An elusive Eastern Bluebird

I've tried for several weeks now to capture a quality photo of this little guy but he always seems to keep his distance while scoping the area for worms. He likes to perch high in the top of my dying Dogwood Tree, so this is all he's offered me.

Taken approx. 50' away from where I was setup and used the Canon Speedlite 430EX & Better Beamer to fill the shadows.

As always thanks for having a look!

Canon EOS 7D Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1/2500s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso400

Nice image, especially since the subject was being so difficult. I hope you can catch him in a more cooperative mood.

looks like you nailed it pretty good Toney

Very good shot. I know how tough they can be.

Well done1 I've had the same problem with them.

Hmmm, you might have convinced me to get my 550ex out and slap the Beamer on it. Very nice shot and I can see the affect of the beamer. At 50 feet, that's for sure worth a try. Did you use Av Mode and let the flash decide how much light to put out?

Ah, I see you used Manual Mode.

canonloader wrote in post #10043548
Hmmm, you might have convinced me to get my 550ex out and slap the Beamer on it. Very nice shot and I can see the affect of the beamer. At 50 feet, that's for sure worth a try. Did you use Av Mode and let the flash decide how much light to put out?

Ah, I see you used Manual Mode.

Thanks a lot guys.

Mitch, yeah the 7D was set to Manual as I kept the 430EX set to High Speed Sync and used the Shutter Speed to control the exposure. With the BB the flash was also set the Manual at 50mm. The 400mm f/5.6 is sharp enough wide open so no need to step it down for better clarity. Oh and too I used the Partial Metering Mode and Spot AF on the camera.

My best time for birds visiting my yard is early morning, until about 9am. But, I am facing West, so the house blocks the sun close in, where the birds are and lights up the far side of the yard, making a backlight situation.

I like to sit far inside the room and shoot out the open window, when weather permits. This pretty much kills the use of flash mounted on the camera. But last fall, I bought a 16" off camera cord and can set the flash in the window now and still shoot from the tripod 4 or 5 feet inside the room. I've had the flash and beamer for almost 4 years, and haven't used it in a couple years cause exposure compensation was good enough. Still, fill flash does a better job, so I will have to dust everything off and start using it again.

Great capture with the 400 f/5.6L. I am seriously considering getting that lens.

so crisp and detailed!

canonloader wrote in post #10043737
My best time for birds visiting my yard is early morning, until about 9am. But, I am facing West, so the house blocks the sun close in, where the birds are and lights up the far side of the yard, making a backlight situation.

That's pretty much my time also but do have the East morning Sun lighting my subjects. Problem is now the trees are all leafing out so its becoming kinda shady. That's where I gave thought to purchasing the Better Beamer.

tonybear007 wrote in post #10044348
Great capture with the 400 f/5.6L. I am seriously considering getting that lens.

You won't be disappointed. I rented one from lensrentals.com and two weeks later purchased mine. I just couldn't take being without my own ...

Flo wrote in post #10044351
so crisp and detailed!

Many thanks!