second post here...

[squirl033]

my first post was in the landscape section, since that's what i do most, but i do shoot birds and bugs as the opportunities present themselves...

[Bambi]

Beautiful!!

I love the one of the bird with his beak wide open!

[squirl033]

thanks, Bambi... it's a juvenile barn swallow, and i think he was expecting me to feed him! he was only about 8 feet away, and didn't seem to mind my big ol' 100-400 pointed at him in the least!

[kat]

Another lovely set! First two catch my eye

[Mad Aussie]

Wow ... awesome work!

Can't believe you got that close to a Swallow!!!

[squirl033]

Wow ... awesome work!

Can't believe you got that close to a Swallow!!!

thanks! there's a park near my house that's also a wetland/wildlife sanctuary, and the swallows that nest there will often let me get pretty close. the young ones especially are fairly easy to approach. i can often also get good close shots of herons and other waterfowl, as well as a variety of songbirds... great spot for nature photos!

[Marko]

Wow beautiful set

[Rinkdaddy]

I couldn't pick out a favorite as they are all great. I'm glad you mentioned what lens you used for these shots as I am in the market. Right now I use a 70-200 2.8f for nature but find I am just a little short and scare off the subject trying to get closer.

[squirl033]

I couldn't pick out a favorite as they are all great. I'm glad you mentioned what lens you used for these shots as I am in the market. Right now I use a 70-200 2.8f for nature but find I am just a little short and scare off the subject trying to get closer.

thanks! i use the Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L on my 40D for all my wildlife shots. it's a bit short for some things... and we can never have too much glass, can we?... but it's a good, versatile, all-round lens that i can carry and shoot freehand. i use it with my 40D because the crop factor gives me a bit more apparent reach, and use a Tamron SP 24-135 f/3.5-5.6 with my 5D for landscapes.

[Rinkdaddy]

Thanks for the info.