More images including my first Painted Bunting of the season

The skies have been generally overcast as anyone knows who lives up here in this area, but I try.

I couldn't get closer to this painted bunting and it was very dark last evening, but I tried to pull him out with some fill flash without overpowering the colors.



This cardinal was at my feeders but he seems to be missing some tail feathers. Close call with a cat, Cooper's hawk or perhaps just another cardinal.



This Carolina wren gave me nice pose. I found it actually at the Dallas Zoo in the gorilla enclosure. I hate that line running through the background but I just couldn't clone it out to my liking.



Here are a few more hummingbirds in flight....same one, different images. It was readjusting before heading back into the feeder.





Did I post these last two? I can't remember.

I saw one once when I was spending time in Georgia. Time in Georgia turned me into a bird watcher. All that humidity = all those bugs = all those fabulous birds. Out here in CA we mostly have LBBs.

But out there in CA you have you own beautiful birds, believe me, plus a greater variety of hummingbirds.

What focal length are you shooting at, and at what distance (typically) from the birds.

I haven't tried shooting birds yet, but I'm interested.

I have a Sigma 500mm Prime that I use with a tripod. And recently I switched to a Canon 300mm F4L IS prime lens with a Canon 1.4X TC for effective focal length of 420mm for hand held shots. All of the above were with that lens configuration. Many times though you just need a blind or some sort of hide to really get those amazing shots. Birds by nature are very skittish.

You have a lot of $$$ invested in your glass. Are you pro?

is a fine line between hobby and obsession. :)

I especially like the gumpy otter and hummingbird so far. I'm going to have to spend more time on it when it's not almost midnight.

You've clearly churned a return on your investment (800 keeper shots - unbelievable!)

Make sure you go through all the galleries too. I have my bird photos broken down by species more or less.

https://antiquehelper.com/item/316194

I have owned this serigraph and it has been hanging in my house for about 35 years, I have always loved it.
Your painted bunting is the first "real" one I have ever seen.
Isn't this fun !

There are certainly birds worthy of being painted. :)

The stuff I miss around here...

I don't recall seeing those last two before. Excellent!

And the painted bunting works nicely against the darkness. He pops, but quietly.

You have to be quick around here sometimes. I miss too much too.