New Tamron Lens / by Mister Tom

I have replaced my Sigma 70-300, after being recommended the tamron 70-300 VC USM, its quality compared to a high range 70-200 f2.8. The USM is consistent and steady. Its VC is boasted to improve vibrations by 4 stops. I tested this in the published shoot below... holding the camera in 1 hand (over a kilo and a half) at full 300mm extension, to my eye, focus on a bird, fling bread causing great shaking through the lens, try to point where the bird was leaping and hold shutter. The sharpness is fantastic. Shot at ISO500 and between 1/500 and 1/800.
I was just wandering with this new toy, and met a couple and a toddler throwing the birds bread. They then went off but left me the remains of the loaf as bait. So I proceeded to coax the ducks and kittiwakes to skid over the thin ice on the pond to get at my offerings.
Pigeons were then gathering all round me picking off crumbs, as I was glued to the viewfinder and not noticing them. When I did, after having my fun with the rest, I drew them over into better light with a line of crumbs and switched to the 100mm macro for some closeups. It was hard to focus on their bobbing heads, but I was determined to get the white pigeon. It actually became a little camera shy as I was tracking its every move and I had to coax it back twice.