Yesterday, a one-legged Northern Cardinal appeared at my backyard feeder. At first, I assumed its missing leg was tucked up against its body, as birds often do when resting. After watching more closely, I realized this was not the case. This cardinal had only one leg, yet it perched and balanced with surprising grace.
Wildlife Notes: Resilience of the Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are among the most recognizable songbirds in North America, thanks to their bold red feathers and melodic calls. What makes them even more remarkable is their ability to adapt. Birds that lose a limb face significant challenges in the wild, but this cardinal showed a level of resilience that was inspiring to watch.
Despite its disadvantage, it hopped easily along branches and clung firmly to the feeder. This adaptability is key to survival, and cardinals are excellent at finding ways to thrive. Their strong beaks help them crack seeds quickly, giving them the energy they need without spending too much time exposed to predators.
Observing this bird was a reminder that wildlife often carries on with quiet determination, even when facing hardships.
Photography Notes: Capturing the Moment
Photographing the cardinal was both a challenge and a privilege. With the Canon EOS R5 paired with the Canon RF 200–800mm F6.3-9 IS USM lens, I was able to capture the fine detail in its feathers and expression.
- Aperture: ƒ/9 provided enough depth of field to keep the bird sharp while letting the background fall into a soft blur.
- Shutter Speed: 1/640 was just fast enough to freeze subtle movements without pushing ISO even higher.
- ISO: 5000 introduced some noise, but the R5 handled it well, preserving detail in the cardinal’s vibrant plumage.
The biggest challenge was light. Shooting just after sunrise, in the cool shadows of the trees, limited brightness and created subtle color tones. This required balancing exposure carefully. By stabilizing the camera and using the lens’s built-in image stabilization, I managed to avoid motion blur while still keeping ISO manageable.
For anyone photographing small birds, patience is as important as gear. Waiting for the moment the cardinal perched on the branch gave me the clean background I was hoping for.