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love how I can get focus even on a small bird in the midst of the thicket
Not sure if you are set for using AF-C, but use AF-S with a single point. Focus on the bird and while keeping the button pressed partway, you can recompose if necessary.
If you are in AF-C, the point might focus elsewhere. Or if you are using AF-C with multiple focus points, it might focus in front or behind the bird. The other problem with AF-C is if it is set for
release priority rather than
focus priority, the shutter will actuate even if the image isn't in focus.
AF-S is set to focus priority by default.
AF-C is set to release priority by default. These setting can also be changed in your menu but means you might miss more shots in focus priority. The camera won't fire if it doesn't think an image is in focus. AF-C allows faster actuations but not all will be in focus.
Birds in trees is definitely a difficult situation because of all the branches. It's one of the most difficult things to photograph because the opportunity is so limited. But even if you are in AF-C, I'd suggest
single point over the options of multiple points. I don't like using multiple points because of the possibility of front or back focusing if one of the points falls on something nearby.
So my suggestions are either:
AF-S with single point in Focus Priority - camera won't fire unless the subject under the point is in focus.
AF-C with single point in Focus Priority - camera won't fire unless the subject under the point is in focus.
AF-C with single point in Release Priority - if you are currently using AF-C with multiple points, this one might be the best choice. The camera might still yield some out of focus images, but you can fire continuously and the fastest until your buffer fills.