Hey Jim,


My advice:


#1. Avoid photographing birds on man-made objects. Use feeders and set up perches close to the feeders. It's surprisingly easy [Y]


#2. Use Extenders. For bird photography aperture is not all that important. If you have a 1.4x, use it. For your second shot, there's no reason at all to be shooting at 1/4000. If you want to action, 1/2000 will do it usually. And I shoot my backyard bird shots at 1/320, rarely about 1/640. ISO 1600 is usually un-necessary. If there is a special reason you are shooting at 1/4000, please specify.


#3. Try to shoot birds at your level. For your cardinal picture it looks like it was in a tree above you. Set up a couple of perches near your feeder and find a concealed photography spot for yourself.


#4. Get as close as possible. Find a way; it's not all that hard. You'll find that your images improve very quickly.


Good effort, Jim. I was far worse off than you when I started birds. [8-|]


And because I feel like showing off[:#], I'll post a bird shot from yesterday [G]


7D/300 f/4L IS USM at f/8, 1/500, ISO 640.


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brendan