Juvenile Cardinal?

[WifeKidsandDog]

I'm not much good at bird IDs but I'm learning -- I'm pretty sure this is a juvenile cardinal?

[Tom Wilson]

It could be a juvenille (lack of orange shades to the bill)--but it is definitely a female Northern Cardinal. Nice Pics. It is really hard to do anything with the grey background, but this photo can be manipulated too Cheryl--give it a try. Try a very small bit of contrast, a small but fair amount of saturation boost, and a medium sharpening--you'll be looking at a different pic.

Tom W

[WifeKidsandDog]

Tee hee, I did. You should have seen the originals, lol.

Cheryl

[Tom Wilson]

Well, don't I get to feel stupid for a little while. I really like the comp on the first one by the way.

Tom W

[WifeKidsandDog]

These are nearly 100 percent crops -- so I'm at getting sharper shots at least. These were 200mm with a 1.4x, so 280mm and handheld. I'm going to get legs for my monopod (I am too lazy to drag a tripod around) and work on technique. Also thinking of renting a 2x TC to see if the image quality is worth the expense of buying the 2X - but that'll give me 400mm!

Cheryl

Got a pic of Daddy (or husband) yesterday. This was through the window.

[Tom Wilson]

you're shooting with a 20D right?

If you've got a 200mm at full zoom with a 1.4x tele attached--you are correct you are at 280mm. However you're forgetting you're 1.6 magnification factor. You're actually shooting at 448mm. This is a factor that you must remember when shooting handheld. Use you're monopod alot. Eventually you will get as comfrotable shooting off the tripod or monopod as you are handheld.

Tom W