(Bald) Cardinal

[Peter Farrell]

This guy has been hanging out in my backyard. I read that the loss of head feathers could be from molting, feather lice or diet. I do like that he kept a few crown feathers though.
Sony A700, 70-400G @400mm, f7.1, 1/400, iso2500, ev -1.0, on monopod. Overcast and in the shade.
crop, levels, cures, sharpen.

[Tom Graham]

One ugly little cuss!!!
He's the reason God gave us cloning, clone some feathers on that head!!!
:)
Tom

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Peter I have a high degree of concern for that bird :D Hope its just molting !!!

Would take a little of the bottom but don't let the branch come out o the corner, just short !! Big Congrats on this one !! .. big keeper !!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Peter - :) Doing well - for me I would just run some NR on the background.
Keep em coming.

[sandy richards]

Poor bird! I think this is a bad case of lice, as I don't think he would molt just on the head.
Funny that he still has the crown feathers! Makes him look very comical.
Nice pose, great eye - but needs some serious noise reduction.
The branch seems bright from here, and might benefit from some dampening.

Cheers -

Sandy

[Dave Leroy]

Nice composition and clear bg.

Noise has been mentioned but still very well done for that high an ISO.

If your Sony has on board flash can always give that a try too, if you have time!