Thematic The Yard Birds Thread

**tmlawes** · 05-01-2021, 08:23 AM - **7 Likes**

Bewick's wren with a meal.

Attached Images

Thagomizer · 05-01-2021, 05:49 PM - **8 Likes**

Just a few doors down from where we live, a pair of Cooper's Hawks have started nesting. The female is still in immature plumage.

The above two are pretty closely cropped.

And here she is, on the nest. Really!

And here's the male:

And here he is in flight:

All with KP. The shots of the perching male were with the Tamron 55BB 500mm f8 mirror lens, all others DA 55-300, all with a bit of cropping.

**Mbaez** · 05-01-2021, 08:00 PM - **1 Like**

Since the pandemic I've been enjoying this thread so much. Very nice pictures from everybody.

**rod_grant** · 05-02-2021, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by tmlawes

Bewick's wren with a meal.

Well captured.

**tmlawes** · 05-02-2021, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by rod_grant

Well captured.

Thanks. I think the bird was very proud of its catch and wanted to show somebody.

timb64 · 05-05-2021, 01:55 PM - **4 Likes**

KP and PLM

Jan178 · 05-06-2021, 07:48 AM - **8 Likes**

Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some hel*ish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone!

Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified...

(Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away

)

**Mbaez** · 05-06-2021, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Jan178

Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some hel*ish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone!

Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified...

(Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away )

Incredible sequence! Too bad for the hawk.

OrchidJulie · 05-06-2021, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by Jan178

(Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away )

Kudos with the K70! And good news for the magpie!

Jan178 · 05-06-2021, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Mbaez

Incredible sequence! Too bad for the hawk.

Originally posted by OrchidJulie

Kudos with the K70! And good news for the magpie!

Thanks guys!

I guess anothers saved life is anothers missed meal

**steamloco76** · 05-06-2021, 01:29 PM - **6 Likes**

WET male northern cardinal in the grass. KP/DFA 150-450 @ 450mm

**steamloco76** · 05-06-2021, 01:30 PM - **9 Likes**

Male white crowned sparrow. KP/DFA150-450 @450mm

jquill · 05-06-2021, 04:37 PM - **12 Likes**

One of our pond visitors.

Blue Heron Happy Dance

**Des** · 05-06-2021, 05:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mbaez

Since the pandemic I've been enjoying this thread so much. Very nice pictures from everybody.

+1. Great diversity, enjoyable stories, skilful photography.

The recent raptor shots from @Thagomizer and @Jan178 are amazing.

Originally posted by Jan178

Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified...

It's the perfect yard birds lens. Although I do swap between the 55-300 PLM and FA*300 at times for the faster aperture and higher resolution (at the expense of less versatility and much slower AF). If you can pick up a DA*300 or F/FA*300 at an affordable price, you won't regret it either. Ultimately there's a place for both the zoom and prime if you like wildlife.

Thagomizer · 05-06-2021, 08:38 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Des

+1. Great diversity, enjoyable stories, skilful photography.

The recent raptor shots from @Thagomizer and @Jan178 are amazing.

It's the perfect yard birds lens. Although I do swap between the 55-300 PLM and FA*300 at times for the faster aperture and higher resolution (at the expense of less versatility and much slower AF). If you can pick up a DA*300 or F/FA*300 at an affordable price, you won't regret it either. Ultimately there's a place for both the zoom and prime if you like wildlife.

Thanks Des! Having a nest close by means that the Cooper's are hanging around, so I get lots of opportunities. Glad you like my results. I would like to get closer, but them's the breaks. Now, if I were dress up as a small bird....

---------- Post added 05-06-21 at 11:46 PM ----------

Originally posted by Jan178

Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some hel*ish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone!

Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified...

(Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away )

Great shots! Your 100 macro did a wonderful job. I doesn't look heavily cropped at all. I'm always afraid of cropping too much with shots like the one's I've been getting of the Cooper's Hawks. I'm glad I can fool some of the people some of the time!

. I usually try to avoid the 300 on my DA 55-300, backing off just a bit before shooting.

05-06-2021, 01:29 PM - 6 Likes	#2306
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	WET male northern cardinal in the grass. KP/DFA 150-450 @ 450mm Attached Images

05-06-2021, 01:30 PM - 9 Likes	#2307
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Male white crowned sparrow. KP/DFA150-450 @450mm Attached Images

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05-01-2021, 05:49 PM - 8 Likes	#2297
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	Just a few doors down from where we live, a pair of Cooper's Hawks have started nesting. The female is still in immature plumage. The above two are pretty closely cropped. And here she is, on the nest. Really! And here's the male: And here he is in flight: All with KP. The shots of the perching male were with the Tamron 55BB 500mm f8 mirror lens, all others DA 55-300, all with a bit of cropping.

05-01-2021, 08:00 PM - 1 Like	#2298
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,774	Since the pandemic I've been enjoying this thread so much. Very nice pictures from everybody.

05-02-2021, 05:51 AM	#2299
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by tmlawes Bewick's wren with a meal. Well captured.

05-02-2021, 06:41 AM	#2300
tmlawes Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 771	Originally posted by rod_grant Well captured. Thanks. I think the bird was very proud of its catch and wanted to show somebody.

05-05-2021, 01:55 PM - 4 Likes	#2301
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	KP and PLM

05-06-2021, 07:48 AM - 8 Likes	#2302
Jan178 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Rovaniemi, Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some hel*ish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone! Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified... (Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away )

05-06-2021, 07:50 AM	#2303
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,774	Originally posted by Jan178 Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some hel*ish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone! Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified... (Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away ) Incredible sequence! Too bad for the hawk.

05-06-2021, 08:41 AM	#2304
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,999	Originally posted by Jan178 (Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away ) Kudos with the K70! And good news for the magpie!

05-06-2021, 09:13 AM	#2305
Jan178 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Rovaniemi, Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Originally posted by Mbaez Incredible sequence! Too bad for the hawk. Originally posted by OrchidJulie Kudos with the K70! And good news for the magpie! Thanks guys! I guess anothers saved life is anothers missed meal

05-06-2021, 04:37 PM - 12 Likes	#2308
jquill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 2,933	One of our pond visitors. Blue Heron Happy Dance

05-06-2021, 05:25 PM - 1 Like	#2309
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Mbaez Since the pandemic I've been enjoying this thread so much. Very nice pictures from everybody. +1. Great diversity, enjoyable stories, skilful photography. The recent raptor shots from @Thagomizer and @Jan178 are amazing. Originally posted by Jan178 Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified... It's the perfect yard birds lens. Although I do swap between the 55-300 PLM and FA300 at times for the faster aperture and higher resolution (at the expense of less versatility and much slower AF). If you can pick up a DA300 or F/FA*300 at an affordable price, you won't regret it either. Ultimately there's a place for both the zoom and prime if you like wildlife.

05-06-2021, 08:38 PM - 2 Likes	#2310
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	Originally posted by Des +1. Great diversity, enjoyable stories, skilful photography. The recent raptor shots from @Thagomizer and @Jan178 are amazing. It's the perfect yard birds lens. Although I do swap between the 55-300 PLM and FA300 at times for the faster aperture and higher resolution (at the expense of less versatility and much slower AF). If you can pick up a DA300 or F/FA300 at an affordable price, you won't regret it either. Ultimately there's a place for both the zoom and prime if you like wildlife. Thanks Des! Having a nest close by means that the Cooper's are hanging around, so I get lots of opportunities. Glad you like my results. I would like to get closer, but them's the breaks. Now, if I were dress up as a small bird.... ---------- Post added 05-06-21 at 11:46 PM ---------- Originally posted by Jan178 Got extremely lucky twice last evening when i heard some helish noise from my backyard. Went to see and saw some birds fighting, took a closer look and there they were, a sparrowhawk holding a magpie! So i ran back inside the house to grab my camera, and got lucky for second time; a K-70 was there, ready with FA 100mm Macro. My absolutely best gear for this kind of event! If i were to find and switch lenses the birds would have been long gone! Now all i have to do is to find a longer, affordable lens since these frames are cropped quite heavily. Thinking that 55-300mm PLM is starting to be justified... (Spoiler: The magpie eventually got away ) Great shots! Your 100 macro did a wonderful job. I doesn't look heavily cropped at all. I'm always afraid of cropping too much with shots like the one's I've been getting of the Cooper's Hawks. I'm glad I can fool some of the people some of the time! . I usually try to avoid the 300 on my DA 55-300, backing off just a bit before shooting.