Oh, sorry, I misunderstood you.

It is just my opinion, you don't have to follow it.

I would try moving the feeder farther from the house, especially if it is near a window. When they start coming to your feeder, maybe move it in closer a foot at a time, but try not to line it up directly with a window. They will see you through it.

Most of what was already said, but for your own benefit, take what pleases you most. If you are not photographing for a client, please yourself first with your pictures. Don't chase other people's style or subjects. HAVE FUN!

I went to the Butterfly House in St. Louis last year. I took my 60mm macro, which should be close to your 50mm. I specifically wanted to see what I could do with a prime lens rather than a zoom. I was very happy with the results. I have been there since with my 18-200mm zoom and was also satisfied, but I think my prime forced more creativity with the butterflies and flowers in the House. You need to be quick because they don't pose for long!

For the Canon DSLR mount, any adapter will require an intermediate focusing lens in the adapter to achieve focus to infinity. This piece of glass is usually removable, which will allow you to use the adapter as an extension tube. The cheap adapters I have seen seem to work pretty well mechanically, but the built-in focusing lens is optical trash. Also your old film lenses are probably nowhere near the optical quality of any current Canon (or Nikon, Pentax, etc) lens you would buy. Don't know why for certain but mine never have the same look as my DSLR lenses. By comparison, Canon used to market their own branded adapter for around $600.00. It did work well from what I have read.

Not a "Pro" by any definition, but I use SPOT almost exclusively along with MANUAL. The center spot meter area corresponds with the center focus area and gives me what I want. If I am doing any less specific work (groups and parties) I will use one of the other metering options, but stay on the center focus, since using all the spots generally focuses on the wrong object. Just my way of working, but it works well for me.

If I am walking or moving around alot, I take the camera, my 18-200mm zoom (so versatile!) and my 430EXII flash. If I have a vehicle nearby, I will toss a tripod in it, but if walking, I probably won't carry it around. I don't carry a variety of lenses as my 18-200 will cover most situations.

I have the non-L version (because of price), and although I am sure there is a large quality difference, I use this lens a lot and have taken some very nice photos with it. I wish I could afford Canon's price for their L lenses, but I have to work within my budget. I have been very satisfied with the non-L version that I have. I also have an "entry level" camera body, but again, I work with what I have. The best equipment will only take the photo that the photographer takes.

It is absolutely ok to add you photos. This one deserves printing & mounting on a wall in your home. (In my home if I can pretend I shot it).

This is a really nice picture. Looks colder than mine.

I would rather eat the heron than the salamander. Really nice shots, though.

Well, this is actually a full color shot. If you look close at the barn on the right side, you will see some color. I made a monochrome copy of this and saw very little difference, but like the color a little bit better.

Thanks everybody. I got the shot I wanted, and after all, isn't that the purpose? If I had shot the barn less centered, I would not have gotten either the rail fence or would have gotten other items I didn't want in this shot. Yes I did take other shots and if I can figure how to post them here I will upload them as a series with this picture. I appreciate everyone who has looked and thought to comment.

A heavy snowfall last March at a local park with reconstructed old farm buildings. I thought this was a nice shot of a barn with rail fence and some vegetation. Any critique will be appreciated.