Thank you fhayes... As mentioned, I often work at this type of photo. Still lots to learn in the world of photo-ing but am gaining confidence

Thanks Rider Fan... These nice remarks are giving me confidence

Good Heavens Angler, these are excellent!

Ya, he's pretty! Been messing with the same subjects lately with some success. Can't get them to keep still long enough. Good job.

Excellent!!!

Thank you all for your comments... I did not look at it in B&W, but worth a try... Bret, I'm flattered!.. Jenny, like WOW! I'm a real neophyte and that went right over my head. However, the issues you bring up are the same that I am trying to understand. Yes, I was trying for the starburst effect, so was lucky there. Here are some settings I used:
f stop:f4
1/125 sec.
focal length: 70 mm
max aperture 4
landscape mode ( Sony alpha 290 camera/ Tamron 70-300 zoom lens)

I took this shot at various settings so will look at the others and possibly learn something from them... Again, thank you all
BTW, I spotted a Piliated woodpecker that same morning but couldn't "get him".

The attached photo is one of my personal favorites, pehaps because mist, fog, and filtered light is so mystical. But, photographing it is a challenge for me and I'm constantly experimenting. I'd like some constructive critisism on this picture. Go ahead, have some fun with it...I'm quite calloused! LOL... Thanks :mrgreen:

MistFallingOnCedars.jpeg

That rainbow snake is beautiful, and a great photo, as well...

Trying this again. Hopefully, the picture will send this time as well as the message... Sneaky Snake lives on my driveway wall...

Sneaky Snake lives on my driveway wall.

Thanks for the compliment... Here are a couple more from my back deck... Yes, they do brighten one's life, eh?

Thanks... I think that is a black-chinned hummoingbird, not verylentiful around here (SW Oregon)

Must confess you are having better luck than me with hummingbird shots. Most every evening, a sit cools off, I sit on my deck and enjoy the dozens of hummers that come to the feeders. Soon they will be heading south and Ill miss them...

Resting hummer

Can you tell me where the Bomber Cafe is located. My neighbor, recently widowed, would enjoy going there. Her husband flew B-17's as a crew member...Thanks

Kejoed...Hi, thanks for that explanation about LANDSCAPE and PORTRAIT settings. Most likely, if I were to study up more on these issues, I too would understand these issues. But, I tend to be lazy that way. Your description of these settitngs is very clear and most appreciated... umpquafisher (a true novice!)