Study in Black and White (pixel peeper welcome)

So I was out at the Berkeley Aquatic Park yesterday after work with the
20D and Sigma 800 f5.6 to learn more about this combination and get some
more shots of the birds there. When I got home to check the results, I
was glad to see that the results are getting better as I learn more about
this lens. Since I shot jpeg and don't usually post process my shots, I
like to get the images looking good right out of the camera when ever
possible. So learning the lens is important. Here are a couple of samples
and links to the 100% crops without any adjustments.

1 Cross-billed Brewer's Blackbill (the black)

Well, they came out better than any of mine after PP.

Isn't it time to slap on the 2x?

very nice out of camera and jpeg .
no mitch stacked tc's 2240mm +crop

Thanks Mitch and jp. With 2x or 2x+1.4x I'd have to start lugging the tripod around.
I've tried the 1.4x and it's still pretty good off the monopod, but I think the 2x would
be beyond my limits to hold it steady...

Excellent shots George. Sharp with good details. You definitely know how to use this lens.

Thanks Sindri. I'd be glad if I can get images as good as you get from your Bigma...