I was at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma on a misty morning, capturing the beauty of nature through my lens. My initial focus was on a Barred Owl that was perched near the 4-corners intersection on the curved auto tour road. However, as I was taking pictures, a male Northern Cardinal suddenly appeared in a nearby tree.
With my camera steady on a bean bag that I had placed on the open window of my pickup, I was able to capture this stunning bird in its natural habitat. The fog added an extra layer of magic to the scene, making the colors of the Northern Cardinal pop even more. The bird’s bold red plumage was a stark contrast against the hazy, soft background, making it a truly mesmerizing sight.
It’s always exciting when nature provides unexpected opportunities like this, and I was grateful to be able to document this moment. The Northern Cardinal on a foggy morning was a memorable encounter that I will cherish for a long time.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: April 20, 2020 (09:44:14 A.M.)
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/500 sec. (as determined by the camera)
- ISO: 800
- Exposure Compensation: +1/2 EV
- Focal Length: 500 mm
