So Romantic!
Uploaded: January 25, 2010
Part of a series that occurred last year after the eggs were incubating. The male cardinal fetched the perfect seed for his true love (mate), which was dehulled and cut down to size. In another image his mate took a bite sized piece into her beak.
I recall my husband and did something like this when we were dating 40 years ago. Back then, it was a Lifesavers candy shared on the ski lift.
Plug-ins used: Noise Ninja and Alien Skin Bokeh.
20090509_3598
9 May 2009 19:14
f4@1/1600 Sec. ISO 1600
partial metering
Focal length and lens 300mm f4L
Flash Off
AF mode
Corrected in CS3.
Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/1600 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1600, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 300.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 20D
Donna La Mattino Pagakis January 25, 2010
Very sweet capture Bunny, how romantic is right!!! #1231225Debbie Prediger February 20, 2010
This is another great shot. You have definity captured the moment. I would have loved to be there 40 years ago to capture the moment between your romantic husband and yourself sharing the lifesaver. Thanks for the chuckle! #8401420Bunny Snow February 20, 2010
He would be embarrassed if he knew I shared this moment in print. But, you know how people are when hormones are raging!It's my understanding that cardinals do this every year. It's just being in the right place when they do share the seed.
I had my tripod and camera at the bathroom window, with a plant saucer on a plant stand, which I use to give the birds water, very near where I was watering a young tree. The hose nozzle was attached to a vertical trellis (that the birds, here, were standing on) and sprinkled water onto the tree branch and into the dish. That way the cardinals could bathe within sight of my lens.
I don't leave the water on all day, just during the peak hours of the heat --noon to 3:30 or so in the late spring, summer, and fall. (I live in south Louisiana.)
The vertical trellis became a favorite perch for the cardinals. Hence, this image. And it's all within view of the bathroom window and my lens.
This year, I purchased a Visual Echoes Flash Extender, which will take the light from my 580EX flash further to my subject when I use the 300mm f4L.
While I need to practice with it soon, it should help me light the birds better. I need to get my timing down to just right because there is only one chance with a flash before the birds fly. Without a flash, many shots can be captured, but the lens is wide opened.
The 300mm f2.8 lens is beyond my financial means. Hence, I need to get the light to the birds to reduce the grain/noise.
Thanks for visiting. #8402031
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