Got the earliest start of 2020 this morning arriving at the park right at 7 with another 45 degree temperature. Quite a cloudy day with very spotty sun. Weather predictions for the day are calling for record heat in the 90+ range but with these clouds I have my doubts.
I only got four pictures this morning (an Osprey, two shots of a Cormorant and one shot of my favorite Barn Swallow couple) but since I was using the Lumix’s digital telephoto extension feature the results were not usable at all. I was shooting in Aperture Priority mode with ISO set to 1600. I did this to force a faster shutter speed but once again the auto-focus system did not get me the sharpness I expect. I think I am giving up on the GX-85 for birding. I still like its video features so I guess that will be how it is used in future shoots.
On the plus side I sighted my first Quail on the way out of the park. I was starting to think they had moved on to greener pastures.
Sightings:
Birds: Osprey, Starlings, Cormorants, Ducks, Barn Swallows, Robins, Kestrel, Western Kingbird, an unidentified Hawk, Quail
Critters: Mule Deer
Gear: Lumix GX-85, 45-150mm