I am loving my new camera, but I’m also really enjoying the 70-300mm VR lens that my husband got for me. It’s great for my bird shots.
On Saturday morning, we took a drive to nearby Amish country to get a few needed items and I brought the long lens with me, hoping to get some photos from the car. Although we saw plenty of horses and buggies, and children along the road . . . it’s still difficult shooting from a moving car through the windshield.
It wasn’t until I got home and found a nice spot in the sunshine that I really began to appreciate this lens.
I took the camera manual outside with me to read, while I waited for the little birds to appear. Eventually, a little tufted titmouse landed on the picnic table right in front of me.
This is a noisy little bird, and not shy in the least.
The cardinals are shy.
This female was waaaay up at the top of the tree.
A red-bellied woodpecker on one of my husband’s many suet feeding cages. The bird looks small here, but this is actually a big cage (and a big bird). I think I mentioned before that my husband keeps the suet feeders double-caged in order to deter the squirrels.
I love lacy branches against the blue of the sky and they frame this little tufted tit mouse very well, I believe.
This week is another busy one at school where I work. Only two more weeks left and then it’s vacation time for me until after the New Year.
I look forward to this vacation so much because I love the cold weather and I usually love the holiday season. I say usually because well, sometimes it’s just depressing is all. I haven’t even begun to decorate yet, but I think that once I do, I’ll really begin getting into it.
What I don’t want to get into though, is all the buying hype. It would be so nice to just keep Christmas simple . . .
Like the birds do.
: : :
Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for
- I don't know what exactly, but it's something
that you don't mind so much not having at other times.
~Kate L. Bosher
![123 Signature[5]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Os0u4Mq4fh_2FVpPBRgpE-CX6FkF4HCy98RXVQONTwPb51o3sfF5XouwJ3fuwMYa4-WcAXLXQ-NtKHQFZ-jUevR2TbrO0ECwiayFU1GaWNHGO0PawZBkAejc2bXYB0PhRLEZlJeGzR0/s1600-h/123-Signature5.jpg "123 Signature[5]")
49 comments:
Since I have no idea what this neurosurgeon is going to tell me, I may be giving my kids and grandkids money.......whatever, it will be the simplest way.
Love the new lens Kate! I have a 300mm prime that I love for shooting birds. The squirrels are driving us batty again though. I'm usually done decorating by the first weekend in December and I've barely started...don't know what's with me this year! Like you though,I know once I get some things out I'll be into it more. Have a great week. ;)
Wow! I was trying to capture a few frames of a red bellied woodpecker today but just couldn't get a good angle before he vanished into the trees. The are large birds.
I also know about the long lenses. When I got the 55-250 image stabilized lens for my Canon it became my favorite lens. Then I got my 100-500 and love it so much I ended up buying another body just for it!
Now I almost always have the camera with the big lens in my hands and the other hanging around my neck when I'm out for some serious shooting.
Your photos are fantastic! As I've "matured" I find watching the birds a favorite pastime - which is humorous to me because when I was in my twenties I thought "bird watchers" were odd . . . hmmm, what does that say about me now?
My Christmas spirit is low this year, the tree is up, but I'm missing my mother very much since she passed away at the end of September. So much for "maturing."
I'm also looking forward to a short month. Our school vacation isn't as long as yours, but it's something to look forward to!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
"Like the birds do"
I'm sure they communicate with you, thus making you even subtler and wiser. I see their messages in your pictures! Coming here is a joy, is friendship, is always a worthy meditation.
Cheers & Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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The photos are amazing! I received some info from the Audubon Society about their magazine and it included some return address labels decorated with several different bird photos! All I could think about was that your photos were as good if not better than these!!! My prelit artificial tree has been standing in my family room now for a week...undecorated! I have just not mustered up the 'want to' to hang ornaments. I was sitting in there moments ago thinking about what our Christmas would be like if we just put the tree back in the box. Then I remembered that Christmas is not about the dang tree, but the birth of Christ. Shame on me, I had not even thought about my nativity set at all. I got it out and up, and now my home is decorated for the season!!! Hoping you have a great week at work and the Spirit of Christmas touches your heart and quickens your spirit!!! Hugs, JW!
This is the first Christmas that my daughter won't make it home...she and I both work the big weekend. I'm a little bit verklempt. But I'm putting up the tree and a smiling face anyway.
LOVE the photos, as always.
These are absolutely stunning! I love them all.....the last shot just blows me away!
Wowza!
Beautiful indeed. I am back into teaching again, so I will be working tomorrow, subbing for middle school english. But what I would love to be doing is shooting all day! I miss photography!
i love that quote almost as much as i love your bird shots....oh i love that quote....A LOT !!!
xoxo
Kate I own the 70-300 lens as well. Would you tell me please how you set up for your wonderful bird shots. In particular are you using a tripod or some other platform.
I personally can't hold the camera steady enough, it's a D90, when I use this lens.
Thanks for reading this.
Marian
Nice shots! You caught Mr. Cardinal looking very serious.
Kate - I, too, hadn't gotten into the decorating mood. So today I decided to get a few things out and start small. It helped. I'm sitting here looking at the garland over the fireplace, Christmas music on, reading a book. Feelin' the mood now. I didn't get as far as the tree (which is small) -- maybe later in the week. Have a good week.
ps. LOVE the shots from your new camera!!
Marian, I couldn't reply directly because you don't have your e-mail enabled for me to do so.
I don't take it that seriously. I tried the tripod but the birds are everywhere and it works for me when it's hand held.
Basically, I sit there and read. I can hear when they show up either by movement or by their calls. Then I track them with my lens. Sometimes if they look like they're going to head down to a feeder, I'll keep the lens trained on the feeder and when they alight, I'll just hit the shutter. I always have it set to continuous shutter and it's how I got the last shot. I cropped the feeder out because it's old and ugly . . .
~ CG
the VR really really helps with hand-held shooting, imho. Enjoy ~
I love the tufted tit mouse....yes, this is a noisy bird, but a bird I look forward to every summer.
Nice bird photos. A new camera is so much fun!
As lovely as ever! Can I just say how happy I am that you took a photo of a tufted titmouse? We listed birds the other day in class and no one else had heard of that one! I never considered myself an overly woodsy gal but compared to some Northern Virginia folk I guess I am. ;) Thanks for sharing and your new camera and lens seem to be doing a great job keeping up with you. It's nice that your husband is so sweet to think of these things. I know you appreciate them so much and will remember actions like these always.
You've captured each and every little nuance of those sweet little birdies. Very beautiful Kate. Loving that quote, it's so true. And yes to keep Christmas simple is what I always try to aim for too. xo ~Lili
I can sit and watch the birds for hours at our feeders. I like to study them and get to know their characters and just love to photograph them ! WOW ! D7000 and a 70-300mm VR lens now thats awesome ! I went from a D60 to a D3100 I do like it and the my lens a VR 55-300 mm is awesome for bird photos to ! Your photos are beautiful looks like your gona have a lot of fun with your new camera and lens ! Have a wonderful evening !
Ooh, I see very cool pictures in your future...even cooler than before, and that's saying something my dear!
Kat :)
I've been debating getting a 75-300 lens, but you've convinced me!
Idiotic blogger would not print my first, rather long (probably boring anyway) comment I left, because it wanted me to sign in yet again. So just know that my comment that couldn't be done from stupid blogger --was AWESOME, MAGNIFICENT--and now, I've forgotten what I wrote!
Oh--but it was something about how awesome the bird pictures all were--I loved the titmouse and the male cardinal--that was so great--did you crop that?? Is that asking too much? (grin!)
And...I feel what you're saying about Christmas--and I hadn't seen the poem before --and it was perfect for the way I'm feeling this year....:(
You have a way with birds, Kate. I think it's called patience.. besides talent.
i know that loneliness to which you speak... oh, to put a finger on it, exactly.
OMG! These are remarkable pictures. I try so hard with the macro setting and have got a few good shots of the woodpeckers but I think a steady hand counts for a lot as well.
CJ x
Beautiful pictures. I have been saving my pennies for that camera, can't wait to get one!!!
I made a donation to a charity in Bogota Columbia...it is the sister episcopal diocese to ours here in Connecticut. Everyone is getting a card telling them that is their gift. Wonder if I'll have any friends or family left after December 26?
Loving the new lens! xoxo
Fantastic pictures.
The right equipment helps, but you have a good eye.
lovely .. so happy you are happy xo
Oh my! These are AMAZING! Love and lust for that lens but this lens is certainly in the right hands...
What a wonderful quote...the holidays are fun and all but there is always some sadness there for me...especially since losing my sister.
Beautiful beautiful photos. And that quote. So true...why is that? *sigh*
I've been busy and haven't been checking into the blog world lately so, I missed that your hard drive broke. We had the same thing happen here just a bit ago. My H is a puter guy so he was able to save a lot .. lost a lot too but still ...
Your new camera .. how excited you must be. I love the one I got a few years ago .. Cannon sx10 and I'm not a photo expert like you. I take photos of everything.
Holidays .. I don't really like them. I do like the smells and the music but the having to go to the inlaws and buy gifts for kids that are in college which causes me to be shopping on the Eve is well, just too much. I wish a good cheer and a needed gift were what we could give.
I came from a very small family and my Holidays were nicer. My H came from a big family and they do things different. I actually dream of the days were we just enjoyed instead I dread.
Hope all is going well for you ...
As we're all treking to MO for Christmas, not a decoration is going up in my home. And the adult couples draw names and have a $120.00 limit. My recipients are getting either a flock of chickens or herd of goats or bees sent in their honor from me, courtesy of Heifer International!
Always love your photography. I have that lens along with a D5000 (actually 2 D5000, one being hubby's but he barely uses it. I keep one of the shorter lenses on his so I can grab it when necessary.)
I think the missing thing you mentioned is the simplicity and warmth of the holidays when we were growing up. Unfortunately, it seems difficult to recapture.
Nice lens, great eye!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
love the camera and love the birds! nice shots!!
Lovely pictures, Kate! What an amazing camera you have! Mine is a very basic, inexpensive one, and I fear my pictures indicate that. I'm going to keep on trying, though.:-)
I truly hope your holiday season will be a peaceful and joyous one! This is my favorite time of the year!
very nice Kate...
We are splitting our time over the next couple of weeks between Maine and Florida ... so no decorations up in our place! I don't really get excited about xmas ... all the ads/crowds and such take all the joy out. Thank goodness for Amazon ...
Love your photos! Bet you are having loads of fun! Can't wait to see your first snowfall pics!
I am trying to keep it simple and stress-free this year. so far, I'm enjoying the season. lately i find myself looking back to the things we did when i was a kid, those are the tings that are making me happy.
love your bird shots, you make me want to go sit outside and do the same. one of these days...tufted titmice are so cute!
Wow - I can identify with that quote! What a great present from your husband - lovely shots!
I guess I'm a little behind because I didn't know you got a new camera. Good for you, Kate! Looks like you're enjoying it too.
Has your husband ever bought real suet from the meat department at the grocery store? It's much cheaper than the prepackaged kind, the birds LOVE it, and the squirrels won't touch it.
We decorated yesterday. I'm feeling the spirit of the holiday but not the motivation for shopping.
Oh, how I love the way you capture birds with your camera! Tufted titmouse is my favorite here, the very first image, that little bird has staying power! ;-)
I love Christmas, but, just like you, I wished the gift part would just go away. Even though I try to cut back as much as I can, I still cannot get rid of the stress it in inflicts on an otherwise so beautiful season.
May the spirit of the season win out and you enjoy all the good parts of Christmas!
Wow - what fabulous shots!
This is spot on!
Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for
- I don't know what exactly, but it's something
that you don't mind so much not having at other times.
Lovely shots Kate - that new lens is nice! I have the cheaper version, and have had my eye on that one for awhile. Glad you are enjoying the camera!
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there are no words.
Clearly you were meant to have that camera....wow!...smiles
Such a beautiful pictures.
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