Pied-billed grebe, mallard, & Sandhill cranes

Camera recommendations for the avid birder

Ive had my Canon Powershot SX720 HS for about two years now. I originally bought this camera for its portable and lightweight features. There were some downsides though.
1: It did not/ does not come with zoom lenses. For a birder this can be tricky, especially when trying to take far away shots.
2: It does not have clear focus.

I would like my next choice to be lightweight, portable, have clear focus, to come with zoom lenses, and overall be in a price range of about $300- $500.
If you have any recommendations, please post a comment below.

Migrating Birds

As the 2021 spring migration ends, these are a variety of the birds that I’ve seen migrating through Northern Illinois this spring.

Staring contest with Sandhill Crane

What do you think this Crane was thinking when we started our stare down? I don’t know who one though, I think it was a tie.

Sandhill Crane Family

These “Dino’s were wading in marsh, I was ecstatic with how close I could get to them.
There was a Mom,Dad, and a young sandhill crane, they were eating some kind of berry. We don’t have alligators, sharks, or any of those dangerous animals, but we have ” Dino’s.

Salt & Shark free!!

Cute Baby Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology