Last May I photographed a bunch of garden birds and a few critters from a single open window in a New Jersey suburb. It was for a daughter's school science project, which is code for "father's science project competition." I became a little obsessed with capturing the sheer featheriness of birds without losing detail by boosting contrast for visual drama. Available light only.
The cardinal shown is the state bird of New Jersey. What Americans call a robin is nothing like the real thing, but the American grey squirrel is the same that colonized England and is still hyperpowerful. It would make an apter national critter than the bald eagle - it's acrobatic, persistent, can take a big fall, is ruthless to rivals and some of them still have nuts.
Comments (1)
I have nothing against squirrels. They're clever and cute, except when they're raiding my bird feeder. I finally gave up and bought a bird feeder that squirrels cannot get into. I no longer have to fight them. However, it got worse. I now have to fight a bear! After his long winter's nap, the bear starts roaming town looking for food and has discovered the sunflower seeds in my bird feeder. Starting in February, I have to bring the bird feeder on my enclosed porch at the end of each day before he starts his nightly trek through the neighborhood. I get a nice variety of birds at my feeder. I love the cardinal because no matter how bleak a day it is, they brighten it up with that gorgeous color.
Posted by AC Chickadee | December 28, 2010 11:05 AM
Posted on December 28, 2010 11:05