First impressions with my Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens

I came home on Tuesday afternoon to find the expected package waiting for me, my new Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens! I quickly un-boxed it, attached it to my 40D and went outside to play around. My first subject was a Rose starting to bloom ( pictured ), it was getting dark so the light was a little hard to work with. Yesterday I went out to the local park looking for Dragonflies or Butterflies, which were both easy to find prior to recieving my lens, but had no luck. I did find a Wasp hanging around a hole in a tree and decided he was better than nothing. Here is one of the results, I did not want to get too close and you can probably guess why!
The second flower pictured is a Zinnia from my Mom's garden, a macro paradise!
My pros and cons for this lens so far? Well here go's:

Pros: Light weight. Good build. Lovely image results. Very sharp. Excellent DOF.

Cons: A bit longer reach would be nice but I can work with it for now. I am very used to Image Stabilizer and miss it here, though it is not really needed at this short of a focal length I guess. And these really are not cons, just personal preferences.

That is it! I find this lens yeilds excellent results, nice image quality and is very sharp. I am new to macro work and am really looking forward to all of the fun that this lens will give me. I love this lens, but I know that as soon as I have the extra cash the Canon 100mm Macro will probably replace this lens in the near future. If you are considering this lens or are simply more curious, I encouarge you to read this review. Anyway, hope you enjoy these shots.

Image Data:

Wasp: 1/500th. | f/4 | ISO 320

Zinnia: 1/125th. | f/2.8 | ISO 400

Rose: 1/125th. | f/2.8 | ISO 500

Common Grackle Silhouette

I finally made it out to the reservoir this evening and saw the Least Sandpipers again, this time there were about 15 of them. I was unable to get any photos since where they were feeding was covered in shadows. I will try again tomorrow afternoon. There were literally hundreds of Common Grackles all on the fence that runs along side the road to the reservoir. Since the sunset was very beautiful, I decided to try some silhouettes. While this is not a very exciting species, I do think they make great subjects for these types of images. What do you think? I cloned out some the fence that was at the bottom of the frame. In other news, I bought a Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens yesterday and it should arrive on Tuesday! I can't wait to try it out and share the results here. Also, my family and I will be heading to Maine a week from Tuesday ( October 6th. ) for some hiking and, for me, photographing in Acadia National Park! It will be lot's of fun and hopefully we will see some great fall color. I am very excited! Anyway, please tell me what you think about this one. Enjoy.

Specs: 1/400th. | f/16 | ISO 400

Scissor -Tailed Flycatcher

Here is another image taken at the reservoir a few weeks ago. This one of a Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher. I am still undecided on this one and need your opinion. I was going for a "bird in habitat" image, but is there is too much habitat here? I liked the light and interesting background, but since I have not done many habitat images, I do not know what people like in one. Click the image to few larger. Anyway, the weather here has finally cleared up and bird activity is speeding up. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it out to the reservoir today or tomorrow since I will be busy all day both days.
Maybe Monday...


Image data: 1/400th. | f/8 | ISO 400

Abstracts

Hello Everyone,
I was not able to do much photography this weekend due to non stop rain from Friday night until Sunday evening which I was really disappointed about. But it did bring cooler temps which will be really nice for shooting. Since conditions were not ideal for bird photography ( even though I did attempt some hummingbird shots with no success ) I decided to experiment with some abstract images. So I went out to the backyard, chose a slow shutter speed and just had fun zooming in and panning while the shutter was open. I got some interesting results and thought I would share my favorite two. I am hoping to go to the Village Creek beds on Thursday for some bird photography, weather permitting!

Specs:
#1 - 1/8th. | f/6.3 | ISO 100
#2 - 1/10th. | f/22 | ISO 200

Another Least Sandpiper

Here is another shot of a least sandpiper taken at the reservoir. I hope that I am not boring you all with these least images! This will be the last for a while, I promise! This was probably my favorite from last week, as I was able to get a decent reflection and setting.
I am hoping to get out there yet again sometime this week. Hopefully there will be some new arrivals.
Anyway, I hope that everyone has a great Labor Day. I will be heading to my grandmothers for a cookout and swimming in her pool, and hopefully some US Open Tennis, go Nadal!

Specs: 1/640th. | f/8 | ISO 400