Cardinal Conehead

Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

Last time, I posted a photo of a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).  Here is her mate, posing for me in the morning sunlight.

Because of the angle of the cardinal's crest in this shot, I'm giving this photo the title 'Cardinal Conehead'.   It reminded me of the Saturday Night Live skits and the film about the aliens with the cone-shaped heads!

In case you missed it, here is another photo of the same bird.

7 comments:

Becky said...

Gorgeous color Bobbie, and his "cone" seems to be on high alert.
B.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful shot and ahhh...the Coneheads...perhaps your cardinal "consumes mass quantities" of seed? :o)

Mojo said...

They're from Fance?? Who knew?

Love the background he picked for his closeup. It really sets off his coloring.

BNS said...

@ Becky -- High alert is right! This guy doesn't miss a trick.

@ EarthToHolly -- He does indeed "consume mass quantities" -- of sunflower seeds.

@ Mojo - That background -- a gravel pathway in my garden -- works really well for the cardinal, but not so well for more neutral colored birds. They just blend in.

@ Antogni -- Thank you.

Bobbie

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous bird and you captured it beautifully. I think if I ever see one of these I'd be beside myself. :-)

Unknown said...

WOW...that's a beautiful bird and an equally beautiful image. If I were you I would try to go down on all fours and get an eye-level shot thereby blurring the background.

BNS said...

@ 2Sweet - I see this guy all the time. The problem is he's a bit shy, so I have to be sneaky to get a good shot of him.

@ T and S -- Actually, I was sitting on the ground just a a few meters away, sort of snuggled up to a bush that I was using as a blind. I understand your point, but since he was so low on the ground, I don't think I could have accomplished what you suggest unless I was lying on my belly! (Not that I haven't done that at times...)

Bobbie