Okay, not up to the quality to those posted here.
However, I was so excited to get closer than I ever have to these guys. My 300mm is still leaving me wanting, but still having fun . I hope I am improving .
I do have a question , if someone can help. How in the world to do properly expose these guys? I keep having problems with the black in shadow.
It's 2 for me Birdie, but 3 put a smile on my face. And nice exposures on the last 2. When shooting a dark subject against a lighter bg, you have to dial in some + exposure compensation. Maybe +1/3 or + 2/3. Get the subject correct in camera, and work on the bg in post. Of course, when the subject comes close to filling the frame, compensation becomes less important ~ Ron
I love these, Birdie! And #3 gave me the giggles .
Hey, here's a reasonable/dumb idea: Do you expect to die with more than $500 in savings? Yes? Then spend it now and buy a good used 500mm. It doesn't have to be a fast lens because you're going to be using a tripod almost all the time anyway.
Charlie (supplier of dumb ideas upon request )
Nice shots. To clear up any exposure questions you might have, this might help. All digital cameras are going to try and expose the scene to an average grey, so if you are shooting an all black sheet for example the camera will overexpose and the image will look gray, if it is white the opposite will happen, the image will be underexposed and still look gray. So contrary to common sense, if you are shooting your RWBB and it is mostly filling the frame like in your last shots, you actually need to dial in minus exposure compensation to keep the bird black, something in the -1/3-2/3. Too much underexposure and the bird will get clipped to black (all the black pixels will become absolute black with no detail, or turn to color level 0) so you need to avoid that. Also ISO noise will show up more in underexposed areas and black detail, so be careful. Hope this helps. And good work.
RWBB's are a fun challenge and IMO a rewarding prize when you find them in the right light and figure out the right exposures. Watch out shooting them on very light BG's as it often will be an exposure that exceeds the cameras range and you have to sacrifice the exposure at that point.
Don't underexpose them as noise will most often show up easily on them. If you spot meter on them that will be the same as overexposing by about 2/3 to 1 stop since the camera will try to make the black render as gray. Try some flash fill if you have it, can be rewarding at times
On your set here IMO your color balance is a bit cool and #1 is a bit short of deep blacks. However I know you will move forward and put up some killer shots soon!
Take care
Karl
These guys aint easy Roberta and you did a marvelous job on them IMO
Last frame is a crackup and gave me a wide smile
Keep at it while they are around, you are improving leaps and bounds with each set
Again, if you overexpose a black subject it will turn gray, so if you overexpose the black bird it will become even more gray and have very little contrast or detail. You need to underexpose the black bird, I know it seems to be counter to common sense, but try it and see what happens. Noise will only occur if you underexpose by 2/3 to 1+ stops.
I really appreciate everyone's kind words and encouragement I definitely am going to try these guys again, they are a challenge. Appreciate the instructions on trying to expose for these guys. I can tell this is not going to be easy for me.
I have a black and white dog ( black face and black eyes) still can't get a good shot of him either !
Charlie, my kids are hoping I have more than $500.00 left
? I keep having problems with the black in shadow. 
