"Male Black-headed Grosbeak" - First Time!

Hikin' Mike

[FONT=georgia,palatino]As I was going to the kitchen, I took a look through the sliding window door and I said, "What the heck is THAT?". My kids had to check it out too as I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures. It was too far away, but at least I could try and ID it. At first I thought it was a Robin, but not quite. Turned out to be a Black-headed Grosbeak...my first.

I went outside and started taking pictures of hummingbirds @ around 2:30pm. I wasn't getting any shots, but then I saw this guy (Grosbeak) in my 'studio'....so I packed up my camera and tripod and walked to the end of the yard and waited. (3pm)

I took some pictures of Goldfinches and House Finches, but I got my first good picture at 6:40pm. I got 6 poses...


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/200, f/8


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/8


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/160, f/8


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/160, f/8


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/200, f/8


5D, 300mm f/4L IS, 1.4x II, ISO 1600, 1/125, f/8
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bfjr

Congrats on your 1st, I dig when that happens

and dbl Congrats on an excellent Set

NorthernFocus

Good job, Mike. All well done, nice perches, technically well executed, and the BG contrasts well with the colors of the bird. Really nice

Hikin' Mike

Thanks! I'm used to the smaller songbirds and these guys were bigger. Some of these were almost too big to fit the frame. I had to move back a few inches after they left!

Jack'll do

Awesome captures Mike. I've never seen this bird before. The poses, colors. and comps are just great. clap

Harryb

Outstanding ste Mike. I think these are some of the best images you've posted.

Hikin' Mike

Thanks...

dlplumer

These are truly superb Mike , and with an iso of 1600 very impressive.