Well, I finally did it. I’ve been planning and thinking about taking up bird photography for a few weeks, and I finally took the plunge.

Three weeks ago (while sick with covid) I bought the Fujinon 70-300mm lens for X-Mount. With a 107-457mm full frame equivalent focal range, this is the longest lens I’ve used or owned (previously 107mm during my a6000 days). There is certainly a learning curve with this amount of reach and this lens in particular, but I’m quite pleased with my decision. Mated to my Fuji X-T5, the lens feels good in the hand, if a bit front-heavy.

I took the lens out two weeks ago, but didn’t have much luck finding birds in my first location. I did get a nice photo of the moon. I was surprised by the level of detail.

About a week later I ventured out to a new spot at a nearby park. At first I felt I had missed the mark again, hearing, but not seeing any avian friends. I continued on, spotting some butterflies and a squirrel.

As I photographed the butterflies I looked up to witness a Bald Eagle soaring above me! I quickly snapped some photos, but at 1/500 they ended up quite blurry. Still, I was hooked, and stayed out much longer than originally planned.

I spotted an Eastern Bluebird and a Great Blue Heron later that evening. I definitely need to work on my reactions between slow and fast moving subjects, as well as master the auto-focus on this long lens – but overall I had a great time and can’t wait to get out to practice more.