Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sunday Photos

I purposely did all my chores yesterday so I could spend today playing with my camera. I am not trying to get fantastic photos yet, but just practicing getting comfortable with my new toy. The camera also comes with some great software for editing pictures that I didn't have before so that's helping me manipulate the photos some. The picture of the blue jay is in the same area I take a lot of my backyard bird photos. The original picture came out dark and with the help of the software, voila!! Instant light.
The photo of the cardinal was a bit trickier. He is far away from my window and under a bush. I practiced with my zoom and took Abe's suggestions and it didn't come out half bad considering I had it at full zoom capacity. I love the fact that I could see what he was doing. I often see the cardinal in this bush and without my binoculars, I had no idea what he was up to. Now I know he goes to this spot to eat the peanuts I put out for them all. He is really working hard to get to the peanut!


I love this photo. Junco's are my most difficult bird to photo. I think it's because they are so dark. This is the first time I could get a half decent photo of one and I got in in flight!! Very cool.

I did go across the street in the woods to see if I could get some photos over there. The funny thing is that I have more activity in my yard than what is in the wild. The same thing happened to me yesterday. I went out to some fields and woods in town and the place was very quiet. I guess the birds are as sick of the cold as we are and taking it easy some.

My back yard is quiet now due to the fact that the cooper's who lives across the street from me is also aware that the woods are devoid of birds and has decided to hang out in my yard some. I am waiting for my new batteries to charge and then I hope I can get a photo of her too!

15 comments:

Rich said...

A new camera! Great pictures. You certainly did upgrade. Have a good day using it. I took 115 pictures yesterday. it is so easy with cameras these days.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Good pictures, Kallen. Appears as if you are getting the 'hang' of that new camera. Ours also has software which helps with the lightening and contrast, etc. Just be careful and don't do so much to your pictures that they look almost unreal or fake (like some do on our blogs). I like the 'real' thing!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

FAB said...

Good to see someone else playing with a new 'toy'. Love the Blue Jay posing for you. FAB

Shelley said...

The Blue Jay photo was excellent! An I liked how you captured those junco's legs dangling in the air as he flew. I think that's all it takes to be better with your camera - just playing with it. (I've tried reading my manual - but my ADD kicks in so I just start playing w/ the settings and paying attention to other blogger's tips that they post.)

Richard said...

Pictures are really getting better. Just wait til you get used to all the features.

A couple of tricks I use. First, I keep my camera on the burst mode. Second, I use the spot focus the most when taking zoom close-ups. Third, try the camera on marco even when shooting at a distance. Sometimes that brings out the bird feathers more. And last, the slower the speed (ISO setting) the softer the picture or you can just leave it on auto.

Funny...word verification on this post is: pictier

A New England Life said...

I can just tell you are very excited about your new camera. This will open up a whole new world for you Kim! Make sure to have an extra set of rechargable batteries ; )

I didn't know Cardinals liked peanuts. My husband put some out this morning but so far only the Blue Jays seem to be all that's interested, and man are they ever! It's like they have found a priceless treasure, which in this weather wouldn't be to far from the truth!

Happy Sunday!

Anonymous said...

I can feel your excitement and it's fun to be able to share in it Kallen

Anonymous said...

It does take a couple of days to make friend with new cameras. I'm ~still~ learning every day!

NCmountainwoman said...

Nice photographs. Congratulations on the new camera.

Deborah Godin said...

Photos are looking good, you're really taking to the new technology!

Cardinal: Oh sure, the minute you get a big mouthful of food someone is there taking your picture!

Kim said...

Thanks Rich, I am having fun with it. I can't wait to see all of your photos on your blog!

Betsy, I too like my birds au natural and only use the software to compensate for my weeknesses like lack of sunlight this time of year. ;o)

Early Birder, I see you have a new camera too. I can't wait to see more of your pictures.

Shelley, the compliment on the blue jay is much appreciated. I am like you too and never read manuals for anything.

Richard, thank you for the tips. I am going to have to figure out burst mode and macros on my camera. I did come across macros yesterday purely by accident, and I can't find them again. Perhaps I will have to open the manual. HA.

Sharon, I am going to get another set of digital batteries for emergency backups! I can't get over my much battery power these cameras can take up.

Rambing, yes I am excited. It is just so cool to take pictures of something and have them come out half way decent. LOL.

Steve, I am hoping to be a pro by May. I figure it will take me that long to figure out what buttons are best for what. ;o)

Thanks NC, I love buying presents for myself. I don't do it as often as I should and I think thats what makes it all the more special.

LOL Deborah!! The cardinal does indeed look as if he is saying that. I love technology but sometimes I hate it because it makes me a slave to electronics. I guess it's a love/hate relationship of sorts.

NW Nature Nut said...

Love your Blue Jay photo. Glad you are having fun with the new camera! Thanks for the recent comment, I should have known you'd love the Kinglet too! ;)

Mary said...

That happens to me often. Morning is the best time for birds. Sunrise. Mid-day, say around 2pm - birds are hard to find because they are resting. Just prior to sunset is another good time as they fuel up for the night :o) This is all what "I think" - I could be wrong...

Dawn Fine said...

I am loving your new camera too...Its fun to see you having fun with the new camera.
I love the photo of the cardinal.. ..you can see it taking the nut..very cool.

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to Google news alerts and this a.m. your blog came up under Nature Conservancy in Michigan. I saw by the title of your blog you share a birding interest too so I had to check you out! Very nice blog by the way.

I enjoyed your bird photos. I have a new Fuji camera with a great telephoto lens that I've been taking bird shots from our dining room window (too cold to be outside!) so I understand your excitement with the photos!

I also see that one of your comments (SHELLMO) came from one of my "neighbors" (about 25 miles from us!).

If you have time, I would enjoy exchanging "types of bird" sightings (since you are from east of us). My email address is on my blog.

Glad I found your blog!

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