Linda From Maine wrote:
When I photograph white pelicans against dark water, I often need to set my exposure two stops darker than the camera wants to expose automatically. For a sitting bird such as this, you could try a couple of shots, then look at the result, and adjust as needed. Enjoy your new camera!
good advice. I appreciate it and will go back tomorrow and see what I can do. thanks!! I looking forward to her giving birth, last time was in 2010 that there was a birth here. Very exciting. I really want to get this right so that I have a very clear, distinct picture when momma has baby or babies. What do you think would be the best settings?? thank you for your help