Bird Photo Competition 5 2012 : Entry Number 81

Judges Comment

It's hard not to empathize with this Red Cardinal's plight as it puffs up to keep warm amongst the ice-encrusted vegetation.

Photographers Comment

My name is Debbie Griffin and I live in Tipton,IA. I am so honored for this acknowledgment. I used my Olympus Digital Camera SP5OOUZ and was hiding in a makeshift blind my husband made for me. The day was 20 below zero with the wind chill and this guy was waiting patiently for his turn at the feeder, I was so excited when I got this photo that I was holding my breath! Basic cropping and clarifying were the only processing necessary for this majestic male cardinal.