Trying to hide

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Trying to hide

February 13, 2020 by Mike Powell

Do male Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) know that they are bright red in color? When I spooked one of them yesterday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, he flew to a nearby field and perched in the midst of a mass of vegetation.

Did he think that he was hidden from me? Obviously he was not—his red coloration makes it almost impossible for him to blend in. I couldn’t help but think of a quotation that is attributed to Dr. Seuss, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” That’s probably a good question for all of us—as you can probably guess, I am somewhat of a non-conformist.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Canon 50D, Cardinalis cardinalis, male Northern Cardinal, Northern cardinal, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on February 13, 2020 at 11:16 am | Reply joyroses13

Great shots and love how you relate the quote to the picture. Love Dr. Seuss. 🙂
on February 13, 2020 at 12:27 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very colorful Mike! Really stands out!
on February 13, 2020 at 1:30 pm | Reply sylwiaiwan

Best!❤
on February 13, 2020 at 2:50 pm | Reply krikitarts

Might as well stand out when you’re naturally so outstanding.
on February 13, 2020 at 3:52 pm | Reply Jet Eliot

Oh such a joy to see these exquisite photos, Mike.
- on February 14, 2020 at 6:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Jet. As I recall, you don’t have cardinals in California. They are pretty common where I live, but I never take them for granted.
  - on February 14, 2020 at 8:59 am Jet Eliot
    
    That’s right, Mike, we do not have northern cardinals in California. I’m glad you do not take them for granted, and your photos prove that.
  - on February 14, 2020 at 9:54 am Mike Powell
    
    You have an abundance of birds in your area that we don’t have that make up for your lack of northern cardinals. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and to Athena.
on February 13, 2020 at 4:48 pm | Reply Grady

Beautiful!!
on February 13, 2020 at 4:52 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Hard to hide something that beautiful.
on February 13, 2020 at 5:49 pm | Reply Dan Antion

Im glad he stands out, Mike. Those are great images. And, because no harm came to him, maybe his hiding job was OK.
- on February 14, 2020 at 6:53 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I am fascinated by the way that some species of birds and insects have evolved to either blend in really well with the environment or to stand out from it. I suspect that there are multiple variables in play. Whatever the case, I love seeing cardinals in the gray days of winter, when most colors are muted.
on February 13, 2020 at 9:17 pm | Reply Michael Scandling

He was art-directing your shot into a wonderful color combination.
- on February 14, 2020 at 6:48 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Michael. The colors of the vegetation really helped to give me a sense of the environment without being intrusive.
on February 14, 2020 at 8:06 pm | Reply Birder's Journey

I often think the same thing when these bright birds appear to be lurking in the foliage ….. though they can’t be missed! Terrific shots!! And I love that quote!
on February 16, 2020 at 7:25 pm | Reply Laura Denise

Haha, love your thoughts! And yay for non-conformity!
- on February 16, 2020 at 7:57 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura.