The title says it all - I just upgraded to the 20D so they were my first subjects! Shot at 1/800 second, F4, ISO 1600, manual focus with my 70-200 lens.

Oh Jen- these shots are breath taking! Awesome, awesome shots. Hummingbirds and cardinals are my favorites!! I have hummers at my feeders all the time and they are just so neat to watch. Thank you for making my day!

Jen, they are absolutely beautiful.

Super, super!! Words fail me.

Sandy

You guys make me blush! Thanks!

Jen, they are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I really like how the subject is sharp and the background blurry. Makes them look almost like a painting.

I have to ask though, being a member of the kindergarten class of photography. What is a 20D?

Beautiful - but have you tried using the flash and using the 'motor drive' to freeze their wings?

Judy, the 20D is the "new but now older" Canon SLR since the 30D was released this spring. I was using a 10D, which is the 6MP and the 20D is an 8MP. Lots of other improvements, too.

John, I'm afraid my flash would reflect off the glass of the window. Haven't gotten the battery grip for it yet, either.

Thanks Jen. Another question- maybe which should be in another forum- is how much difference in quality do you see in going from a 6MP to an 8MP? I mean does your eye actually see the difference in the photo without the benefit of magnifying the pixels? I know I'm still asking silly questions.

How far away were you? I'm guessing that's why you were using the 70-200 lens, so as not to disturb the hummingbird's habitat, so to speak.
This is probably what I need to do to get decent shots of my cats. They are not into posing and if they see me with the camera, they go into their "dull" mode.

My dogs get up and walk away.

Jen, as usual your pbotos are incredible. I just had a great idea for a future CF trip. Dave Hannum are you listening? Wouldn't it be fun to have a CF photography seminar put on by our CF pros like Jen, Paul and the other pros complete with "field trips" to lights after their inspiring workshops?! I remember Paul's great workshop at the Baltimore HL Reunion. I have been taking pics for years but boy, this digital business is tough learning for some of us old film shooters!
Judy

Good idea!! Ron Foster should be one of the instructors, too. He rarely posts his pictures here but he takes some really beautiful ones.

I agree about the digital business, too. I used to take some pretty decent pictures with the ole 35mm, but I am having lots of problems with color and lighting on the digital.

From Judy:

I've been asking for something like this for years. But it didn't happen. I didn't even own a camera when I attended the Baltimore Reunion.

I would love to see something like this.

bobo

And we need someone to give demonstrations and instructions on how to save and post your pictures on www.LighthouseKeepers.com.

That's a good idea because some of us have done it once but long forgotten how to post photos.

There are so many talented photographers in the group that this could be a great gathering for those who don't mind teaching and helping others.

Well, Bob, you have another supporter for your idea! Let's see if there is any other interest.

Judy

We could have a professional (like Jen) give an initial session. Then, we could break up for one-on-one or small group help. There are so many people here who take some pretty durned good pictures that we would have plenty of instructors. Let's do it!

John, I'm sure that you, Dave, and Paul would be happy to do both jobs.

I would LOVE to do something like that...hmmm...Maine Regional coming...John, Dave, and I had talked about doing something like this for the Mackinaw Reunion and since I got pregnant and moved, I wasn't able to go...

Where did all these new icons come from?

Brindfan and Greg contributed them; they're in Forums About These Forums under "More Graemlins". John posted instructions on how to save them to our desktops.

Aren't they clever?! More kudoes to Brindfan and Greg!