I sure do enjoy your pictures. How far away are you when you take them? I've been trying so hard to get a clear shot of one of "my" Blues, but can't come anywhere close to the shots you get. Part of it is that the weather has been close to zero around here, which means shooting from a window, and part is because there is rarely a day with sun. The lighting in your photos is just perfect and really makes the colors stand out.

Do you edit the backgrounds to have those plain colors? If I took a picture of a bird outside, I'd have all kinds of trees snow and bushes in the background, the pics are great, I like the one getting a drink.

Awesome you can see every feather!

Thanks everyone.

Kendra, I was about 10 t0 15 feet for most of these. The bird in the tree top was about 35 feet. The bird bath was about 25 feet.

Gibby, I could have edited the picture to blur the background but in this case I didn't need to. When you shoot wide open at such close range with a super telephoto lens (most of these were shot at f/4.0 with a 400mm or 500mm lens), the area where things are in focus is only about two or three inches deep. Anything 10 feet or more behind the subject is significantly blurred. In this case the closest objects in the background were some trees about 500 feet away.

Here are a couple more.

Thanks for the information Dave. I will have to try to find the time to spend more time outside with them so I can get closer. Those pictures are just perfect. I love them!

i am looking to get a good camera. I have 2 digital, but they are small and the batteries go dead after just a few shots. I've asked before, but if you answered, I've missed it what kind of camera do you use? are you a professional photographer? If not, you missed your calling!!

Hi Gibby:

I am not a professional photographer but some of my eqipment is professional grade.

I have several Canon digital SLR cameras and several telephoto lenses and I switch around depending on the weather and how close I get to the birds. Most of the pictures you see here were taken with a Canon 40D camera and a 200mm lens. Some were taken with a Canon 1D Mark III with a 400mm lens.

To me the secret is luring the birds up close. I feed them meal worms and they come up to within 10 feet of me. As long as I don't make any sudden movements they pose for me.

Sorry if you asked and I failed to respond before.

Dave

Dave, incredible as always. As hectic as nesting season can get, I'm ready for spring. We've had enough snow and cold weather for the year. I'd like to see some daffodils!
Kathy

I agree. We have about 30 peonies. They say peonies need 70 nights of sub freezing weather to bloom well. I expect a spectacular blooming season.

Dave

Beautiful!!!!!!!!

Can't think of enough adjectives to describe all the beauty and clarity.

I need a new camera!

Thank you.

These days my adults are spending more time in and around the nest box.

And I have seen quite a lot of wing-waving.

And on warm days they have already started, at least half-heartedly, to chase away the youngsters.

So, I guess it won't be long now.

How can I purchase a copy of the blue birds with the garden fairy?

Dave, any chance that I could purchase some of your photos? They are absolutely something I would love to frame and display in my home.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Amazing photographs!! Hats off to you!

Dave, Dave, Dave.... I need some of these for my walls. How can I purchase copies of some of your amazing photos? mary.heinritz@gmail.com