Nature Northern Cardinal images - a nice surprise

Northern Cardinal images - a nice surprise · 08:37 PM

Rule #1: Low light, below reciprocal FL shutter speeds, mid-ISO and birding photography generally don't mix...

I didn't have an opportunity to do much of what I wanted last week, although I managed to sneak in a few shots at the end of the day. I would never recommend photographing birds when the sun is barely above the horizon - the light is very low, the shadows are becoming more prevalent. Regardless, here are the attempts I came back with - it's good that they are becoming a bit (but not much) used to me...

Northern Cardinal (male) #1:

EXIF

Cropped to 2386 x 2032 for better composition/framing. Those are the actual wing feather details, untouched. Sorry about the foreground branch - no choice there unless I tried cloning it out or something similar.

Northern Cardinal (male) #2:

EXIF

No cropping, no sharpening, nothing - straight conversion from RAW.

Northern Cardinal (female) #1:

EXIF

No cropping or sharpening. Just a bit of a global exposure boost, nothing more.

Northern Cardinal (female) #1 - cropped for details:

EXIF

Cropped version is still over 3100 pixels on the long side.

Lesson learned about Rule #1: Sometimes you can be surprised by trying even when the odds are against you. I hope you enjoy these images!

Regards,
Marc

rhe · 12-03-2009, 09:46 AM

Yes, indeed ... great shots Marc.

Do the Cardinals show up at this time of the year in Arkansas to over winter?

**dadipentak** · 12-03-2009, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by JMR

Their good, but what really is striking is the quality of the light. Superb.

JMR

I agree--worth bending the rules!

daacon · 12-03-2009, 04:04 PM

The birdman strikes again stunning detail.

Peter Zack · 12-06-2009, 10:06 AM

Excellent detail in these Marc. Seems the new investment is starting to show some nice results. The detail in the 3rd shot is great.

**Marc Langille** · 12-21-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by goddo31

Nicely done Marc, I really like the lighting on the last 3. Looks you used the time of the day to your advantage

I lucked out on the last shot - thank you.

Originally posted by Sailor

Wonderful series, Marc. Looks like you know how to make the "rules" work for you. I'm impressed, as always.

Jer

Thank you Jer - glad you enjoyed this series.

Originally posted by scott-devon

Fantastic shots Marc. Those are beautiful birds.

Scott, I always enjoy watching them and I am glad I could share them with you.

Regards,
Marc

Jimbo · 12-21-2009, 09:17 PM

How did I miss these beauties. Nicely done Marc. JIM

**Marc Langille** · 12-30-2009, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Top result Marc.
Gorgeous rendition and textures produced by such a sharp lens.
Well done mate.

Ash, thank you for some very kind words - appreciate the words mate!

Originally posted by mel

I think these are my favorite local birds. But they're pretty elusive considering they're our official state bird and all. Gorgeous (jeeeaaalllooouuusss! lol)

Hi Mel, glad you enjoyed them - I have what I think might be an even more detailed image of a male. It has some unique lighting in another thread. No question that it's a real gem of a lens!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 12-30-2009, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

Great stuff Marc,

The Cardinal is #1 on my bird hit list. I have hundreds of crummy Cardinal shots and not a decent one in the bunch. Perhaps this winter.....?

Tom G

Keep the faith Tom and it will happen!! Thanks for the kind words.

Originally posted by JMR

Their good, but what really is striking is the quality of the light. Superb.

JMR

Thank you JMR - much appreciated good sir.

Originally posted by axl

great shots Marc
You seem to be able to pull it off no matter what conditions.
Congrats

Glad to share Peter! I assure you that it is not anything less than pretty tough lighting conditions. I am grateful for Wimberley's involvement on the loaner gimbal head to confirm it's usefulness. I am sold and will keep it. I still cannot believe I obtained sharp images shot at 1/125 sec. @ 600mm... amazing stability.

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 12-30-2009, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by rhe

Yes, indeed ... great shots Marc.

Do the Cardinals show up at this time of the year in Arkansas to over winter?

Yessir - this is one of 3-4 confirmed pairs of Northern Cardinals that frequent my backyard. Thank you for the kind comments too.

Originally posted by dadipentak

I agree--worth bending the rules!

Thank you Dave - glad you enjoyed the shots!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 12-30-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by dcmsox2004

thanks for capturing, so well, one of my most favorite birds...........

I am glad to share them with you! Take care.

Originally posted by tdmsu

Great shots! I love that you can see the iris of the bird and so much detail in the feathers!

Thanks for the inspiration.

Thank you so much for the comments! I'll try to continue to improve, since I've used this lens less than I'd like to...

Originally posted by sawtooth235

Marc,

Even your shots taken in challenging conditions are phenomenal. Well done.

Ray

Hi Ray, how are you these days? I sincerely appreciate the comments and I think I sort of prefer the harder conditions. Something about the challenge I guess!

Regards,
Marc

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12-03-2009, 09:46 AM	#16
rhe Closed Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 271	Yes, indeed ... great shots Marc. Do the Cardinals show up at this time of the year in Arkansas to over winter?

12-03-2009, 09:52 AM	#17
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by JMR Their good, but what really is striking is the quality of the light. Superb. JMR I agree--worth bending the rules!

12-03-2009, 04:04 PM	#18
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	The birdman strikes again stunning detail.

12-06-2009, 10:06 AM	#19
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Excellent detail in these Marc. Seems the new investment is starting to show some nice results. The detail in the 3rd shot is great.

12-21-2009, 08:26 PM	#20
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by goddo31 Nicely done Marc, I really like the lighting on the last 3. Looks you used the time of the day to your advantage I lucked out on the last shot - thank you. Originally posted by Sailor Wonderful series, Marc. Looks like you know how to make the "rules" work for you. I'm impressed, as always. Jer Thank you Jer - glad you enjoyed this series. Originally posted by scott-devon Fantastic shots Marc. Those are beautiful birds. Scott, I always enjoy watching them and I am glad I could share them with you. Regards, Marc

12-21-2009, 09:17 PM	#21
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	How did I miss these beauties. Nicely done Marc. JIM

12-30-2009, 07:12 PM	#22
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash Top result Marc. Gorgeous rendition and textures produced by such a sharp lens. Well done mate. Ash, thank you for some very kind words - appreciate the words mate! Originally posted by mel I think these are my favorite local birds. But they're pretty elusive considering they're our official state bird and all. Gorgeous (jeeeaaalllooouuusss! lol) Hi Mel, glad you enjoyed them - I have what I think might be an even more detailed image of a male. It has some unique lighting in another thread. No question that it's a real gem of a lens! Regards, Marc

12-30-2009, 07:16 PM	#23
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by 8540tomg Great stuff Marc, The Cardinal is #1 on my bird hit list. I have hundreds of crummy Cardinal shots and not a decent one in the bunch. Perhaps this winter.....? Tom G Keep the faith Tom and it will happen!! Thanks for the kind words. Originally posted by JMR Their good, but what really is striking is the quality of the light. Superb. JMR Thank you JMR - much appreciated good sir. Originally posted by axl great shots Marc You seem to be able to pull it off no matter what conditions. Congrats Glad to share Peter! I assure you that it is not anything less than pretty tough lighting conditions. I am grateful for Wimberley's involvement on the loaner gimbal head to confirm it's usefulness. I am sold and will keep it. I still cannot believe I obtained sharp images shot at 1/125 sec. @ 600mm... amazing stability. Regards, Marc

12-30-2009, 07:18 PM	#24
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by rhe Yes, indeed ... great shots Marc. Do the Cardinals show up at this time of the year in Arkansas to over winter? Yessir - this is one of 3-4 confirmed pairs of Northern Cardinals that frequent my backyard. Thank you for the kind comments too. Originally posted by dadipentak I agree--worth bending the rules! Thank you Dave - glad you enjoyed the shots! Regards, Marc

12-30-2009, 07:33 PM	#25
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by dcmsox2004 thanks for capturing, so well, one of my most favorite birds........... I am glad to share them with you! Take care. Originally posted by tdmsu Great shots! I love that you can see the iris of the bird and so much detail in the feathers! Thanks for the inspiration. Thank you so much for the comments! I'll try to continue to improve, since I've used this lens less than I'd like to... Originally posted by sawtooth235 Marc, Even your shots taken in challenging conditions are phenomenal. Well done. Ray Hi Ray, how are you these days? I sincerely appreciate the comments and I think I sort of prefer the harder conditions. Something about the challenge I guess! Regards, Marc