Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Important Notice

After an update on 4 May, WordPress stopped sending post notifications. We are aware of the issue and are working on rectifying it. You can always visit the blog by visiting or bookmarking www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com.

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

Summer On Long Island

Take a peek at the July and August Nickerson Beach (& JBWR) IPT offerings here.

What’s Up?

I have not been down to the lake for several days as the northeast winds and clear skies were replaced by winds from the S, SW & W. I will be e-mailing a new and improved a9 iii .DAT file, a revised Buttons and Dials Guide, and the complete INFO sheet this afternoon.

Today is Monday 10 June 2024. Whatever the heck that you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Save 15%!

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.

Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com

B&H

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 11 May 2024 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin by multiple IPT veteran “Hapless” Bob Eastman. He used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens (Sony E) with the discontinued Sony a7 R IV. ISO 500. 30 full seconds at f/2.8. AWB at 12:40:31am on a clear night. Manual Focus. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Aurora Borealis Image courtesy and copyright 2024 Robert Eastman

Hapless But Happy and Loving It! The Life of Bob Eastman

If you missed the Hapless But Happy and Loving It! The Life of Bob Eastman blog post two years ago, click here; be sure to fasten your seatbelt.

Historic Geomagnetic Storm Dazzles – NASA Earth Observatory

The strongest geomagnetic storm in more than two decades dazzled scientists and sky-watchers alike in May 2024. The G5 storm culminated in a remarkable display of the aurora borealis overnight on May 10–11, visible from many areas worldwide, including latitudes where sightings of auroras are uncommon.May 15, 2024

Though “hapless” describes Bob Eastman in part, you would be remiss not to use hardworking and determined. In Homer in FEB 2023, I slept peacefully in my bed at Land End Resort while he made some great Northern Lights images. When he heard of the solar storm in May, he was Bobby on the spot! For Image #1, it was a balmy 39°.

Suport System

Bob used a Robus 5558 tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro with a Wimberley P-5 Plate on the bottom of his a7R IV body. What many folks do not realize is that the FlexShooter Pro heads feature a bi-directional clamp so that you can mount your camera body on them crossways as well as your long super telephoto lenses with the pate oriented the long way (of course). Long lens folks no longer need to travel with a ballhead for scenics and a gimbal head for super telephotos.

This image was created on 6 March 2024 at Wat’chee Lodge, Churchill, Manitoba Canada multiple IPT veteran Anita North. She used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens (at 16.5mm) with the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. ISO 6400. 30 seconds at f/4.5. AWB at 1:26:51am on a clear night. Manual Focus. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Aurora Borealis Image courtesy and copyright 2024 Anita North

Amazing Creativity!

I loved this image from the moment I saw it in a text message. I did not realize that it was in fact a double exposure. The second row of trees is actually the front row of trees! So how do you create a double exposure with a camera that does not offer that feature?

Anita framed the image and left the shutter open for 15 seconds. Then, she loosened the silver knob, tilted the camera up a bit, locked the silver knob, and let the exposure run for the rest of the 30 seconds. The result? An ethereal image. How’s that for quick and creative thinking and going for different?

Almost forgot to mention, the low temperatures that evening were in the negative mid forties, i.e., -45° Fahrenheit!

You can see more of Anita’s excellent work on her Instagram page here. Be sure to scroll down and see some of her world class Polar Bear and African Wildlife stuff.

Image Question

Why don’t we see any clear evidence of the movement of the camera in Image #2?

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

Important Notice

After an update on 4 May, WordPress stopped sending post notifications. We are aware of the issue and are working on rectifying it. You can always visit the blog by visiting or bookmarking www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com.

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

What’s Up?

Yesterday I ordered a second Sony a9 iii from Steve Elkins at Bedfords. While I still use my remaining a1 to photograph static avian subjects, the Bird-eye autofocus with the a9 iii is so much faster and far more reliable than the a1 that I wanted a second a9 iii for those times when I am working two different lenses and the possibility of flight or action exists.

After months with zero interest, three folks inquired about the Jacksonville IPT yesterday. Two have already signed up, IPT vet Joe Barranco for the 3 1/2 day IPT, and IPT vet Steve Shore, another recent convert to Sony, will be sharing my AirBnB and photographing with me for six full days. Hooray.

It has been an expensive week here in hot, sunny, central Florida. Several panels of screen fell off the pool cage last week. As my beloved lap pool is 13 years old, I decided to have all the screening replaced to the tune of $6,266.00!

Today is Thursday 6 June 2024. This blog post took five hours to prepare. I went down to the lake early on this sunny, smokey morning — there was a big wildfire near ILE yesterday afternoon. Many folks say that a south wind is great for bird photography. But in summer, with the sun rising well to the northeast, a south wind finds the birds flying, facing, and landing away from the light. So, I turned around and was home by 7:15am. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful day.

If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Pat and Stokes Fishburne’s (formal) wedding ceremony

A Strikingly Beautiful Image From 67 Years Ago

I think that even if you have never met Stokes and Pat, this image would touch you deeply. So much tradition. So much beauty. They eloped on Dec. 31, 1956, but when Stokes graduated in June 1957, they had a formal wedding at the Citadel Chapel. The Citadel — The Military College of South Carolina, commonly known simply as The Citadel, is a military college in Charleston, South Carolina.

Learn lots more about Pat and Stokes and their family in the Ordinary People; Extraordinary Lives blog post here.

Pat and Stokes enjoyed a wonderful marriage for 66 years, from 1956 until Stoke’s peaceful, somewhat merciful death in 2022. In the In Memoriam: Stokes Fishburne, a kind and gentle man blog post here, I wrote,

Extraordinary indeed.

With the handheld Sony 300mm f/2.8 and the a9 iii with Human Face-Eye enabled at f/8. Pat at 86, always smiling still

Pat at 86

Pat did not photograph for some time after Stoke’s death. A few months ago, she e-mailed telling me that she was beginning to do some bird photography again. I had previously suggested that she consider either a Canon mirrorless body or better yet, switching to Sony. I told her that a Sony a1 and a 200-600 would change her life and that I could teach her to use the Sony gear in five minutes. Pat was concerned about the large a1 file sizes. And about learning to use a new system.

Anyhoo, Pat came by on Tuesday past for an afternoon of Sony instruction, a pool deck dinner, a bit of photography, and a morning of photo instruction.
After familiarizing her with getting the right exposure with Sony Zebras, the AF system, and camera controls and handing, we headed down to the lake. It was then that I learned that despite having been on more than 10 IPTs she was still using Aperture Priority mode :-(. Stokes has listened to me all those years ago and switched to Manual mode. But Pat was stubborn. That made my job much harder There were zero cranes around and sunset was a washout when a big cloud spoiled our potential fun. Pat asked if she could take my a1 and my 70-200 to her hotel in Lake Wales and practice with the camera buttons and dials. I answered in the affirmative.

She got back to ILE at 6:45am as planned on Wednesday, now completely familiar with the button and dials. After hearing that the a9 iii files were half the size of a1 raw files and that the AF was much better, Pat wanted to try my a9 iii. I had already mentioned the 300mm f/2.8 to Pat so I let her use that with a 2X TC. That gave her a hand-holdable 600mm f/5.6 lens. Did I mention that Pat, after decades of water aerobics, is strong and fit. We got in position on our milk crates. I talked her through getting the right exposure for subjects of different tonalities. It was not a great morning as far as action but we did have a few good chances. And Pat cashed in on those very nicely.

I would be remiss not to mention that more than a few tears were shed by both us during our sessions as we discussed beloved lost spouses. The tears were both sad and happy at the same time.

When Pat got home, she placed this order with Bedfords using the BIRDSASART discount code:

Sony a9 III
Sony 70-200mm f.2.8 II lens
Sony 300mm f/2.8
Two Sony batteries
One Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter
One Sony FE 2X Teleconverter

From BIRDS AS ART she ordered three Delkin Devices 160GB BLACK CFexpress Type A Memory Cards and a Delkin Devices CFexpress Type A & UHS-II SDXC Memory Card Reader.

She went home with my rarely used Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens that she purchased for half the price of a new one.

She is looking forward to practicing with her new Sony gear for her trip to Iceland this June.

This image was created by Pat Fishburne on 5 June 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on a pillow on a milk crate, Pat used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/4000 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:59:59am on a clear sunny morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Juvenile Osprey calling in purposeful flight Image courtesy of and copyright 2024: Patricia Fishburne

Learning Sony

The word on the street is that Sony Alpha is a difficult system to learn because the Menus are so complex. For folks who have my settings on their Sony cameras and a bit of instruction, nothing could be further from the truth. By Wednesday morning, Pat was good to go. Hand-holding the 300 f/2.8 lens as a 600mm f/5.6 rig she created two images that I would be very proud of. Kudos to Pat for trusting me and for being such a good student. I was photographing birds for more than 35 years before I made a flight image as good as either of these. Yes, the gear is better but without having your camera set up correctly and a bit of instruction, you will be dead in the water.

While I had taught at least two folks over 80 years old to use a Sony a-1in “five minutes,” Pat shattered that record by eight years by learning to use her a9 iii in a short afternoon. Thanks, Pat!

This image was also created by Pat Fishburne on 5 June 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on a pillow atop a milk crate, Pat again used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/4000 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:04:47am on a clear sunny morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Black-bellied Whistling Duck braking to land pano Image courtesy of and copyright 2024: Patricia Fishburne

Flight Photography at Any Age

Flight photography at any age is a challenging endeavor. At 86, using a relatively heavy rig, a new exposure mode (Manual), and a completely new system, Pat’s two images presented in this blog post represent some sort of miracle.

Your Call?

Which of Pat’s two featured images is your favorite? Why?

a9 iii E-mail Set-up and Info Guide

a9 iii E-mail Set-up and Info Guide

For those who think that my comments on the a9 iii are pure hype, know that I sold the second of my three a1 bodies last week. And on June 5th, I purchased a second a9 iii body! Lots more on the switch coming soon.

If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide (and an INFO Sheet — white paper — is going soon.

For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your a copy here for $209.93. Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.

The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide

Impressed by my (or Pat’s) Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.

If not, you can purchase a copy here for $209.93. Yes, it never hurts to use my links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail before you make a major purchase, I can often save you some money.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.