RWBB's

[MN Shutterbug]

I went out early this morning(early for me anyway), and took a few shots of these birds from the car. I got home and didn't really like any of them. The little bit of sun there was, was behind them. Also, one was too close to focus on. Actually, if I would have remembered to change a setting on my lens to closer focusing, I would have been OK. It's just something I've never had to do, due to me never being that close to a bird. Anyway, I ran back out there early this evening. If I would have been 5 minutes earlier, the photos would have been much better. The sun went behind a cloud bank just as I was getting to the area. The lighting would have been perfect. As it is, they didn't turn out bad, but I would have liked to see a nice catchlight in the eyes.

[mmeyer]

Good Stuff there Mike!! Nice to be out in short sleeve weather isn't it!!

[DMN]

Nice shots XT, the last 2 look like they are singing their hearts out.

DMN

[Paul]

I Don't know Mike, I really like the 2nd one. Don't be so hard on yourself.

[mcary]

Nice to see you have some more photo subjects working their way into your area. Things are starting to improve here in Duluth as well.

[mountaindew]

Really like the 3rd one! Looks like it's screaming! Nice set!

[buzzsaw]

Flash fill those black birds next time bud... I was out today chasing around some Turkeys, Bluebirds and RR blackbirds and flash was very much needed.

[MN Shutterbug]

 Originally Posted By: buzzsaw

Flash fill those black birds next time bud... I was out today chasing around some Turkeys, Bluebirds and RR blackbirds and flash was very much needed.

As soon as I saw that you had replied, I knew exactly what the reply was going to be. However, my on camera flash doesn't have that kind of range. I also don't feel like dropping hundreds of dollars on a Canon flash and Better Beamer.

How's this for fill flash?

[buzzsaw]

yeah on camera flash is not gonna do it. I think in time it will be a valuable tool to add to your arsenal. Sometimes you can find good "used" deals too on flashes. Keep up the good work sir!

[Steve Foss]

Hey Mike, if you had one rwbb within the long range of close focus on the 100-400, that had to be inside 20 feet, and the popup flash on the 30D will actually give you some help out to about that distance.

Worth a try until you get an onboard unit. Even Canon's smaller flash series, the 420/430, will give you help without a better beamer out to at least 50 feet. That's about how far my 430EX is good for.

Here's also a tip you may want to try. The difference it time it takes to acquire focus with that lens based on your focus-distance limiter switch is miniscule. Mine always stays on the close focus setting because I just never know what's going to happen next. If I've got a BIF or something else somewhat distant in tricky lighting/focus conditions I can easily pop it back to the other setting.

[Royce Aardahl]

Nice pics, I can hear em!