Goldfinch (female) {Carduelis tristis}

Hi Len,

 You must have waited till everything was just right before taking this picture, because it is tack sharp especially when viewed larger, you see every fine detail with a beautifully blurred bg. Great work my friend.

Best Regards,

Holger

Thanks for your visit.  Patience is the key!  Almost fell asleep in my lawn chair waiting for this scene to unfold.  (backyard bird feeder nearby)  :-)  Best, LM.

Hi Len,

  Beautiful capture of one of my favorite little birds.  I love the sharpness & background.  Take care, Patsy

So, these are common throughout North America?  No deal then?  :-)  Thanks for your kind appraisal.  I've been generally pleased with my few results in this, new for me,  field so far.  New to 'Birding' I've been inspired by an acquaintance who has been into photographing birds locally, most found in his backyard, for a few years now.  I have a long way to go to get to his quality level as well as for scraping up the cash for his level of glass. One step at a time!  Best, LM.

I like the diagonal composition and detail you've got here, Len. It is not easy to photograph birds (at least for me). Just yesterday there was a robin in my garden, I started to photograph it without success, but when I tried to get closer, it flew away. 

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

The story of my life!  You are not alone in your frustration.  I usually get the perfect composition & find I have failed to turn the camera on.  In the time it takes to turn the camera on the moment has passed.  But I'll get better with practice....................I hope!  For close ups I think the trick is to get a longer lens (big $) or hide in a blind (low $)  I know what I'm going to try first.  :-)  Thanks for your kind assessment and experiences.    Best, LM.

Hi Len. I have a 100-400 mm lens, but I feel that sometimes is not enough! :)

400 seems like it would work for me. (I only have 200mm max)  But a 'birder' friend tells me sometimes even his 500 isn't enough.  I guess it depends on how deep one's pockets are.  :-)  Best, LM.

Pile the seeds up and they will come... ;-).  I'm also limited to my 200mm (unless I put it on my D300 body) but just can't justify the Big $ for a quality long lens.  You've done an excellent job here with the crisp subject detail and the nice DOF... Mike

This is what is possible with my 55-200mm when I sit very still under the tree the bird feeder is attached to.  I can get as close as 10 ft. from them.  They land on a tree branch first, gather courage, then attack the feeder.  I have many shots of them actually on the feeder but this technique makes the shot appear more natural.  Thanks for your visit(s).  Best, LM.