Bewick's Wren - a bit shy (cropped a bit for composition):

EXIF:
Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K20D
Exposure Time 0.0031s (1/320)
Aperture f/4.5
ISO 800
Focal Length 300mm (450mm 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 3036 x 2321

Sparrow eyeballing the blind - perhaps 12-15 feet away (cropped for composition):

EXIF:
Date Taken 2008-06-08 11:02:34
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure Time 0.0003s (1/3200)
Aperture f/9.0
ISO 800
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2823 x 1947

[Jonson PL]

Both are superb. Great detail, rendering, plus lots of sharpness.

Prefer the first one

[Eaglerapids]

Man, you keep raising the bar Marc, wonderful shots.

[Marc Langille]

Both are superb. Great detail, rendering, plus lots of sharpness.

Prefer the first one

Thanks Sune! I really enjoyed watching the parents come and go to feed their young one in the Mesquite tree. Only 5 feet from my cabin...

Man, you keep raising the bar Marc, wonderful shots.

Thank you and I am glad you enjoyed them!

Regards,
Marc

[squarerigger]

Wow Marc, those are absolutely wonderful shots. I even got my wife to view them and she said they should be in some magazine or book. She then went on to tell me its obvious I have some work to do to reach this level - and she's right. Anyway, thanks for sharing these photos.

[Marc Langille]

Wow Marc, those are absolutely wonderful shots. I even got my wife to view them and she said they should be in some magazine or book. She then went on to tell me its obvious I have some work to do to reach this level - and she's right. Anyway, thanks for sharing these photos.

Thank you Gary for those very kind words from you and your wife! Sorry to hear that I'm forcing the bar to be raised - not my intent!

I posted this image of the Olive Sparrow on the Nature Photographers Online Magazine forum for the first time tonight. I was shocked at getting 3 responses (all very positive, nothing negative) in the space of 40 minutes! They are pretty tough in their critiques on the avian forums, believe me... I suspect it's because the sparrow has limited range within the US, and that shot shows a little "attitude"...

Regards,
Marc

[Jimbo]

Sorry to hear that I'm forcing the bar to be raised - not my intent

Secretly your enjoying this Marc!! Its was a road to get there but now that you are there take it in and yes we do want to get this good!! Cheers JIMBO

[Marc Langille]

Secretly your enjoying this Marc!! Its was a road to get there but now that you are there take it in and yes we do want to get this good!! Cheers JIMBO

Thank you Jim - I am enjoying the fruits of my labors, nothing more! :ugh:

I am really pleased with how my images are now coming out in terms of the technical side of sharpness, bokeh, etc. and that's what matters for me. I think I've got the right sense of framing, composition, etc...

Regards,
Marc

[Jimbo]

Thank you Jim - I am enjoying the fruits of my labors, nothing more!

Sounds like a great place to be my friend... JIM

[Marc Langille]

Sounds like a great place to be my friend... JIM

I just need to know how to pick the fruit!!! :ugh:

Sincerely,
Marc