[frances]

These Quails are very nervous and I shot all these out my window, as I couldn't open the door to go out , so I am quite pleased how they turned out.



These male Merganzers were fighting for the one female

[fgates]

The composition is great and the shots turned out very nicely . Your windows must be clean The quails look cheeky, almost as if they were posing for you.

The mergansers are good too, but for me the quails take the day.

[Markulous]

They're definitely posing for you! Very nice indeed

[frances]

Thanks guys ! I If they knew I was there they would have bolted, they are such nervous little birds ! , and so pretty, it seems that the pretty birds are the most nervous, I can walk right up to a plain bird, which I don't really plan to take a picture of , maybe they sense being stared at through a tele lense ? Yes, my window was clean, I always make sure that one window is as it looks out into our back yard, and the old fence is a favorite perch for many different birds, and squirrels too, but usually pics taken out that window are not that much in focus, must be the angle I shoot from, maybe the window makes my camera focus wrong ? I have to remember to use manual focus. I like the green background on these , which is the lawn as I am looking down on the birds and the lawn is behind them. Wouldn't get that if I were at the same level as the birds. I like the droplets of water caught in the air in the Merganzer pic. Always amazes me the way one can stop drops like that ! Thanks for your comments !

[fgates]

Perhaps it has something to do with the look of your face

I am referring to your avatar

[frances]

I am rather scary, now that you mention it , but it's only humans that usually notice !

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by frances

.....but usually pics taken out that window are not that much in focus, must be the angle I shoot from, maybe the window makes my camera focus wrong ? I have to remember to use manual focus.

Glass often interferes with AF focus so, as you say, MF is best!

[MarJus]

Wow! Those quails are simply gorgeous!! Well done indeed Frances! I would be very pleased with those as well if I'd taken them.
I'm convinced that the majority of wildlife 'feels' your eyes (albeit through a lens) on them!
The merganzers is a great action shot and as you say, the water droplets are amazing!

[frances]

Thanks MarJus ! Yes, you are right, that must be built in defense mechanism if you watch a cat after a bird, the cat slowly advances, staring at the bird, that bird feels that, and if the cat would move too fast the bird would spook, us photogs have to be like the cat, slow, and patient ! We are lucky indeed when a wild animal lets us approach enough to get a good shot ! Thanks for your nice comments !

[Ali]

Nice shots Frances - I particularly like the 1st

[Lew]

Love the quail frances. A really nice set.