After wishing on this for a lifetime, I finally obtained a decent zoom lens for my Nikon D5300.

I purchased this a Sigma 150-500mm used lens from a camera shop in Indianapolis, Indiana called Roberts Camera Shop, through their eBay department.

After asking all of the pertinent questions: Any fungus? Joint movement? Ever been dropped? Damage? Dirt inside? I felt comfortable enough to buy this lens from them.

Today was day-one with the Sigma. Heavy, bulky, all of the things I thought it would be…but even on an overcast day like today, I have to say I am pretty happy with the results. It’s a keeper and for the first time in my life, I felt as if I had an equal chance to put out some presentable nature photography as I always have dreamed.

Today was heavy with the Canada Geese, so it was practice on each shot, nothing but fun.

Overcast, shooting towards the brightest part of the sky (sun behind the clouds), I was still satisfied with my results. Cannot wait to dive deep into this thing and really see what it can do.

This shot was taken at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.