Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinals (male): Horsecove, Alabama
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinals (immature): Horsecove, Alabama
This afternoon I spent a few hours in the blind
photographing feeder birds. I have a ton
of cardinals at my feeders and these two were so close that I took
headshots. Most resident birds here in
North Alabama have already raised their first brood and most have started their
second. Immature Cardinals out number
the adults by more than
2 to 1.
2 to 1.
The top bird is an adult male and the bottom is an
immature. Note the gray eyes and horn
colored beak on the immature. By the end
of the summer the immature bird’s beak will be quite orange, like the
adult. What I find most interesting is
the immature bird’s full crest. It seems
to be fuller and larger than the adult male.
Top: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/60 second @ f/10
Bottom: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/80 second @ f/9
