What better way to celebrate an unexpected warm spell in midwinter than to get outside to enjoy it in the company of wild birds? That’s just what photographer and Outside contributor Pat McKay did when, a little over a week ago, gusty southerly winds sent temperatures along the Delmarva Peninsula soaring well into the 50-degree range. His destination? Chincoteague Island. But Pat had other things on his mind than enjoying the balmy weather. He had a new lens to put through its paces, too, a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD. That’s quite a mouthful, and since Tamron lenses are better known to shutterbugs as “Tammys,” that’s how I’ll refer to it from here on out. In any case, Pat mounted the new lens on his Canon EOS Rebel XSi digital SLR and headed out to put it through its paces. The results? See for yourself:

Tammy certainly did justice to this stylish couple, wouldn’t you say? Sharp image, superb color, and captivating bokeh—they’re all there. (Right-click in this and any other photo in this article to see a larger image in a new window.) You can even make out individual water droplets on the ducks’ backs. Of course, the Canon EOS Rebel did its part, too, even at an ISO of 400.

Now here’s a shot of an unattached mallard drake, resplendent in his breeding plumage:

A handsome fellow, isn’t he? And the setting is striking, too, suggesting as it does the subtle intricacy of an Impressionistic painting. Quite a challenge for any photographer, what with the brilliant light making for tricky metering. But Pat (and Tammy) were up to the job.

And they didn’t stop there. Here’s another demanding subject, a great egret:

A rising breeze tousles the egret’s downy plumage, but the 1/400th-second exposure stops it in mid-flutter. Of course, the real challenge for any wildlife photographer’s is capturing a bird in flight. And here, too, Pat and Tammy come through:

This is a particularly fine shot, given the shallow depth of field required by the 1/1000th-second exposure. Only the slight blurring at the wingtips gives the game away. And while you’re inspecting the wings, be sure to take note of the subtle colors imparted by sunlight filtering through the feathers.

It’s no cause for egret, however, that Pat was able to turn his attention to a hunting heron:

Great blues have big feet, don’t they?

All the better for stalking in muddy streams. And then there’s the lethal spear waiting at the other end:

Yes, spring is in the air! At least it is on the Delmarva peninsula. And who could ask for a better day to test a new lens. Pat’s verdict? His new Tammy is a great lens at a good price, one that would serve any wildlife photographer well.

Thanks for sharing your photos with the rest of us, Pat! (You couldn’t share some your weather, too, could you? Just asking…)

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