brendaleblancholland

Birdie Advice

A female cardinal appears to be giving a little sparrow advice . Two birds eyeing each other on a feeder.

A female cardinal appears to be giving a little sparrow advice . Two birds eyeing each other on a feeder.
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Canon EOS REBEL T5i

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 5000 Shutter 1/1600 Focal Length 151/1

location

Lucedale, Mississippi, US

upload_date

Jan, 2019

Views

144

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo right outside our back door. I had been watching the cardinals and this little bird was only trying to grab a bite under the scrutiny of a seasoned cardinal. This feeder was attached to one of two oak trees beside our back door in the northeastern corner of George County Mississippi.

Time

I wish I could tell you the exact time of day this photo was taken, but I can only say that it was taken mid-morning when the lighting was still good and the early morning cold mist had almost cleared.

Lighting

You see, our catfish pond is beside our house and because this was taken with the pond slightly behind the image, and in southern winter conditions (only cold for us Mississippi humans), facing the southeastern sky, the early morning mist had lingered just enough to cast a softness to this birdie confrontation. I have often attempted to stay camouflaged in this area so that I can capture our winter birds interacting with nature and not with me.

Equipment

This photo was captured with a Canon Rebel T5i, with a Canon EFS 55-250 lens without a tri-pod.

Inspiration

I suppose my inspiration in this photo was the interaction itself. On most days the birds at the feeder have to contend with other cardinals as well as persistant but not successful squirrels. They do not tend to linger long. The little bird just happened to try her luck at the feeder when Mr. Cardinal seemed to be in an almost fatherly frame of mind. I had to act fast to capture them both and was pleased that I could do that without frightening them away.

Editing

Since I am very, very new to editing or post-processing my photos, I only had the trial version of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. About the only thing I could accomplish with this photo was to soften the edges in a vignette and to brighten some of Mr. Cardinal's colors. I did crop the image to get a closer view.

In my camera bag

I only carry the kit lens, and the 55-250 MM Canon normally. The only other lens I carry or even have at this current time is the wide angle Tamron SP 10 -24 mm 1:3.5 - 4.5 if I think I might need something to get a closer look at a wider area, although I tend not to use it in landscape situations because of the distortion that it seems to attract (I definately need to experiment more) , and my other 16 - 300 MM Plaza Drive Tamron zoom lens. I would one day love to have a few more; yet, I understand my need as someone who has just ventured out into the Manual Mode world that I could benefit greatly from being more comfortable with what I have. I consider myself as an emerging photographer, who has only cracked the edges of the wonderful world of photography.

Feedback

Speaking strictly as one who is still learning to capture in digital format what I see as a possiblity with my eyes and my brain, I can only say that the most benefit I have gained comes from consistently taking the time to use the knowledge I've been given and exercise it until it becomes more a part of me. Being patient with my environment with regard to my subject whether finding the right lighting or background or interaction like the photo I am writing about is key. It is in the familiarity of my camera and its lenses, the practice of patience and the awareness of the environment that will surely bring more creative satisfaction from the world around me. In regard to capturing an image like "Birdie Advice" there is no control except to take careful note of your environment and to be prepared for the unexpected.

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Birdie Advice

A female cardinal appears to be giving a little sparrow advice . Two birds eyeing each other on a feeder.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow brendaleblancholland

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