Red crested Pochard (male and female)

Taken on Sunday at Barnes WWT using the 300 mm + 2x converter

Nice shots Joe. :thumbsup:

Cracking shots Joe, looks like you're getting the hang of the lens.:)

Perhaps you ought to load those as a set in the Gallery.:)

Thanks to you all. I am starting to get to know the lens now Rolf but I,ve got to watch the composition to make sure bits aren't cropped off.
Surprisingly most of these shots were hand held albeit resting on things.
Will put these in the gallery now.

Handheld at 600mm, that's excellent.:)

I've started developing muscles in my left arm, it was aching when I got home

LOL, I bet it was, I find the 50-500 heavy if I have to carry it for a while. Have you thought of getting a monopod?

Actually I've got a tripod that I take with me but find it is too much hassle to set up. I will use it if I know exactly where a bird will appear and I am after that particular type.

May be worth looking at a monopod, as they are not as cumbersome as a tripod and can be used as a walking stick when not in use.:)

I've got the Carbon fibre Manfrotto.

A monopod is something I'd like to try before buying. Don't know of any shops that would let me.

You can try out mine Joe, I can probably drop it off, it's always in the van.

Thanks for the offer Rolf, but the D300 and sigma are very heavy and need a good head to support the web and I think normal heads dont fit monopods.

I don't use a head, just screw the monopod straight into the lens support, I just tilt the monopod to increase or decrease the elevation.

Wonderful photos, Joe!:thumbsup:

She looks cute and he looks crabbit!;)

A great set of shots. and fantastic for ID.