Nature & Wildlife Photography by Gary D.Tonhouse

© Gary D.Tonhouse 1997 -2008

The Color of Red .. Winter Cardinal

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

Description: 8-9" male bright red with
crest, black face stout red bill, female
buff-brown, tinged with red on crest, 
wings and tail 

Habitat: Woodland edges, fields, thickets,
brushy undergrowth, suburbs, gardens,  
feeders with sunflower seeds, swamps, 
desert washes, riparian areas.
Very common in the east. 
Nesting: 3-4 pale green eggs spotted with
red-brown in a deep cup of twigs, leaves
and plant fibers concealed in a thicket
   Range: resident of eastern US
south to Gulf Coast

Diet: insects, fruit, and seeds

Voice: rich what-cheer, cheer-cheer;
purty-purty-purty-purty or
sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet also a metallic chip

Notes: species named after red robes worn by Roman Catholic Cardinals,
occupy territory year-round, forms winter flocks of 60-70


Equipment used to capture this image:
Camera: Nikon D1
Lens: Nikor 500mm F4
Tripod: Gitzo 320 with Bogen Ball Head
Film: Setting on camera was FINE an ISO of 200

This photo was captured from the observation deck at Saylorville Visitor Center.
This is a great area to do winter bird photography. The Audobon Society maintains
many bird feeders in the area and the birds are somewhat acuminated  to humans.

Wildlife-Woodland Gallery    Nature Photography by Gary D.Tonhouse  White Tail Deer