Saving the day

[stevefossimages]

Never fails. I can be hitting the wilderness (like today) looking for wolves, moose, lynx and fisher, and get a big goose egg. But there are always two species of birds ready to save the day.

http://www.afreeimagehost.com/upload/11439/chickflutters.jpg

http://www.afreeimagehost.com/upload/11439/nuthatchflies.jpg

http://www.afreeimagehost.com/upload/11439/perfect-portrait.jpg

[Gary Fairhead]

I like the second shot for the unusual pose/action of this very small and quick Nuthatch. Nice environment as well. The Chickadee in the 3rd shot is razor sharp with nice light and color.

[spencer87]

great shots, espeically the last one.

[stevefossimages]

Thanks.

For those who don't know, you can get chickadees and nuthatches, as well as warblers and some other bird species, to come in close by making "pishing" noises with your mouth. Just like it sounds, emphasizing the whistly quality that wants to come out of your mouth when you say the word.

These were all shot with the 20D, the 100-400L IS on 400mm, iso 200 at f5.6.

First was about a 50 percent crop, shot at 1/640. Second was full frame side to side, cropped off the top, shot at 1/1600. Third is full frame top to bottom, crops off both sides, shot at 1/2500. Mighty tough to get all parts of those little suckers in when shooting full frame. That last chickadee was so close and hopping around so fast that half my shots have a tail or a bill cut off. I was actually out of breath when they finally flew away. Sheesh!

[ZipDude66]

Nice shots Steve. If you don't mind me asking, what lens did you use on the first 2?

Zip

[stevefossimages]

Zip: Just look at my last post. I edited it to add some facts. :grin: