Still trying to get a good bird pic

Here is one from this week

Shooting details?

It looks like your shutter speed is good but your method of focusing seems to be the problem. you need to pick out a single focusing point or expand the focusing points to 9 depending on the model camera you have. hope Im not offending just touching all the bases you should be operating in ai servo mode and not in single shot? Hope his helps if not keep asking questions.

Miniflash, most bird shooters have been thru the same thing. At least i did. i still get shot like these sometimes.
Practice makes perfect, and of course, great place like POTN makes the road to success shorter. So, ask alot of questions. Also, if you could post the exif data(aperture, shutter speed, ISO, EC), plus how you took it (center FP, handheld or tripod, Servo...etc), that would help others to offer more accurate advice and suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestions and comments .I took these photos with a rebel XT and hand held it panning the birds as they flew by.I am not sure of the setting now because I have since moved to alot more pics ..I think I am a addict hehe ..Maybe useing a journal for shot would be helpful or shotting in RAW ..I think that gives you your settings if you want them .Happy shooting everyone ~

According to the exif you have your settings in line that you should be getting better results. As has been previously suggested use AI servo if the rebel has it and I find using only the center focus point yields good results for me. Also use custom function 4-1 if your camera supports it. As Fee said just keep shooting. The kit lens isn't known to yield consistently great shots but you should be getting better results then this.

your shutter speed with that lens is fine ,so its most likely focus error take lots of shot's to give you a chance of a few good one's f8 would be best if its bright enough try to keep to 100/200iso .
Rob.

Blue Deuce wrote in post #2057452
According to the exif you have your settings in line that you should be getting better results. As has been previously suggested use AI servo if the rebel has it and I find using only the center focus point yields good results for me. Also use custom function 4-1 if your camera supports it. As Fee said just keep shooting. The kit lens isn't known to yield consistently great shots but you should be getting better results then this.

Hmm,usually the kit lens doesn`t give you sharp results.