Even though they are abundant in Arkansas and Oklahoma, I can’t seem to see or take enough Northern Cardinal images. I sure missed them when I lived in Utah.
Male Northern Cardinal perched in an oak tree – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 2000, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I took both of these images while I was sitting on my dear friend Steve Creek’s deck during my visit to Arkansas. On the days I took these photos, the light was low, but that actually helped showcase the vibrant red feathers of the males of this species without making them too bright.
The low light I had certainly didn’t dim the vibrancy of the feathers of these male Northern Cardinals. Not at all!
Northern Cardinal male about to lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 2000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The male Northern Cardinals in Steve’s yard were a bit on the skittish side but they also kept a close watch on their mates. Sometimes they would watch their mate from this oak tree which wasn’t too far from the bird feeders.
Seeing their bright red plumage against the green leaves of the oak was a treat for me. After living in Utah, Arkansas and Oklahoma seem so very, very green to me. My eyes love soaking up the green colors I see everywhere.
The red and green in these photos? It feels pretty festive to me!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Northern Cardinal photos plus facts and information about this species.
Gorgeous birds! The richness of their coloring is spellbinding. I could look at your inventory of Cardinals for hours. Thanks Mia.
I sure wish they could take our cold weather in Wyoming, only seen them a few times when going to Missouri.
Beautiful, I have never seen one! I know when we traveled back to Vermont to visit friends it was the first time I had been east, I kept saying it’s so green and look at all the trees, It’s confusing, I can’t see where I am going. When the wife of our friend we visited came to Utah and Arizona she kept saying, where are the trees. Wow the vistas, I can see for miles and miles across the landscape.
They are truly gorgeous birds. I would never tire of them.