It’s been an atypical spring for us, in Idaho for over 35 years, but grizzled locals say it’s just back to normal. Poor farmers who knows when they can get into fields out here.

Finally melted off enough that I can get to feeder hooks and put up half hummer feeder yesterday. Today Cassins showed up to sunflowers with their bright baseball caps and a Calliope. John Schmidt wins this year. Several Sandhills finally, nesting pair and some juvies. I wasn’t sure last years hatchling made it. It’s been tough on them with not much open land. I’m leaving them alone rather than searching for nest. Rackets are increasing. Two Flickers have decided our two chimney caps are superb sounding opportunities for their mate quests. Hope they find someone soon. Drumming down chimney is disturbing. Wake up to Sandhill calls and Flicker drumming, way cool.

I’ve been using a LUMIX point and shoot for over ten years with great results. Mine has a 12x optical zoom and a Leica lens. I’ve thought of upgrading to their 30x optical zoom, but I guess I’m a cheap Yankee despite the years out here. Great cameras that I highly recommend and they fit it in a shirt pocket. Try that with an SLR.

Redtails are swooping around and it’s too cold at night to open windows to try for Saw Whets. Next are house wrens who built a nest in my satellite dish last year.

Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Rd
Inkom

Thanks for the input, Cliff. I’m enjoying the heck out of the camera. And, yes, the quality of photos seems amazing to me. Haven’t started playing with the video function, getting still photos down. I used to own Nikon, & lenses, film camera. Gave to my son, who collects film cams now. But, held off on a digital, for quite awhile, until the technology could bring it down to my level to be able to use! Lol! 

Brian 

My husband’s bachelors degree is in photography….he is always impressed with the zoom on mine! Thanks for sharing! 

Those Lumix cameras have Leica lenses and I’ve been super
impressed with the quality of the photos they take, especially the
vivid but true color they capture. As a bonus they take great
video, better than I’ve been able to get with a Nikon DSLR.

Cliff

DC-FZ80. My sister has another brand point & shoot zoom
camera, twice the cost of mine, & we compared photos. In all
honesty, we liked my camera’s better. Less pixelation at distant
zoom. Not same as those costing thousands of $$$ camera bodies
& lenses, mind you. But, for me…perfect. 

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...

DC-FZ80. My sister has another brand point & shoot zoom camera, twice the cost of mine, & we compared photos. In all honesty, we liked my camera’s better. Less pixelation at distant zoom. Not same as those costing thousands of $$$ camera bodies & lenses, mind you. But, for me…perfect. 

I have an older Lumix. Perfect for me although it is probably nearing its end. Love the idea of being able to download right to my phone! Might look at a newer model like yours! 

Yesterday, my wife & I did a day trip to Yellowstone. In Island Park, we watched the courtship dance of 2 Sandhill Cranes for about 15 minutes. And, Mountain Bluebirds are back, counted at least 10. Back home by early evening, put the hummingbird nectar feeder out for first time this Spring. No activity yet. But, I do have a pair of courting Wild Turkeys coming into the yard &, appears, the hen may have chosen a nesting spot on the place. Had a female Cassin’s Finch come through this AM & have at least 4 Red-naped Sapsuckers on the place.

Have been asked about my camera. It’s a Panasonic Lumix with fixed 20-1200 zoom. Suspect, a professional wildlife photographer would want more advanced, but for my needs, it’s perfect. Can download the photos through WiFi right to the phone & then adjust photos. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot 

5 Lazuli Buntings in my back yard this morning!

Kerry
Boise North End