First post in the bird section

[pbucks]

Took these while walking the dogs along the canal towpath at Shireoaks

1/ Robin. He really was that close.

2/ Swan

3/ was surprised to see this

I believe it is a Mandarin Duck. It had attached itself to a family of Mallards.

Had to ramp up the ISO as the light was fading fast.
Hopefully I will do better when my new kit arrives.

 

[sturs]

Very nice, number 2 is a great pic. Very clear & sharp, I am liking it

 

[u8myufo]

welcome to Tp and a lovely set for some first posts,that Madarin is a stunning image for the colour, as there is no exif showing it is not easy to assume anything but I think it is suffering with a slight bit of motion blur, which is a pity as imo I think if more of the bird was in focus it would improve it more, but thats just me

 

[artyman]

Welcome to the forum, it can be quite easy to get close to Robins they seem to be the tamest of our native birds, just dig your garden and see them jump in where you've been digging.

 

[pbucks]

Thanks for the comments.
I'm not new to the forum, just to the bird section.

I agree with the comments about the Mandarin, but I was shooting to the limits of my kit (and unsteady hands).
Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6. Shooting at 300mm f5.6 I had to ramp the ISO to 1600. My 30D isn't too keen on 1600.
Getting a 7D and 70-200 f4L IS in the next few days. Hopefully that might improve things.

 

[lost]

A nice set of images for a first post
Regards
Richard