Sunday, February 15, 2009

Downy Woodpecker and the Clarity of Canon "L" Lenses



Mon@rch asked me what lens I used to capture the willet image a few posts back. I used a Canon telephoto 400 mm 5.6L, which is a freaking awesome lens. I wish I had it to take the shot above. My telephoto now is an eight year old tele zoom 70-300 from Sigma, and it just isn't cutting it. I look at my images from Sanibel and I just drool for that 400 5.6! If you haven't tried this lens, check out Roger Cicala and Lensrentals.com. You'll love it. As far as super telephotos go, it is great bang for the buck. Here's a direct link to the lens. (sorry Mon@rch, you'll have to rent a Canon body to use it!)

I've tried fairly hard to lure birds to our backyard this winter, and have been fairly successful. In fact, at my old place, we had so many creatures that my suet was stolen every time I put it out. When I wired the suet cage shut, the next morning, the entire suet cage was gone. At our new house, I've been more lucky, and we readily have a downy woodpecker visit the feeder, which I have located just off the porch.

Down to 12 days to go on baby watch. We're almost ready, I think. We can't wait to meet this new person that is growing inside Megan.

Tom

12 comments:

  1. I think we are as ready as we'll ever be- I am excited to meet this baby!

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  2. Thanks for all the info on your lens and I have been thinking for a while for a new lens! Their are always Nikon versions of the Cannon lenses!

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  3. Tom I here the Nikon 200-400 VR is pretty sweet. I was trying to start a mock canon-nikon war with you. :)

    Tom

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  4. We all know Nikon is better . . why would you start something like that! Yes, the 200-400 VR f/4 is exactly what I am dreaming of . . . but at almost 6k . . . it will be a while till I can get it!

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  5. Wow, I didn't realize it was that much- it is a sweet lens. We can dream. I'm sure lensrentals rents the 200-400, but it would still be pretty expensive to rent. I use Nikon at work- I'm lucky to be able to use both systems.

    Tom

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  6. Holy guacamole, 12 days to go! That went fast. Did it feel that way to you too?

    I had a visit from Woody Woodpecker himself today. A Pileated. Yowza, he was a BIG guy!

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  7. We're all excited because you're both are excited :-) Great downy photo.

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  8. Your male woodpecker is quite handsome! Nice photography, too bad all that equipment is so expensive. Wow! Almost baby time!

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  9. Earthmother- Good to hear from you. Yes, 12 days...and now, we're down to 9!

    Hi Mary- I hope you are enjoying Arizona-it looks like you are. I know I'm enjoying your pictures. The bobcat images are awesome.

    Chris- Thank you-you bet, it is almost here.

    Tom

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  10. Tom: That was a neat woodpecker to show. Thanks for sharing.

    I was down to the park in Munroe Falls and mention you in todays post. Tha baby is so close now.

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  11. I had a suet cage once, too. Just for a day, before the raccoons broke it to pieces. I love them, but DANG!
    You must be antsy about the impending Young Naturalist. I can't wait to see pictures, once the time comes! ;)

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  12. Tom- Thank you for the mention. Munroe Falls was special, it is hard to believe it is gone, but the river will be so much better now.

    Lana- Yep, I think coons got our suet feeder too. They just took it. We are antsy and there will be pictures.

    Tom

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