A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly

I was at the Wild Animal Park today, and the birds were quite entertaining. I was testing a lens, the 70-200mm VR f2.8; the darn thing weighs a ton (so the VR is an absolute necessity) but it's sharp as a tack. Strangely, though, it seems to behave differently from any other lens I've ever used; the light and color seems flatter in the darker areas of the frame. It would take quite some getting used to, I think. And of course I had more throw-away shots because I wasn't properly compensating for the additional weight of this beast - that's another major adjustment.

Anyway, here are a few of the feathered friends that stopped by to say hello as I was wandering around.

Very yellow: this particular bird is extremely elusive; this is the closest I've ever managed to get

This guy was so mellow, he posed like a pro

Whoa! Them ain't feathers! Those darn meerkat get everywhere...

This has got to be one of the funniest looking birds - and funniest expressions - I've ever shot

I'm going to try and find a softball game or something, tomorrow. I need to test the lens in a sports environment; if it handles comfortably, I'll take it with me to a tennis tournament next week.