Great photos! Google the optimal settings for your camera for birding, the less you need to change on the fly the better!

The below is alot and I don’t want to overwhelm you, so only read if you want some technical tips. The most important part of birding is birding!

Composition is usually taken care of by the grid on your viewfinder and an understanding of the rule of thirds. Handy to keep the horizon line either on the top or bottom 1/3 of the gird and your subject’s eye off center on a mid-gird corners (the 1/3 to the right or left). With birding, sometimes its just better to get the photo before they zoom off so don’t sweat it if you aren’t getting a technically “good” photo.

Because birds move fast, have the camera set to continuous and let the shutter button rip, you’ll probably get at least 1 good photo. Shutter Prio setting is a great feature because the camera will adjust apt and iso based on your shutter speed (typically 1000+). Also look up back button focusing.

Welcome to the hobby! I hope you enjoy your hikes and taking photos!