Post your best bird shots!

[Vern]

some red to go with the blue - same camera details except ISO800, 1/500, f8.

[Joel Eade]

Great shots Nick.....love the owls, they're on my "wish list". There are Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Barn Owls here in Ky but I have not be fortunate enough to get a good look at one yet

Beautiful light and details on that first Bluebird Vern....very nicely done, I am really wanting that 600mm II but can't make up my mind....I would have to sell both my 500 and 300 as well in order to handle the expense and I just can't make my mind up to do it

[conropl]

We have lots of new leaves now as you can see the nice light green background in this shot from the back yard. I am experimenting with some new filters with Topaz Clean, Topaz Detail and Nik Color Efex Pro.....what do you think?

Joel:
Your backgrounds are always so clean and the bokeh you create really makes the bird pop out. This one would be an all time best for me, but for your shots you usually have a bit more contrast difference between the bird and the background. With the light color of the background and the lightness of the bird (especially the breast), the bird gets lost a little. This is just persoanal taste, but since you asked, I prefer the House Finch background... it makes the bird pop more. Again, I do not imply it is not a great shot, but I think I prefer the higher contrast between the bird and background.

[DavidEccleston]

Great shots Nick and Vern. Looks like Joel has some competition again (oh, yeah, nice shots Joel!)

[Vern]

Great shots Nick.....love the owls, they're on my "wish list". There are Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Barn Owls here in Ky but I have not be fortunate enough to get a good look at one yet

Beautiful light and details on that first Bluebird Vern....very nicely done, I am really wanting that 600mm II but can't make up my mind....I would have to sell both my 500 and 300 as well in order to handle the expense and I just can't make my mind up to do it

Hi Joel, The jay is a great pose. I need to put some proper perches near my feeders (assuming that is what you used for this shot). I usually rely on some nearby trees, but with the leaves closing in there is often something in the way. The 600 hurts the pocket book, but the performance alone and w the 1.4X III is superb - you should see the RAW file of that bluebird on a big monitor. That said, I have been using my 300 2.8II w the 2X III lately for walking around avian photos. I also carry the 600 but need a monopod whereas the 300 + 2X is easy to handhold. I guess you know how the 600 handles if you have the version I 500. I think your avian interest and talent means you NEED the 600.

[Joel Eade]

I think your avian interest and talent means you NEED the 600.

Thanks so much.........I want to copy and paste that last line in an email to my spouse

[HDNitehawk]

@Joel IMO the House Finch on Blackberry stem is one of your current best

[Joel Eade]

Downy Woodpecker

1D MKIV
700mm
ISO 3200
f/5.6
1/1600
580 EXII + Better Beamer at 1/16 power

[Joel Eade]

Red Bellied Woodpecker

1D MKIV
700mm
ISO 3200
f/5.6
1/400
No flash

[Joel Eade]

It was a Woodpecker fest this afternoon when I got home....I got images of the above 2 species but also was able to spot (from a distance) a Pileated Woodpecker, a Hairy Woodpecker and a Red Headed Woodpecker all from my back porch at the same time! This is the first time I have seen a Red Headed Woodpecker in the backyard.....hoping he'll visit the perches soon! I have seen the Pileated's for a long time but they are my nemesis.....haven't got a good image yet