Old hat to most of you - but exciting to me. A start in a different direction

[Mira]

What's new is I pulled out my new old tripod, (Craigslist), unpacked the shutter release on a string I bought at the camera store, put a paper mask on my door to fool the birds, and took a few pictures.
I spare you more of them, but like I said, it's a start.

The camera did not hold the shutter speed I set, so I have to study up on that.
Obviously also on some other things.

It' baby steps, but it's all your and your great examples' fault.

[Celebration]

1. You're ahead of me!

I don't have a tripod OR such a good, clear picture of a cardinal. Wonder if the two are related? LOL. Anyway, very jealous of the cardinal picture. I have fun shooting birds (with a camera). For me, and no tripod, etc. it is all about hiding and good eye hand coordination, and a lot of LUCK!

Anyway, congrats on your setup, your efforts and the nice picture, particularly of the cardinal.

One thing I have learned is to just take a ton of pictures, because most bird pictures just don't turn out well for me. But, with enough of them to choose among, it ends up pretty okay.

[Mira]

3. Heh Heh Heh, You are the one who took the photo of the Robin that won second place

place in the Spring contest, NO?

My tripod could quickly become a favorite possession, I like figuring out stuff, especially how to keep the camera safely on it.

I suspect, frankly, that this is all learning exercises for me. I'm glad I got that picture, though there is a lot wrong with it still.
When I have the ability to control this stuff better, and to have nice shots, then I will leave this kind of photography to people like the PROS.
I'll move on to macro shots, I bet, and then do the same thing.

I think my strength as a photographer will end up lying elsewhere. I'll find it.
I'm having a lot of fun and learn by watching you folks, and my life is enriched to have found a place where I can share some of my discoveries.

[Celebration]

4. well, I don't get a lot of interesting pictures near here

It's a little too suburbanish. I could drive downtown, and do sometimes, but it is easier just to shoot birds outside or go to Shelby Farms, which is close. So most of my pictures just reflect my surroundings. I did go downtown once for World of Work, and that was different! And, then there is the Tennessee River.....

Robins are absolutely the easiest birds to shoot. They just have very little fear. I did just happen to get that picture of a robin in a scenic position, as opposed to just walking around in the grass, which is most of my robin pictures.

Cardinals do not like to pose! (at least not for me)

[MajorChode]

2. Great idea!

Who needs a super telephoto when you have ingenuity!