Let me 1st say that I am not a photographer, and probably never will be! I am just a birder that takes a lot of photos of birds. Of course I try to get the best images I can, but I'm not bothered at all if the bird is distant, or if a branch cuts thru an otherwise nice shot. To me these are the shots that show how the bird would look in the field. I love the gorgeous, full-frame shots that others get. But, I likely won't spend the money necessary to get past the 400mm that I currently shoot at, at least not in the near future.

I initially started digiscoping, and most of the images on here before late 2008 were taken with that method, or with a large-zoom P & S. I currently still digiscope when conditions are right, with a Canon S95 (now a Sony RX-100 II)and my Kowa 883. I finally got a Canon 50D and 400/5.6L in 2008, and wish I had much sooner. I now usually shoot with a Canon 7D Mk II body, and also have an original 7D along with the 50D. In addition to the 400/5.6, I shoot the Canon 70-200/2.8L IS II and 17-55/2.8 lenses. Generally for birds though, it is the 7D MK II and 400/5.6 combo, with the others being used more for aviation and general photography.

I am married, and live in McKenzie, TN. I work for Owens Corning Fiberglass in Jackson, TN. My work lets me travel abroad occasionally,which helps with my birding a bit.

Good birding!

Mike Todd