afternoon of bliss

So I finally got some decent weather this afternoon and sat on my back deck with a beer in one hand and my camera in the other. I set the camera up on the tripod with the Gimbal head and swivelled around shooting in the 4 various trees which provide me free field of view as the birds dropped in to say hello.

First off was this pretty blue jay who actually modeled for me as I told him how pretty a bird he was. He was like a little kid trying to please lol. It was great.

Then this little sparrow (I think.. waiting on ID) was eating the buds off the tree as it danced and sang. What a beautiful song he/she had too.

My last visitor was the closest I have gotten to a Cardinal yet to date and I was not about to miss the oppertunity. I stalked him and waited for him .. caught him in one location and followed him to the next and got a great shot from each time he stopped.

Then he saw me... and dove for me lol

Nice job - I especially like the last cardinal of the first set.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time while shooting. Bathrobe and/or beer shooting can't be beat :D

Thanks Loupey. That is my best Cardinal shot to date. I was proud of that one before I even pulled the trigger because I knew what I had as I was setting up. Just one of those perfect moments. All of the above shots are full frame with a minor crop for positioning. I am getting closer to these guys everyday.

There's an RWBB in the area that is taunting me though. He sings outside my window and when he sees me he sings louder. When he sees the camera he is off like a shot with that maddening laughing call they do.... I just KNOW he's laughing at me lol. It's my goal for the next week to nail him down and get him to pose for me if I have to offer him a jacuzzi bird bath and a years supply of oil seeds lol.

Nice shots!! Ya it seems that they always know when your trying to take pics of 'em.:thumbsup: Sometimes they just stay a step ahead of the lens!!:thumbsup: