Goldfinches fighting in flight.

[LightSpeed]

Because this is fundamentally, FAR more challenging than some images, it DESERVES to top the listings.
It also deserves more recognition.

You don't see this every time you pick up a camera. And catching is even harder, because seldom is it ever close. And you have split seconds to work with it.
This deserves likes and it is getting at least one more.

Be well.

[eaglem]

You've captured a lot of detail in these action shots so well done.

[Lmcfarrin]

Because this is fundamentally, FAR more challenging than some images, it DESERVES to top the listings.
It also deserves more recognition.

You don't see this every time you pick up a camera. And catching is even harder, because seldom is it ever close. And you have split seconds to work with it.
This deserves likes and it is getting at least one more.

Be well.

Thanks. This is 5 years worth of technique that I continually keep working to improve. My history on this forum, I started from "the bottom" and have at times had emotional discussions where I had to concede and tuck tail as a student. I vowed to work on my craft and used my defeats as fuel to improve. As I continued to improve the critical photography tests began to mount - trying to debunk me as a fraud or keep me relegated as a student. Maybe, I came off or come off as arrogant or show offie or maybe an African American law enforcement officer is not entitled to be elevated to the status of teacher.

But likes or not, I KNOW where my images rank. I use to seek and need the affirmation and appreciate the endorsements when they trickle in. The finches are as long as your pointer finger and a little wider than your thumb with their wings folded. To give you an idea how small that is - If I use a 50MM full frame equivalent lens, my camera is approximately 3.5 feet away from the feeder. The end image after crop is approximately 6 to 11 megapixels.

By the way - ALL OF MY BIF CAPTURES are acquired using MANUAL FOCUS.

---------- Post added 03-17-20 at 03:16 AM ----------

You've captured a lot of detail in these action shots so well done.

In regards to detail, there is no way around it, gear performance is definite and the more detail you want to show you have to pay for it.

..... imagine the detail if these pics started at 42+ megapixels - one day I'll acquire those cameras too. Hope to hear from you again at that time ;-)

[daacon]

That is a rare fleeting moment and captured with manual focus is even more impressive. Well done

[ToddK]

Fantastic captures Lawrence! Terrific job as always

[Lmcfarrin]

Thanks from all. For a 300mm focal length (for finch sized birds), my cameras are approximately 11 feet from the feeder. It has been impossible for me to capture these millisecond moments with af. I accomplish this with mf focusing on a desired zone near or away from the feeder, and if my study of the birds trajectory to and from the feeder is accurate = a satisfactory capture. Of course the birds probably wont let you stand 11 feet from them so the most satisfying thing to me is knowing how close they will tolerate my cameras on tripods (3.5 feet is my closest).

In regards to gear, a feature as simple as silent shooting may make more difference than megapixel count or sensor size. But, everything is a trade off. The birds are traveling so fast i can see smearing in the final image from using electronic shutter vs manual shutter. I believe the EM1 III would perform even better - Olympus is doing a great job for my style of shooting. The GH5 is new to my arsenal (still learning it), has some great features too, but EM1 II for bif stills is the champ.

[LightSpeed]

By the way I use the same lens