I'm not here!

[Norm in Fujino]

Laughing Thrush (Jp. *gabichou*), genus Garrulax.
E-300, Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6
ISO 1600, 1/250 @f6.3 (handheld)

This bird is native to SE Asia and China, and officially "doesn't exist" in Japan, but I identified several the first year I moved to Fujino (the “spectacles” are the giveaway). Their repertoire is similar to that of a mockingbird; they apparently attempt to imitate whatever nearby bird (or person) is whistling at them. They were formerly kept as pets in China and used in singing contests. It’s unclear whether the bird is an “accidental,” or merely introduced (brought to Japan and released).

http://www2.gol.com/users/nhavens/resource/050409107_f1.jpg

This one stayed around for about fifteen minutes in this thick tree, valiantly responding to my own boorish attempts to whistle it into better view (I'm not a great whistler). The time was 5:15 pm (not daylight savings time!), so ISO 1600 was necessary for any kind of exposure--no tripod. There are so many branches between me and the bird that blur was a problem and I had to focus manually. I cleaned up with Neatimage, which helped quite a bit, and cropped it a bit. Obviously I'm going to have to go after these birds a bit more attentively to get any decent shots in clear view.

[speaklightly]

Norm.

Your photo and the story you share are great. I can tell you are having fun with the E-300. Which lens did you use for this shot?

Sarah Joyce

[Norm in Fujino]

I can tell you are having fun with the E-300. Which lens did you use for this shot?

Thanx for the response, Sarah, yes it's great fun, only I've not enough time (like everyone). The lens was the Sigma 55-200--data is at the top of the tale.
Best wishes.

[D70FAN]

Laughing Thrush (Jp. *gabichou*), genus Garrulax.
E-300, Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6
ISO 1600, 1/250 @f6.3 (handheld)

This bird is native to SE Asia and China, and officially "doesn't exist" in Japan, but I identified several the first year I moved to Fujino (the “spectacles” are the giveaway). Their repertoire is similar to that of a mockingbird; they apparently attempt to imitate whatever nearby bird (or person) is whistling at them. They were formerly kept as pets in China and used in singing contests. It’s unclear whether the bird is an “accidental,” or merely introduced (brought to Japan and released).

This one stayed around for about fifteen minutes in this thick tree, valiantly responding to my own boorish attempts to whistle it into better view (I'm not a great whistler). The time was 5:15 pm (not daylight savings time!), so ISO 1600 was necessary for any kind of exposure--no tripod. There are so many branches between me and the bird that blur was a problem and I had to focus manually. I cleaned up with Neatimage, which helped quite a bit, and cropped it a bit. Obviously I'm going to have to go after these birds a bit more attentively to get any decent shots in clear view.

Thanks Norm. Great job on a tough shot. The E-300 seems to be agreeing with you, as does the Sigma.

[Norm in Fujino]

George, thanks for the comments. I haven't made any fast and firm conclusions based on the little I've used camera/lens it to date, and I really want to do some test shooting with the lens in particular to see how it holds up in resolution and clarity under better-lit conditions. Its focus and zoom seem to operate well enough, but it probably has some regions of zoom it likes better than others.