March is still a month of bare trees and branches, making it a comparatively easy time easy to snap photographs of early spring migrants. But it remains so for resident birds, too. As birders know, the best views of birds come before spring's big bloom. Almost any time of year, though, Northern Cardinals provide many opportunities for the nature photographer. They're probably one of the most photographed North American birds behind the American Robin and Blue Jay. Nevertheless, after photographing birds for nearly a decade, I can’t ever recall capturing images of a female cardinal as stunning as these until yesterday at Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Going 60X on the eyepiece:
© 2010 Mike McDowell