG here
TFS

[Mike Fuhr]

Just curious why you would go higher on the ISO? Seems that the bird is sharp so you had enough ss, and the background is quite nice, so your aperture was right on. Just curious. :)

[Steve Canuel]

Bird still looks pretty good despite his less than perfect plumage. Colors are deep and rich and complement the BG nicely.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful Bird Jim, loved the colours, nice perch, BG and comp, congrats..

[Jim Crosswell]

Just curious why you would go higher on the ISO? Seems that the bird is sharp so you had enough ss, and the background is quite nice, so your aperture was right on. Just curious. :)

Mike my thoughts on the higher ISO is at ISO 400 I can get the same quality and bump up to f/9. At the time you are shooting you never know if your subject will move and this gives me a better keeper rate. Am I wrong in thinking this?

[Mike Fuhr]

Mike my thoughts on the higher ISO is at ISO 400 I can get the same quality and bump up to f/9. At the time you are shooting you never know if your subject will move and this gives me a better keeper rate. Am I wrong in thinking this?

I understand your thinking -- they can move rather quickly. In any case, I think you certainly got a good photo this time with the settings you used -- no problems with depth of field. Plus, smaller aperture may have taken away some of your buttery background.