I think I had a senior moment here! I took it from inside the kitchen, looking east. I used the zoom with Macro setting. I think it is the macro that blurs the background. I am cheating on the camera and not using the manual much. A sweet person on the Cooking Forum has posted a course on how to take inside food pictures. I am reading and rereading it and followed her suggestions for the bird pictures. The only thing is I can't control the light like you cant taking food photos. I have vowed to learn to use this darned camera beside pointing and shooting. She goes into all of the settings. I think they are listed on FAQ on cooking forum. Here is a link that might be useful: photo tips blog.

I made a few 4 inch pvc houses this year. They were much cheaper to make than any place that sells gilbertsons since Steve quit. I doubt I get TRES this year at my new home, but if i do they would be ok because i used liquid nail underneath the hole and made a ladder shape. It will be interesting to test these boxes this year.

Ruddy Turnstones

Thanks, Calliope, but I think it's bigger than a kingbird. I shot this with a 200mm lens. The cropped close up is less than 1/8 of the original photo. And you're right about the beak. Eagle Marsh has become a surprising pass through for migrating birds. I'm guessing that this one was on the way to somewhere else...