New Camera and Lens

I have long used Panasonic 'point-and-shoot' cameras that have aLeica lens with an extended zoom.  They take very good photos, especially when you consider what they cost (<$400).  For the past couple of years I've considered moving up to a digital SLR and finally made the decision to do so for my recent birthday.  Along with the Nikon camera I purchased a Nikon 200-400mm F4 zoom lens... large and heavy but with incredible optics and features when coupled with the camera.  I used a monopod for support but the camera is capable of being hand-held if you use a high-enough shutter speed.  This, of course, requires more light... something that has been in rather short supply this year!  The following photos were taken with the new camera/lens combination...

Two male Northern flickers, the one on the left being a sub-adult...

The same two birds with the adult feeding the younger bird...

A male American goldfinch...

Burrow's Bay Birding

Moving out of the yard for a little break, I spent a few hours at Burrow's Bay this morning and took the following photos:

Song sparrow...

Barn swallow...

California quail...

And an Orange-crowned warbler (thanks to BK for the identification confirmation!)...

Fledglings

Since returning to the PacNW last week I've seen a lot of fledglings in the yard.  We've had Spotted towhees, Red-breasted nuthatches, Chestnut-backed chickadees and Downy woodpeckers.  I was working in the yard today when I noticed an unusual number of visitors to our inverted suet feeder (many with fledglings) so I retrieved my camera and took advantage of the situation.  Some of the photos I obtained are probably my best for some of the species. 

Later in the afternoon I created a California quail feeding area which I hope will help reduce predations by my recently acquired Rock pigeon gang. 

Tis the Season

I just returned from Texas with photos of Painted buntings, Northern Cardinals, female Dark-backed goldfinches, White-eyed vireos, an Eastern phoebe and possibly another couple of birds I'm not remembering at this 'pre-processing' moment.  I originally created this post for Pacific Northwest birds but I'm currently considering expanding the offerings to other areas where I travel... but have yet to make that decision. 
However the Torch plants are now blooming in the local area and they are attracting hummingbirds, finches and occasionally some other birds.  I visited another area in the neighborhood and took the following photos  of female Rufous hummingbirds this morning.