Northern Cardinal Drinking

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

In early spring, I spend a fair amount of time sitting in my blind watching the birds come to my water feature. Occasionally, I even get a rare migrant. This view is definitely not one of those, with this Cardinal coming in close for a drink. Shooting at high speed continuous, I was able to catch drops falling from his beak as he raised his head.

Specific Feedback

His head and eye is in shadow as he drinks so the best looks are as he raises up from drinking.

Technical Details

R5, 100-500 @ 428, 1/1250 s, f/10, iso 1600, tripod.


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1 Like

Nice job on this one, Mark. I do wish that drop hadn’t been right in front of the out of focus algae blob, but nature has a way of playing tricks on us. Detail and exposure on the Cardinal look fine and I like your pond.

Hi Mark, love your pond setting. Great to catch a water drop like that. I’m wondering what lowering highlights just a tad would do. Maybe reducing the sheen on the bird just a bit and the brightness of the green on the left. Either way, a very intriguing image.