Bird Shots - trying to get a handle on it

[Loupey]

OK, this birding thing is tougher than trackin' a damselfly among the reeds in a wind storm.

I agree that static birds seem somewhat, (how should I state this politically correct?) static. So, taking Bev's pictures as my inspiration, I've been trying to get mostly in-flight stuff. You go Bev Bird Nerd Girl.

The 300mm with a 2x makes just getting the image within the viewfinder a challenge. Let alone manually focusing on it. I'd like to put a spotting scope on the side of the lens

Even at 300'+, focus is still selective (not like just finding "infinity" for the conditions and leaving it there).

Anyway, here's some that were within the frame Still workin on it.

[paulnj]

With my 100-400 , I have some trouble getting tight flight images. Especially since my images are usually taken under shady tree tops.

I love that first meadowlark(the pair are meadowlarks too) and that coming at you mockingbird is quite cool too!

[Bevb]

Boy i take my hat off to you! when you set a mission you always come back with good results, and you work manual! thats a task on its own.

[Chunk]

Nice shots Loupey. Really nice composition on the third bird.

Maybe you could rig a small monocular on the flash mount for spotting...

[Loupey]

Nice shots Loupey. Really nice composition on the third bird.

Maybe you could rig a small monocular on the flash mount for spotting...

Thanks, Chunk! Yeah, seriously about the spotting issue! With lots of tubes on the 300mm for macro shots, I'm "losing" my subjects in the clutter. I look, I look up, I try to point in the right direction, and scratch my head. Tough to spot a out of focus bug in the midst of weeds :mad2:

Bev, thanks! Yeah, I still haven't used the AF for any wildlife/macro since early spring. Works better for me at least. As for exposure, I've always used manual only.

Paul, thanks for your input. And I thought I was the only person not getting close enough. I tried under-the-canopy shots this past weekend. Not going to happen with my 10D at ISO 400. I will remain out in the prairie.

A few more: the first one from tonight and a mockingbird doing the hoochie-coochie dance (does that still count as in-flight ) It is actually spliced from more than 3 different dances as I can only get one shot off at any given time with the 10D

[paulnj]

So, is that a mockingbird chasing the crow? Sure looks like one, but may be a blackbird :lol:

[Loupey]

So, is that a mockingbird chasing the crow? Sure looks like one, but may be a blackbird :lol:

I'm 99% sure it was a mockingbird. I saw other exchanges that day which definitely included mockingbirds. They sure are agressive suckers.