THIS WEEK’S THEME: AN ARKANSAS BACKYARD

Five encounters from a morning spent photographing the birds visiting my sister’s backyard feeding station in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

​​​​Scientific names

​​Cardinalis cardinalis

Taxonomic groups

Cardinalidae — Cardinals & Allies

Click photograph to view full size

A photograph is worth a thousand words, but the story makes it worth a few more.

BACKSTORY

Passive, calm and patient is how the female presented herself to us at the backyard show. Following behind her partner, she crept in more cautiously, pausing frequently to assess the safety of the scene before approaching the feeders. Upon closer inspection, her colors weren’t the spectacular crimson red of her partner, but she was no less beautiful in her own way.

IMAGE DETAILS

LOCATION INFORMATION: Gary and Jan’s Wildlife Sanctuary, Fairfield Bay, Greers Ferry Lake, AR · September 20, 2023
EQUIPMENT INFORMATION: Canon EOS R5 · Canon RF 100–500mm + RF 1.4x Extender
SETTINGS INFORMATION: 500mm · ƒ/7.1 · 1/250 sec · ISO 2000