The bright red color of this male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) really caught my eye last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. For a split second I thought it was a cardinal until I looked more closely at the bird, it was clear that it was a different species.
Later that same day I spotted an equally bright red male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) that seemed quite pleased with whatever treat it had found. I think it may be plant material, but I can’t exclude the possibility that it is some kind of insect.
From a photography perspective, it is really helpful when a bird is this boldly colored and makes no effort to blend in with its surroundings, especially at this time of the year when there are so many leaves on the trees.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I too have confused house finch in with northern cardinals. The house finch is of course a smaller bird.
They don’t really look that much alike, but the red color really attracts my eye and most of the time it is a cardinal, so that is almost always my initial thought.
The cardinal is so much larger than the finch, when seen even slightly near one another. I have a (large and extended) family of cardinals this year and they are bringing me so much joy. Your shots are always great Mike.
Oh so wonderful to see your two red birds here, Mike, bringing forth the radiance of summer.
Thanks, once again, Jet, for your encouraging words of positivity. They really do mean a lot to me.
gorgeous
Such brilliant reds. Lovely captures.