Test Drive

My new camera body arrived this morning so I spent some time setting up the function buttons and getting to know it.  The body is the newest Nikon Z series, the Z6III, and it is very similar to the Z8.  It isn't quite as robust as the Z8 of course, but it has 90% of my most-wanted features and it's a bit smaller and lighter.  Anyway, I put my older Sigma 100-400 lens on it with an FTZ2 converter and went for a spin in the garden.  This lens is the one I use the least as I find it a little awkward for some reason.  Tomorrow I will put the Z24-120 f/4 lens on it and give it a deeper test.  

The image is, of course, a hummer in the garden.  This has a heftier crop than it probably should, but all in all, I'm pleased.  The camera's AF works fast and didn't have any problem grabbing onto the bird using Animal AF mode (it doesn't have Bird AF).  It also stuck with to the bird quite well even in the busy setting.  That said, the image is just a bit softer than I would like although that is more to do with my hands than the camera.  

I was so engrossed in setting up the camera that I didn't keep track of the swallow nest and when I went out later, there were no signs of them.  I suspect the babies fledged this morning but I will wait another day before I check the box.  No sign of the parents, though, which is a pretty good indicator that the babies have left the nest.  Meanwhile, on the other side of the house the bluebirds have 5 beautiful blue eggs in their nest.  I'm a little surprised as in the past the second broods have only had 4 eggs.  But I guess the conditions are favorable.

It is very hot again today, currently 90F under sunny skies.  Tomorrow, however, is going to be a little cooler so I'm meeting a friend for a hike on a partially shaded trail.  Remembering to slather on mosquito repellant before I hit the trail...

Dark with sea salt today.

xo
Debbi