Hi all; we have this female cardinal hanging around. Note the mostly-white head feathers. Really odd. Is this a leucistic example?

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An unusual windless moment at the golden hour with fog fading, then obscuring everything in the distance. The nice clouds and sun setting colors didn't hurt, either! I thought the silhouettes made an interesting look.

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Hi all, took this shot a few days ago, hand held, single point focus: the following are all the settings. I cropped it and adjusted the dynamic range and added some sharpening. I am not getting the tack sharp images I would to see. I would appreciate all your thoughts. The site would not let me attach the RAW file for some reason.

File Size: 22.6 MB, 12.7 MB
Image Size: L (6000 x 4000)

Date Shot: 9/22/2020 18:51:15.80
Time Zone and Date: UTC+1, DST:OFF
Image Quality: Compressed RAW (12-bit), Jpeg Fine (8-bit)
Camera Info
Device: Nikon D5300
Lens: VR 200-500mm f/5.6G
Focal Length: 500mm
Focus Mode: AF-A
AF-Area Mode: Single
VR: ON
AF Fine Tune:
Exposure
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/4000s
Exposure Mode: Programmed Auto*
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering: Center-Weighted
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 4000
Flash
Device:
Image Settings
White Balance: Auto, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
High ISO NR: ON (Normal)
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: High
Image Authentication:
Vignette Control:
Auto Distortion Control: OFF
Picture Control
Picture Control: [VI] VIVID
Base: [VI] VIVID
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 4

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So, this little gal fluffs up, tilts her head way back and jealously guards "her" feeder. She is sooo big and bad. We get a big kick out of it. We have a male that does the same thing. Nikon D5300, 200-500 Nikon lens at 500 mm, 1/2500 at f6.3 ISO 2000. Trying out different focusing settings. This was 3D and Full Servo. Working better than manual focusing!

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Yeah, CO, the lens is heavier than I expected, and I think I would have gotten a better shot if I had used manual focus and a faster shutter. The camera kept wanting to focus on spots I didn't want, but I am not used to the manual focus ring yet. Anyway, that's the nature of learning new things!
Thanks for the comments, everyone

Hi to all, and thanks for the great tips and inspiration. I am getting back into photography again (I'm semi-retired) and just purchased a Nikon 200-500 lens for my D5300 from a fellow hogger. Great lens! I thought I'd post a shot from my first trials. Shot through a window, hand held, ISO 400 at 1/250 f5.6 500mm (750 equiv). Would love any comments. BTW I will be starting to shoot RAW, soon, but haven't decided on PP software. I am an old film guy, but have been using a old version of PS (CS3) for years for snapshots, vacation photos, and such with my D5300 and kit lenses. This new lens is the first time I have purchased a high-end lens and am thrilled with it. Also shown is a poor quality shot of the new gimbal setup for it. Effortless handling; this lens is pretty heavy!

Love our Hummers!

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New Gimbal Head

Out for a photo stroll on the beach at sunrise last summer. I didn't see the shape in the clouds until we got home. Do you see it too? Anyway, it was a beautiful morning regardless! This is my first post... be kind. Shot with a Nikon D5300

Best of the series IMHO; some post processing in PS

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No processing


Almost time for more coffee!

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Pm sent, interested

USED Nikon FM film body only. Not working now, but all parts are there. Very clean, though! Good for parts, or to rebuild. FREE, S&H $20 in continental US only.