Rich gave me the most awesome lens ever for Christmas! The weather has been gross (cold front = cold + wind) and so I haven’t been out to Circle B with the lens yet. But here are a few pictures from around the house…
Every time I get a new lens or piece of camera equipment, my first subject of my first picture is my cat Goldilocks. We’ve had this tradition ever since 2003. With the 500mm, I asked Goldy to go all the way on the other side of the house, to get her within my minimum focusing distance of 14.5 feet.
![Goldy Goldy](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Christmas-2010-First-shots-with-500mm_Backyard_101225_3.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Goldy
Our Painted Bunting has been coming to our feeder at least twice a day. Poor little thing, she was sure getting blown around in all the wind today. This picture was taken with the 500mm handheld and/or balanced on my knee as I sat in the dining room and shot through the somewhat dirty window. Not bad, huh? :)
![Painted Bunting Painted Bunting](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Painted-Bunting_Backyard_101226_1.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Painted Bunting
Then I moved into the living room and mounted the lens on my tripod. Two Red-Winged Blackbirds were stocking up on food before the cold weather tonight. I guess bird parents don’t have the “don’t eat with your mouth open” rule…
![Red-Winged Blackbird Red-Winged Blackbird](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Red-winged-blackbird_Backyard_101226_2.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Red-Winged Blackbird