The Birds

This is one bad shot. I am trying, for the first time, to get some birds. I brought the feeder up further in the yard and bought some seed. I really like these little guys with the red on their heads.
So, all you bird folks, is it a better camera that gets a better bird or a better lens. This is my Rebel T2i with an 18-270 lens. I am crouched in the comfort of my home trying to shoot these guys out the window. All suggestions welcome!

[Ann Stenson]

Aww.....this is just wonderful Cathy! : )

[Graham Thresher]

A good capture and a successful base to start from.

[Beryl Lloyd]

Oh Cathy this is so lovely ,-- clever girl , three birds on one shot !! They are cute , what birds are they? Lovely shot soft & so natural --Fav

[Sharon Lee]

I wouldn't shoot from inside the window :) great flight capture... love the seed in the other ones beak too.

[Leana Niemand]

Great shot, love the light and tones.

[Dem Mie]

wow what a great action shot

[katy]

I think it is fabulous for your first attempt! Love the motion blur in the wings which is a new technique challenge this week too!

[Michelle]

Oh wow, this is incredibly beautiful Cathy x

[elkehochban]

This is fabulous! All those of us who like to shoot nature, suffer from "lack of reach"! Alas, the cure is costly!

[Junan Heath]

Fabulous capture! Love the one flying in!

[Denis]

I really like it....the sunlight hitting the birds against the dark background works for me......a nice capture Cathy....

[Sue Wilde]

I think it's a very good shot Cathy

[Nita]

I think you did very well with this shot. There is so much fabulous about it, the lighting, the birds, the movement. I'd try for more outside the house with nothing between you and the feeder, but I surely do not think this one is bad in any way.

[GazBadger]

Really cool action shot... great capture:-)

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautiful capture. Would have been easier if you had your first attempt in broad daylight.

[Phil]

I think it's stunning!

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

Wonderful! You have really captured the hustle and bustle of a busy bird feeder Cathy

[Henri Russell]

This was a good practice shot. You nailed it on the 2nd one though.

[Redfl83]

Fab action shot x

[Humphrey Hippo]

Love the motion in the wings!
Wish I had some advice but I'm terrible at bird shots.

[Ruth Moucharafieh]

Fabulous light and wing motion here Cathy!

[Yvonne]

I think you have done a fabulous job. They are so cute.

[Darren Juden]

I think for a starter photo this is an awesome beginning! The bird in flight has been captured wonderfully! Well done Cathy :)

[carol white]

Lovely capture of movement!! The little red- headed birds are Lesser Redpols,I think.

[Lisa Pouncy]

I got some similar shots myself today. One like this with a bird flying (out of focus) and a really amusing one with a bird just jumping, prior to flying so its wings weren't out, which I've kept because I think it's funny :o) I prefer to take shots out of the window because I don't scare them off but today I actually managed to stand still enough. I like the colours and the light in this shot and the movement xx

[R L Anderson]

Cathy, I am determined to get some decent bluebird shots this year. I am threatening to buy one of those pop up blinds like deer and turkey hunters use, and place it next to a birdhouse, and shoot up close! You can put a chair in one easily, and certainly the birds would become accustomed to it and think nothing of it. (And they are far cheaper than a great long lens!)

[ZambianLass]

You have done so well :-))))

[Phil Howcroft]

awww cathy this is a gorgeous image , movement , detail and gr8 light ...well done :)

[Alison Tomlin]

I like it. Great capture of the action.

[SquamLoon]

I agree with so many above—this is NOT a bad shot. And if you hadn't had the window between you, it might have been crisper, and of course if you had a $10,000 lens you might have something less blurred. But I think it's highly postworthy.