So, what does a bored photographer need holidays do when they have a couple of new telephoto lenses at hand?
Back yard birding.
My “hide” was a garden chair in the dark corner of a 20x20m bit of back garden, pointing at a Japanese Maple hanging over a pond.
A known bird hangout, but not usually with a “garden ninja gnome” waiting in anticipation.
This guy was not afraid.
Curious even.
Almost got a cracking shot, but was in spot AF, so hit about the drum stick region. Put it on “bird detect” after that. Nothing like post event adaption. Just goes to show that even at f6.3 on a MFT lens, depth of field is your most precious fuel.
It is amazing how many compositions you can find from one space with an interesting lens and nice range of light.
This is the maple in question, so yes, the 800mm equivalent I was running was enough for birds.
Even insects from about 15ft away.
A big bird dropped by.
This was quite a dance.
Then called it after a wag tail gave me the once over and decided against it (“no giant garden ninja gnomes in my space”).
So a quiet hour in a nice space. Probably exactly what my photography needed and yes, further proof this new lens is an asset.