Thematic The Yard Birds Thread

photolady95 · 05-23-2020, 04:41 AM

I wish I could find those in my backyard, Des. All I get are blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and a hawk or two.

Nice capture. TFS

**taks** · 05-23-2020, 08:27 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Des

You are too modest Taks - these are terrific. Great job with exposure against a bright background (whether in the yard or in PP).

Originally posted by jabobby

Taks, comparing to my photos I think all 3 of those shots are really good and the second warbler shot is beautiful, love the composition.

Thank you so much for such kind words. I am really inspired by great photos and wonderful advice from both of you as well as others. Its encouraging me to continue learning and try improving on my techniques. I am still struggling to achieve focus on the right spot fast enough

and getting closer to the birds

The warbler shot is pretty much 100% crop

**RDP** · 05-23-2020, 02:16 PM - **7 Likes**

The local oriole finally decided to come close enough and sit still long enough that I had time to get the camera.

**jabobby** · 05-23-2020, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by Des

This Crimson Rosella is in the process of morphing from its green/blue juvenile plumage to the adult crimson and blue. K-3 + FA*300 f4.5. Fairly typical settings for mediocre light: f5.6, 1/250th, 1600 ISO.

Wow, even while morphing the colors of that bird are beautiful. Viewing that on your flickr site with my 24 inch monitor that photo is really awesome, great job Des.
Best Regards, Bob

**jabobby** · 05-23-2020, 07:05 PM - **6 Likes**

Here are some of the cape may male and female.
Best Regards, Bob

**Des** · 05-23-2020, 09:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photolady95

I wish I could find those in my backyard, Des. All I get are blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and a hawk or two.Nice capture. TFS

Thanks very much, PL. The number and diversity of parrots is one of the distinctive features of the Australian fauna. We have 8 species who are residents or visitors.

Originally posted by jabobby

Wow, even while morphing the colors of that bird are beautiful. Viewing that on your flickr site with my 24 inch monitor that photo is really awesome, great job Des.Best Regards, Bob

Many thanks Bob. For detail, same old story - proximity! More interesting warbler shots - you have an amazing range of them on your farm.

**jabobby** · 05-24-2020, 06:56 PM - **6 Likes**

Had several male blackburnian warblers I was watching, here's shots of 2 of them. Last year I got some nice shots of the female but not the male. Strange how things change, this year so far I have not even seen a female.
Best Regards, Bob

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

**Des** · 05-24-2020, 11:00 PM - **6 Likes**

Some of our friendly resident songbirds with the KP + DA 55-300 PLM

Darcy, a Grey Shrike-Thrush.

Olive Whistler

Little Wattlebird

**alfa75ts** · 05-25-2020, 12:03 AM - **8 Likes**

Rainbow Lorikeet, uncropped, K3 DA*300 Tamron-F 1.4 TC:

**lidy** · 05-25-2020, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by Des

Some of our friendly resident songbirds with the KP + DA 55-300 PLM

I can't believe what you can do with that lens+camera combo, Des! Absolutely stunning pictures!

**Des** · 05-25-2020, 03:05 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by lidy

I can't believe what you can do with that lens+camera combo, Des! Absolutely stunning pictures!

Thanks very much Lidy. I find this combination unbelievable too! Friendly (and photogenic) birds that come up close make it a lot easier. These were all within about 4 metres; Darcy was probably only 2m (which is why the DOF is thin).

I used to use centre point focus-and-recompose for most things (I use one of the Auto settings for my birds-in-flight preset) but at the suggestion of a member here (a pro portrait photographer) I have switched to single point select. It has definitely improved my focus accuracy. For birds and animals I generally start with the point one or two above the centre point, because that is usually roughly where the eye of the critter will be when composing in the frame. It can be a bit fiddly (especially when switching between vertical and horizontal orientation) but I'm getting used to it and it is worth the trouble. I used to use back button autofocus, but I've gone back to shutter button - it leaves my right thumb free to move the focus point.

jquill · 05-25-2020, 07:17 PM - **5 Likes**

Today's Visitor. Black Crested Night Heron

Black Crested Night Heron

And, the reason for the visit:

Putting up a good fight

**noelcmn** · 05-26-2020, 11:13 AM - **1 Like**

**alfa75ts** · 05-26-2020, 02:54 PM - **3 Likes**

Another Lorikeet, K3 DA*300 Tamron-F 1.4 TC:

photolady95 · 05-26-2020, 07:53 PM - **2 Likes**

It just amazes me you Ozzies can just walk out your back or front yard and see these birds in abundance.

I did get a bird this evening that's hard to capture because they usually don't sit at the feeders for a long time.

The Tufted Titmouse, he looks wet.

05-23-2020, 09:11 PM - 1 Like	#1956
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by photolady95 I wish I could find those in my backyard, Des. All I get are blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and a hawk or two.Nice capture. TFS Thanks very much, PL. The number and diversity of parrots is one of the distinctive features of the Australian fauna. We have 8 species who are residents or visitors. Originally posted by jabobby Wow, even while morphing the colors of that bird are beautiful. Viewing that on your flickr site with my 24 inch monitor that photo is really awesome, great job Des.Best Regards, Bob Many thanks Bob. For detail, same old story - proximity! More interesting warbler shots - you have an amazing range of them on your farm. Last edited by Des; 05-24-2020 at 12:42 AM.

05-24-2020, 11:00 PM - 6 Likes	#1958
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Some of our friendly resident songbirds with the KP + DA 55-300 PLM Darcy, a Grey Shrike-Thrush. Olive Whistler Little Wattlebird Last edited by Des; 10-30-2020 at 03:35 PM.

05-25-2020, 03:05 PM - 2 Likes	#1961
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by lidy I can't believe what you can do with that lens+camera combo, Des! Absolutely stunning pictures! Thanks very much Lidy. I find this combination unbelievable too! Friendly (and photogenic) birds that come up close make it a lot easier. These were all within about 4 metres; Darcy was probably only 2m (which is why the DOF is thin). I used to use centre point focus-and-recompose for most things (I use one of the Auto settings for my birds-in-flight preset) but at the suggestion of a member here (a pro portrait photographer) I have switched to single point select. It has definitely improved my focus accuracy. For birds and animals I generally start with the point one or two above the centre point, because that is usually roughly where the eye of the critter will be when composing in the frame. It can be a bit fiddly (especially when switching between vertical and horizontal orientation) but I'm getting used to it and it is worth the trouble. I used to use back button autofocus, but I've gone back to shutter button - it leaves my right thumb free to move the focus point. Last edited by Des; 05-25-2020 at 03:29 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Birds From the yard	Terdog	Post Your Photos!	7	01-31-2012 08:08 AM
Some flowers and birds around the back yard	pentkon52	Post Your Photos!	3	07-10-2008 08:25 AM
First time photo post - Birds from the yard	ksdar	Post Your Photos!	12	05-18-2008 01:04 PM
Some Yard Birds	Fl_Gulfer	Post Your Photos!	4	02-26-2008 04:21 AM
Yard birds	sumrall	Post Your Photos!	7	11-07-2007 06:57 AM

05-23-2020, 04:41 AM	#1951
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I wish I could find those in my backyard, Des. All I get are blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and a hawk or two. Nice capture. TFS

05-23-2020, 08:27 AM - 3 Likes	#1952
taks Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,778	Originally posted by Des You are too modest Taks - these are terrific. Great job with exposure against a bright background (whether in the yard or in PP). Originally posted by jabobby Taks, comparing to my photos I think all 3 of those shots are really good and the second warbler shot is beautiful, love the composition. Thank you so much for such kind words. I am really inspired by great photos and wonderful advice from both of you as well as others. Its encouraging me to continue learning and try improving on my techniques. I am still struggling to achieve focus on the right spot fast enough and getting closer to the birds The warbler shot is pretty much 100% crop

05-23-2020, 06:57 PM	#1954
jabobby Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: north west pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 786	Originally posted by Des This Crimson Rosella is in the process of morphing from its green/blue juvenile plumage to the adult crimson and blue. K-3 + FA*300 f4.5. Fairly typical settings for mediocre light: f5.6, 1/250th, 1600 ISO. Wow, even while morphing the colors of that bird are beautiful. Viewing that on your flickr site with my 24 inch monitor that photo is really awesome, great job Des. Best Regards, Bob

05-25-2020, 06:54 AM	#1960
lidy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 534	Originally posted by Des Some of our friendly resident songbirds with the KP + DA 55-300 PLM I can't believe what you can do with that lens+camera combo, Des! Absolutely stunning pictures!

05-25-2020, 07:17 PM - 5 Likes	#1962
jquill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 2,933	Today's Visitor. Black Crested Night Heron Black Crested Night Heron And, the reason for the visit: Putting up a good fight

05-26-2020, 11:13 AM - 1 Like	#1963
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,210

05-26-2020, 07:53 PM - 2 Likes	#1965
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	It just amazes me you Ozzies can just walk out your back or front yard and see these birds in abundance. I did get a bird this evening that's hard to capture because they usually don't sit at the feeders for a long time. The Tufted Titmouse, he looks wet.