Comment from avmurray
This is indeed a great shot of a Red Cardinal Aimee. I especially like the monochrome look of the background, and how well the red bird is standing out from it. I also love the way the bird is puffed up. Probably trying to keep warm.

Your focus is spot on and sharp and it is really clear and well defined details to be seen in every part of the bird, and especially the feathers. The exposure is just perfect.

The cropping is working well, and I especially like the diagonal placement of the thick branch. The bird has got a very good placement within the frame. A truly lovely and well taken photo, and with an excellent DOF. I wish you luck with the contest.

I just noticed. You have forgotten to add the date this was taken. One of the requirements for this contest.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2016

Thanks Annie for all of your efforts and the reminder. Much appreciated. Aimee

reply by avmurray on 04-Apr-2016

You are more than welcome Aimee.

Comment from Dick Lee Shia
A cute & candid capture!!
An interesting initial impact.
Striking red color!
Subtle illumination.
Diffused focusing.
Simple backdrop pops out the subject aesthetically.
Thanks for sharing...

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2016

Hi Dick. Thanks for taking the time to review and comment. Your insight is always welcome and appreciated. Aimee

Comment from BENSIMO2010
excellent picture, nice portrait of this cute March of the Red Cardinal, I like this picture , high quality of image, huge and beautiful background, nice angle you took for this excellent shot, sufficient light and picture is clear and neat, thank you so much for sharing.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2016

Thanks so much for taking the time to review and comment. It is very much appreciated.

Comment from CBL Photography
Cardinal's are very pretty and especially when there's a bleak contrast like this one. There's nothing really to say about improving this photo but I do think you should definitely make the move to manual or my preferred Aperture Priority. I really think this shot could have been better with those. I'm not too familiar with Canon but I'm sure you can google landscape and portrait settings and tweak it to your liking. Just dedicate a day to practicing and you may never go back.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2016

Thanks so much for taking the time to review and your insightful comments. Much appreciated. Thank you.

Comment from michiganmike
A very nice shot with attractive cropping. I like the flat light that gives you such nice color and fine detail in the plumage. Best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2016

Thanks Mike, much appreciated. It was quite a grey, dismal day when I took this, so I will forward your compliments to Mother Nature about the lighting - LOL!