Thursday, February 3, 2011

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...

15 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness--link this up with Farm Friend Friday so more folks can check you out. I love your blog and this is perfect for our farm blog party :)

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  2. Congrats, Cheryl... You are going to LOVE your Canon. I certainly love mine. Your pictures are marvelous.. Love the ones showing the BLUE sky in the background. Wow!!!!!

    Yes--that is a Starling... Yuk..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. Thanks for the invitation, Amy! I think I might have messed up the link to my own site, tho. :D

    Betsy, thanks for confirming the Starling, they are pests aren't they? The boogers scare off my smaller birds and eat all the food!

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  4. How wonderful your photos are! The only thing that makes some winter days lovely are the birds!

    Thanks for dropping by the farm today!

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  5. Well the camera seems to be a great one because the bird photos are GREAT. That cardinal burns like a flame. Love these. I am writing a bird book (and illustrating it) and all the birds pictured except the starling are included. This book is a beginner's book for kids.

    Lovely, lovely, and aren't you lucky to be living on 6 acres, not quite the farm, but you can make it your own paradise.

    Sending fond, warm wishes (looks like you need them),

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  6. Love your bird pics. I have been trying to decide on a new camera as well. I have an older Canon, but it doesn't have the zoom capabilities I would like to have. Your pictures are beautiful!
    Carolyn

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  7. Oh how pretty! I love pictures of cardinals against the snow. Enjoy that camera! (What? They don't provide a manual? That's cwazy!)

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  8. Lovely photos of the birds,I am always interested to see birds from other Countries that we do not have here.
    Enjoy your new camera,I have a canon they are the best in my opinion.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Carolyn.

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  9. Good Morning Cheryl! Congratulations on your new picture taker! I know you will enjoy it. I am a Nikon gal and have a D60. I am still learning and have had it three years. I have found lots of help at Ken Rockwell's site. Definitely helped me with settings and understanding all the bells and whistles. He does Canon and Nikon. You might enjoy it. You have some great pictures there with your Canon!

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  10. Cheryl, I love your words," a promise of Spring". I even like just saying them. I have been singing Spring songs all week hoping to lift everyones spirits around here. I could not believe the fresh snow when I woke up this morning, More to come too. I love how they said a few flurries maybe.....equals 2 inches of wet snow.
    They camera sounds great....wow 35x zoom. That must be awesome.
    I will be watching for more photos and that Friday farm linkup thing sounds fun. I bet we could find some great places to visit and read about there.

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  11. Hey Girl...Good job! I'm proud of you. Your pictures are great. Can't wait to see what you have to show us next.
    Take care and stay Warm
    Shug

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  12. Thanks, Rambler, for the Ken Rockwell tip. I'll check it out! Stay warm, more snow is headed this way they say.

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  13. Oh wow, your photos are fantastically beautiful. Lucky you to have a wonderful camera like that.

    PS I love mourning doves. Love them.

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  14. P.S. I am hoping to do some posts on the homes of some beloved authors. I already did Beatrix Potter's home and gardens and town this past September. I definitely will do Laura. I have photos of both her Missouri homes.

    XX Sharon

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  15. Cheryl...I thought I had left you a comment on here earlier. Oh well... We did visit the farm house at Mansfield several years ago & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have all of the Little House books but I'm not sure that I ever read all of them. One of the things I want to do--one of these days!

    Thanks for your comment on my Luxor post. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Not sure I would want to go back over there now though.

    Right now we just have bone chilling temperatures here. It is supposed to be around zero tonight with wind chills well below. No snow for us. I see where they are really getting hit down south though. Keep warm!

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