"birding" fun

[whulsey]

Sounds good. I have an older D3300 but with the 18-55 and 55-200 lens. Really could use a 300 for the birds.

[Kevin WS]

Glen, using the viewfinder for focusing instead of the screen, actually has a major advantage in that you are able to hold the camera very rigidly, and so get sharper shots.

You are now also getting a good depth of field effect in your pics as well, so they are really starting to pop.

Wayne - consider looking for a good secondhand lens or an after market lens. The Sigma 100-400mm is a stunning lens. I would love one but cannot afford it - camera kit is ludicrous here. Maybe one day..... Can only dream.

Around 550 dollars. Expensive there? I don't know if this is. You could also sell a lens to offset the cost?

https://www.amazon.com/Sigma-100-400.../dp/B06XRJ49VL

Go and play with one in a camera shop. Wayne - for you this is also a good general lens - good for trains and small nature things.

[whulsey]

Kevin, right now that is a bit out of my price range. Since most of my photos are shot with my standard 18-55 lens, a longer focus lens is in the 'would be nice, but...' category. Still have too much to put into the house.

[Kevin WS]

Wayne - join the club. It's out of my price range as well. I really want the Sigma 100-400mm, but right now it is really a pipe dream!

[ashevilleangler]

Here's a Tufted Titmouse, which are frequent visitors to my feeder. Not my photo but one taken by a neighbor close by. Little birds with big personalities.

Curt

[whulsey]

Perky looking little bird.

[Don Boose]

That's a wonderful shot of a tufted titmouse, Curt!

They are frequent year-round visitors to our feeder as well, in the regular company of chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, house finches, goldfinches, sapsuckers and hairy woodpeckers, and a Carolina wren. And in the winter, white-throated sparrows, northern juncos, and lotsa cardinals.

In the spring, the titmice area accompanied by many of these same birds, as well as goldfinches in breeding plumage, robins, red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds. Not to mention red-bellied woodpeckers, blue jays, grackles, starlings, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and an occasional pileated woodpecker.

My titmouse, and its companions, taken through a dirty window with the camera hand held, can't compare with Curt's beautiful image, but they give the idea.

Don

[birder]

Hey cool birds Don, very nice. The Carolina wren is cute

[Don Boose]

Yes. I always feel happy when I see the Carolina wren.

How many cardinal youngsters can you count in Image 2? I can only spot five cardinals and a goldfinch, but my notes for that day say there were seven cardinals.

If the weather warms up, I really must clean the windows (and set up a tripod).

Don

[Kevin WS]

Don - 6 cardinals and a goldfinch?