finches in the thistle patch plus a few

My first post in 2 or 3 months as I hadn't picked up the camera in quite some time or so it feels. Been really busy and when I wasn't the weather sucked. It felt good to get back out amongst the birds even though I could sure tell I was a little on the rusty side of picture taking. Wish I could have spent more time out this morning and maybe then some more of the rust would have fell off and these would have been better.

Taken with a 50D and canon 300 F/4

Thanks, C&C always welcome

female gold finch on thistle seed pod

Nice shots, I especially like the one of the Oriole. And actually your Yellow Warbler is a female Baltimore Oriole

These are all great shots Mike.....love the ones of the thistle patch.

Great shots!
Travis is right, the yellow warbler is indeed a Baltimore Oriole.

Mike you don't look rusty to me! These are all beautiful shots. If they were really bad you could blame it on the camera...heh..heh.

Mike,

Very nice shots, indeed. I was wondering if you used an extender? Thanks for posting!

Looking good Mike, I was wondering about you... excellent variety of shots, but the finches in the thistles are exceptional, love the habitat... good to see your posts again.

db

love the way the heron is lit, great shots

Love seeing the finches in the thistle!! Beautiful colors.

These are great. Where did you find that much thistle in Ohio?

Good to see you back Mike and these are great shots. I like the Orioles you captured...very pretty birds.

Travis - thanks for the heads up on the fictional yellopw warbler. Thought it look a little large for a warbler but couldn't think of anything else that it could be as I never thought of a female oriole.

Thank you Sharon!

Ephily - thank you and thanks for the female oriole confirmation.

Thank you Steve and yes the camera was a little dusty.

Steve, thank you and no, I did not use a tc. I don't own one as of yet.

db - thanks guy, good to be back

perdido - thanks, I was pleased with the way it turned out.

Thank you Flo, appreciate it.

Thanks Mitch. I thought Ohio was the thistle capital of the world. We have so much, people even grow hybrid species for decoration around the house and flower beds.

Thank you Brad, I appreciate the kind words.

Nice shots. I love the goldfinches in the thistle.

All are very nice and I love the first photograph.

Thanks Ken and Lil!