BIF first attempt with new 100-400

OK, so I've never attempted to capture a BIF. All I can say is that I bow down to all the BIF shooters out there. Tough tough tough work indeed. Think I took about 30 tries during my lunch break and this is the best capture of them all. I must say, the 100-400 is great though, it's me who has a big learning curve. Can anyone share technique? Do you start wide to get the birds in view then zoom in?....or, catch them without the lens and aim prefocused so the lens doesn't have to travel through the AF too much? Thanks

5D, 100-400, 5.6 at 1/500 800 ISO

For starters, the 5D is not the fastest focusing camera in the world and the 100-400 lens is not the quickest to respond to focusing changes but never fear, good BIF photos can be made with your equipment, it just won't be as easy as it would be with a Mark lln. First of all set your camera to Servo, secondly, set your focus to center point. Learning to find the bird in your viewfinder is the hardest part. Some people keep both eyes open. Once you start learning to track you will have to remember that it takes the servo and also the IS on the lens a few seconds to really settle on the subject. If you are shooting a fast bird and conditions are bright you will do well to turn off the IS on your lens and that will make things respond a little faster. Learn to keep your center point right on the bird and might want to refocus as the bird moves. Forget about single shot and switch to continuous. Continuous on the 5D isn't that fast but you will still get some good shots. Last but not least, learn to use exposure compensation. In your photo it seems that the camera exposed for the darker background as that is covering the largest area in the frame. As a result the highlight and feather detail are blown out. Try to stay with big birds at first. Swans, geese herons egrets and even gulls don't go as fast as the small bbirds. You will go nuts if you start with chickadees. I learned to shoot BIF at my local Mac Donalds. There are always lots of sparrows hopping around and I could track them sitting in my car. Remeber, there will be lots of bad shots but the keepers are worth it

Thanks Larry, lots of good info, it was a lot of fun just getting out there and giving it a go