Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Trying Out the New Camera

 Like many of you, I was lucky enough to get a new camera for Christmas.  This is a replacement for my 'pocket' camera.  Like my old pocket camera, this one is a Panasonic Lumix.  Unlike my old one this new one has 20 x optical zoom.  My hope is to get some really good closer photos of my feathered friends who frequent the feeders on our deck.   The photo above was taken on New Year's Day, as the sun was setting. I love foggy days, though getting a great photo isn't always easy.

The feeders that hang on the deck will get lots of visitors (though last year the Great Backyard Bird Count Day nary a bird was to be sighted)   Make a note to yourself right now, February 15- 18 is this year's Backyard Bird Count.  You can click on the link or the button with the bluebird on the sidebar and go to the webpage for how and where to submit your bird count.

The thistle or niger seed is quite popular with the Goldfinches.  With their winter colors they seem rather muted.


The perches on the feeder and the seed sack are always full!

On the other feeder is a seed mix that includes nuts, seeds, and pieces of dried fruit.  This is favored by a great variety of birds.  The one who gets ornery when the feeder is empty is this one--- a Red-bellied Woodpecker!  Sorry for the green on the glass, reflections of greenery.


Only the Red-bellied woodpecker visits this feeder, think it is always the same one.  I have tried to capture the other visitor who more than once is on the other side of the feeder with the woodpecker....a Brownheaded Nuthatch.   The Nuthatch finds one seed or nut and flies off to eat it so his time on the feeder is short.

More photos of different visitors to come!



©Copyright 2012 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.

42 comments:

  1. How nice to get a new camera! I like your fog shot. Birds are going crazy around here lately especially with this unusually warm weather. We can't keep the feeders full. (The deer might be getting some of it too, though.) I'm looking for cedar waxwings to come through, but haven't seen any yet.

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    1. Daricia, thanks, fog is so mysterious...never feel like I have captured it completely. I haven't seen Cedar Waxwings around here, they are cute little bandits.

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  2. Such pretty views the birds only enhance! Really good shot of the woodpecker. Congrats on the new camera!

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    1. Tina, you are most kind! This woodpecker is here so often, I have lots of opportunities to get a decent picture.

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  3. Janet, I love my cameras!! Which Panasonic did you get? I love your New Year's Day photo. So filled with mood and mystery. Enjoy your new Panny in good health!

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    1. Lynn, thanks so much. I got a DMC-ZS19 -- like I said, love the 20x zoom.

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  4. Janet, your photos look great! Tim totally loves our small Panasonic Lumix camera (although I've been slow to warm up to it). The optics are so good, it's hard to justify dragging around a big lens and camera, etc...

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    1. Lisa, thanks a bunch! I am playing with many settings, some I can't quite figure out what they mean.

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  5. Looks like you are learning your new camera quickly! What a fantastic view you have from your deck and what a great way to start and end the day. It must be fun watching all your birds. Great captures!

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    1. Karin, I am trying!! We have the best view ever (in my mind). It is a great way to start the day.

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  6. You are going to love your new camera, Janet. And get a lot of use with it. I have to make a seed sock for my niger seed. The sparrows make a mess with it. Luckily, the doves love it and can not get up to the feeders.

    I love the Goldfinches. We only see them in the summer. I have a golden bird in my garden this winter that I have no clue what it is. Would you have an idea? I could email you the photo. It looks like a sparrow, yet the color is golden. I have a white sparrow this year and never saw one of them either.

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    1. Dona@GWGT, thanks, I like having the better lens. Our finches go through a lot of the seed socks...they make big holes. Your yellow bird might be a pine warbler. Maybe? Sure-- send me a picture. I love a mystery.

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  7. Dear Janet,
    these are beautiful photos! With the Lumix I am really content - easy to put into my pocket, and the quality of the pictures is very good, as we see above. Although you as the photograph of course earn praise too!

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    1. Britta, thanks! Yes, I like the Lumix. Easy to use and easy to carry in my pocket.

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  8. Love your new camera and I also received a new camera...I also hope to capture the birds better...I live the GBBC. You are learning to use that camera fast...great shots Janet.

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    1. Donna@GEV, I am looking forward to hearing about the birds in your area. My old camera was a Lumix too, so the learning curve wasn't too steep.

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  9. Janet,
    This camera I have heard great things about it! I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot. I want a new camera, waiting for the right choice.

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    1. Randy, I am enjoying it a lot. This is one you should have on your short list.

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  10. Enjoy your new camera Janet, I am a big fan of the Panasonic lumix range, though my own is rather elderly now. Love the woodpecker.

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    1. Janet, I am a big fan as well, my first one got some spots on the lens that showed up on the photo.

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  11. Fabulous photos. I find the Nuthatch impossible to photograph, too and feel so lucky when I get to see him/her at the feeder. Thank you for the reminder about the great backyard bird count. gail

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    1. Gail, thanks!! I am bound and determined to get a good picture of the little nuthatch. Will do more reminders as the month wears on for the bird count.

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  12. Looks like you are going to have lots of fun with the new camera the pictures are beautiful. Your view is awesome and I love the idea of "fragrance on the first" that sounds like it would make a great linky party. hugs and you better let me know if you head to Savannah I like playing tour guide..

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    1. Cherry, thanks, I think the view is awesome too! Will have to do a linky party for sure. I will let you know when we head down to Savannah.

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  13. Miss Janet I just notice my old blog address is on your sidebar here is the new address if you would like to change it, hugs, Cherry

    http://cherrysinthegardenandmore.blogspot.com/

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  14. That certainly is impressive photography for such a small camera. I like the idea of the bag of seeds too. We have goldfinches visit the garden for the seeds on the salvias but I know they would adore something lie this.

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    1. Lancashire rose, thanks for stopping by. It is a great camera lens. The bag of seeds is perfect for niger. It is always a busy spot.

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  15. My pocket/purse camera is a Lumix also! Photographing birds is a challenge but also a lot of fun! If I had a view like yours I'd never get anything done!

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    1. Robin, don't you just love it? I love our view, there is always something to look at. We have no curtains.

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  16. Congrats on getting a new camera, and one with a zoom lens! Sweet. The woodpecker pictures are wonderful! Looking forward to seeing lots of cool photos from you.

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    1. Alison, thanks!! The zoom function is what sold me! Be prepared to have lots of bird pictures on the blog.

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  17. Beautiful photos with your new camera! I still haven't learned how to use all of the settings on mine--it's a New Year's resolution. You have such a paradise, with the view and the birds. Simply lovely.

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    1. Julie, thanks. I am still trying to figure out all the ins and outs of this one. It came with a little cd disc....haven't watched it yet. You need to come down and visit.

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  18. It's like being a kid again, getting a new toy, er...camera...for Christmas. Not only will you have a lot of fun, but we will be the beneficiaries as well, starting now.

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  19. Hi Janet, Don't you just love digital photography? How did we ever get along without it? It's risk-free, instant and we can share it with our friends. I hope you enjoy your new toy! Your birds are delightful. Hopefully there will be many visitors during the bird count.

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    1. Grace, Yes, I love having digital capability, taking a lot of pictures really helps you improve your skills. I hope you have lots of birds too.

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  20. Fabulous photos! I have the same crummy camera I've always had but that's ok. Love all your goldfinches. :o)

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    1. Tammy, thanks! I go through cameras every couple years, the smaller ones anyway.

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  21. Like you I also received a panasonic lumix for Christmas, although I have no idea which one specifically. Now you have me thinking I need to spend a little more time with my own camera learning all the functions. Your close ups of the flicker are wonderful, would love to get some photos like that myself.

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    1. Marguerite, how wonderful! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have been. You will have to tell me which one you got.

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