Help on Tanager i.d.

[MARINERMAGNUM]

I don't see enough of these to make a positive i.d. Is it a summer or a Scarlet? He's been hanging around my neighbor's feeder for a few days. Not a great pic.,but he's a cutie!

30D/160@F8 70-300IS

[Steve Foss]

Hey MM:

Pretty sure we're looking at an adult scarlet tanager. Occasionally, adult male individuals are a bit orange looking and have a slight shaft of color near the top of the black wing. This bird shows both those characteristics.

[MARINERMAGNUM]

Thanks Steve,what threw me was no sign of black anywhere on the tail. I did some more testing with the lenses and i think the loss of 100mm is too much for the small gain in sharpness/contrast. I am probably going to keep the 70-300 for now,and see if canon introduces anything else that would more suit my needs. If not, I will probably get another 100-400L someday. You were right though,I was really expecting "magic" from the L. This nuthatch was shot today with the 70-300 while waiting for the Tanager,and i'm satisfied with this lens's performance for what it cost.

[JayinMN]

Nice images, you take some great pictures!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Great Nuthatch shot!.. love the angle, something you dont see often!