Another Bird Picture

[Ask The Geezer]

This is a new visitor to the spot I usually shoot at and my book doesn't seem to have it listed, or I can't find it.

Shot with the Sigma 105 Macro.

[WannaBe_80z]

These shots are getting better and better. Keep them coming.

What's the news with your lense?

[Ask The Geezer]

Thanks.

This turned out to be an American Goldfinch. In case anyone wanted to know.

No news on the lens. Canon got the box last Friday and told me the bill will be another $193. I've been checking on it a couple times a day, and nothing new. I presume, when it's done and shipped, I can log in and see the status. The notice says within 10 business days, so I should have it back by next Friday at the latest, if you believe them.

[frex]

Cool shots Geezer!
The 1st is cool! I told ya the Sigma 105 is a winner
What was your distance to the bird?

[Ask The Geezer]

The first image, when he starts his bombing run was about 18 feet away, the last three, about 6 or 7 feet. All 4 images are crops though. So you can say the Sigma is an excellent lens.

And the 30D is an excellent camera.

[frex]

It surely is!

[RUSHVision]

Great pics, Geezer. Nice capture on that first one.

[Ask The Geezer]

Thanks Rush, it's fun taking them.

[littleMatt]

They're all good, but the second from last is stunning in my opinion.

[Ask The Geezer]

Thanks Matt.

[Percy]

Hi Guys,

Awesome photos.. Crisp and clear. You can count the birds toes!

This is my first visit the photograph section. Very nice first impression ..this Goldfinch!

Were these photos taken with a digital camera? (I'm a little behind on current developments). If so, is the camera 'stock' or is the lens you are referring to an 'add-on', (additional purchase).

Thanks,

.. and to Geezer, very nice work. Thanks for sharing it.

[Ask The Geezer]

Thanks Percy.

Yup, the camera is a brand new Canon 30D, an 8.2megapizel digital SLR. Not the top of the line for Canon, but not far from it.

The lens is definately an add on. The camera comes out of the box without a lens, so you normally have to buy all the glass separately, unless you buy a camera and lens "kit".

The lens I used for these shots is a Sigma brand, 105mm. Actually a Macro lens, but it will also focus out to infinity. And it's a fast f2.8 aperture, which allows for fast shutter speeds which makes pictures like the bombing run in #1 possible.

The saving grace for these pics was I was able to get within 8 or 10 feet as the far distance, and then they would come as close as 3 to 4 feet to eat the seeds I put out to attract them, like in the last 3 shots.

But it doesn't take a high dollar camera and expensive glass to get shots like this. Almost any P&S can do it. The trick is to set up a feeder to attract the birds in close in the first place. From there, almost any camera can take a good picture.

[carly1979]

you got picture of the week again geezer

nice one.

[Ask The Geezer]

I did?

Where's my newsletter? I signed up for it, but haven't seen one yet.

Thanks for letting me know.

[carly1979]

hmm.. got mine a bit earlier today. weird. anyway, this is what it said:

3.1 Photograph of the Week (NEW)
================================================== =========================

Our resident Geezer drops these bombshells in the Photography Forum.
http://board.flashkit.com/board/showthread.php?t=708487
4 beautiful images with incredible lighting, clarity and the timing on the first
shot
makes it the Flash Kit Featured Photograph of the week.

Nice shot ATG and thank you for sharing!

[Ask The Geezer]

Thanks Carly

Guess I got to keep shooting now. Here's another shot from the other day, right in my own back yard. A Tufted Titmouse, a name I just love to giggle at.

[littleMatt]

hehe - Titmouse!

Gorgeous shot though. What's he/she standing on?

[carly1979]

haha his hair looks like my girlfriend's

your photos are all so crispy and sharp

on a side-note, do you still have your bat?

[Ask The Geezer]

What's he/she standing on?

Only the males have that tuft, and let me tell you, he has full control over it. He can pop it up or down or even back faster than you can blink. It's like a little semaphore that he uses to give away his moods. In that pic, he's standing on the top of one of those telephone boxes you find in yards sometimes. You can see it better here;

on a side-note, do you still have your bat?

Ah, no, me and my brother took Vlad back to a park right near the building he was found in, at the end of last May. He flew his fat little self right up into a huge oak tree about 50 yards away and I presume, hung out till after dark when other bats no doubt came out to feed.

[EVPohovich]

Congratulations Geezer, another stellar contribution to the Photography Forum.