Jan:
Looks as if You had a great opportunity and took full advantage of it! I will suffice it to simply say: It can't get much better than this! Crisp and sharp with very dramatic range of poses detail one can usually only imagine! WOW!!! Sonny

Jim:
I know how much you were bouncing around and this is just remarkable when that is considered!?
Thanks for sharing with us.
Sonny

Me Thinks, firtree is correct ( female Boat Tailed Grackle
especially since we have millions in SoFla at this very time! Males are 250/0 larger and Blue Black with irrideseense Great photograph!!!
Sonny

Basil:
Since yo live in N.M>, I will ask. Are You a bowhunter?

I once lived in Alamagordo and Roswell!
Thanks, Sonny

They have some kind of poison in their excrement which at times will kill everything it comes in contact with. This poison has been known to be lethal to large full grown Canada Geese' It is best to not have them feeding at you songbird feeders!
Sonny

The best idea I have ever seen was to use a leather back quiver (archery) with what ever additional neoprene padding added to protect the lens barrel. The camera body can stay attached and reached by simply reaching overhead and drawing the equipment forward into position to use.
In this carry position the camera is not left unprotected to swing around and bang into things. It is also quickly moved into useful position.
I saw this rig in an outdoor magazine back in the 60's!
Sonny

Wonderful work' Brent.
Makes me want to go back for a visit!
Sonny

Gregory:
Just about as good as You can get! Just almost superb?
I can't wait to join You! They are so special.
My backyard Greenie must have met some begiling female with a nest site all picked out because he hasn't been back for two weeks!? The "shameless hussy" must have offered Him more than I could, all I offered Him was to etch him into history with His image!
I feel so let down!?
Sonny

asajib:
I see so many decent images which are ruined by over processing until they no longer look natural in color or texture of the subjects. There was a recent posting of some birds which was so overworked the feathers looked as though they had been welded into place. The image also looked as if it had been frosted.
To much color saturation and contrast ruins good, decent images. These post processing gimmicks are for last ditch efforts to salvage an image OR just a way to make a beautiful creature look animated/fabricated. One certainly does not require a $5,000. camera system with a $4,000, lens if you are happy with phoney processing???
JMHO, Sonny

aisajib:
The yellow tint does not seem to be a natural part of the color scale in this case. Even a soft orange would seem more enhancing to the subject, ie: natural light in the last hours of daylight (golden hour) which is known as the magical time for photography!
Hope this helps clarify my thinking?
Keep up the very good work!
Sonny

PS:
Pup reminds me fondly of my Lady which was an Alsatian brought back from Germany in the belly of a B-29 in 1948! What a dog She was! I was 9 years of age and she was my tireless, constant companion for several years! RIP: Dear Lady

Good source for range finders: Weather proof excellent optics such as Leica, Nikon, Sworski are the premium brands. The more expensive ones are very accurate and sturdy.
Look on Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, etc.
Cabela's has a closeout department called Bargain Cave for sale, closeout where a lot of money may be saved. Just like any optics or laser gear, usually the more money spent adds up to accuracy, performance!
Sonny

Please excuse double post!
Sonny

I prefer No. 1 primarily because of the very pink tougue being so prominent! No. 3 is my preference in other than color!
Beautiful pup!
Nice work aisajib!
Sonny

Regis:
Nice work, Sir!
Sonny

Vicki The GBH, Great Blue Heron, acts a tad spooky, as if he is ready to take flight. The duck you had the question mark on is a Hen: Golden Eye, I believe' All photos are very good and I appreciate your sharing. Please keep up the good work!

If you decide the 500 is just to much, i will gladly take it off your hand and gently break it in for you!?
I promise I shall return it unharmed in about 6 months and it will be much easier for You to use! I am going to S/W Florida in Feb on "Swamp Shoot" With Gregory45 and Ole' Frank.
Sonny