Getting it just right....

I am a few months new into DSLRs, or photography in general actually. I currently have a Canon Xti Rebel 40D with a Canon L 70-200 f/4 USM, and a Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6 L IS USM. I took the 100-400 out today on the river hoping to get some shots of hawks, eagles, deer, etc. I took plenty of pictures of ospreys/hawks, although they were about...65 feet overhead I am guessing. A great handful of them turned out good, but nothing was really great, and the closest ones were the worst! They weren't even in focus!

I have seen many postings on this forum of pictures of birds that people have taken with this lens, and their pictures make mine look like they were taken with a camera phone!

I had the camera on Av mode, ISO 200, shutter speed 1/800, f.4, and had the lens at 400. I also had it on Al Servo AF.

I did not use a tripod, as I do not have one yet, and I was not fortunate enough to see any birds close to me, nor did they land in trees. By what I have said, are there any obvious faults I have made? Does it just require a lot of time, effort, and practice, as well as a tripod? Does it also require a subject (bird) that is stationary in a close-range tree?

Like I said, I am quite new to this, but I am not getting the results I thought I would, especially from my L lens!

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum. Don't be discouraged. It does take practice and time to learn the strengths and weaknesses of you gear. Getting close is the single most advantageous thing you can do to get sharp and well defined images of wildlife but in time you'll learn how to get more from even the distant shots. Some of it's technique in the field and some of it's technique when processing. Bring both together and you'll get the quality you're after out of even the less-than-ideal shots. As long as you've got good focus and exposure you're well on your way. Learning animal behavior and scouting locations for the best light and settings will add a lot to our images as well.

Flight shots take some time to get comfortable with. I shoot with the 5D so your 40D has a frame per second advantage which is very nice. Most times you'll be shooting at f/5.6 for flight so the light is especially crucial to quality. I shoot with the 100-400L too and I don't even attempt flight shots at shutter speeds below 1/2000th sec.

You mentioned the closest subject as being the worse. One thing you're going to have to get used to is switching the minimal focal distance switch on your 100-400L.If you leave it at 6.5m-infinity when a subject comes close you won't achieve focus. I've had good results keeping the switch at 1.8m-infinity for the most part.

Give yourself some time and hang out here when you can, there are so many gifted and friendly photographers here so help is just a post away.

Keep clickin'

Yep, birds in flight really do take some practice, you won't be a master straight away. Peruse these forums and learn as much as you can, and keep shooting. Perhaps start with bigger slower birds first, like your local ducks.

Why not post some of your shots you took so we can see if we can suggest some improvements?

Welcome to the forums too

You need to give your self some Room with your In-Flight shots. I don't shoot that Lens but would Recommend you start Shooting at ISO 400 (Gain Shutter Speed 1/800 Min), f8 (Increased DOF) and Try to Keep your Exposure within one Stop of Zero!!!

I Hope this will Help and Good Shooting!!

Practice on flying butterflies.