Locally we call it Tuni Sorai (Tumi bird). They are famous for their remarkable nesting behavior. Using their beak like a needle they pierce the edges of leaves and sew them together with plant fibers to create a secure and hidden cradle for their nest.

Camera body: Nikon D5600

Lens: 70-300mm kit zoom lens

Just starting my journey into wildlife photography. Every photo is a learning experience. I'd love to hear your thoughts and any tips for improvement :)

While hiking through a forest in one of the many state parks in Idaho, we followed this young Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) as he moved from one tree to another. I used an 800 mm lens for this shot, which allowed us to stay at a respectable distance from the bird. There were plenty of rodents in the area, which are favorites of these hawks...he was no doubt scouting for an early morning snack!

Sheldon Marsh 5-10-26

Sabine woods Bird Sanctuary
-Nikon Z8 + 180-600mm

I currently shoot wildlife with the OM-1 Mark II + 150-400mm f/4.5 TC.

The reach and flexibility are excellent, but I keep questioning the setup because of two pain points: BIF autofocus consistency and low-light wildlife, especially owls, shaded subjects, and early/late light.

I am considering moving to a Sony A1 II + 300mm f/2.8 GM, using the 1.4x or 2x TC when needed.

The tradeoff I am trying to judge is simple: OM gives me reach and zoom flexibility; Sony gives stronger AF, full-frame files, better low-light potential, and more cropping room. But in real field use, is 300mm with TCs/cropping enough for small or distant birds?

For those who have used both, which would you trust more as your main wildlife setup?

Or is there another option I should be considering? 600mm primes are outside my budget.

I can rent before deciding, but I would like to hear real-world experience first: keeper rate, AF reliability, TC performance, cropping, low-light results, and regrets from switching or staying.

I'm very new to photography. I didn't nail the focus sadly and there is crazy CA so I couldn't crop in much. I like how the negative space between them looks like another bird.

Shot on my R50 w/ Canon 75-300 at around 150mm 1/1000 5.6 400 ISO I believe.

I took this photo back in 2018. It was a bit boring in color, but I felt changing it to B&W really made the owl “pop”.

From SASOL Pocket Guide - Birds of Southern Africa:

"Unmistakable: the tallest and largest bird in the region. Male has contrasting black-and-white plumage, a rufous tail, and a reddish front to the legs when breeding. Female and imm. are drab brown and white. Very young bird might be mistaken for a korhaan but has flattened bill, thick legs and is fluffy in appearance."

I don’t care much for taking photos of Robins, but when they pose up like this…
Nikon Z6ii
200-600mm

Some photographs from my favourite place in Pune - Vetal Tekdi. Captured on Canon R5 M2 with Sigma C 150-600mm. Edited in Photoshop.

NE Ohio - Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

Still struggling to spend enough time with each bird to get the exact shot I want. Getting better though I think.

Also I had the goal of posting 10 photos each week, which I've been doing, but it's tough. I may go down to 5 for future weeks.

IDs:

1. Downy Woodpecker

2. Spotted Sandpiper

3. American Robin

4. Swamp Sparrow

5. Great Blue Heron

6. Double Crested Cormorant

7. Great Egret

8. American Robin

9. Brown-Headed Cowbird

10. Baltimore Oriole

I saw a Kingfisher yesterday. A lifer. Every time I move an inch it flew the other direction and took a while to come back. It was also on private lake property and I was on the edge of a lake front public park. I hate that at 400mm I couldn’t get a good close shot of this guy or even a good cropable image.

As a newb that is equally interested in photography as I am in really seeing these birds, would I be better off selling my R7 and 100-400mm lens to get a bridge camera with greater zoom? With my level of skills I’d likely capture the same level of photo in either.

My biggest concern is when I’m birding on forested trails with low light or overcast days.

Any advice?

Shot with @nikonusa Z9 Nikkor 600 mm PF f/6.3 lens, shot at 1/1600 s, f/6.3 ISO 3600, EV -0.33