Either the weather has been lousy when I can get out or I have been too busy to get out and shoot since Thanksgiving. I was determined to get out over the Christmas break so when we had a couple of hours of sun I headed to a spot close by to see if I could find SOMETHING to photograph. I was also anxious to work with my 400mm 5.6 non IS that had been on loan for a while. It was just like getting back together with an old friend. I picked it up and from frame one we were working fine together. Damn that thing focuses fast!! Another great perk to using that over a super tele is that it doesn't attract anywhere near as much attention, I was able to shoot in peace without the usual "hey that's one heck of a camera" comments

So here you go, nothing fancy mind you, just some shots from a fun filled 2 hours.

Tim

Very nice Tim. Nothing like an ole friend ! Great set.

Birdie

Great to see you back in the swing Tim, #3 is my pick.

Rob

Nothing like spending a day with a good old friend

-Tim

If Nikon made a 400 f/5.6 I'd have one.
Maybe a new friend one day.

Super cool poses on the Gulls, and the Mergie launch is a beauty and my favorite.

Looks like a beautiful day buddy, hoping it continues for my boys in the PNW.

Kruk

Everyone who has this lens seems to love it, and I guess this is why. #3 is fun; looks like antigravity.
Mark

Nice quacker take off Tim. Your gulls are wonderful and nice to get reacquainted with an old friend....fun to shoot with 800/2. It is light as a feather and I agree it is really fast.
Hope the weather improves or the ducks may just be in your front yard.
Eric

Fantastic shootin' Tim. I feel the dreary pain.

I made an attempt to drive 2 hours to have a chance to just see snowy owls. Had a great time in the rain watching the sleepy visitors by myself for over 2 hours and just appreciated being in their presence until a guy with a longer lens than I dream of and his backpack helper felt they could make 5 of them go into flight. Grrrr. I was so bummed and really felt frustrated to know this is how some people do it. Well anyway I am over it and did get a nice couple shots but I don't feel comfortable making a post. It's just too against my beliefs.

Luv the runner #1 and the last is quite angelic.
Take care and hope we have a couple good days coming soon
Brian

Old friend or not, you two were groovin'! Now it looks like you had some decent light too. Nice!

H

lovely shots Tim .. the last two are my favorites

Nice set Tim. I just need the 1DX behind mine.

Bruce

Your friend didn't fail you! The bird's position for #2 is cool.

Maybe nothing special, but still very nice Tim. 2 looks almost 3D ~ Ron

Good work Tim. That is a nice lens.

cool set Tim

Really like those Gull shots Tim.

Paul.

Nice set, Tim. I do like the pose in #2 a lot.
And the last one is a real beauty.
Chris

Nice work Tim!

Getting back together with old friends is always something special! You did your friend justice!

Happy New Year!

Mike

Tim, very nice set! BeeBalm

Very nice shots Tim. The 400mm is on my wish list.

John