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Very Nice

Keith, Thanks for the compliment. AJM

Wonderful shot, detail and razor sharpness is what I love to see. regards, -Jim

I wish he was a little higher in the frame... just an inch or so. Otherwise, perfect shot!

Jim, Thanks for the comments.

S.M., I agree. Nature photography is not a genre that I am that proficient with, so in the future, I will be more aware. Thanks. AJM

Took about 60 shots and only about 3 or 4 worked out. This is one

that I thought worked. Mostly concerned about composition (does the

bird being centered affect the comp?) Being a novice at nature

photography, I would imagine that this would be much better if the

cardinal were looking at the camera.

I think we would all agree we'd like to see him a little higher in the frame. I don't think looking straight at the camera would help. Actually I think that might ruin it to some degree. The way his feet and head are in opposite directions creates a nice tension, Like he is about to disappear out the right of the frame any moment now. Like they always do .01 seconds before I snap the shutter.

You definitely do not want a cardinal looking straight into the camera. The side view is the best - you get the catchlight in the eye and the contrast of the black and red, plus the shape of the beak. Framing was your only downfall with this - otherwise, it's sharp and detailed. Good capture.

Fabulous detail here. I have had NO luck capturing a photo of these colorful birds... they are just so fast. I like how he looks like he is about to fly away. It may not be perfect framing, but it is darn close. Keep up the good work!

Great shot! How did you get him to hold the pose like that? :P

Thanks for the gracious comments. It's inspiring me to go out and have another go at it.

Good to hear opinions about the eye contact. After I read these comments, I went back and looked thru some of the other not so good shots where he was looking straight at me and I do agree, just doesnt appeal to me as much either.

Steve, It's funny, I have a lot of shots with blurs leaving the frame. These guys are pretty quick. I tried to set up a tripod with a quick release ball head and they were just too fast. Best results were from hand holding.

Kim, When you say framing, do you mean compositionally within the image or the actual frame itself?

Regina, Like I said before, I have lots of blurry subjects flying out of the frame. It's not as easy as I thought. By the way, you have some great nature shots, I would be proud to have just 1/2 of your portfolio. Thanks for the kind remarks.

John, How did I get him to pose like that? Promised him a spot at the top of the highest rated page. Amazingly, he believed me! :)

Thanks again. AJM

I like seeing stunning pics with non cannon lenses it makes me feel better about my tamron 75-300. Great shot

Cant imagine how much fun a big Canon L lens would be! The deal I made with myself is when I start selling my work, I will buy thousand (plus) dollar glass, until then, stuck with the SIGMA.

Just poking around, boy, this is worth all the frames you burnt through! Had you have a bit more lower part of the frame (to see tail and more negative space below) you would have yourself a perfect shot. Even as it is you should be extremely proud of this image (I realize how hard it really is to get close and stop this little guy's motion.) Yes, the side-way head reads much better than if the bird looks straight at camera. Well done!

Thanks Wilson.

A.J., by framing I mean having the entire bird in the shot or LESS of the bird. When you have 3/4 of the bird, it looks like a "missed" shot. When you have just his head, for instance, it looks more planned. Of course, the entire body in the frame would be preferable (to me), but I know how elusive bird shots are to get. I have literally dozens of "not quite there" bird shots, where the bird moved or I didn't quite frame properly. If you get out and photograph the birds all the time, they start coming around more frequently and you being out there won't bother them. Another tip - buy that good birdseed with the dried fruit and big peanuts, sunflower seeds, and none of that smaller seed that you see so often. I've noticed the cardinals and greenjays go for the bigger seeds. Hope this all helps. Happy Shooting!

Kim, thanks for taking the time to explain. This shot was taken at a bird blind at the Cincinnati Nature Center. It's a pretty large area with many different opportunities at all local wildlife. Your comment gave me the opportunity to look thru your portfolio. You have a great portfolio. I will accept advice from you anytime. All the best. AJM

The catchlight in eye make the bird look so vivid. I like the color and details of the bird. Thank so much for your sharing, AJM! Cheers :D

Absolutely beautiful, sharp and detailed. Pretty bird we don't have here in Denmark.

It's amazing that you got it that sharp. I think his pose is perfect, but tighter cropping might work better.

I have a lot full of Cardinals.

Without a doubt...I have never viewed a better bird shot.

Simply "EXCELLENT".

Peter.