Love the thrasher and Pyroluxia (sp?). Not so much the quail with the background. Where is Sweetwater?

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Many will say BBF is a benefit. I used it for a long time, but gave it up. Just one more variable that IMO, based on experience, can cause issues, like failing to focus because the operator (me) didn't depress it all the way. For me, using the shutter release to take the shot, you will go thru the focus mode before you take the shot, just by the design of the camera.

With zoom lenses, finding your subject zoomed out then zooming in is good advice. But if you want sharp images of moving subjects, I suggest shooting faster that 1/2500. I start at 1/4000. Also, if you look at the depth of field charts for your lens, I would wager that f/8 doesn't give you any advantage. I always shoot wide open for most subjects and stop down if the subject is close. Also, wider apertures will provide softer backgrounds, separating your subject from the background if it is relatively close. Best advice however is GET OUT AND SHOOT. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Here is an example. 400mm @f/4, 1/4000, ISO 1000. Full frame (no crop). IMO, if I had been at f/8 at 1/2500 the background would have been more detailed (distracting) and the face of the bird would not have been as sharp. Actually, considering this was taken with a 400mm f/2.8 prime, I wonder whether the image might have been better at 2.8 considering the face is the most important part of the image.

(Download)

Raw files have the POTENTIAL to yield better results than the jpeg equivalent IF the photographer has the skills to process the raw files. SKILLS are learned through practice. If the photographer is not interested in learning the skills necessary to process raw files, then stick to jpeg. For me, post processing is fun and I enjoy it. But I won't say that I am any sort of expert (especially when it comes to color). It is a challenge(to me); trying to create the best image I possibly can. That is why I shoot raw exclusively. It's simple, with a raw file there is more information to start with as compared to a jpeg and hence a greater chance of creating an image that is pleasing to me, and potentially others. Each to own however. What ever tickles your fancy.

The mantra "Shoot with the sun at your back" is usually good advice. But at times with back lite subjects you can create some nice images. Nice stuff here!

Great collection. Love the pose of the Cardinal!

Nice series. There are some interesting affects going on here in some of the images, especially the last one of the
Egret. Wonder what’s going on here, or is it my imagination.

Another great shot here.

Pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Lovely. Really nice!

Hi Mike, Looks like you made a good purchase on your a9. Glad you are enjoying it. Nice stuff here!

Here is another $.02. As people shoot longer lenses and with tc’s added, one thing that I think they don’t do is shoot fast enough. At 400 to 600mm I shoot at a minimum of 1/3200 assuming I am interested in sharp results. And the older we get, the more important it is to shoot fast. The older we get, the harder it is to hold long lenses. Of coarse, tripods with good heads help, but for fast moving erratic subjects, tripods are in many instances not advisable.

i guess the question is would be, how sharp is sharp enough? when i was using my canon dslrs i noticed some image degradation, especially with the 2x, but now with my sony a1, i never hesitate to put them on. i am happy with the results and don’t have to loose as many pixels with larger crops. remember, imo, how sharp an image is is only one factor in a good photo.

Technically it's a nice shot. Perhaps a bit underexposed that you should be able to adjust in post. As far as the shot itself, if you had the opportunity to get the bird without the road I think it would be a better "scene".