Female Purple Finch

Nice series of shots her Rob

Congratulations & I believe the Bonaparte's Gull is my top pick

Lil

Nice series..Thanks for sharing

Lovely set - really nicely done, great colors and detail!
Susan

Very nice Rob, wonderful variety with nice, crisp shots.

Doug

Great set Rob.
Harsha

Rob, you put together some great ones here. Excellent color and detail in the little birds, male Grosbeak is a handsome guy , great finch shots too!

That baldie has a proud perch, bet that will offer up some more good shooting for you.The Sandhills look confused Very nice shots.

Karl

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone. Karl that eagle was one of 20 feasting on fish that were spawning just below a beaver dam. When we got there everyone was full and just sitting around.

Very nice job with these, Rob. Detail look very good considering the low shutter speed you were dealing with. I see 1/25 sec. in the male PF shot! I feel pretty confortable bumping the ISO up to 800 with my 40D (as I did with the 20D). I'm sure your XTi will do a good job also. Did you use a tripod?
In any case: well done. The Evening Grosbeaks are my favorites.
Socrate

Socrate thanks for the kind word and for the reminder about watching my shutter speed. The IS lenses help but I should be using the higher ISO. I do know a well exposed ISO 800 shot beats an underexposed 200 shot every time. I used 800 on the XTI for the grouse I posted here a couple of days ago. It works well with some noise ninja on the background

Excellent series Rob, wonderful. Nice job on the PP.

Tim

Thanks Tim.

Rob

I love the first shot as well as the Eagle shot! Good work and great light on both.

-- Vivek

Rob,
Nice shots. I'd appreciate some basic adivce. I have a 70-200 2.8 IS with a 2x teleconverter, and even using a 10D which gives an additional 1.6 magnification ratio I can't seem to get half as close as you have to these birds, without startling them and having them scatter. The lens with a hood, is already about 14 inches long! I try to be as stealthy as I can be. What type of lens are you using? Did you say you were using a tripod? Thanks
Jay

Vivek Thanks for the comments, the first shot is my favourite.
Jay no secrets here, With the setup you have you'll have no problems. I use an XTI with a 70 - 300mm IS lens mostly handheld (or leaning against a tree). Usually I stand still and wait for the birds to come close enough. They decide who is getting their picture taken.

Great job Rob!
wonderful images! I really like the pose on the eagle shot, perfect!
Male grossbeak is my fav.! nice soft lighting on that 1!
Congrats!

All of them are very nice captures. Immature Bald Eagle and Sandhill Cranes are my favorites.

Jude

Nice set you've got here. I especially like the grosbeak shots.

Are you out west somewhere?

Josh

Thanks for the comments Nello, Jude and Josh. Yes out in British Columbia in the interior. The ice finally went off our lake today!