Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by peecee:
Congratulations, a wonderful picture and a deserved win.

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by amsmyth:
Congratulations on the blue ribbon, it's a fine image and way too cold.
Our feeders have been full of visitors.

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by jmsetzler:
Drake, this is a beautiful shot... I have been trying to catch some birds with my camera also... nice work :)

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by GolferDDS:
Great capture. You definitely deserve the ribbon on this one!

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by Drake:
Thank you all very much for the kind comments! I am really excited about this first win. This site has been a great benefit to me in helping improve my photo skills.

A little more detail on the pic: I took this thru my dining room window of the Cardinal perched on top of the rod that supports the bird feeder mounted on the rail of my sundeck. She looked so pathetic bracing against the high wind, cold and blowing snow.

I used my Nikon 80-400 mm AF VR lens. I was "zoomed" to about 230mm. This shot was taken without a tripod, just me leaning against the window frame and hoping the VR feature on the lens (vibration reduction) worked - as the light level was a bit low and the camera was at 1/40 sec. (And yes we keep the feeder full!).

Thanks again,
Drake

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by xburnerx:
Congradtulations! This is a great shot. It's so beautiful. Captured at the exact moment. Well deserved indeed.

My "Chinese" Dog
by Drake

Comment by carlacryptic:
Looks like your dog is a contortionist!

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by banmorn:
Way to go, Drake! Your first DPC winner and your first blue ribbon winner here! Excellent! Rob

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by Rooster:
this is such a beautiful shot! Unlike any other in th challenge. Congrats on your first ribbon!

Cardinal Bracing Against The Snow Storm
by Drake

Comment by HRoxas:
Extremely beautiful photo. Very-well deserved ribbon. Congrats.