Downy siblings?

[Bill Dix]

D90; 80-400 VR @ 370mm. ISO 200. f/7.1 @ 1/1000s. Matrix metering @ -1.0 EV. HH.

I couldn't resist posting these two together. I hope I'm not breaking any rules. They have been following each ther from branch to branch in my back yard, and visiting the suet feeder together. I think it's too early in the year for this to be courting behavior, and the molting fluff on his back makes me think they are 1st winter siblings. These images were made on Sunday morning, 1 minute apart. C&C always appreciated.

[Harold Davis]

they look great, bill!! the girl looks a little soft and her head angle isnt as good as the male. fantastic bg!! exposures look good too. nice job!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Bill - agree with Mr H - Female looks like the point of focus may not have been on the head/eye.
Exposure looks good and the BG compliments the birds nicely.
Good show :)

[Richard Waas]

I like the split screen effect. Nice job on the BG Bill. Good show!!

[Craig Wallace]

Hi Bill, I agree with with the experts, I really like the male; good HA and focus, really nice for HH, good techniques. How do you like the 80-400mm vr? I shoot with one and have good and bad days with it.

[Bill Dix]

Hi Bill, I agree with with the experts, I really like the male; good HA and focus, really nice for HH, good techniques. How do you like the 80-400mm vr? I shoot with one and have good and bad days with it.

Craig - good and bad days pretty well sums up my experience with the 80-400VR. I've had it since last April. Its range makes it very versitile, and its size and weight make it very easy to handhold. I get best results if I don't zoom it all the way to 400, and stop down to 6.3 or 7.1 rather than wide open. My biggest complaints are the slow AF making BIF a matter of luck sometimes, and the fact that it is not a fast enough lens to support tele-extenders.