Having fun...

It's now 10:30 pm, but this morning while standing at the window gazing out over the snow covered pond, and watching for the sun to come up, I saw the birds begin to fly straight toward me from the cedar trees across the pond.   They were heading straight to the feeders.  And, yes!, the sun did shine today.  Yay!!  I did a few little chores and made a few phone calls, then got out my new toy and practiced a few shots on the birds.  All from my window as it was much too cold to go outside today!

Here is a photo of my new toy:

I bought this camera just about a week ago.  It is a Canon SX30IS that I researched and read every review I could find.   It is a very techie camera, at least to this non-techie person, and I have much to learn, but I think I'll like it very much.  Years ago I had, and still have, an Olympus SLR film camera and had an extra telephoto lens to go with it.  I thought long and hard, but decided that I didn't want an SLR this time because, frankly, I just didn't want to have to fool with extra lenses and flash attachments and all the stuff to pack around.  This one has a 35x zoom and video and does all kinds of stuff that will take me a long time to learn, I'm sure.  Anyway, I have it and I've been trying it out today.  I've spent a lot of time reading the manual online, and familiarizing myself with it.  So, of course, like a proud mama or grandmama I have to show off my new baby.   Here we go:

 

The beautiful red Cardinal looks so cheerful anytime of year,

but particularly in winter, don't you think?

 A closer look.  Isn't he a beauty?

A Mourning Dove.  We've just had a blizzard, but don't

those buds show a promise of spring?

A female Cardinal with her little friend, the Junco...or some call them Snowbirds.

I'm not positive, but I think this fella is a Starling.

A Downy Woodpecker.

A White-breasted Nuthatch.  (I think)

Oh, I've had such fun today shooting and I've got dozens more, but I don't want to bore you with too many.  There are many bloggers who have such beautiful photos of the birds, but I just had to show off my first efforts with my new camera.  Some of my shots, as you can see, are not as sharp as others.  I have a lot to learn, not the least of which is to hold the camera still!  It's not heavy, but heavier than I'm used to.  The only complaint I have besides the fact that they don't give you a printed manual, you have to look online and print out the close to 200 pages if you want one, is that the time between shots is a little slow.  But I'm slow myself, so we will probably get along fine!  

One of these days I'll find and scan some photos I took with my old SLR.  I took several photos of a country and western singer who was at Hearnes in Columbia years ago.  One of my favorite songs of his was "Lady".  Name that singer.  ;D

Edited to add: Check out Verde Farm for a fun farm party!

Until next time...