Saturday, January 22, 2011

All of the beauty...none of the flash...

Well...maybe some of the flash! Through the camera lens, female Northern Cardinals are beautiful. Their bright, coral-colored beaks flash vividly against their subdued plumage, and if their counterparts weren't so outrageously red, they might even be considered exotic.

I love the "glare" that came through with this one. She seems to be saying in response to my intro "...and don't you forget it!"

...she's so sweet as she peeks through the branches, warily watching me.

Little Miss Red, you can win anyone's heart with that cute little head tilt!

I agree Little Miss Red...your crest of red feathers is nothing to sneeze at either.
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30 comments:

  1. ElaineJanuary 22, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    She's definitely a beauty in her own right. Lovely series of shots!

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  2. holdingmomentsJanuary 22, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    A real beauty isn't she Kelly.
    Lovely captures.

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  3. Laure FerlitaJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Your Lady Red is quite sweet looking. We had a lady nesting outside of our breakfast nook and would occasionally peak through the window blinds. SHE was NOT amused.

    Meanest lookin' mama you ever saw!! She was fierce!

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  4. ShySongbirdJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    She reminds me of of an old movie star pouting her red lips at the camera :) Beautiful photos Kelly!

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  5. Elva PaulsonJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    I love the subtle beauty of your red ladies.

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  6. SueJanuary 22, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Who else could pull off orange lipstick so well?
    :D
    She's definately got the looks!

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  7. Grizz…………January 22, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    I've always been a fan of lady redbirds—in spite of the "in your fact"photo appeal of the males. In fact, I also posted a pix of one today. I think when you look close at their subtly refined dress—the buff and coral, orange and brown—they're quiet lovely.

    Great photos—especially that first one.

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  8. RoyJanuary 22, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    I've always liked the female better than the male Cardinal as a photo subject; the color variation is just more visually interesting. The problem is that the female tends to be more camera shy than the male. Congratulations on such good shots of a hard-to-get subject!

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  9. RoyJanuary 22, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Lovely images Kelly. I think she is also saying, "Its extremely cold out here", or words to that effect.

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  10. Carol MattinglyJanuary 22, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Gorgeous. Carol

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  11. grammie gJanuary 22, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    HI Kelly..She sure is a beauty...I have only had a male at my feeder!!

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  12. MontanagirlJanuary 22, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    She is truly beautiful - as Elaine says: in her own right. Very nice, Kelly.

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  13. Janice KJanuary 22, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    She is lovely to look at and really compliments her counterpart. I guess that is the way it is supposed to be.

    Great pictures. Cardinals don't often stick around long if they see you, so you really got some good ones!

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  14. GinnymoJanuary 22, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    What beautiful close ups of a very beautiful bird!!

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  15. JayneJanuary 23, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    In some ways, they are even more beautiful with their contrasts. Love these shots.

    Took the other print to the frame shop yesterday! Just wait until you see how it will look. I am so excited about putting it in my great room my friend. What a special, special gift. :c)

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  16. Lois EvensenJanuary 23, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    So sweet. She looks so coy in the third image. :))

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  17. Susan EllisJanuary 23, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Who doesn't like cardinals! but you have captured "the why" we do extremely well ..adn it is the little tilts, the curiousity, and the amazing colours of both male AND female. Nice post, thank you!

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  18. Hilke BrederJanuary 23, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I love the subtle shadings of the reds and browns in the feathers, so much more interesting on closer inspection than the bright reds of the males.

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  19. UnknownJanuary 23, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Great close ups. She is a real beauty and knows it. Boom & Gary of the Vermilom River, Canada.

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  20. AFTERMATHJanuary 23, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Actually, I think what she's glaring about is that there is not one crabapple left on that tree by the looks of it. I'd glare, too! Nice shots of a sweet bird.

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  21. HollyMJanuary 23, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    What beautiful pictures and she does seem to be saying something with the head tilt and her eyes. I aspire to a better camera someday.

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  22. MaryJanuary 23, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    I really think the female is more beautiful then the male. Lovely shots!

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  23. Kathy A. JohnsonJanuary 23, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    She really is a beauty! Much subtler than her mate!

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  24. CarolineJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    What a beautiful little coral bird in a coral tree!

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  25. Ken.January 24, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Hi Kelly.
    Love the photo's of the female Cardinal. Not quite as gaudy as the male.

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  26. Betsy Banks AdamsJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Everyone loves the male Cardinals---but the females are just a gorgeous, in their own way.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  27. KellyJanuary 24, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    ...thanks, everyone. It sounds like we're all on the same wavelength. The female is so pretty in her understated way...and always sweet.

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  28. Garden LilyJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Yes, she is a real beauty!

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  29. EJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Love the reds, so divine! Congrats, Kelly, you got them perfect! Hugs

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  30. ChadJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    I agree that she is beautiful. Def. an underestimated bird - the female cardinal. I love taking pictures of females when I can because they are in fact so gorgeous!

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