Birding & Struggling.

[sm4him]

Thanks guys, I was thinking about getting a Kenko 1.4x telephoto thingy mabobby doohiky (its Friday and im tired lol) on my Tamron which APPARENTLY will make it sharper also! Will find out soon as im not ready to fork out for a proper lens when im pretty convinced that Portaits and Landscapes is my game.

I would definitely NOT use a 1.4x converter on the 70-300. I have one--I have NEVER used it with my Nikon 70-300 lens to any good effect at all. The results have always been worse than just cropping the equivalent amount.
I've used it on my Sigma 150-500 as well, to much the same result. Sometimes, particularly if it's a perched bird and especially if I can use a monopod or a tripod, I've gotten a reasonably decent result with it, but not that often.
I've also recently gotten a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 lens; as expected, it works better on that lens, but it still only makes it a 280mm lens, so about the only time it would come in handy is shooting in my backyard during cloudy conditions.

I'd just stick with that 70-300, unless you decide you're into it enough to warrant purchasing a longer lens. I'd bet with the new Tamron coming out, you'll soon be able to get some decent deals on used Sigma 150-500s!

If you stick with the 70-300, as others have mentioned, there are ways to get closer. That picture you posted isn't bad at all, there's just not enough bird in the frame.

Others have already given some good advice on settings. My advice would be to work on some techniques to get closer to the birds. Scout out locations where you know there are some good birds, then pick a spot and wait. Eventually, the birds will either forget about you or decide you aren't a threat and start coming back. One of my favorite waiting spots is right up against the trunk of a tree, where I can see the surrounding trees. Or behind a bush that I can peek over the top of. Or if it's a wide-open field or beach, sometimes you just gotta hunker down the best you can.
Another technique is fairly obvious, but--take a picture as soon as you see the bird. Then take ONE step toward it, very slowly. Take another shot. Then another step. Sometimes, if the bird seems to be getting edgy, you need to wait to take another step. I've been known to spend 30 minutes to an hour doing this in order to get that little bit closer to the bird.
Parks, some public beaches, places that people frequent can sometimes be decent birding spots--you don't always find the variety that you find in more remote areas, but many of the birds are more acclimated to people, and will let you get a little closer.

 

[IzzieK]

For BIF practice...go to your local airport and practice on the bigger birds using a whatever to 200mm. It is the same idea. When you got them going good, use a 300mm and go to the bush (forest) and get 'em birdies. With all the advices you got here, apply the same on them birds. Ye'll be right, mate!

 

[nzmacro]

That Sacred KF shot is not bad Chris. Never easy getting close to those unless you spend a long time with them. They are very alert, fast and small. Just read through Sharon's post and its a good read. Makes sense. Take a shot, one step forward, take a shot, one step forward, etc, etc. I do that all the time. I would only use a TC on a fixed lens, not a zoom. There will be some bargains in the Sigma longer zooms as she mentions as well with the new Tamron out, I can see Sigma wanting to get rid of new ones at a reduced cost as well. They are going to have to do something with the pricing on those zooms.

All the best Chris and well done on that shot, not easy when they stay in the trees.

Danny.