Stan!

dirtdorphins said:Wow!
That is so awesome--truly a GP!!

Thanks everyone for the kind words. It's one of my best catches ever, I think. Was so thrilled when I saw it on the monitor. Sometimes everything lines up just right. We kinda have our own argot around here - the "GP" to which Dirt refers is "golden pig". For some reason, that means a great photo. We'll often discuss, when we're driving home from an outing, whether either of us thing we got a "golden pig".

Here's another. The first was caught over the ice and the background is fairly subdued. This one has it moving toward me, lower, relatively - and catches both the ice and water. And it's hiding the vole with its wing (for the more squeamish).



Caught this one yesterday, too. Love the shapes in it.

Hi Stan!

Wow, Asa!!!

Stan! I can assure you that you will love this thread, and be constantly amazed by the photog experts and the bird experts. I can hardly keep up with BigBill at times!

And my, what an awesome shot Asa (I'm talking about the second one, but the first is also a great shot). How perfectly you caught the bird who was still airborne but had almost landed on the ground.

gardenfish said: Stan!

Thank you, thank you!!!

My first contribution is my local Cooper's Hawk. Doesn't ever seem fazed to see me.

KFredenburg said: Stan! I can assure you that you will love this thread, and be constantly amazed by the photog experts and the bird experts. I can hardly keep up with BigBill at times!

And my, what an awesome shot Asa (I'm talking about the second one, but the first is also a great shot). How perfectly you caught the bird who was still airborne but had almost landed on the ground.

Yes, I have seen some of the pics already. I only wish I had that type of equipment. I use a relatively old Canon P&S but we try out best

BigBill's problem is that I am computer stupid.

More like "computer knowledgeable", BigBill.

I'm no expert at photos or birds (and I'm a computer dummy too) but I do like taking pictures.


Red-bellied Woodpecker

Amazing shots guys and gals!!

Asa, oh my goodness, they just get better and better! I love the Owl looking directly at the camera ... and those Herons with the one looking as if it's ready to go skating on ice!

Stan, Love the shots of that Cooper's Hawk!

Christine, those are really great shots of the male Red-bellied Woodpecker! I'm like you, I'm not a photographer but I love when I get pictures that turn out decent!

The seed and suet feeders are empty so this Squirrels decided it wanted the sugar water that's supposed to be for the Hummingbirds!


Red-bellied WP, male

More birds at the feeding station...

I think this might be a warbler? There's quite a few of these small cuties.



Here's one in front of a White-Throated Sparrow, it's much smaller.


Female cardinal keeps landing in front of the camera!

Those darn squirrels!

Christine,

Your female cardinals are beautiful!

Had a few at my feeders after our snowfall.

A little Goldfinch at the feeders this morning


Rose breasted Nuthatch


Flicker



Red bellied Woodpecker




Can't forget my bully Blue Jays!

Rose, wow look at all that snow! I wondered where all the Blue Jays had gone! and I see that you have Red-bellied WP's there too. I love, love, love that Flicker photo, really beautiful bird!

I had to put a baffle on the shepherd's hook I use for my hummingbird feeder. Not before having to move it further away from a nearby tree (they found two ways to get to it).

I drove out to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area and took these photos:








I have a new lens...a Tamron 500mm f8 mirror lens. Old lens..so I had to use manual focus on my Lumix GH3.

I don't know anything about lenses so that's all like a foreign language to me but you got some great shots! I especially love that little scrunched up Hummingbird!

Those mirrored lenses are tough tough tough to focus manually on a modern camera. Nice job!