A really good photograph of a bird is somewhat deceiving. The human eye rarely has it so good. And this time of year, with migrating songbirds acrobatically flitting about in thickly leafed-out trees, spotting and tracking a bird is quite a challenge. Ditto the photographing. The long lenses and flashes necessary for money shots, if you’ll excuse the phrase, practically require their own expedition bearers. An awful lot of my shots this time of year look like the above. This is, of course, a Black-and-white Warbler. 
All the signs are obvious here, too. Gray throat, yellow belly, rufus tail: Great Crested Flycatcher. This one was on the ground but bolted too quickly.
This is actually a reflection in the water. But if you study it carefully, there’s a tell-tale sign to help you identify the bird that cast it.
Share
This work by Matthew Wills is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
🤣 At least 90% of my shots of birds are outtakes. I use a Nikon D750 with a Sigma 150-600 mm. Not the most expensive kit but still respectable. It might be better if I used a tripod but I can’t get on the bird fast enough that way. Then there is the focus issue of targeting a tiny thing, backlit fast moving things way up there. So I shoot in short bursts and hope to catch something even if I can’t see it in the viewfinder. Some strong men with deep pockets hand hold huge lenses and get better shots.
And don’t forget the flash! The flash/long lens combo, which I’ve never used, is probably optimal, except for course for carrying all day long…
I never use flash.