when birds get too close!

It's been awhile since I've posted in the bird section, but here we go. I have a 200 and am looking to get a 300 or 400 at some point, for now my husband just bought me a 2x TC that's coming soon! But my problem is I went out into the yard yesterday and the darn birds kept getting too close! One even landed on me, making me yipe a bit, he then chirped back at me and went to the feeder. The reason I worry is because if I get the 400 I'll never be able to get a shot of the little buggers! But here are some shots...

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Any suggestions about them getting close? I try to back up but then I have to crop them too much. Even when I back up they get so friendly then still come up close.


Oh one more, another bird I've been trying to photograph, pardon the horrible shot, but I'm just happy to get him (somewhat)

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There's no such thing as getting too close. If a Downy lands on you, forget the camera for a minute and give him a shelled unsalted peanut half. They love them and will then come back for more. Treasure that moment or get someone else to take the shot while you enjoy the bird. I have used a macro lens to shoot Downys and chickadees eating from my hand though. I think a little point and shoot would be better. All these are very nice shots.

The first few aren't cropped, the last few are.

And yes I have a few photos of my husband handfeeding the chickadees last winter. We only hand feed in winter so we don't bother the mating and nesting. I never thought the downys would get that close. The blue jays were aslo trying to gang up on me and get me away from the feeders. But they won't come real close, which the little guys seem to love not having to fight a bluejay!

Thanks for your comments! I'm still trying to get real good bird shots in the yard.

Were you using a 1.4x TC? the EXIF in the first few show a lens of 280mm. You can take that off when they are real close. Or, I have used a set of Kenko tubes with my 400L when I had it. That will lower the minimum focus distance to a few feet, but the birds will still more than fill the frame. About the only way to get good closeups is to use a zoom lens or use a smaller length lens, like a 50mm or macro lens.

Also, a good tripod and a grip action ballhead is what I use all the time. A good stable support and easy to turn ballhead makes it easy to point the whole thing at them and it will be much more stable than handheld. I use a tripod even shooting into my back yard from my bedroom window hide.

Wow, you are so fortunate to have such a tremendous variety of birds in your yard. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more of your posts.

isn't the color on the tanager just out of this world! If I hadn't seen one briefly this summer, I'd think it wasn't life-like, but it is!
I envy you your birdies - mine still, after a year, fly away when I come out to restock the feeder, peanuts or not.

Yes I was shocked by both the tananger and the bunting! So pretty and bright!!

Thanks for the comments everyone. I need to practice using the tripod with the birds if I'm going to get the 400. But they flit around so much I'm worried about missing shots. I have managed to get some shots with my cheap zoom (28-105) and the birds are fine!

Mitch, yes I was using the TC. I wish I could change the lens quicker so I could take it off, but as soon as I do so the redtail makes me put it right back on! I need to go out with one thing in mind and try not to think about the other birds around that are farther away.

I wouldn't worry so much about the 400 and little birds. It's minimum focus distance is about 12 feet and at 15 feet a chickadee will fit in the frame with room to spare. Don't fall into the trap of thinking just because you got a longer lens, you can sit on the porch and shoot sparrows down by the river though. It always surprises me that longer lenses don't magnify more. Even with the 400, you will still have to get within 20-25 feet to get a good shot of a sparrow sized bird.

nice series....i really enjoyed them all.

that Pileated looks like a fighter jet coming in hard and fast.

Love the Scarlet Tananger shot. What a beautiful bird. Well done.

Lovely shots ... thanks for sharing.