Dickcissel and the 100mm-400mm @ 300mm

I have had the L IS for almost a year now and have been more disappointed than happy with the shots taken. Today I accidentally had the lens at 300mm and think the images were a bit better. Now I am thinking I have one of the soft lenses at the 400 end.

Anyway here are a few shots of a Dickcissel that has spent the winter on our farm. Normally he should be in South America! He spends most of his time hanging out at one of our brush piles and is very shy. These were taken about 30 feet away and cropped quite a bit, ISO 160, F7.1, 1/1000.

C&C Very much appreciated with my thanks,

Rose

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Very cute bird! Nice of it to spend the winter with you! Nice clear shot of this one!

I look forward to these birds arriving on the Katy prairie each spring, wonderful songs. Looks good and sharp to me, especially if considerably cropped. I am not familiar with that lens but I think most lenses have a sweet spot, both aperture and zoom length. Maybe you have found yours. Do you stop it down at 400 also?

Very nice indeed!

Very nice shots Rose. Never seen one of these. And he looks like an older bird, so was probably glad to find a steady supply of food and a safe place to stay.

Two very nice shots Rose!

Crisp and clear. We never see these birds here.

good shooting,

Kenn

Thank you Steve, Mike, Dan, Mitch and Kenn. I appreciate you looking and for commenting!

Rose

Beautiful shots Rose.....that's a really pretty little bird, and one I've never seen before.

Thanks Sharon, it has been a real treat to host him this winter. Since they breed in our area I hope he just spends the summer on our farm. Thanks again,

Rose

Great shots, especially the second.

beauties, Rose. And I agree with you as re: the lens. I had my best luck with it at around 380mm

Thanks Stan and Nancy, very much appreciated.

I'm glad you said that about the lens Nancy..I have old eyes and sure can't see worth squat!! I may have picked the wrong hobby..oh well..it is fun anyways!

Redrib wrote in post #7375985
Thanks Stan and Nancy, very much appreciated.

I'm glad you said that about the lens Nancy..I have old eyes and sure can't see worth squat!! I may have picked the wrong hobby..oh well..it is fun anyways!

hey! There must be two of us in that situation. And I have macular degeneration to help me along as well. Such comfort in numbers.

Hee...I have CRS disease...we are a great pair!

nice job great images!!!!!