Copyright ©2015 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I’ve been spending some more time with my Bridge Camera the Panasonic DMZ-Fz200 trying to get better IQ shooting birds in the backyard, but that hasn’t worked out so well since when I’m out back #1 Grandson, and Diva Dog want to be out there too. Unfortunately, the birds don’t want to be out there sipping nectar or eating delicious seeds when nearly the whole family is out back.
But, as luck would have it #1 Grandson isn’t too keen on bugs right now so, he calls them out where ever and when ever he sees them…even flies! He quit playing in the mud puddle brought about by a broken sprinkler, and ran to me clinging to my leg for dear life proclaiming that there was a BUG!, and he very helpfully pointed it out to me. With camera in hand I assured him I’d take care of it. With #1 Grandson still clinging to my leg I cautiously approached the trespassing fly. When I got within the closest focal range to make an image I began pressing the shutter.   I managed to get several images thanks to being in Burst Mode. A few were decent.  The Fz200 can shoot 12 fps in Burst Mode! It’s one reason I bought the camera.

#1 Grandson now emboldened by my bravery thought he get a little closer himself , let go of my leg, and took a big step forward, then Poof! The fly got scared and flew away. 🙂  #1 Grandson looked up at me with eyes full of surprise and question…and said, ” Fly flew away!”  I replied, “Yes, love it did. We have be very quiet, and can’t get too close or we’ll scare them. Stay by Gran and it might stay.”

The lessons of photographing, and loving wildlife are in full swing at my house!

Another reason I bought this camera was for the Leica f/2.8 fixed Aperture lens, and it’s 108mm lens which has a field of view equivalent of  600mm in 35mm format. I’ve seen some fantastic images taken of birds and wildlife with this little Bridge camera and I am hoping I can get similar results. Especially when traveling.  I’m thinking about taking this camera with me on a cruise I have coming up in late Aug/Sept. There will be some opportunities to see some birds and wildlife I don’t have near me and I don’t really want to pack and carry my heavy 300mm lens.  I’ll be testing this lens/camera out quite a bit in the next couple months.

Are you curious about how muddy #1 Grandson got this morning? I titled this image: A Broken Sprinkler, a Mud Puddle, and a Toddler= A Bunch of Fun this Summer Morning.

I stripped him and ran like mad to the bathtub when he was ready to go in the house. I wonder if I’ll get the mud and sand out of his clothes?

I’ve got a couple of more photos of him over on Instagram too. If you’d like to see those click here!

Panasonic DMC-Fz200|Lexar Professional Digital Film| Hand-held| CS6

More to come…