Happy boy!

[jeeperman]

While it will take me a little time to get myself dialed in to useing the new glass, here are shots from my first day out with it. The weather sucked, solid black clouds and mostly dark but once in a while it would thin but never clear. Still I feel fortunate. =} Half of these are handheld at 400mm.

[mstrozewski]

Those turned out quite well.. the red-winged black birds are fast, if they don't notice you, then you have a chance

[Jack R Mann]

Nicely done!!

[jeeperman]

Thank you both, I quite enjoyed my day out.

[Dave Humphries]

Very nice Paul,

I took some of water foul yesterday, which I was quite pleased with, until I saw these!

Good series, nice glass,

[Stinky]

Great green-winged teal. One of my favorite waterfowl.

[rpcrowe]

Lovely colors on these birds...

[jeeperman]

Thank you Dave, waterfoul can be an difficult task as some are so wary. I enjoy the challenge. Yes, I am quite pleased with the glass.

Steve, yes the Teals are fun and beautiful birds. I found a couple doing their little display but could not get to them. Next time.

Thanks Richard, there are many great colors in nature. It is a bit of a shame how many people walk right by so much beauty on a regular basis and never notice them. Then you show them a picture and the say....Wow, where did you go to see birds like that? Not knowing that they have past them on the walk to work for the last 10yrs.

[Geoff F]

Good focus and exposure.

As you say, Paul, so many people seem incapable of both walking and looking. I frequently find the same thing when I am photographing wildlife.

And so many of them are loudly talking all the time; not about the scenery or animals, but about work or their children; even what they ate yesterday, etc.

At one time, I could never understand why some people walk on treadmill machines in gyms etc. But after seeing them walking through spectacular scenery without actually being aware of it, I have come to realise that they might as well be walking indoors!

[jeeperman]

Thank you Geoff and I agree! They don't even notice what I am shooting until after they notice what I am shooting with, but at least they do become a little more aware in the end. Otherwise the may as well just stay inside and dream of seeing the outdoors they are shown on tv while walking the treadmill.

[Bobobird]

Solid shots Paul, solid shots.

You did well to nail the red-wings - awfully difficult birds to catch.

Btw - which lens are you using?

Another btw - just checked you web link - TOTALLY AWESOME shots there.

Where is Mary?

[Dizzy]

Sweet shots Paul...

I believe that's a Teal in the second pic? It's a beauty of a bird!

[jeeperman]

Thanks Mike and yes you are correct, it is a green wing Teal.

[jamn4ex]

wow paul those are great! I chased those redwings around for awhile, not too successfully ...I know you are gonna love your new lens ... so are we if these shots are any inclination of what you will be posting with it. May I ask what lens you bought?

[jeeperman]

Thanks James. I bought the Sony 70-400G. I posted a few from lunch today in a post called "more birds" if you would like to see more from it.

[jeeperman]

Sorry Bobo, did not see your edit until just now, but answered your question just above. Also thank you for the compliments on the site!

[Bobobird]

Not where is the Mary bit

[jeeperman]

Mary? I am lost. lol

[Bobobird]

I saw a Peter in your weblink, a Paul here, so was wondering if there was a Mary somewhere. hehe

[jeeperman]

Uh oh....did I mis-spell my name somewhere? lol I will have to check now.

Nope, did not see any Peter.