This should be filed under “what I really want for Christmas”. I really want a good zoom lens.
I don’t think I did too poorly with what I had, but I could have gotten a much better photo with a good zoom lens.
The Townsend’s warbler was competing with a bushtit for the suet. A moment earlier, upwards of 11 bushtits covered the little suet cage.
But it was the warbler I was stalking. Such a pretty little bird.
In case you are a birder and you are wondering how I attract insect eaters to my feeder: buy suet that has ground-up insects in it. I think the brand I buy is “Insect Lover’s” by our local Backyard Bird Shop.
Jaci Dawn 
I bought a seed and fruit bell about a week ago and haven’t seen a single bird on it. I bought it from a local bird shop so it supposedly attracts local winter birds. Dang!
Nice! I’ve had the best luck with plain “wild bird” seed mix in a home made soda bottle feeder. It seems to attract the most types of birds. I don’t know why, maybe because it’s simple?
As far as a telephoto lens, have you tried to use a magnifying lens ala Sherlock Holmes in front of your camera lens? Bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaa.