[Blythman]

Thanks again for feedback. I shoot in RAW. For PP, I primarily use lightroom. Just adjust WB, tweaks to exposure and contrast, lift the shadows a bit. I do often use the "Punch" preset. Very little sharpening on these, and a bit NR.

Had to go out earlier so rushing to post these, I forgot to adjust WB on the blue tit and woodpecker (although its more a novelty shot - so not too fussed), and I did a bit of cloning on the tree of the treecreeper, which I should have spent more time on.

As to how I got the shots. These were at a local nature reserve (Gosforth Park). The first 2 from a lakeside hide, and the others from a woodland hide. The nuthatch and blue tit were pretty much at min focus distance of the DA 300. The Kingy was not much further away.

[JeffAHayes]

see exif, kingfisher was taken with the da*300

Ya can't BEAT that DA* 300! With limited funds, I started off with the DA* 16-50, and when I had the $$$ for a second DA* lens, the DA* 300 was the one I chose. Unless I just get FLUSH with cash, I doubt I'll ever buy any of the others except maybe the DA* 55 F1.4. I already have a 100mm F2.8 and an older FA 135 F2.8 from the 90s, so I don't see the purpose in spending that kind of money on the 50-135, nor spending what it costs to get the F2.8 200, when I could get a Tamron F2.8 70-200 for less than that... Same with the 60-250... I know its reputation is TACK SHARP, but so is the 300, and it's another 50/75mm. I have the 55-300 and an 18-250 if I want that range of zoom... nowhere near the quality, but when I want quality at a distance, that's what the 300's for. When my K-3 gets here, I'll almost ALWAYS have the 300 on that, probably the D FA 100 on my K-5 and my 55-300 or my Sigma 18-250 on my K-30... Just have to get something like a Cotton Carrier to carry it all, so I can get shots like Alan did without banging my cameras and myself to death, lol.

Oh, by the way, Alan... GREAT SHOTS! I could have been flipping through National Geographic or Audubon and not seen any better!
Jeff

[jimr-pdx]

Excellent work! That one stump must be crawling with treats, never seen two birds on a single log before. That camera reached you on the right day

[ryan s]

Really great shots!

Interesting the red-breasted nuthatch looks exactly the same as our North American version They only winter where I live and are one of the first northern birds to come around every fall.

[weinelm]

Super pictures, really enjoyed these!

[GordonZA]

Stunning shots, well done!!