I have the same equipment that you used for this series, however, I rarely use the 75-300 any more. Your sharpness issue is not because of equipment. First thing that I noticed, is the first two shots were exposed at 1/200 sec. - not 1/500. I didn't check all. What I don't understand is the noise in your photos. At ISO100, and proper exposure, there should be no perceptible noise. I would suggest that you change your metering mode to spot - center weighted averaging is my least favorite method. I haven't used it since retiring my old FM. You may also try using exposure compensation to correct for the back lit scene. I would also raise the ISO to 400, and try for a shutter speed of 1/1000 at f8 or better.

Keep trying and keep us posted.

Well done, thanks for sharing.

Excellent set.

Large white bird with yellow bill = Great Egret
Large white bird with black bill = Snowy Egret
Large blue bird with blue bill/white belly = Tri-colored Heron

Thanks for sharing.

Outstanding captures! Great technique and perfect conditions - how could you go wrong?

Did you get to see any of the burrowing owls on Marco Island?

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome photographs!

One correction. Your white birds are Great Egrets (Ardea alba). The so called Great White Heron is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron. The great white has pale legs and is larger than the great egret.

Thanks for sharing.

Every one is magnificent - thanks for sharing.

Thank you Donna. I'm glad that you liked my great egrets.

I am getting around much better than I was six months ago, but there are still some improvements to be made. I'll be posting more later to prove that I am no going to quit.

Thanks for looking in and your kind comments.

Looks like I'll be getting one new hip sometime in the not too distant future. (Getting old isn't for sissies!)

Greetings Sylvia! Not going to let those hips keep me down!

I bought a step stool just for that purpose, but I don't always feel steady enough to use it. Still get descent photos shooting through the fence.

Going to your PM.

Thank you for looking in and your kind comment.

Thank you, Vicki, for looking in and your kind comment.

Thank you for looking in and your kind comment.

Thank you for looking in and your kind comment.

Thank you very much for looking in. I appreciate your kind comment and the smiley face.

Thanks Greg, I appreciate your looking in and your kind comment.