This image was created on 22 February on a 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPT by my friend Steve Shore. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 207mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 64: 1/20 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 1:26:05pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle striking blur
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Steven B. Shore
An Unsolicited e-Mail from Multiple IPT Veteran Steve Shore
Hi Artie,
In the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of spending five weeks with you photographing at four different locations: Fort DeSoto, Jacksonville, Sebastian Inlet, and Homer, Alaska. The growth in the quality of my images in the past year has been extraordinary and I owe it to you. When I wanted to upgrade to a mirrorless camera system, you loaned me some of your Sony gear to try before I made any purchases. While making pictures, you constantly provided guidance on how to improve the photographs and better understand the camera’s functionality. Each evening, you conducted image review and Photoshop sessions that have contributed greatly to my growth as a nature photographer. The recent trip to Homer to photograph Bald Eagles was an unforgettable adventure particularly because of the constant energy you put into ensuring that our photography improved each day. I wanted you to know this, and I look forward to our future adventures.
Steve S., Dallas, TX
Thanks Steve!
Thanks Steve! I began my day by receiving your lovely note. Please give a hug to Elisabeth for me. You did a great job with the pleasingly blurred eagle image above. Getting a sharp eye at 1/20 second is not easy! And thanks for being open to trying new techniques and working hard to get better and better.
with love, artie
What’s Up?
The wind and sky conditions have continued to be excellent in the mornings at Stick Marsh. We said goodbye to multiple IPT veteran Vasiili Chernisfhof on Sunday afternoon as he left for his flights to LAX. He said, “This trip was even more amazing than I had expected it to be and by staying close to you, I continue to learn more and more.” By being more selective Vasili has gone from creating 40-50,000 images a day to creating 20-25,000. He is still taking far too many bad ones “just to practice,” but his good ones are getting better and better.
The work of both multiple IPT veterans Judy Stepenaskie and Colleen O’Connor is improving daily. And Anita North continues to make great images every single day. On Sunday evening, we did a long image review session and then created a Camtasia image optimization video as I proceessed one image from each of the ladies.
Today is Monday 31 March 2025. The three aforementioned ladies and I will be headed to Indian Lake Estates to check on and photograph the four baby cranes and possibly the single colt at the end of the South Peninsula. The latter bird surprised me by showing up after I had not seen it for three weeks. I presumed that it had perished. Only about half the crane chicks that hatch survive to fledging. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Sony Alpha 1 (a-1) Mirrorless Camera Body
Used Gear Page regular, IPT veteran, and dear BAA friend Bill Schneider is offering a Sony a-1 (ILCE-1) mirrorless camera body (Firmware v1.32) in like-new condition for a ridiculously low $3,498.00. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. As this was Bill’s back-up a-1, it was used only rarely.
Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone at 1-262-269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
I used Sony a-1 bodies as my workhorse cameras for three years. They produce stunning 51MP files with vivid natural colors. The AF system is science-fiction-like. They are rugged and dependable and 30 frames per second is nothing to sneeze at. With a brand new a-1 ii going for $6498.00, you can save $3000.00 by grabbing Bill’s pretty much as good as new copy ASAP. Currently, B&H is offering a used a-1 in 9+ (like-new condition) for $4,507.95. That makes Bill’s a- an absolute steal. artie
Be sure to click on the image to see the larger high-res version.
Image #2: Fastball hitting catcher’s mitt
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Bruce Dudek
Via e-Mail from Bruce Dudek
Hello Artie:
It has been a cold/wet/raw spring here in upstate NY. But with college baseball starting up, true spring can’t be far off (and I’ll soon get back to photographing birds). I recall your baseball history and affinity, so I thought you might enjoy this photo.
Bruce
My Reply
Wow That is a great image. I love it. Talk about throwing smoke! Thanks for thinking of me.
artie
Throwing Smoke!
I last saw Bruce in Iceland in July 2023. I talked with him on the phone for a bit on Sunday afternoon. I asked him about the dirt in the image. He told me that he had noticed that the catcher had been using his open mitt to balance himself between pitches and that when a fastball hit the mitt, the flying dirt looked like brown smoke. While seated on dirt along the first base line, he used a lowered monopod topped by the Wimberley MH-00 MonoGimbal Head. Today’s featured image is a relatively large crop. You can see more of Bruce’s fine wildlife, scenic, and sports photography here on Flickr. Bruce is a Professor of Psychology and an Adjunct Professor of Biology at The University at Albany. He photographs college sports for the athletics department.
The Photographic Process
It does not matter what you photograph. The process is the same:
1- See the shot that excites you.
2- Pick the gear that will get the job done.
3- Plan the execution: perspective, shutter speed, and exposure.
4- Create a series of images and select the best one.
5- Crop and process the photo.
Thanks to Bruce for sharing the image with me via e-mail and allowing me to publish it here on the blog.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which two of today’s seven featured images are you favorites? Please be so kind as to let us know why you made your choices.
What’s Up?
We’ve had two straight excellent mornings with the spoonbills on the Extended Stick Marsh IPT. On Friday, San Diego IPT veteran Colleen (Irish Lass) O’Connor joined multiple IPT vets Judy Stepenaskie, Vasili Chernishof, Anita North and me for a great morning session. I continued to experiment with the new Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens, learned a lot more, and made some very fine images.
I was glad to learn that Used Gear Page veteran Robert Hollyer sold his Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in Like-New condition for a BAA record low $8998.00! (was $9,998.00) I late March. BAA friend Kevin Hice purchased my last used Induro GIT 304 L by phone on Friday.
Today is Saturday 29 March 2025. The five of us will be up early to head over to Indian Lake Estates to check on the baby Sandhill Cranes and lots more. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
The Sony 400-800mm G Zoom Lens — Slow, a Bit on the Heavy Side: But With Spectacular Results!
I used the new 4-8 a good deal on both of our Stick Marsh mornings. After a while, I felt the weight. Sitting on a milk crate allowed me to support my left forearm and the weight of the lens in a rest position. Working in Manual mode, I needed to be at f/8 to avoid any exposure screw-ups. As there was a lot more sun on Thursday, I found the lens a lot more useful for flight than on Friday when we had some early clouds come in. It goes without saying, however, that the relatively low maximum aperture of f/8 is a handicap in cloudy conditions. But the images are the payoff.
Huge thanks to Anita North, Larry Master, and Pamela Viale who each used A BAA affiliate link to order their Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lenses. Pam is pairing her 4-8 with her 300mm f/2.8 (plus both TCs); that seems like a perfect marriage to me. Each and them and everyone else who uses either my B&H link or the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout with Bedfords to purchase their 400-800, will receive a free lens guide in approximately three weeks. If you are confused as to using the links, please e-mail for details.
Those who do not use a BAA affiliate link to purchase their 400-800s will be able to purchase the 400-800 lens guide for $101.43.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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.
Thanking me for the previous 4395 educational blog posts by using one of my two affiliate links could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your e-mail receipts for major purchases.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 26 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Crouching, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 800mm and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 20,000 (yes, 20,000 is not a typo): 1/200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about one stop under. AWB at 7:47:11pm right about the time of sunset.
Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #1: Anhinga calling
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Pushing The Envelope
The relatively slow 400-800 lens was not a great choice for this shot. But I was experimenting with my new toy so I made the best of things. Note the ISO of 20,000! With the EC at +2.3 stops, this image was almost a stop too dark. I had hoped the 1/200 sec. shutter speed would yield a fairly sharp face while blurring the flapping wings. As expected, very few of the photos in the 35-frame sequence were sharp.
This image was created on 27 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Seated on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 418mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500: 1/2500 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:52:12am on sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Roseate Spoonbill braking to land in early morning light
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Unexpectedly, the Sony 400-800 Does Stick Marsh
When I was exploring the possibility of getting a 400-800 loaner from Sony, I did not envision using it much at Stick Marsh because the 300mm f/2.8 is perfect for the incoming flight. But on my first morning there, I grabbed the big zoom when the sun came out. The first thing that I learned was that by zooming out to the short end, it was pretty good for incoming flight (Image #2). That should not have surprised me because I had used the 400mm f/2.8 GM lens in that same exact situation and done quite well. But the long end of the zoom range enable me to create some new and different stuff. As below.
This image was created on 27 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Seated on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 1600: 1/3200 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:18:47am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #3: Roseate Spoonbill in flight — landing head shot!
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sorry, But This One is Amazing
Yes, this bird is actually in flight and coming in for a landing. I’ve made a few successful flight head shots with the tripod-mounted 600mm lens and the 1.4X TC but framing such images is a huge challenge. Being able to hand hold the smaller, somewhat lighter 400-800 at 800mm makes framing a lot easier. Not easy for sure, but ea-si-er.
This image was also created on 27 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Seated on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 1600: 1/3200 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:18:47am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #4: Roseate Spoonbill flat 747-like flight
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The 747 Look
As you have seen in several recent blog posts, I love flat flight shots with the bird flying directly at me with both eyes visible, the 747 look. Being able to go from 418mm (Image #1) to 800mm with a simple twist of the wrist quarter turn of the zoom ring is a boon to the tremendous versatility of the Sony 400-800 G lens.
This image was also created on 28 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Seated again on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 3200: 1/250 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:26:03am on cloudy morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #5: Roseate Spoonbill adult preening tail with chin — body shot
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
He Who Hesitates Can Be Saved By Photoshop
This bird was standing behind a rock preening. Thus, the somewhat odd body-crop (as I could not see the feet anyway). I tried some horizontals and some verticals. The best tack in such situations is often to zoom out and crop as needed. But I was greedy for pixels on the subject. The optimized version above was created from a vertical original in which I cut off fold of the wing. So, I expanded canvas and borrowed the wing of the same bird from a previous frame.
This image was also created on 28 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Still seated on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 450mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 3200: 1/320 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:26:57am on cloudy morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #6: Roseate Spoonbill adult stepping to the next rock
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
High Stepping
When photographing birds, a raised foot can elevate an image from ordinary to special.
This image was also created on 28 March 2025 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. Still seated on a sturdy plastic milk crate topped with an old pillow, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 3200: 1/500 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:31:19am on cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #7: Roseate Spoonbill adult boxy crop
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Grass Framed
With yet another 800mm image — I absolutely love the reach at the long end of the 400-800 and the out-of-focus green vegetation on each side of the bottom of the frame is a nice touch.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the last blog post, Head Hunting w/the Hand Hold-able Sony 600mm f/5.6,here, I originally liked Image #1 best because of the diagonal placement of the bill. But over time, however, Image #2 grew on me and wound up being my first pick as I loved the wider crop, the view of the primaries, and the great look at the tertial feathers.
The Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens
From Sony and from artie
The farthest reaching Sony E-mount lens yet, the FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens from Sony is a super-telephoto powerhouse lens that’s primed to be the dominant choice for capturing wildlife, nature, and sports. With this addition to the G Series, Sony continues to blur the lines between G and GM lenses, offering its users exceptional quality at a reduced cost. This lens features internal zoom for improved functionality as well as dual linear motors for smooth, quick AF performance. Optical SteadyShot stabilization includes three distinct modes, along with a focus limiter and three focus hold buttons for advanced control. For increased lens stability and sharper imagery, a fixed, rotating tripod foot is included on the lens. Sony.
The lens is very sharp as expected. The internal zoom mechanism is superb as it is on the 200-600 — a mere quarter turn of the zoom ring gets you quickly from 400 to 800mm. At $2,898.00 it is priced quite attractively. The big consideration, as it is with all mirrorless telephoto zoom lenses from each of the three major camera system manufacturers, is the lack of speed — f/8 wide open at 800mm presents some challenges. artie
Unprecedented Range
Not only is this the first Alpha zoom to reach 800mm, but its compatibility with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters extends the maximum focal length to 1120mm and 1600mm respectively, making this an elite choice for birding and wildlife as you’ll be able to keep a safe distance from your subjects. Complementing its impressive reach is a zoom ring that offers smooth, precise rotation that is made to help prevent accidental focal length changes. Sony.
With the previously noted f/8 aperture wide open at 800mm, the last thing most folks would want to do is add a light-robbing teleconverter. Working on a tripod in bright light on a sunny day with the 1.4X TC, however, will surely produce some sharp images as the quality of the optics is impeccable. artie
Prioritizing Functionality & Usability
Poised to outshine Sony’s FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS, this super-telephoto provides longer range and better overall lens performance while weighing just slightly more at 5.45 lbs. Featuring a short rotational throw, this lens allows you to make swift focal adjustments while capturing.
This zoom accepts screw-in filters on the front lens element, expanding your ability to create in various lighting conditions.
Multiple function switches are built into the lens barrel that allow you to make rapid settings adjustments, including a switch for AF/MF, OSS, and focus limiting. Sony.
The 200-600 will continue to be a valuable tool both for folks who use it as an auxiliary telephoto zoom lens or for those who use it as their workhorse telephoto lens. At 4.65 lbs., the 2-6 is 12.8 ounces lighter than the 4-8. With its easily removable lens foot, the 2-6 is several ounces lighter than that. The lens foot of the 4-8 is not easily removable.
That brings us to hand-hold-abilty. With it smaller size and weighing nearly a pound less, it would seem that more folks would be comfortable hand holding the 2-6 for extended shooting sessions than they would doing the same with the 400-800. But with the weight of the beautifully designed 4-8 well to the rear of the lens, I have barely noticed a difference. That said, most folks would find the 2-6 more suitable for flight photography than the 400-800. The exception would be stronger folks working relatively distant subjects on sunny days. In general, if the birds are within range, a smaller, faster, lighter lens is always to be preferred to a larger, slower, heavier lens. For folks moving up to a super-telephoto lens for the first, or those doing an African safari, the 400-800 would make a great and affordable workhorse lens. Anita North tried mine on Tuesday afternoon and ordered one from Bedfords on Wednesday.
artie
<
strong>Cutting-Edge Optical Design
Six ED lens elements significantly reduce flare and ghosting in backlit conditions and help control chromatic aberration in images. An 11-blade circular diaphragm produces smooth and rich bokeh, ensuring effective subject isolation and blurred background when capturing with a narrow depth of field. A complex optical configuration of 27 elements in 19 groups allows the lens to reproduce fine details and create high-contrast images. Sony.
As expected, the lens is sharp. And with distant backgrounds, the bokeh is lovely as expected. The relative distance from the subject to the background is far more important than either the size of the aperture or the bokeh of the lens.
Built to Last
Equipped with a dust- and moisture-resistant design, the FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS maximizes reliability in the field, regardless of inclement weather conditions. The front lens element features a fluorine coating that repels water and oil. This coating also makes the lens glass easier to clean.
A robust lens hood with a lock button adds significant protection and features a filter opening for quick and convenient filter adjustment. Sony.
I have never had a problem with light rain or dust with any of my Sony telephoto lenses.
High-Level Stabilization & Control
A 400-800mm zoom range demands exceptional lens stability, which is provided by Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image-stabilization system. OSS utilizes a gimbal mechanism and an algorithm to effectively counteract camera shake by shifting the entire lens unit and sensor. When using a tripod, the lens’s fixed mount foot can be easily rotated for horizontal or vertical capturing. Located around the lens barrel at 90° increments are three focus hold buttons, allowing maximum access in any orientation. These buttons can also be assigned to your preferred functions for making specific settings changes more quickly. Sony.
Some folks will need to use this lens on a tripod at all times because of its size and weight. Unfortunately, the manufacturer of the 4th GD CRX-5 replacement foot seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. I will be exploring other low foot options. Anyhoo, as far as I know and understand, it is not the lens’s fixed mount foot that is rotated (as noted above); it is the lens barrel that rotates within the built in tripod collar to go from horizontal to vertical and vice versa.
The OSS (Optical Stabilization System of the lens with the a-1 ii is superb as expected.
During the last few years of my four-decade-plus-long career, I have been doing more and more of my work hand held. There is no way around it, tripods are cumbersome. After two days of working with the 400-800, I am thrilled to report that I find it eminently hand hold-able. Thanks a stack again to Sony Imaging Pro Support for arranging the loan.
What’s Up?
Thanks to the generosity of Sony Imaging Pro support especially Kishore Sawh, I got a chance to play with the new Sony 400-800mm G lens for the first time on Tuesday past. As with the a-1 ii, the specs on paper did not seem anything to get too excited over. But as with the new camera body, using it has been quite rewarding. All five of today’s featured images were created with the new lens the first morning that I used it. I learned a lot and made some very good images. it is incredibly versatile and hand holding it was much easier than I expected as it is so nicely balanced with all the weight in the rear. Learn more about the 400-800 below and check out the images. Those who use either my B&H link or the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout with Bedfords to purchase their 400-800 will receive a free lens guide in approximately three weeks. If you are confused, please e-mail for details.
Though we photographed zero spoonbills on the first day of the Extended Stick Marsh IPT, we had a fabulous morning. With a gentle wind from the NW in the forecast, we opted, on the advice of the leader — yours truly, to drive over to Indian Lake Estates. If I do say so myself, it turned out to be a brilliant move. Not only did we get to photograph both crane families each with two chicks, but we also had Red-shouldered Hawk and Turkey Vulture perched nicely, a juvie Little Blue Heron, a perched adult Bald Eagle, a perched Osprey, a fly-by one year old Bald Eagle, and some gorgeous adult Sandhill Cranes including a reddish-toned bird and another dressed feathered in gold.
I committed a grievous error by failing to replace a 49% battery when we began. We were on the two smallest chicks when the male flew to the north to scrap with another pair. Anita ran down to the far end of the field to try for the fight that she had missed the morning before. Judy Stepenskie and Vasilli Chernishoff, both multiple IPT veterans opted to stay with the chicks that stood motionless between the mother cranes legs. The father crane chased the intruding pair into the air and they flew toward us over the lake. I called out “flight shots coming our way. Set a fast shutter speed. After a burst of 20 images, I was aghast to see “battery exhausted.” I had neglected to put on my battery pack and did not have an extra battery in my packet as I usually do. Then to my horror the father crane flew directly at his family. Despite having the perfect settings for incoming flight, I stood there dead in the water with the perfect lens in my hand, the 400-800. When Anita saw the bird fly directly at me she could not understand why I never raised my lens. A dead battery will do you in every time.
My second a-1 ii today arrived on Wednesday and will take its maiden voyage in the morning. Jim headed home early on Wednesday so if you need to place an order by phone, please call him on Monday at 863-692-0906.
Today is Thursday 26 March 2025 and we will be early headed to Stick Marsh with a perfect forecast. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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.
Thanking me for the previous 4395 educational blog posts by using one of my two affiliate links could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your e-mail receipts for major purchases.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
B&H Simplified
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. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks!
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.
B&H
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. But 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 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 save 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 also created on 25 March 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the driver’s seat of my SUV I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 760mm and the The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 6400; 1/400 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at : 7:46:37 am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle displaying males
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Hello High ISOs
I really pushed the shutter speed when creating the image above. I would have been far more comfortable working at 1/1000 second than at 1/400th. But I got really lucky with two sharp, open eyes in Image #1. But with the f/8 wide open aperture I was reluctant to go beyond ISO 6400. With my double-noise reduction technique, I no longer worry about high ISOs. For INFO on that, see Digital Basics II and the Digital Basics III Video series.
This image was also created on 25 March 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Crouched while standing on a slope alongside the South Canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 715mm and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200; 1/800 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:17:00 am on a partly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane 4-day old chick with flower crown
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
400-800 Minimum Focusing Distances (MFDs)
The new super-telephoto zoom lens focuses down to an impressive 5.6 feet at the short end and to 11.5 feet at 800mm. The latter is somewhat disappointing as compared to the 200-600 — 7.87 feet at 600mm. Note that the 600mm f/4 GM lens focus only down to 14.8 feet so either of the telephoto zooms offer a lot more magnification than the much faster big gun.
For Image #2, I was surely very close to the MFD.
This image was also created on 25 March 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on a slope alongside the South Canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 486mm and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200; 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:22:56am on a mostly sunny morning.
Wide /AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #3: Sandhill Crane adult walking on the South Peninsula with 4-day old chick in tow
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Incredible Versatility
It goes without saying that the 400-800 may be one of if not the most versatile ever super-telephoto zoom lenses. For Image #3, I zoomed out quickly and efficiently to create the bird-scape that includes the far shoreline of Lake Walk-in-Water.
This image was also created on 25 March 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Crouched while standing on a slope alongside the South Canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 800mm and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +1.0 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 4000; 1/800 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:30:23am on a variably cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #4: Sandhill Crane 4-day old chick head and neck portrait
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Head Hunting with the 400-800
As we saw with Image #2,, the 800mm reach of the 4-8 combined with its decent MFD make it an ideal lens for head hunters like me. The soft defocused background (even at f/8) is a function of how close I was to the chick and the relatively substantial distance to the background.
This image was also created on 25 March 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Crouched while standing on a slope alongside the South Canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) at 584mm and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with exposure compensation (EC) on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +1.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 6400; 1/800 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:32:41am on a variably cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #5: Sandhill Crane adult feeding 4-day old chick
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
An Aperture-related Technical Error
As it clouded over, shutter speed became more of an issue. Already at ISO 6400, I was reluctant to go beyond 1/800 sec. when the chick lunged for the bug, that was not fast enough to freeze the action. The head of the chick exhibited lots of motion blur that was improved to some small degree. All of the preceding the result of the slow f/8 aperture.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the last blog post, A You Tube Video: Taking a Second Look at Images from Not-So-Great Morning at Fort DeSoto Park,here, my very favorite image was #1, Great Egret perched on Red Mangrove roots. I love the soft light and the pattern of the roots — a lovely environmental portrait. Two folks mentioned my favorite as the worst of the lot. Images 3, 4, 5, & 6 were all tied second place for me. Note that three of those four were “just portraits.” I thought that Image #2 was the weakest of the lot.
What’s Up?
On Sunday morning Dr. North and I headed back to The Celery Fields in Sarasota in hopes of having some good chances with the single Sandhill Crane chick that she had photographed on Friday morning. Our hopes were realized. The two crane chicks that had hatched here at Indian Lake Estates during the last week of February perished in early March within days of each other. I’ve been hoping for at least one more nest to hatch. On Monday morning, that hope was realized when I discovered a pair of 3-4 day old crane chicks at ILE. We did very well again.
On Sunday evening, Anita went down to the lake and found a second crane family with two somewhat larger chicks! Will miracles never cease?
I was happy to learn that Tim Griffy purchased the better of my two Induro GIT 304L Stealth tripods.
Today is Tuesday 24 March 2025. We will be driving over to Vero Estates for almost two weeks of Roseate Spoonbill photography at Stick Marsh. I will be there from 24 March through the morning of Tuesday 8 April. All In-the Field Sessions are sold out until the morning of April 6th. I have room for at least two folks at the AirBnb for the nights of the 5th, 6th, & 7th. If you would like to join me for a morning or three of Stick Marsh In-the-Field instruction please LMK via e-mail.
Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Peter Kes is job hunting
Peter Kes
Peter Kes, friend of 3 decades and longtime BAA blog webmaster, is a brilliant IT (information technology) and computer expert. He is currently running a Bushveld Farm in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA (Republic of South Africa) and is looking to re-locate. You can learn more about Peter and check out his impressive resume at his LinkedIn profile page here. You can contact Peter via e-mail.
Used Induro Tripod Bargains at Give-away Prices/One Sold on Day One
Your truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, is offering the following used Induro tripods for sale as below. Each includes only the legs and insured ground shipping to your lower 48 address. Please contact artie via e-mail.
Induro Stealth GIT 304L Tripod
Price reduced $25.00 on 25 March 2025
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in very good to excellent condition: a steal at $250.00 (was $275.00) as this one is also in perfect working condition. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so.
Induro Stealth GIT 505XL Tripod
Price reduced $50.00 on 25 March 2025
Induro Stealth GIT 505XXL (used only very rarely) in like new condition: an absolute steal at $475.00 (was $525.00). This is the monster of all tripods. It offers maximum strength and rigidity and can support 88.2 pounds of gear with ease. It stands 81.3″ tall with the legs fully extended. It is perfect for folks desiring maximum stability in windy conditions, those working from a fixed position with very slow shutter speeds, and in situations where you need to get very tall such as when working a tree nest possibly while standing on a ladder. This is not a tripod that you want to be carrying around in the field unless you are Superman.
I could not find a single one for sale anywhere in the world. I paid B&H $802.50 for this one when it was purchased new in 2021.
This image also was created on 22 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 640: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:01:31am on a sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #1: Royal Tern in breeding (alternate) plumage
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Head Hunting on My Own
Much as it had been on Thursday morning, North Beach was deader than dead at dawn when we returned on Saturday (only there were even fewer birds). I left early for my favorite morning backup spot as it had been pretty good on Thursday. But there were very few birds around so I headed back to North Beach to look for Anita. On the way up Outback Key, I ran into a small group of Royal Terns resting along the shoreline on a small sandbar. I knew that I could get close but I also knew that I did not want to sit down in the cold water to get on sun angle. So, I walked them away from the shoreline onto the sandbar just with a good sized tidal pool just beyond that. I eased onto the ground perhaps ten or twelve feet from the birds. The small flock re-shuffled but they did not fly. Once that I was on the ground, I knew that I had it made in the shade.
I butt-crawled a bit forward and a bit to my left trying to get the handsomest bird, the one with the raised crest, right on sun angle. That done, I bent forward at the waist to get a bit lower. The tidal pool made for a gorgeous blue background. After about ten minutes all the birds up and down the beach took flight at once. I am not sure what scared them; it might have been a raptor.
If I had been with another photographer, I am pretty sure that I would not have been able to duplicate my stealthy actions; sometimes, shooting by your lonesome pays large dividends.
This image also was created on 22 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 640: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:02:41am on a sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #2: Royal Tern in breeding (alternate) plumage
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
If Possible, Stop Down When Working at Point Blank Range
Understand that with more than 99% of my bird photography, I am working at the wide open aperture so that I can use fast shutter speeds in conjunction with relatively low ISOs. When I am working close to the minimum focusing distance of a lens, however, I will stop down for some additional depth-of-field. When working relatively distant subjects with a telephoto lens, it is never necessary to stop down as depth of field increases exponentially as the distance to the subject increases.
With today’s Royal Tern head portraits, I worked at 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop). An option would have been to go with 1/1000 sec. at f/16 (stopped down two stops).
Which is the Stronger Image
When selecting the two images for today’s blog post, one of today’s featured images really caught my eye. But in retrospect, I am not so sure which one I like best. What do you like about Image #1? What do you like about Image #2? Which one do you like best and why?
The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM Lens
The more I used this lens either alone or with either TC, the more I have come to love it. It is fast, sharp, versatile, small, light, and eminently hand hold-able by pretty much everybody. Getting onto the terns with any lens on a tripod simply would not have worked as tripods are cumbersome and awkward to use. In short, if you need to get close they will scare the birds. A hand hold-able 600mm f/5.6 lens is nothing to sneeze at. Nor is a 300mm f/2.8 or a 420mm f/4, the latter my favorite flight rig when the birds are fairly close.
For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your 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 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. Be sure to use one of my affiliate links so that you 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.
BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
Why Attend? Speakers, Gear, Deals, and More!
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
Which of today’s six featured images from a not-so great Thursday morning at Fort DeSoto Park do you like best? Why?
In the Last Blog Post
In the last blog post,The Top Two Tips for Shooting in Harsh Sunlight,
here, I thought that all three images were pretty darned good (as is usually the case). I was the odd man out however, as my favorite image was #2, the saluting White Ibis with the yellow background. I loved the pose, the soft light, the high level of skill involved (though that should not matter), and best of all, the yellow background that pretty much nobody else liked. No worries there as judging images is 100% subjective.
What’s Up?
We nearly froze to death on Friday morning at the Celery Fields in Sarasota. Most of the birds were hunkered down with from the strong north wing. Anita North persevered and got some nice images of a 4-day old Sandhill Crane chick. That afternoon we did very well at my favorite afternoon spot at Fort DeSoto with a variety of the usual suspects shorebird species. Some bathing! On Saturday morning North Beach at DeSoto was a bad as I’ve ever seen it, actually it was the second worst ever morning there. That despite our early arrival, clear skies, and a nice breeze from the east northeast. After a stealthy approach to within ten feet, I did get some nice head shots of a breeding plumage Royal Tern with its crest blowing in the wind. On Saturday afternoon, we headed up to the North Tampa Rookery, arrived a bit late, and had many excellent opportunities.
Today is Sunday 23 March 2025 and we are headed back to the Celery Fields as Anita wants another crack at the baby crane. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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.
Thanking me for the previous 4391 educational blog posts by using one of my two affiliate links could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your e-mail receipts for major purchases.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
B&H Simplified
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. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks!
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.
B&H
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. But 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 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 save 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.
Learn a Ton from a Not-So-Great Morning at Fort DeSoto Park with Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sit beside me on my laptop as I take a second look at my keepers from the morning of 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto. You will learn a lot about what makes one image better than the next. In part two of this video I examine the best of more than 2500 images of a handsome Laughing Gull that stood in the same spot at the edge of the surf for more than ten minutes. You can see the original for all of todays’ featured images in the video above.
This image was created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Crouching a bit in Hidden Lagoon, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 404mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 4000: 1/160 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 7:41:56am in the shade on what would become a sunny morning. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #1: Great Egret perched on Red Mangrove roots
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
a-1 ii Improved Optical Stabilization System (OSS)
Where I come from, making a tack sharp image at 1/160 second at 404mm while crouching is nothing to sneeze at.
This image was also created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Standing at full height, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 474mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 4000: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 7:53:08am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Set XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #2: Laughing Gull breeding plumage flapping after bath
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
AF for Bathing Birds
Regardless of your system or your camera body, you must choose your AF method (pattern) for bathing birds with care. With the original a-1, I always went with Tracking: Zone for bating birds. With the a-1 ii, I noticed that it was more likely to grab the water droplets or the water in front of the bird so I tried Tracking: Spot XS (extra small) and have been nailing both the bathing shots and the after bath flaps.
When shooting bathing birds, experiment with both wide area and spot settings with your gear so that you can best take advantage of these exciting opportunities.
This image was also created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 800: 1/2000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 8:57:33am on a then cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #3: Laughing Gull breeding plumage in surf in soft light
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
This image also was created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Still seated on damp sand, I again used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 320: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:05:07am on a then sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #4 Laughing Gull breeding plumage preening primary feather
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Does a Bird Need Eyes and a Head for an Image to Work?
Wile the chin and bill are visible above, the bird’s face and eye are not. Does this image work for you? Why or why not?
This image also was created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Still seated on damp sand, I again used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 320: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:05:53am on a then sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #5 Laughing Gull breeding plumage with foot raised
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Man Loves Clouds
As much as I love the rich, golden light of early mornings and late afternoons, I love working on cloudy days and in the shade just as much. You can shoot all day long if you wish and you never have to worry about shadows, harsh or otherwise. And by properly exposing to the right your images will feature rich glorious colors.
This image also was created on 20 March 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand, I again used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:32:54am on a sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #6: Red Knot beginning molt to breeding plumage
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Real Grab Shot
Anita North, Tom Redd (who recently purchased one of my a-9 iii bodies), and I were standing around chatting. I glanced behind me and saw that eight red Knots had landed on the edge of the surf. I got on the ground, switched the .4X for the 2X TC, and went to work for two minutes before the small flock moved off.
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.
Which of today’s three featured WHIB images do you like best? Why? Which background color do you prefer, the dark green or the light yellow? Which raised wing photo is the strongest, #2 or #3? Why? Each and every comment is greatly appreciated.
In the Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, A Very Unusual Morning Photo Sessionhere, my favorite image was #1, the AWPE with the Cypress Tree trunk. That despite the fact that I wished that the pelican’s head were turned just a bit more towards me. Kudos to multiple IPT veteran Warren Robb for being the first to nail that. I also loved Image #2 for the same reason that lots of other folks did.
What’s Up?
On Wednesday afternoon Anita North and I enjoyed lots of action at the Brandon Rookery. Thursday morning was my first at DeSoto in since the spring of 2024 I cannot believe that I did not visit last fall. Anyhow, most of North Beach was dead but two of my backup spots saved the morning with lots of Willets, Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Great and Snowy Egrets, and handsome breeding plumage Laughing Gulls.
We took the afternoon off and had an early dinner at Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport. We were saddened to see that Neptune Grill is boarded up. They are currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene and are awaiting permits and FEMA approval to begin to rebuild and reopen, but do not have an anticipated timeline yet. It seems that I have had a zillion great IPT lunches/image review and optimization session there; the grilled fish tacos were the bomb! I’d get three and discard two of the tortillas.
If you are seriously interested in exploring the possibility of joining me next fall to do the Ospreys and tons more at Sebastian Inlet, please get in touch via e-mail. I have an AirBnb and will be staying there for two whole months, from 25 September until 24 November 2025. Multiple IPT veteran Eugen Dolan will be joining me for the first month.
Today is Friday 21 March 2025. We will head down to the Celery Fields in Sarasota as we have heard that there are several active pairs of Least Bitterns there. I have never been. We will be meeting 26-time IPT veteran — yes, 26 is not a typo — Lou Newman. It will be great to see him again. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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.
Thanking me for the previous 4391 educational blog posts by using one of my two affiliate links could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your e-mail receipts for major purchases.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Used Induro Tripod Bargains at Give-away Prices
Your truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, is offering the following used Induru tripods for sale as below. Each includes only the legs and insured ground shipping to your lower 48 address. Please contact artie via e-mail.
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in excellent plus condition: a steal at $325.00. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so. B&H is offering one in the same condition here for $441.95 (plus tax).
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in very good to excellent condition: a steal at $275.00 as this one is also in perfect working condition. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so.
Induro Stealth GIT 505XXL (used only very rarely) in like new condition: an absolute steal at $525.00. This is the monster of all tripods. It offers maximum strength and rigidity and can support 88.2 pounds of gear with ease. It stands 81.3″ tall with the legs fully extended. It is perfect for folks desiring maximum stability in windy conditions, those working from a fixed position with very slow shutter speeds, and in situations where you need to ge very tall such as when working a tree nest possibly while standing on a ladder. This is not a tripod that you want to be carrying around in the field unless you are Superman.
I could not find a single one for sale anywhere in the world. It sold new for $809.95 when it was in production. I paid B&H $802.50 for it when purchased new in 2021.
B&H Simplified
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. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks!
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.
B&H
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. But 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 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 save 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.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: White Ibis breeding plumage adult with wings raised
Happy on the Railing
There is a small observation deck at the Brandon Rookery. As the light is relatively harsh in the early afternoons Anita and I arrived at 5:15pm. As we were the first to arrive, we found some White Ibises on the railing of the deck. With the time of sunset at 7:40pm that day, the light was still plenty harsh when we arrived. That brings us here:
The Number One Tip for Shooting in Harsh Sunlight
My number one tip for shooting in bright sun is to use your longest lens and strive to get perfectly on sun angle with your shadow pointed directly at the subject’s head to eliminate most dark or black shadows. That done it was just a matter of getting some good head angles. The raised wings here were a bonus. It is probable that the somewhat bedraggled look of this individual was the result of a recent bath.
A Note on Sony Zebras
Note the three perfect exposures. With Sony’s Zebra technology properly set up and employed, you know you have a perfect exposure before you press the shutter button whether you are working in full sun (Image #) or in total shade (Images #2 and #3). And there is never a need to create and evaluate a test image.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: White Ibis breeding plumage adult — single wing salute
The Number Two Tip for Shooting in Harsh Sunlight
My number two tip for shooting in harsh sunlight is to find subjects in the shade. Even better is to find a subject in the shade with the background lit by the sun. With Images #2 & #3, the combination of a shaded subject and sunlit vegetation produced the spectacular look that included the sweet yellow background. Note that the background in the first image — distant vegetation, is exactly the same as the background in the next two images. Hard to believe, but true.
Note the soft tones in the whites and again, the perfect head angle. The raised wing salute was a big plus. This bird was not wet so it much have been showing off. I’ve never before seen the pink blush on the breast of a White Ibis.
The same bird took two small steps forward on the railing. Two more and I would have been blocked by vegetation is I was very happy when it stopped where it did. This time, it raised both wings and posed for about two seconds. As I had forgotten to reset Pre-Capture from one full second back to 0.2 seconds, that meant 60 raw files.
A Note on the Shutter Speed
I decided not to go any higher than 1/200 second so that I would not need to go beyond ISO 2000. The was somewhat of a gamble as all of the images made while the bird was moving its head were not sharp. But with these last two images, the subject kindly stood completely still. I am glad it liked showing off.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by (the late) Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back-and-forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Below are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide. Please note that last season, Gatorland did not offer a Photographer’s Pass.
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery. Note: In 2024, this theme park eliminated its Photographer’s Pass Program that allowed for early entry.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of beautiful habitats.
Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds in the various lakes here including and especially American White Pelican (AWPE) during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here, if you are lucky, you will have a chance for two difficult birds: Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s two featured AWPE images do you like best? Why?
In the Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, Three Very Good Days at Stick Marsh & A Big Editing Tip,here, my favorite image was Image #1, Incoming Roseate Spoonbill in early morning light, because of the sweet soft light and the perfectly illuminated underwings. Tied for second were Image #2, Roseate Spoonbill flat incoming flight because of the down the barrel stare, the 747 flight pose, and the background of suffused green, and Image #7, Roseate Spoonbill preening, as I was able to make a lovely image despite being about 30° off sun angle and come up with a perfect background with the square crop and the perfect preening head angle.
For me the two weakest images were #2, Roseate Spoonbill in flight (tight vertical) as I wish that the bird’s spatulate bill was centered between its legs, and Image #4, Roseate Spoonbill with stick for nest, as I was unable to preserve the small patch of delicate feathers on the upper breast. Otherwise, I find #4 to be spectacular.
Thanks to those who left a comment, especially Anthony Ardito who appreciated the creative crops by comparing the original images in the video to the optimized images that accompanied the blog post and to Monte Brown who like them all :-).
Used Induro Tripod Bargains at Give-away Prices
Your truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, is offering the following used Induru tripods for sale as below. Each includes only the legs and insured ground shipping to your lower 48 address. Please contact artie via e-mail.
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in excellent plus condition: a steal at $325.00. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so. B&H is offering one in the same condition here for $441.95 (plus tax).
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in very good to excellent condition: a steal at $275.00 as this one is also in perfect working condition. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so.
Induro Stealth GIT 505XXL (used only very rarely) in like new condition: an absolute steal at $525.00. This is the monster of all tripods. It offers maximum strength and rigidity and can support 88.2 pounds of gear with ease. It stands 81.3″ tall with the legs fully extended. It is perfect for folks desiring maximum stability in windy conditions, those working from a fixed position with very slow shutter speeds, and in situations where you need to ge very tall such as when working a tree nest possibly while standing on a ladder. This is not a tripod that you want to be carrying around in the field unless you are Superman.
I could not find a single one for sale anywhere in the world. It sold new for $809.95 when it was in production. I paid B&H $802.50 for it when purchased new in 2021.
What’s Up?
The forecast for Monday morning was for a strong NW wind with clear skies and bright sun. Wherever you live, this is usually a death forecast for bird photography. When Anita and I got down to the lake, however, clouds were beginning to build and soon it was totally cloudy. So, we were able to shoot flight with our lenses pointed to the east; we killed on Cattle Egrets taking off into the northwest wind. When things brightened up a bit, we did the same with the addition of some nice backlight. We both used the hand held 300mm f/2.8 GM lens with the 1.4x TC and the Sony a-1 ii.
On Tuesday morning, conditions were a bit better with the wind from the north and some nice light. We had an Osprey on The Perch II. We started working on BLUBBs at 840mm as the bird finished chowing down on a small crappie. Then we went wider by removing the TCs in hopes of getting some nice take-off shots thanks to planning and a-1 ii Pre-Capture. We sat on the bird and concentrated hard for nearly an hour but when it finally took flight, it headed away from us so all we got were butt shots. After trying for some grackle take-off shots at another perch off the South Peninsula, we returned to find that the Osprey had returned to its original perch. After thirty more minutes of laser focus the bird again took flight to the northwest resulting in more take-off butt shots.
If you are seriously interested in exploring the possibility, of joining me next fall to do the Ospreys at Sebastian Inlet, please get in touch via e-mail.
Today is Wednesday 19 March 2025. Happy Birthday to my older daughter Jennifer. Anita and I will be heading down to the lake early this morning to see what’s up and about. This afternoon we are headed over to Fort DeSoto for four days of photography as I have not been since the park re-opened after the last big hurricane. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Fresh caught Alaskan seafood caught sustainably. Save $20 on your first order by clicking here.
Wild Alaska Salmon and Seafood Company
Ever since my two daughters sent me a big box of salmon filets and sea scallops from Wild Alaska Salmon and Seafood Company for my birthday a few years ago, I have been ordering salmon and scallops from them. Now that Junior’s Fish Market in Lake Wales is closing, I will be depending on Wild Alaska every month. I always order Sockeye filets and the Sea Scallops. The stuff comes frozen solid, is easy to prepare, and tastes pretty much as good as the fresh stuff would.
You can save $20 on your first order by clicking here. Eating wild caught seafood is about as healthy as you can go. The scallops are a real treat. When you sear them, be sure to cook them in the liquid that comes in the bag and be sure not to overcook them. I bake or broil the lightly seasoned salmon filets skin side down in olive or coconut oil.
Buy Direct from the Fisherman
Captain Tony has been fishing in Alaska since 1990. Wild Alaska is famous for their wild caught Sockeye and King Salmon! All of our other fish, including Ahi Tuna, Shrimp, Scallops, Cod, etc., are responsibly sourced, caught the right way and closely inspected by Capt. Tony to meet our high standards of quality and freshness. They catch and process all 5 species of wild pacific salmon, and source our other seafood products from high quality sustainable fisheries.
The stuff tastes great and is good for you. Internet orders to the continental United States are shipped from their fulfillment center in the Midwest allowing their seafood products to reach US customers in perfect condition. The flavor and texture of their salmon and other products remain fresher than fresh is because the stuff is frozen the same day it is caught.
Note
Nutritionally, if you are eating farm-raised salmon, you might as well be eating pop tarts. Sockeye salmon has the highest amount of Omega 3 of any fish with approximately 2.7 grams per 100-gram portion. Therefore, just one serving of Alaska salmon per week can help to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Scallops are widely considered one of the healthiest seafoods. Made up of 80% protein and sporting a low fat content, they can help you feel fuller longer and are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are also a great source of antioxidants. Dr. Morris 🙂
This image was created on 12 March 2025 at Lakeland, FL. Standing at full height, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 800: 1/500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:54:49am before the got onto the birds.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #1: American White Pelican and Cypress Tree trunk
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Seeing the Shot I
As I mentioned in a previous post, when we arrived well before the sun got on the birds at Lakeland on March 12, I wanted to stay in the vehicle to finish a blog post. When I glanced out, however, I saw the bird in the image above sitting next to a Cypress Tree. I grabbed the 300 f/2.8 with the a-1 ii, got where I wanted, and made perhaps thirty quick images. Once I got the head turn that I needed, I knew that I had the shot so I got back in the car and finished posting the day’s offering.
When I exited my SUV to go to work, I learned from Anita that the two Canon ladies had scared most of the pelicans off the bulkhead so we drove to a nearby lake to look for some tame Anhingas or Limpkins.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: American White Pelican resting
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Seeing the Shot II
After striking out at the nearby lake, we headed back to our first location where I spotted the same or another pelican resting next to the Cypress trunk. Again when I saw the image I wanted I grabbed the 600 with the 1.4X TC. I started looking at a horizontal but the back of the bird was in the sun so I went vertical. You can see a sliver of backlight on the right frame-edge where the upper mandible disappears into the feathers of the bird’s back. During this short session I made only about twenty images before I knew that I had one that was perfect.
A Very Unusual Morning Photo Session
Since Bob Eastman arrived at my home in late October 2024, I have been photographing pretty much every morning. During most every one of those am sessions, I have created between 1700 and 7000 images averaging about 4,000 images per morning photo session. I am quite proud of the fact that on the morning of 12 March I created about fifty images and came up with two very sweet images.
BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
Why Attend? Speakers, Gear, Deals, and More!
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
Which are the two strongest images? Which are the two weakest images? Why did you make those choices?
The Last Blog Post
The times they are a’ changing …
In the last blog post, Important Rerun: Field Etiquette for Nature Photographers, here, I was a surprised that only a single reader, David Policansky (Dr. Fish), left a comment that was on point. When the article was first published on the blog 23 years ago, there were 17 comments.
Have we gotten so used to lots of photos, ten-second IG reels, and whatever goes on at TikTok (I have never visited) that a 2500 word essay is simply too much to handle? If you have any ideas as to why only one person had a story to share, please do tell.
Dr. Fish made a good point. If you keep your eyes open you can often use the behavior of oblivious folks to make a great image simply be getting ready for the take-off shot! They scare the bird or birds and you make a great image or two.
Used Induro Tripod Bargains at Give-away Prices
Your truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, is offering the following used Induru tripods for sale as below. Each includes only the legs and insured ground shipping to your lower 48 address. Please contact artie via e-mail.
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in excellent plus condition: a steal at $325.00. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so. B&H is offering one in the same condition here for $441.95 (plus tax).
Induro Stealth GIT 304L in very good to excellent condition: a steal at $275.00 as this one is also in perfect working condition. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than eight years. It is perfect for big lenses for folks as tall as 6 feet or so.
Induro Stealth GIT 505XXL (used only very rarely) in like new condition: an absolute steal at $525.00. This is the monster of all tripods. It offers maximum strength and rigidity and can support 88.2 pounds of gear with ease. It stands 81.3″ tall with the legs fully extended. It is perfect for folks desiring maximum stability in windy conditions, those working from a fixed position with very slow shutter speeds, and in situations where you need to ge very tall such as when working a tree nest possibly while standing on a ladder. This is not a tripod that you want to be carrying around in the field unless you are Superman.
I could not find a single one for sale anywhere in the world. It sold new for $809.95 when it was in production. I paid B&H $802.50 for it when purchased new in 2021.
What’s Up?
Anita North and I headed back to Stick Marsh on Sunday morning and enjoyed another excellent session. With a fairly brisk wind from the southeast, things were different but the results were excellent. I created 1600 photos, about half the images that I made on each of our three previous 2025 visits, but wound up with 140 keepers after the first edit. Those included a few that I really like.
Today is Monday 17 March 2025. The forecast is for partly cloudy with a WNW wind so we will be heading down to the lake early despite the less than favorable wind direction, hoping — of course, for more clouds than sun. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Amazing Stick Marsh Spoonbills
Sit with me at my laptop as I comment on selected keeper images from three pretty good days with the Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh. Learn that while picking your keepers it is very important to consider the potential crops and to visualize a plan for the image optimizations. In this 20 minute video I share my thoughts on exactly what I am looking for in the field and the gear I am using — mostly the Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM and the incredible a-1 ii. You will learn what I am looking for when I pick my keepers and why your vision for the crop and the image optimization process are vitally important as you are deciding which images to keep and which to trash.
Stick Marsh
12844
The Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service
The Site Guide Subscription Service currently consists of seven e-mails:
Stick Marsh Site Guide e-Mail #1: The Basics. It includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery with specific instructions on wind direction, light, and where-to-be advice. There are lots of photographers at Stick Marsh most days. Many are skilled at hand-holding 500 and 600mm f/4 telephotos lenses. But with all due respect, none of them can come anywhere near me when it comes to analyzing the photo opps at a given location. With the exception of a very nice and very helpful man I met, Fred Vaughn, every single photographer got to their favorite spot and never moved. We moved around a lot and had great and different chances all day long.
The six e-mails that follow detail additional photographic discoveries and shooting recommendations with annotated maps and lots of images. I did not send any updates in 2024 or 2025 as the first seven e-mails cover all the relevant situations. I will be sending a March 2025 Update soon.
To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, send a PayPal for $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words Stick Marsh Site Guide. Or, call Jim MON thru THURS at 1-863-692-0906 to pay by credit card.
I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh without much trouble, visit, and likely make some good or great images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Please contact me via e-mail to explore the possibilities of a morning In-the-Field Instructional Session or two at Stick Marsh.
This image was created on 7 February 2025 at Stick Marsh. Seated on a milk crate and two pillows, I used the I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:08:48am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #1: Incoming Roseate Spoonbill in early morning light
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Dime a Dozen
With today’s amazing mirrorless camera bodies, images like this, though perhaps not as perfect as Image #1 above, have become relatively commonplace for folks who visit Stick Marsh regularly. The sweet early morning light, the bits of green, and the perfectly illuminated underwings with zero shadows make this one very special for me. As I have been so often and have many dozens if not hundreds of similar images, I have recently been grabbing the 600mm f/4, often with the 1.4X TC, in an effort to come up with some new and different stuff.
Made for Stick Marsh
The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens was made for Stick Marsh. With dozens of incoming birds early every morning with the right winds, the focal length is perfect and the fast f/2.8 aperture enables you to transition early on from pleasing blurs to sharp. It was also my go-to lens on the 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs.
While Nikon has been introducing some fabulous telephoto lenses recently, including several super-telephoto lenses with built in teleconverters, the huge hole in their lens line-up is a lightweight Z 300mm f/2.8. The Sony version weighs 3.25 pounds and is easily hand-holdable for most folks. The most recent Nikon version, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II, weighs a whopping 6.38 pounds. Similarly, Canon does not offer a lightweight RF 300mm f/2.8 lens. Their most recent version, the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, tips the scale at a rather embarrassing 5.29 pounds. Vasili Chernikoff’s favorite lens, the versatile Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens (Canon RF), comes in at a hefty 5.7 pounds.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Roseate Spoonbill flat incoming flight
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Right Down the Lens Barrel
As you saw with more than a few of my Homer Bald Eagle images, I am a sucker for birds flying directly at me while staring right down the barrel of the lens. With 840mm of reach, the bokeh of distant backgrounds could not be any sweeter. Different is good.
The Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro
It goes without saying that the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro is by far the cream of the current tripod crop. This counter-balanced ballhead (say goodbye to ballhead flop) acts like a gimbal is smooth and lightweight. Flight photography with long lenses is a dream. Simply put, there is nothing out there close to it. If yo are trying to use a Really Wrong Stuff BH-55 ballhead with any telephoto lens use it is a fishing sinker for deepwater codfish instead and get yourself a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro.
In addition, there is no longer a need to travel with one tripod head for super-telephotos and another for scenic photography. How so? The Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro features a bi-directional clamp.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #3: Roseate Spoonbill in flight (tight vertical)
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Incredible Mirrorless AF
Autofocus with the high end mirrorless camera bodies is so good that I encourage folks to keep shooting even when the bird is well beyond filling the frame. Be sure to compare the optimized version above with the original in the video to see how I cropped this one and added lots of canvas at the top.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #4: Roseate Spoonbill with stick for nest
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
I Just Could Not Do It
Check out the original in the video and you will see that the wing of a young spoonbill was in the background and merged with the neck of the subject. I tried and tried and tried to preserve the fluffy feathers on the neck just above the upper breast, but could not manage it. So, I cropped most of them away from below and eliminated the rest of them with the Remove Tool. Bummer.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #5: Roseate Spoonbill (tight) flap
Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Dreaded Water Hyacinth
As you saw in the video, the bird was bathing quite close to the ramp and the leaves of water hyacinths at the bottom of the frame were problematic at best. Thus, the somewhat pano crop for Image #5.
This image was also created on 15 February 2025 at Stick Marsh. Standing at full height I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 500. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:44:29am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger, high res version.
Image #6: Roseate Spoonbill bathing
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Decent at Last
There were lots of folks photographing the bathing spoonbill so space was at a premium, especially as I was somewhat late to the party. I was much too tight at 840mm so I removed the TC and was delighted that the bird bathed a second time. As he was a bit farther from the shoreline, I only had to remove only a single hyacinth leaf. Again, we were fighting the leaves at the bottom of the frame because they were quite distracting.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #7 Roseate Spoonbill preening
Why a Square?
As you saw in the video, the reflection of a large white sign in front of the South Island Rookery in the upper left portion of the frame that necessitated the square crop. Remember that it is important to consider all the cropping possibilities before marking a given image for the trash bin.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized two years ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can order the five videos in Volume I by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Great news. The Red-shouldered Hawk was back on The Perch II on Friday morning and after 15 minutes of intense concentration, I nailed a fabulous takeoff sequence. The bird returned to the same perch and I figured that I had the technique down pat. After ten minutes I blinked and missed the bird’s departure. You will see the best of my take-off sequence here soon. Otherwise it was a pretty slow morning.
Kudos to Cliff Beittel who nailed the f/8 question in yesterday’s blog post — Anita forgot to change the aperture after removing the 2X TC (as I have done thousands of times over the past four decades after removing a TC).
I drove into town yesterday to have my stitches removed but the doctor called in sick and nobody called to let me know. (I wonder if I can charge him for a missed appointment?) Anyhoo, the incision had healed perfectly and Dr. North told me that is was OK to get back into the pool.
Today is Saturday 15 March 2025. It is just past 6:00am and we are headed back to Stick Marsh hoping to get back on a hot streak. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 21 October 2014 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the Canon 24-105mm and the EOS-7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2.0 stops 1/640 sec. at f/6.3 in Aperture Priority mod (!). Even back then I was exposing to the right.
Image #1: Bird photographer working gull shorebird flock with Marbled Godwits
Image courtesy of and copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
What Would You Do?
You came across this guy photographing. You would love a crack at the Marbled Godwits. Do you walk up behind him? What’s the right thing to do? What would you do? (Bill Eaton, is that you in the photograph above?)
An Important Rerun
As the two ladies with Canon 100-500s scared most of the American White Pelicans off the bulkhead wall the other day in Lakeland, and because there are so many new bird photographers right now, I thought that re-running this article would be a good plan.
The article below was first published on the blog (here) on September 11th, 2012. Three images are featured and lots of old friends are in the pictures. Those include Denise Ippolito, Monte Brown, and Malcolm MacKenzie. As not a lot has changed, I made only a very few revisions to the text.
Some might be interested in reading the comments on an old BirdPotographers.Net post that I posted here back on March 1, 2014. It is entitled In-the Field Nature Photography Ethics as I See Them. I came across it last night while doing research for today’s post. As I have a much thicker skin now than I had then, I undeleted about 20 comments. Sadly, two of the folks who commented, Joe Pryzbyla and Grady Weed, are no longer with us. There are some excellent comments from my good friend Eric Bowles (who is still very much alive).
Field Etiquette for Nature Photographers
I was walking along a narrow path next to Little Estero Lagoon while scouting for a Southwest Florida IPT. About 50 yards ahead of me there were two American Oystercatchers foraging. The only problem was that 35 yards ahead of me a photographer was lying on his belly photographing the pair of attractive birds. They were catching big worms and the light was lovely. What to do? The guy was on the wet sand was facing away and was not at all aware that I was there. If I called to him (to ask if I could join him) I risked scaring the birds away. So I stood there for 30 minutes and watched with a bit of envy. Finally I decided that I would join him by starting my crawl from way back so as not to flush the birds.
I advanced slowly a few yards, remaining well outside of this species usual circle of fear. I slowly and carefully got down on one knee and the birds did not notice me, but as I lowered myself to the prone position, one of the birds (to my dismay) screamed its strident alarm call. Both birds leaned forward and took flight. I felt absolutely terrible and was about to explain that I had waited for half an hour when the photographer turned towards me and exclaimed, “Artie, it’s great to see you!” Then Tim Fitzharris, a friend, a well-known professional nature photographer and author, and one of the folks who inspired me early on, reached into an upper pocket, grabbed his walkie-talkie, raised his wife (who was in their small motor home nearby with their son Jesse), and said, “Joy, you would not believe whom I just ran into while crawling in the mud!”
Folks are usually not so glad to see you when you scare their subjects away.
You are walking down a desolate beach when you see a photographer working a beautiful Reddish Egret, a species you have dreamed of photographing. What to do? First off, as we saw in the example above, you need to stay well back. If you opt to leave the photographer and his subject, be sure to give both a wide berth while passing them. Many photographers think, “I will be polite and walk around this situation,” and then they choose a route that flushes the bird (or especially, a flock of birds; it is usually easier to approach a single bird than it is to approach a flock: scare one, scare all …) As a general rule, plan your route by doubling the distance that you think necessary to avoid flushing the birds.
If the photographer is aware of your presence, you have another option: you can ask as quietly as possible or gesture by pointing appropriately to indicate “Can I join you?” If they nod or assent, you need to be especially careful as to how you make your approach. First, you must consider your route. Approaching from directly behind the photographer is almost always best. You can actually hide behind the person who was there first as you make your approach. If the photographer is standing and you are going to approach while standing, you need to keep the front leg of your tripod low. It is often best to carry your tripod in front of you rather than on your shoulder. And you will need to move slowly, very slowly. I am often amazed at folks who think that “slowly” means to walk as if you were in a supermarket and were late for dinner. If you are walking through shallow water or muck or algae, listen to your footsteps. By doing so and placing each foot down carefully you can make your approach much less obtrusive.
If the photographer is kneeling you need to get down on your knees while you are well back and then again, make your approach slowly. If the photographer is down on his belly, you need to get down on your belly, again, while you are well back, and crawl your way in. Walking right up to a photographer who is either kneeling or crawling is unconscionable. In all cases your number one concern must be to avoid flushing the subject or the flock that is being worked by someone who arrived on scene before you.
If there is only one flock of birds in sight and there are several photographers already in position then you have a bit more freedom; you can approach carefully without asking, make sure to go in low and slow. As always, you need to take great care to avoid flushing the flock. There are of course many grey areas here. In some situations, as with an obviously tame bird, you can simply approach without much concern. An example might be a fisherman-friendly Great Blue Heron that is used to being in close proximity to humans. As with all aspects of photography, knowing your subject is of paramount importance. If I came across someone photographing a Horned Lark while lying flat on the grass I would never even consider approaching as this species is notoriously flighty.
If you encounter a tour group that is photographing the only birds on the beach, then joining them would—in my opinion, be appropriate. If, however, they are tossing fish to attract the birds, then it might be inappropriate to join them unless you ask or are invited to do so. An option would be to take a position well behind the group while using a longer lens. And, by the way, if you are a member of a tour group, the restrictions on approaching birds or animals being photographed by other members of the group are greatly relaxed. That said, be sure to move slowly and to get low if need be. And if you are a member of a tour group, it is imperative that you be doubly considerate of other photographers who are not part of your group.
There is one exception to the above. If one of the group has split well off from the group and gotten close to a nice bird (or a nice flock of birds), I would suggest that you treat them as if they were a stranger, that is, with great respect.
At Homer, Alaska, when it was legal to feed the Bald Eagles there, I would routinely spend more than $1,400 on fish over a ten day period; herring is a relatively healthy eagle snack. Many photographers, certainly more than a dozen, followed my group around the Spit as if they were members of the group. They joined right in, often getting in front of the folks in my group or in front of me. Though I did not say a word—except to those who carelessly stepped in front of others, I firmly believe that their behavior was inappropriate. When folks are paying for a service, it’s rude to intrude.
In all group situations, it is imperative to be aware of the position of the others in the group. If someone is looking through their viewfinder at a subject, you are not free to walk in front of them as you please. To do so is inconsiderate. You can either walk behind them or, you can ask them if it would be OK for you to pass. When I want to get by someone quickly, I often stand just outside their field of view and say “Say when,” implying that they should let me know when it is OK to pass.
If you want to walk in front of someone who is changing teleconverters or chatting with a friend then you can do so with impunity. I saw a woman at the Venice Rookery berate another photographer for walking in front of her tripod mounted lens (even though the complaining photographer was more than 10 feet away from her rig!) If you are photographing with or in the vicinity of a group and you opt to stay well back from the subject or the flock while everyone else is photographing the same subjects from much closer range, it is usually best for you to adjust your position in response to the folks up front changing their positions. I have seen folks photographing a subject from a hundred yards away chastise other photographers who were working a tame subject from much closer range with short lenses. If you choose to stay well back and work with a long lens, you are the one who needs to move. With your narrow field of view you will only have to move a very short distance to get a clean shot. On the other hand, if several folks are working a subject with a long lens, it would not be proper for you to block them by approaching the subject.
If you have worked hard to get close to a great subject or a flock of birds, remember that working the edge of a flock is usually best, be sure to exit as carefully as you approached so that you do not disturb the birds. And that is true whether you are by yourself or with a large group. I have, on countless occasions, seen a selfish photographer who is finished working a bird or a group of birds simply stand up when they were done thus flushing the bird(s). That is like saying, “I am done and I do not care at all about you or the bird.”
If you are photographing migrant songbirds in wooded areas or edges such as The Tip at Point Pelee National Park near Leamington, Ontario or at the Convention Center on Padre Island, TX, the guidelines are quite different. If there are several photographers around, it is pretty much open season as the warblers, tanagers, vireos, and the rest of the cast are usually intent on feeding and are pretty much oblivious to our movements. Be sure, however, to move slowly, to be fairly quiet, and to avoid cutting in front of others. In such situations the birds move to the next bush or fly away pretty much when they are ready to. On the other hand, if there is a single photographer in the woods working a thrush — they are usually quite skittish, it is usually best to take another path and search for your own bird. Another option would be to stand quietly and hope that the bird moves towards your position.
Here are some guidelines to follow when photographing from your vehicle on a refuge tour route or a shoreline with vehicle access (like East Beach at Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg, FL.) If the car in front of you is close to a skittish subject, it is best to either give them a few minutes with the subject before trying to get into position, or, if possible, to pass them by without scaring off the subject. If in doubt, it is best to give them a bit of time with the subject before you attempt to go by them. If you are positive that the bird or animal is tame, you can approach at any time. When you do approach, do so slowly and with extreme care. On a related note, it is best to approach subjects with your telephoto lens in place on the window; raising the lens and sticking it out the window once you are close to the subject will often frighten it away. (Note: if you are photographing from your vehicle with a big lens it should be on a BLUBB.) Here’s another fine point: if you position your vehicle in front of the car that was on the scene first and the animal moves towards you position, you are not obligated to move your vehicle. If the other driver is savvy, they will simply pull ahead of you and hope — as will often be the case, that the subject continues to move in the same direction.
Under no circumstances is it permissible to leave your vehicle and approach a photographer working from their vehicle. At Merritt Island, I had just pulled up to a huge flock of White Pelicans doing their group feeding thing; they were herding and catching huge mullet in a pool right next to the road when a car pulled up behind me. A guy got out with an intermediate telephoto lens and all the birds flew away, about two miles away. At East Beach at Fort DeSoto I had a group of five American Avocets right outside my car. Another photographer left his vehicle, walked several hundred yards towards my position with his big lens on his shoulder, and scared all the birds away. You gotta love it. When the inevitable occurs, it is fine, if you are comfortable doing so, to let the offender know politely that their behavior was inappropriate. No matter how egregious the offense, screaming or cursing will not help the situation at all.
It goes without saying that we all must follow the rules when working in controlled areas. If the signs say “Stay on the Path,” then we must stay on the path. If the sign says “Area Closed” (and is a legal sign), then we must not enter. To do otherwise gives all photographers a bad name. At present, because of the actions of a relatively few, many refuge managers consider all photographers criminals. If you encounter another photographer breaking the rules you might consider informing them as politely as possible that their behavior is improper. If the other photographer ignores your request, it is best to move on while jotting down a description or better yet, a license plate number, and letting the authorities know what you observed. Best would be to photograph the offending photographer in action and then photograph their license plate. When you do opt to report someone to the authorities you are in my opinion, obligated to leave your contact information.
The suggestions above are guidelines based on my 42 years of field experience. There are of course lots of grey areas and close calls. At all times, however, it is best to obey the posted rules,to use common sense, and to be considerate of others and the subjects that you are photographing.
This In Belatedly — On Foul Language
This morning there was a guy at Stick Marsh who used several nasty curse words in every sentence. There were perhaps 30 folks with lenses within hearing distance. I got his attention and said, “There are lots of folks here who would appreciate it if you did not use foul language.” He said, and this ia a direct quote, “I don’t give a f__k.” I thought long and hard about continuing the conversation but am glad that I decided not to. Not a single curse word passed his lips for the next two hours.
If you are in the habit of using foul language on occasion, I would suggest that you refrain from doing so when other photographers are nearby, And this might be a good time to reconsider your language policy.
Comments, Questions, and Thoughts
Comments, questions, and your thoughts on anything above are of course welcome. Feel free to share your tales of folks who really need to study the materials here above by leaving a comment. Did I omit anything?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Both Homer 2026 IPTS are nearly sold out via personal invitation by e-mail despite the fact that they have not been formerly announced. If you are seriously interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail immediately (or sooner).
What’s Up?
On Wednesday morning Anita North and I headed early to Lakeland hoping for another fabulous morning with the American White Pelicans. I was working hard to finish the last blog post. I was not quite done when we arrived. I was glad to see about 50 AWPEs on the bulkhead wall. I saw a nice image of a pelican and a Cypress Tree trunk so I grabbed my 300mm f/2.8 with the a-1 ii, made a very few images, and then returned to the vehicle to finish the Wednesday’s blog post. Almost done, I noticed that two women had parked behind me and figured that they were photographers. Unfortunately, they were.
I exited the vehicle for a second time, ready to set up my big lens on the tripod. I noticed that most of the pelicans had left. I asked Anita what happened. She told me that she had approached the birds carefully and was seated on the grass when she sensed the two women standing right behind her. Both were using hand held Canon 100-500mm lenses. She turned to them and said quietly, “Please stay low and move slowly so as not to scare the birds.” One of them replied, “We live nearby and come here all the time. The birds will be fine.” Within minutes, they had scared all but a handful of the birds off the bulkhead wall and left to pursue other subjects.
When you see a bird photographer seated and actively photographing it is 100% rude to walk up behind them without getting their attention and asking if it would be OK to join them. That done, proper field ethics call for a very slow approach. I will find the article on field ethics and re-post it here soon as there are many new folks who simply have no idea how to conduct themselves when photographing with others.
We decide to head to a nearby lake and see what was about. We did not find much. Our streak of fabulous morning sessions had come to an end.
In today’s post, you will learn how I managed to come up empty in spite of the fact that I had been perfectly prepared for the take-off shot while Anita North hit the nail squarely on the head. Including the time spent on the image optimizations, this post took more than three hours to prepare.
Today is Friday 4 March 2025 and we will be headed down to the lake just before sunrise. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 13 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2000. 1/1600 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:20:04am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #1: Red-shouldered Hawk on The Perch II
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Slow Morning
Early on an unseasonably chilly Thursday morning there was a ton of fog on the South Canal. As the sun rose, fire-in-the mist conditions were perfect but for the lack of subjects. All three of Bob Eastman’s perches on the South Peninsula were empty so we headed back north. The Perch II had been vacant when we first got down to the lake so I was pleased to see a handsome red-shouldered Hawk on it when we re-checked it. As my first instinct is to go for clean, tight, and graphic, with lots of pixel on the subject, I added the 2X TC to my 600 and Anita did the same. With both rigs on the BLUBBs I approached slowly to get on sun angle. Working at 1200mm, we both made some fine images. Image #1, above, was my favorite.
Be sure to click on the screen cap to view a larger high res version.
Image #2: A Photo Mechanic screen capture of the same bird made with the 600 and the 1.4X TC.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Getting There
After making a few tight portraits I decided to try for the take-off shot so I switched out the 2X for the 1.4X. Anita went with the bare 600mm. After making an image or two (as above), I realized that Anita was right — 840mm was too much lens for the take-off image so I removed the 1.4X.
Note how far to the right the raw file is exposed. Keep reading.
Be sure to click on the screen cap to view a larger high res version.
Image #3: A Photo Mechanic screen capture of the same bird made with the 600 alone.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Perfect Preparation and Set-Up
I had the 600 alone on the BLUBB. There was lots of room for the bird to raise its wings and take off in any direction. I made sure that the Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch on the lens was set to OFF to prevent accidentally throwing off the focus. I had time to add (Non-tracking: Wide) to my AF options vi May Menu and set that as it is the best AF method when trying the wide take-off shot. Then, again via My Menu, I upped the Pre-Capture time from my usual .2 seconds to a full 1.0 seconds, the max. With my right index finger half-pressing the shutter button and actively focusing, I was ready of the take-off. After five minutes the bird was still sitting on the perch and my right shoulder was beginning to hurt. There was one thing left to do to make my life easier …
I reached into the console and grabbed the Vello RS-S2II Wired Remote Switch for Select Cameras with Sony Multi-Terminal Connector that I keep there. (I have a second one in my fanny pack.) With my rig perfectly balanced on the BLUBB and the photo framed perfectly as you see in Image #3, adding the remote switch (cable release) allowed me to keep the shutter button half-pressed with my hand resting on my lap. Not having to keep my right arm raised completely eliminates shoulder fatigue (and the resulting pain). I use this same technique often in the field when working on a tripod and waiting for a take-off or for some interesting behavior.
The Key to Abject Failure
So, everything was perfect. I could not miss. And still the bird sat. For another four minutes. Because I had failed to angle the car correctly and my head had been turned hard left, my neck began to ache. As I turned my head to the right for a quick relaxing stretch, I heard Anita fire off a long burst. I knew I was toast. After minutes of good luck, preparedness, and hard concentration, I had managed to miss everything. The key to abject failure was one second of inattention.
This image was created on 13 March 2025 by Anita North down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the back seat of my SUV she used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500. 1/5000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2 stops in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect — in other words, not bad at all. AWB at 8:29:56am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #4: Red-shouldered Hawk leaving The Perch II
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Anita North
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Pre-Capture Rocks!
The small hawk had given no indication that it was about to take off for the smaller perch to our right. So, even though Anita had been right on the action, Pre-Capture recorded the first two images in the sequence for her. As she had the shot framed a bit too high to begin with, she clipped the wings in the previous frame, the wings fully raised shot. But she nailed both the leaving-the-perch shot above and the money shot, Image #5, below.
Anita was thrilled as this was her first time photographing this species.
Aperture Question
How did Anita wind up at f/8 (with a relatively high ISO) rather than at f/4 (with a six-clicks lower ISO)?
This image was also created on 13 March 2025 by Anita North down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the back seat of my SUV she used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500. 1/5000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2 stops in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect — in other words, not bad at all. AWB at 8:29:56am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #5: Red-shouldered Hawk taking flight with wings fully raised
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Anita North
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1/a-1 ii Crop-ability
Sharp raw files from both high-end Sony camera bodies allow for significant cropping while maintaining excellent image quality.
Kudos to Anita for making two fabulous images and allowing me to share them with you here today. The other day, Anita inadvertently grabbed her a-1 body while shooting foraging Cattle Egrets. After I noticed that, she switched to her a-1 ii. Within moments she said, “It is amazing how much better the eye-tracking is with the a-1 ii as compared to the original a-1; I agree but only 100%.
I have found that eye-tracking for general bird photography with the a-1 ii is far, far better than with the original Sony a-1. It grabs the eye and tracks it faster and far more consistently and focus is rarely lost, even with backgrounds other than sky.
For birds in flight, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body has no equal. As Arash Hazeghi says, “It is better than the a-1.” When I am late getting on a bird in flight, I have consistently been amazed at how often the AF system of the a-1 ii finds and tracks the bird’s eye.
When it comes to Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body, Arash and I agree 100%. And with my slower reflexes, Pre-Capture is more important for me than it is for Arash. Understand that in each of the images in Composite #3, I did not push the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii six weeks ago and still have not received it 🙁 Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus while in my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention that Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for.
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when first using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, seemed to be neither huge nor eye-opening. But over time, I came to realize that I was 100% wrong.
The huge difference between the new camera body and the older a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii). But for me, the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography than the original a-1.
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
In the last blog post, there were so many excellent images that rating them was extremely challenging (he said modestly). Here are mine with my favorite first and so on: 12 (nobody else chose that one), 6, 2, 3, and the very popular 9.
What’s Up?
Photography in Central Florida has continued to be fantastic. Thanks to a tip from long-time friend Fred Vaughn, Anita and I tried a new location to photograph a single, distant Roseate Spoonbill nest. It was a different and very challenging situation. I was thrilled to get two images that I really liked, those out of more than 4,500 images. Stick Marsh has been great and we’ve done well at ILE as well. Tuesday morning dawned clear and sunny with a brisk NW wind, a death forecast for bird photography. We headed down to the lake expecting to be back home in ten minutes. Surprise. There were several flocks of Cattle Egrets feeding in various locations. We found a group feeding near a large patch of purple flowers and worked those for an hour. After that, we found a killer backlit situation with the same subjects. We did not get back to my house until nearly 10:00am!
Today is Wednesday 12 March 2025. It is clear and still and we are headed back to Lakeland for another American White Pelican fix. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created by Anita North on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 9:32:52am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #1: Osprey perched on natural nest tree
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Anita North
Knowing Where to Be When Based on Sky Conditions and Wind Strength and Direction
The forecast for Monday morning had been for cloudy skies and a strong SW wind. Knowing ILE as I do, I said to Anita, “The only place to be is the natural Osprey nest near the tangerine house. This nest is terrible for photography on clear morning with any wind with a western component. But with the clouds, I knew that the birds would be landing right at us.
This image was created by yours truly on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:06am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #2: Osprey in flight with twig for nest
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Weapon of Choice
Though I made a great image last week in similar conditions with the bare 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, I decided that adding the 1.4X TC was best. So that is what we both did. With the high winds the birds were both quite active. I do not think that they are on eggs yet.
This image was created by Anita North on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/3-stop short of perfect. AWB at 9:55:52am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #3: Osprey after grabbing moss from canal
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Anita North
A Mossy First!
We often see Ospreys grabbing Spanish Moss that has fallen to the ground; they use it to line their nests. On Monday past, we saw one of the Osprey pair disappear to our left while flying over the canal. Amazingly, it flew back to the nest with a load of moss in its talons. I was confused as I had never seen and Osprey grab floating moss from the water but that seemed to be the only possible explanation. A few minutes later, the same bird dropped down out of the sky and grabbed some floating moss from the canal. I was stunned. I an act of Fatih, Anita sat down on the grassy bank and was rewarded within minutes as the Osprey flew right at her. She made a long series of fine images. As she was so close, she clipped a few wingtips.
This image was created by yours truly on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect: AWB at 9:55:52am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #4: Osprey after grabbing moss from canal
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Same Bird, Almost the Same Instant
When I saw the bird swooping down to grab the moss, I got on it easily know that my exposure settings were perfect. This is my favorite from the series. As I was not a fan of the trees and bushes along the upper frame-edge, I went to a pano crop and added a Gaussian Blur.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Please take a moment and list your five favorite images in no particular order and let us know what you liked about each of your favorites. I will share my thoughts with you in the next post (although the task is quite a difficult one he said modestly). After you have read the post, be sure to scroll down all the way and check out The BAA Middle of Florida Site Guide.
What’s Up?
Anita North and I killed on Friday morning at Stick Marsh, spent an amazing Saturday morning in Lakeland with nearly one hundred American White Pelicans, killed again on Sunday morning at Stick Marsh, and then drove from my home to Orlando Wetlands to photograph a distant spoonbill nest with four chicks in it. On Sunday alone we spent seven hours in the car and put more than 350 miles on the odometer of my SUV. We did not get back to ILE until just before 10pm. On Sunday alone, I created 7131 photos that have not yet been first edited (culled).
Today’s blog post featured an even dozen images made at Lakeland on the morning of 8 March. Including the time spent on the image optimizations, this one took about seven hours to prepare. As you view the images, consider the incredible variety of image designs, lighting conditions, and backgrounds. And be sure to note how and why I worked at the three distinctly different heights to change my perspectives. I was thanking God for Sony’s Zebra technology all morning as the sun was in and out quite often. Read carefully to learn the single biggest secret to becoming a great bird and nature photographer.
If your business is in need of a fabulous IT person, be sure to check out the Peter Kes item below.
Today is Monday 10 March 2025. The forecast is for cloudy skies with a strong southwest wind; we will likely get down to the lake at some point this morning. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Peter Kes is job hunting
Peter Kes
Peter Kes, friend of 3 decades and longtime BAA blog webmaster, is a brilliant IT (information technology) and computer expert. He is currently running a Bushveld Farm in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA (Republic of South Africa) and is looking to re-locate. You can learn more about Peter and check out his impressive resume at his LinkedIn profile page here. You can contact Peter via e-mail.
This image was created at Lakeland, FL on the morning of Saturday 8 March. Standing at full height, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max. ISO 64: 1/1086 sec. at f/1.8 at 7:00:11am before the sun hit the birds.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger version.
Image #1 iPhone Pano: the scene at Lakeland
Breathtaking!
When Anita and I turned the last corner, we could hardly believe our eyes. About 90 American White Pelicans — more than I had ever seen at this spot before, were resting comfortably on the bulkhead wall. When we left 2 /2 hours later, more than 50 of them were still in the same spot while another 25 or so floated on the lake.
With so many birds so close together I was thinking long focal lengths before I even got out of the car. As you will see below, 840 and 1200mm were my ticket to success.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #2: American White Pelican head portrait in soft light
Soft, Soft Light
I love photographing white or light-toned birds against light-toned backgrounds before the sun gets on the subjects. The front portion of the horn on this pelican’s bill was badly damaged, possibly by the pointy bill tip of another pelican. The repairs were made via two Quick Masks.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #3: American White Pelicans floating in yellow reflections
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Party of Two
During a recent discussion with Anita North, I realized that when I am at work in the field that I have no goals but for making images that please me. Toward that end, I am inspired and motivated only by what I see. In Lakeland, one of the prime motivating factors is the color of the reflections in the lake. Therefore, when photographing swimming or floating birds, I am moving almost constantly to put the birds right where I want them in the most pleasingly colored reflections. And the same is true when creating the tight shots that you see here as well. The color of the background is often a greater influence on my choice of perspective than sun angle. That said, I only very rarely work more than 15° on either side of the line of my shadow. That of course, only when the sun is shining 🙂
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #4: American White Pelican tight face portrait
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Clean, Tight, and Graphic
I was drawn to this individual because of the raised crest, the spotless feathers, the bright yellows, and the pretty much perfect bill. The obvious way to go was 1200mm. Sharpness at 1200mm with my Sony gear is unparalleled. A sliver of another bird was removed from the left frame edge using the Patch Tool to make the selection followed by Shift + Delete — Content Aware Fill.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #5: American White Pelican adult preening
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Devil is in the Details
With the bird’s bill parallel to the imaging sensor and the eye visible, I created several long series of this preening pelican. Only a single perfect frame featured the bird delicately preening a tiny feather on its back.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #6: American White Pelican adult scissors preening
The Devil is in the Background
Above is a tight example of how strongly my work is background driven. When working at 1200mm, getting your tripod in the exact right spot is often a matter of inches. Or less. Folks often ask, “What is the one big secret to becoming a great nature photographer?” My response is always the same: Paying attention to the small details.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #7: Redhead drake floating on still blue water
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
How “Lower” when Standing?
When standing at full height and photographing a duck in the water at 1200mm (or any bird on the ground), the images will look as if they were created from a much lower perspective. Why? As you will be a good distance to the subject, the angle of declination, the degree at which you are pointing the lens downward, is relatively shallow.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #8: American White Pelican with bill open
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Young and Soft and Sweet
In hatch-year American White Pelicans, the upper mandibles are pink and the bill pouches are a much paler yellow than on the adults. Note that a relatively fast shutter speed was needed to freeze the action.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #9: American White Pelican head throw
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Thanks Anita
Head throws in Lakeland are exceedingly difficult because there are so many birds packed together. I rarely even try for them. Anita, tenacious as always, was trying to make a few good white pelican head throw images and finally persuaded me to give it a try. So, I swapped the 2X TC for the 1.4X and got lucky. Parts of two extraneous pelicans were removed from the bottom of the frame.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #10: American White Pelican — Cypress Tree trunk background
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Why Lower?
Why was it imperative that I got a bit lower when creating this image? Here is the same question in a different form: what would the problem have been if I made this image while standing at full height.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #11: American White Pelican flotilla in blue and silver water
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Designing the Flotilla Image
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection allowed me to place the lead bird exactly where I wanted it in the frame: high enough to include the whole reflection along with a generous helping of blue and silver water below that.
This image was also created on 8 March 2025 at Lakeland, FL. For this one, I sat on the ground and used the toe-pod technique with the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 800: 1/4000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:11:09am on then completely sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #12: American White Pelican in dark green reflections
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dealing with Harsh Light
By 9:00am on a sunny, clear-sky day, the light is getting a bit harsh. The way to combat that is to work as low as possible and be sure to get right on sun angle. The latter helps to eliminate shadows. So, with a flick of the lever, I grabbed the lens off the tripod, sat down, and used the toe-pod technique to get right down to the bird’s level. Again, we see the importance of the background in bird photography.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by (the late) Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back-and-forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Below are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide. Please note that last season, Gatorland did not offer a Photographer’s Pass.
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery. Note: In 2024, this theme park eliminated its Photographer’s Pass Program that allowed for early entry.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of beautiful habitats.
Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds in the various lakes here including and especially American White Pelican (AWPE) during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here, if you are lucky, you will have a chance for two difficult birds: Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the previous blog post, Why Photograph Common Birds? Why No Chance?,here, I asked the following questions:
1- Which is the stronger image? Why did you make your choice?
2- Which sky color do you prefer, the slightly blue sky in Image #1 or the grayer sky in Image #2?
3- What are the two main reasons that I had zero chance of creating a sharp, pleasing take-off shot despite the fact that Pre-Capture (PC) was set to ON with the P-C time set to one full second?
1: I felt that Image #1, the sky-pointing bird, was the stronger image because of the beautiful pose and the iridescent colors. The bird’s eye in each image was sharply focused, but the eye in #2 looked a lot better because of the slightly-toward-the-viewer head angle. Most folks liked Image #2 best because of the impending action.
2- I always struggle with decisions on sky color especially when photographing black or very dark birds early on sunny mornings. In Image #1, I blued up the sky just a bit using Color Mixer/Saturated Targeted Adjustment Tool. With Image #2, I used the same tool to make the sky more neutral, much closer to gray than in Image #1. In most cases including this one, I prefer the grayer sky though perhaps because the because the blue sky in these situations looks phony to me (even though the sky was a pleasant light blue at the time).
3: Most who commented noted that the shutter speed of 1/1000 second was nowhere near fast enough to freeze the bird in flight as it jetted off the perch. But nobody nailed the second reason. Keep reading to learn why I had no chance for the take-off shot at 1200mm.
What’s Up?
With classic death on bird photography conditions on Thursday morning — a brisk NW wind with bright sun, I pretty much came up empty.
I was glad to learn that the sale of Todd Koudelka’s used Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens is pending.
Today is Friday 7 March 2025. Anita North — visiting from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and I left ILE at 4:445qm for an experimental early season visit to Stick Marsh. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 4 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the driver’s seat of my SYV, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 7:32:01am in on a sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
a-1 ii Pre-Capture
Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii and the Sony a9 iii makes capturing take-off shots much easier especially for folks like me with age-slowed reaction times.
Image #1A: The Photo Mechanic screen capture for the Boat-tailed Grackle taking flight image
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
What Everyone Missed
What everyone missed was the fact that I simply had too long a focal length: 1200mm. I knew that the bird would fly south because of the wind direction. Even with Pre-Capture I was doomed to fail as when the birds take flight they raise their wings overhead. Clipping the wings was 100% unavoidable. A related issue was that working off the BLUBB makes it nearly impossible to pan with the bird.
The next day, after realizing my problem, I went to the hand held 300mm f/2.8/2X TC/a- ii rig. With the much lighter rig and the shorter focal length, panning with the bird as it took flight was child’s play. When trying for the take-off shot, you need to work wide rather than tight. Working wider (with a shorter focal length) gives you more depth of field. In addition, the AF system is better able to follow the bird and track the eye. Then comes the crop.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
1- Which is the stronger image? Why did you make your choice?
2- Which sky color do you prefer, the slightly blue sky in Image #1 or the grayer sky in Image #2?
3- What are the two main reasons that I had zero chance of creating a sharp, pleasing take-off shot despite the fact that Pre-Capture (PC) was set to ON with the P-C time set to one full second?
Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II Lens
BAA Record-low Price for Excellent Plus condition!
Used Gear Page vet Todd Koudelka is offering a Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $5333.95. The glass is perfect with no scratches or blemishes. There are two practically imperceptible paint blemishes on the barrel and two others on the base of the lens hood. The sale includes the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, the front lens cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses.
Please contact Todd via e-mail or by phone at 1-608 577 5375.
The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With both the EF 600mm f/4L IS III and the RF 600mm f/4L IS going for $12,999.00, and used 600mm versions IIs very hard to find, you’d do well to grab Todd’s lens ASAP. Not to mention that B&H is offering a used one — Condition: 8+ Moderate wear, in other words, in relatively poor condition, here, for $6,933.95. Todd is beating that used price by $1600.00!
Add a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R to use this lens with your Canon mirrorless camera. artie
What’s Up?
There are two (currently un-photographable) young Bald Eagles in the nest across the South Canal. Two first winter Bonaparte’s Gulls have been hanging out with the Forster’s Terns on the pier railings. Tuesday morning was not great despite the nice light and the first east wind since I got back from Homer. I did have a few decent chances on Ospreys bringing in nesting material.
Today is Wednesday 5 March 2025. I should have mentioned previously that my 19-stitch incision is healing nicely. I got lots of work done on my 2024 taxes yesterday. I will be heading down to the lakeshore this morning almost as always. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:58:49am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle male displaying
Why Photograph Common Birds?
Boat-tailed Grackles are abundant at Indian Lake Estates in most seasons. Though the males, with their long oddly shaped tails and iridescent colors, are quite handsome, their appearance does not hold a candle to many more colorful passerines (perching birds). In addition, the golden tones of the females are quite pleasing.
I often pass this species by but on occasion, will do my best to photograph both sexes.
The question is why? There are many explanations. Here goes, in the order of importance as I see things:
1- Photographing black birds with iridescent feathers is a great way to fine-tune your understanding of exposure.
2- Photographing common species taking flight allows you to learn a ton about your camera’s autofocus system and, about Pre-Capture (if your camera body offers this amazing feature).
3- In addition, by attempting to photograph common species taking flight, you get to learn about choosing effective shutter speeds.
4- Common species often provide a chance to capture images depicting a variety of interesting behaviors.
5- Photographing something is always better than photographing nothing.
Worth Noting
As mentioned here previously, Bob Eastman put up three tall perches in the South Marsh when he visited. I helped, but not very much. From north to south they are the “Skinny Perch,” the “V-perch,” and the “pine perch.” Both of today’s images were created on the “V-perch” (though the tight view does not show both sides of the “V.”)
This image was also and obviously created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:59:29am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Boat-tailed Grackle male about to take flight — full width pano crop
The Pre-Take-off Pose
Many species of birds lean forward just prior to taking flight. Folks with very fast reactions times may not need Pre-Capture to create successful images of birds taking flight. I am not in that group.
Note that the crop here was from the top. The width here represents the full frame original.
Why f/10?
When working a bird large in the frame at relatively close range, it often pays to stop down a bit for additional depth-of-field. Was that plan successful with these two image? I am not sure.
It is vitally important to remember that when using a telephoto lens on the BLUBB or any inferior beanbag, that — if your system offers Direct Manual Focus DMF), you must remember to turn it off either via the switch on the lens or in your camera body’s menu (depending on the system). If DMF is not turned off, you risk throwing off the focus as you recompose or attempt to follow a bird in flight.
Summing Up
Photographing common birds is fun and educational and best of all, doing so helps you to improve your skills and become a better bird photographer.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you like the inside scoop on a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens that I will be listing here soon, please get in touch via e-mail.
I’ve been enjoying some fine morning bird photography here at ILE with the vultures, Red-Shouldered Hawks, a new Sandhill Crane family, and with Cattle Egrets. The three perches that Bob Eastman put up during his visit at the end of last year continue to pay big dividends. Thanks again Bob!
This morning was much tougher as my best image was of a displaying Boat-tailed Grackle (at 1200mm). Today is Monday 3 March 2025. As soon as this post is published, I need to get back to work on my 2025 taxes. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
In today’s post learn why artie disagrees with the brilliant Arash Hazeghi who states in his video review that the new Sony a-1 ii is only “somewhat better” than the original a-1.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Gear and EXIF unknown at the time of publication.
Image #1: Snowy Owl in flight
Image copyright Arash Hazeghi
Better Than Most …
Simply put, Arash Hazeghi has been one of (if not the) world’s best flight photographer(s) for more than a decade. Like me, he has used Canon, Nikon, and now Sony gear. You can see lots more of his amazing work here.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper high-res version.
Image #3: Northern Harrier, juvenile male in flight
Image copyright Arash Hazeghi
Arash and Northern Harriers
Arash’s portfolio of Northern Harriers in flight is unequaled. And the same might be said about his collection of White-tailed Kite photographs.
Arash Hazeghi, Scientist and Artist
Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D., is a principal electron device engineer. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Stanford, California in 2011. His pioneering Carbon Nanotube research has been cited many times. In the past decade, he has been a major contributor to the research and the development of some of the most cutting-edge technologies introduced by Silicon Valley’s most reputable firms including SanDisk, Intel and Apple.
As seen above, Arash enjoys photographing avian species (especially raptors) in flight over their natural habitats. Almost exclusively, he uses hand held super-telephoto lenses with or without either the 1.4X or the 2X TC. Along with yours truly, Arthur Morris, he co-wrote the seminal The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight with Sony αlpha & Other Brand Bodies. (Note: A seminal work is a groundbreaking piece of writing that introduces new ideas and perspectives to a given field of study, in this case, avian flight photography). You can check out the recently revised version here.. Please note: folks who purchased the original The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight … guide will be receiving update information via e-mail this week.
Like artie, Arash is 100% sure that the Sony a- ii the is best-ever camera for creating dynamic, highly detailed in-flight images of avian subjects in flight. The main difference between Arash and artie is that — not surprisingly, Arash understands the science that makes Sony autofocus the best.
Sony A1 ii Review for Avian and Wildlife Photographers by Arash Hazeghi
In the YouTube video above, Arash does a fine review of the relatively new Sony a-1 ii. He touches all the bases: the slightly larger chassis size with improved ergonomics, the advantages (and disadvantages) of Pre-Capture, the improved a-1 ii viewfinder and monitor, the improved Optical Stabilization System (as compared to the a-1), the lack of an integrated grip (that artie sees that as a big plus), “pretty good buffer depth,” a more flexible AF system that can be fine-tuned in more ways than the AF system of the a-1, and the amazing combination of 30 fps, 50MP files, and deadly accurate AF.
His comments on Zone versus Tracking: Zone are a bit confusing to me; this is ironic because he was the one who explained the differences to me. And, as he does not do a lot of general bird photography, he neglected to mention the articulating, multi-angle rear screen and the value of Tracking: Zone.
Summing up, Arash states that as the a-1 ii is “somewhat better than the a-1.” He recommends that folks who want to photograph birds taking flight (using the a-1 ii’s Pre-Capture) should upgrade. Do understand that the a-1 ii is only somewhat better than the a-1 ii for Arash because of the following factors:
1- He is strong and has great stamina
2- He has incredibly fast reflexes and incredibly short reaction times
3- His hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are at the top end of the scale
4- He has spent nearly two decades refining his hand held flight photograph skills
5- He concentrates on flight photography rather than on general bird photography
In short, Arash does not see the vast improvement in the AF system of the a-1 ii because of his vastly superior and dazzling skill set.
As I am weaker, less fit, (older), with much slower reflexes and poorer hand-eye coordination than Arash, and because I do a lot more general bird photography than he does, I can unequivocally state that for me, and for most mortals, the autofocus system of the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to the a-1 (as noted above). When photographing birds on the ground or in the water, Eye-Face Tracking with the a-1 ii rarely misses. The same could not be said about the original a-1. And for flight, unlike Arash, I find that the a-1 ii grabs and tracks the bird’s eye faster and more effectively than the a-1. To me, it is a no contest.
I recommend that everyone using an a9 series body (a9, a9 ii, or a9 iii) or the original a-1 upgrade to The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body as soon as they are able to get their hands on one.
The huge problem right now is getting one. I have sold both of my a-9 iii bodies and all but one of my a-1 bodies but am still waiting to have my order for a second a-1 ii filled 🙁
If you decide to order a a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body be sure to use one of my affiliate links so that you get my settings, the buttons and dials guide, and the Info sheet for free. You can use the B&H link immediately above or order yours here from Bedfords being sure to enter the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout and receive 3% back on your credit card when your camera ships.
I have found that eye-tracking for general bird photography with the a-1 ii is far, far better than with the original Sony a-1. It grabs the eye and tracks it faster and far more consistently and focus is rarely lost, even with backgrounds other than sky.
For birds in flight, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body has no equal. As Arash says, “It is better than the a-1.” When I am late getting on a bird in flight, I have consistently been amazed at how often the AF system of the a-1 ii finds and tracks the bird’s eye.
When it comes to Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body, Arash and I agree 100%. And with my slower reflexes, Pre-Capture is more important for me than it is for Arash. Understand that in each of the images in Composite #3, I did not push the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii six weeks ago and still have not received it 🙁 Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus while in my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention that Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for.
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when first using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, seemed to be neither huge nor eye-opening. But over time, I came to realize that I was 100% wrong.
The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii). But for me, the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography than the original a-1.
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
My two favorites from the last blog post were #4, Bald Eagle tight flight, and #1, Grove of earthquake drowned trees — vertical pan blur.. Number 3 (Bald Eagle adult turning in flight against white sky) and number 5 (Glaucous-winged Gull winter adult taking flight) were not bad either. I was not a big fan of #2, the habitat shot, as it paled by comparison to the somewhat similar image in the post before the last.
If you are impressed by the images you see below and with those you saw in recent blog posts and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
Fissipeds
Fissipeds, also known as “split-footed” animals, include sea otters and polar bears.
Thanks to Dr. Fish, AKA David Policansky, for correcting my original error. I thought (without giving it much thought), that Sea Otters are pinnipeds.
What’s Up?
I headed down the lake early on Friday morning and had a ton of fun with a perched Turkey Vulture, large flocks of migrating Tree Swallows, and the two crane babies at the south end of the South Peninsula. The family is getting used to me observing and photographing them from my vehicle from a good distance away.
My squamous cell surgery went well. Nineteen stitches. The guy was sure that he got all the margins clear and the test showed that he was right. No swimming for two weeks 🙁
Today is Saturday 1 March 2025. I will be heading down to the lake early and am hoping for a cloudy morning to do the crane family feeding below the big oak trees; the mixed light makes things very difficult. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 14 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 2:16:47pm on a cloudy afternoon. Performance with Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection was inconsistent.
Image #1: Sea Otter with pup in boat hull reflections
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
My Harbor Cruising Rig
As noted here previously, I forsook my 300mm f/2.8 lens for the harbor cruising and went with the 200-600 as it gave me 600mm of reach when needed and allowed me to zoom out as necessary. On our first harbor shoot on Friday the 14th I opted to work in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO and Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. I did OK. On the way back to the hotel, Anita North busted me for this approach. I realized that she was right and on our next foray in the harbor I went back to Manual mode.
This image was also created on 14 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 565mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 2:26:37pm on a cloudy afternoon. Performance with Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection was inconsistent.
Image #2: Sea Otter head portrait
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Best Captain
While there may be some other good captains taking out the eagle photography tour groups, I am 100% positive that Gabe is the best by far. He has come to understand the wind, the light, and the sky conditions so well that when working together, we always wind up in the best possible location. When working the wall in China Poot this year, he came up with a brand new strategy that had the eagles flying right at us despite the unsuitable wind direction. Gabe’s boat-handling skills are unparalleled. He skillfully maneuvered his boat to within yards of the handsome otter resting on a dock. I’ve never seen a head portrait of a free and wild Sea Otter before. And best of all, when we had our fill, Gabe backed away and left the otter resting on the dock.
This image was created on 18 February 2025 in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 326mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:15:02pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #3: Sea Otter yawning while holding pup
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Animal/Bird Face-Eye AF/C
The a-1 ii offers Animal/Bird Face-Eye AF/C as an AF subject choice. As we were coming across the occasional loon, gull, or duck along with the otters, I checked the box for Animal/Bird and found it perfect for our harbor sessions. It did an excellent job of acquiring the eyes of both the otters and the birds we encountered.
This image was created on 19 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:17:19pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #4: Sea Otter yawning while holding pup
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Great Year for Otters!
Sea Otter photography in 2025 was better than ever. Possibly because of the unseasonably warm weather. In previous years, these animals were usually quite shy. On both IPTs, they were very easy to approach. As seen above, I made my best Sea Otter images ever.
This image was also created on 19 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:33:08pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #5: Harbor Seal on dock
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
More Great Boatmanship by Captain Gabe
Once again, Gabe got us within yards of a usually shy subject, close enough for front-end verticals. And again, with everyone moving very slowly, we were able to back away and leave the animal where we saw it originally.
Note that with each of today’s featured images, I opted to stand rather than sit (even though Gabe always lowers the front ramp/gate). While many believe that getting low is always better for wildlife, I disagree. Getting low on a harbor photo cruise almost always introduced distracting background elements.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the last blog post, Homer — the Last Day: Typically Atypicalhere, my three favorite images in order with the strongest first are as follows:
First — Image #5: Bald Eagle in flight just above dead earthquake-drowned tree background. I guess that I am a sucker for the flat flight/747/down the lens barrel stare. In addition, I love the layered tones of the background, the drowned ghost trees, and the splashing water that serendipitously entered the frame when another eagle hit the water at just the right time in just the right spot.
Second — Image #4: Bald Eagle starting dive. I love the jet fighter/start of a dive flight pose, the position of the bird in the fog bank, and the hint of the distant snow-covered mountain ridge in the upper left of the frame.
Tied for Third — Image #7: Bald Eagle bright sky silhouette — Golden Eagle and Image #8: Glaucous-winged Gull taking flight. The former for the color brought out in a seemingly white sky situation and for the latter for the elegant and unusual “look ma, no head” flight pose.
Thanks to the (only) four folks who left a comment. Of those, three liked Image #3: Bald Eagle in flight over scenic headland best.
If you are impressed by the images you saw in this and in recent blog posts and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
What’s Up?
When I got home after my red-eye flight that arrived in Orlando on Tuesday at 5:48am, I slept for four hours from 9:00am till 1:00pm and fell asleep early in my Lazy Boy while catching up on Jeopardy on Tivo. I hit the sack at 10:30pm and slept until 7:30am on Wednesday. Ten minutes later I was down by the lake where I found two crane chicks about a week old at the south end of the South Peninsula. The only images that I made were of the usual suspects, Turkey Vultures and Cattle Egrets.
I spent the rest of the day catching up on e-mails, IPT stuff, and getting back to work on my 2024 tax return.
Today is Thursday 27 February 2025. I woke at 6:00am and will be headed back down to the lake to check things out. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
AN INVITATION TO INQUIRY
Welcome to The Work
I discovered that when I believed my thoughts I suffered, but when I didn’t believe them I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always. And I invite you not to believe me. I invite you to test it for yourself.
– Byron Katie
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 50: 1/15 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:10:06am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking Spot XS/AF-C (with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled) performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Grove of earthquake drowned trees — vertical pan blur
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Vertical Pan Blurs
To create a vertical pan blur, choose a slow shutter speed and then pan up or down while pressing the shutter button. I usually move the camera upwards. Make lots of images. Unless you are creating a pure pattern shot, check to see that you have some sort of border above and below. Working on a tripod often helps to keep all your lines straight.
The Great 1964 Alaska earthquake created numerous ghost forests around the state where groves of trees were killed and preserved by salt water. The drowned tree forests in China Poot can only be reached on the highest tides.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, again, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:16:03am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle adult — China Poot Bay scenic
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Tracking: Zone AF/C
When I am going to try for small in the frame bird-scapes, I hit the set button once to switch from Zone to Tracking: Zone. With the latter, I acquire AF with the bird in the center of the frame and then re-compose as the AF system will continue to track the bird in flight even when it is placed outside of the zone brackets. Another option is to check the box for and switch to Wide AF/C.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:17:57am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle adult turning in flight against white sky
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:27:36am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle tight flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Never-Before Published Flight Photography Secret
Here is a tip for making great action shots in non-stop flight photography situations:
The longer you can keep your lens raised with the subject centered in the frame, the greater the chance of capturing images that feature dramatic flight poses, banks, turns, and dives. Whatever lens you are using, if the lens is down in the rest position, nobody is fast enough to get on the subject once the action starts. You need to get in the habit of following birds in flight for extended periods of time so that when the bird flinches, you can press and hold the shutter button and grab those great shots.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:43:49am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Glaucous-winged Gull winter adult taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1 ii AF at 420mm
Theoretically, autofocus needs light to work efficiently. The more light it has, the better it is supposed to work. Thus, AF when a 1.4X teleconverter is added (robbing one stop of light), is supposed to be slower at acquiring focus and less sticky on the eye when compared to the bare lens alone. With the a-i ii and the 1.4x TC on the 300mm f/2.8 lens, however, Bird Face-Eye AF-C at f/4 seems to be just as good as it is with the 300mm lens alone at f/2.8. in other words, mind boggling.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s post, I share ten of my favorite images made on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Like our nine previous sessions on the boat, it offered a wide variety of situations, backgrounds, light, weather, and winds (or the lack thereof). The great beauty of the trip was that despite the unseasonably warm and cloudy weather, each and every day was different and rewarding.
Below each sub-title, the green italic line represents what I called out to the group as a matter of instruction (or, with Image #10, what I called out to the captain). I am proud of the fact that in each instance I not only saw the shot and called it out to the group, but that I made the shot I had envisioned. And I am equally proud that in many of the situations Anita, Steve, Bear Bob, and Brian (The Mailman) Bower each created some memorable photographs.
For me yet again, the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens was my primary tool. For the first time on this Homer trip, I used it with the 1.4X TC (and the a- ii) for flight photography. I created more than 1350 images with the hand held 420mm rig and every single image was razor sharp on the bird’s eye or eyes. Thirty-six of my 125 keepers (after the first edit) were created with the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and the 1.4X TC for an unusually high keeper rate of 2.66%. Those images merit a blog post of their own.
Please leave a comment noting your three favorite images and let us know why you made your choices. I will share my three top picks (in order of my preference) with you here soon. Along with my reasons. My #1 pick is miles ahead of my second favorite.
If you are impressed by the images you see here and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
The Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, Midair Bald Eagle Flight Miracle?here, my very favorite image was #2, the 3X2 version. Why? For me, the anticipation of the action in the wider frame was more exciting than what I saw as the lukewarm action in #3, the square crop. And I liked the balance and the image design of Image #2 best.
What’s Up?
Anita North, Steve Shore, and I pulled out of the Land’s End parking lot at 5:47 am. Though there was nothing untoward in the forecast, I had been worried a bit about a blizzard causing serious delays. Within an hour it began to snow, light at first and then heavier. Fortunately, however, the snow quit within a few minutes and the road to Anchorage was clean and green. After several stops for restrooms, food, and eventually to fill up the gas tank of our Jeep Wagoneer, we arrived at Ted Stevens International Airport before 11:00am. By 12:30pm we had all checked in for our flights home.
After the longest final descent in the history of aviation, I landed in Seattle. After a fairly short layover, I boarded AK 394 for my red-eye flight to Orlando.
Today is Tuesday 24 February 2025. After another blessedly uneventful flight — after two glasses of red wine, I managed to sleep a whole 90 minutes. I landed at MCO at 5:25am and as Jim woke early to pick me up, we were headed to ILE before 6:00am.
I am sure that I will be a bit jet-lagged for a few days. On Friday, I am having surgery to have a sqaumous cell carcinoma excised from my right forearm just forward of the elbow. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:15:19am during a brief snow squall on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Bald Eagle in flight with snow flurries
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Snow Flurries — Briefly
Pre-focus on the wall first to avoid focusing on the snowflakes
It began snowing as we headed across Kachemak Bay.
Oh goodie,
we said. Radar shows that it should be snowing for two more hours the captain said as we pulled up to The Wall in Poot Bay. We were excited to finally see some snow after ten days without a trace of the white stuff. Ten minutes after we began shooting it stopped snowing. You gotta love it.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:23am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle in flight against white sky with wings raised
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
High Key White Sky
There’s some nice stuff high on the port side. Be sure to work 1/3-stop darker than you were on the starboard side
The wind had dropped to zero as the snow stopped. At that point, I noticed some eagles turning high in the air on the opposite side of the boat. I called out instructions and several of the group joined me.
Why work 1/3-stop darker with the birds high against the white sky? There was a lot more light up there than against the rock wall to our starboard side. Zebra technology helped immensely, of course; I wanted some Zebras on the bright sky.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the back of the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:23am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle in flight over scenic headland
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Bald Eagle Scenic
Check out the long scenic shot of an eagle turning in flight above the distant headland; you’ll need to be patient
I fell in love with the fog-shrouded scene the moment I glanced toward the stern so I alerted the group. Anita North had already seen the possibility, so I made my way through the cabin to join her on the stern. Brian (The Mailman) Bower soon joined us. As the boat swung a bit, the shot was available from either the stern or from the bow. The keys to the success of the image was the crop from the top left and brightening and bringing up the color of the headland’s trees and rocks.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:52:32am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle starting dive
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dramatic Fog Bank Flight Pose
Get on the birds as they are dropping down from above the mountains and try to position the bird right in the middle of the fog bank
With a dramatic band of fog across the snow-covered mountain ridges just above the earthquake-drowned trees, the obvious plan was to create an image with the bird centered in the fog bank. So that is what I did. The dramatic diving pose was a lucky bonus. In the original frame the bird was on the left side of the frame. As it was glancing to its right, I moved the bird to the other side of the frame by painting a Quick Mask of the bird with lots of surrounding sky to our left of the eagle. The sky portion of the mask covered part of the bird in its original position. The rest of the bird was removed by circling it with the Patch Tool (my keyboard shortcut “P”) and the hitting Shift + Delete, the default command for Content Aware Fill. Moving the bird in the frame took perhaps a bit more than a minute.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:52:32am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Bald Eagle in flight just above dead earthquake-drowned tree background
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Staring Right Down-the-Lens-Barrel
There are some birds flying directly at us from the right; try to include the earthquake-drowned forest in the frame
I’ve been in love with the two earthquake-drowned dead tree groves in China Poot Bay for well more than a decade. In March of 2011 I used the old, tripod/Mongoose-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6 EF L IS lens with the EOS-1D Mark IV to create a vertical pan blur of the trees. I believe that it is featured in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs (co-written and illustrated by Denise Ippolito) but could not find a copy on my laptop 🙂 In this one I love the soft light, the down-the-lens-barrel stare and the varied background layers.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect plus a bit: AWB at 9:56:59am as the sun broke through the fog.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #6: Bald Eagle diving through the brightly sunlit swatch of water
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Huge Challenge
If you are gonna try for the bird in the super-bright swatch, you need to reduce your exposure four to five stops …
Once the sun broke through the fog, the result was a swatch of super-bright highlights on the water. Most of the birds coming to the bait were flying right to left into the wind and by the time they hit the bright patch of water, they were flying away from us. The trick was to get on the odd bird flying left to right and toward us. Patience was the key.
The autofocus system of the a-1 ii was much better at acquiring and maintaining focus than the AF system of the original a-1.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:00:44am as the sun was trying to break through the fog (again).
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #7: Bald Eagle bright sky silhouette — Golden Eagle
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Golden Eagle
Look for birds flying above the ridge below the sun and set a much darker exposure, about plus one off the bright sky. Even though the sky there looks white, there is plenty of gold in them there hills!
As we had not lost a morning session to rain or to rough seas and because there was not a single sunny afternoon, we did not — for the first time ever, have a single chance to do a sunset sailing. When the sun was partially obscured by light fog, I alerted the group to the possibility of creating some golden yellow white sky silhouettes. As the sun was just out of the frame lower right, the sky behind the bird was toasted. I moved the bird forward in the frame and then painted a Quick Mask of the sky from in front of the bird, flopped it and covered the too-bright sky, refined the layer with the addition of a Regular Layer Mask, adjusted the tonality of the layer, and then blended the edges.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:00:44am as the sun was trying to break through the fog (again).
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #8: Glaucous-winged Gull taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Look Ma, No Head
Hey gang, as the eagles are taking a break, we will have some good chances on the gulls that are cleaning up the scraps. As they are a lot smaller than the eagles, I am adding my 1.4X TC
Many folks believe that unless you can see the face and eye (or the eyes) of a bird, you cannot have a pleasing image. I beg to differ. While I kept about a dozen of the images of the glaucous-wingeds taking flight, the wings fully forward flight pose was my clear favorite of the group.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 496mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 12:05:10pm on a then cloudy afternoon
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #9: Sea Otter with large pup on its belly
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Too Cute!
Be sure to add at least a stop of light to the metered exposure to ensure detail in the pup’s dark fur
After re-crossing Kachemak Bay following our daily morning eagle sessions, we will usually poke around Homer Harbor in search of a few birds or otters. My favorite lens for the harbor cruising is the Sony 200-600 as it allows me to zoom out at times while providing 600mm of reach when needed. I gladly trade the loss of 1/3 stop of light (as compared to the 300mm f/2.8 lens and the 2X TC) for the versatility of the slightly slower zoom lens.
Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection
I believe that the Sony a-1 ii is the first Sony camera to offer Bird/Animal Eye/Face Tracking as a subject target choice. After enabling it in the AF Menu, I’d hit the C2 button to access it at the beginning of our harbor cruises. I was quite impressed with its performance as it grabbed and tracked the eyes of the otters much better than Bird Eye/Face tracking and it killed on the birds as well as seen in the following photo. Two for the price of one!
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 12:16:24pm on a then cloudy afternoon
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #10: Common Goldeneye drake taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Wings Fully Down Flight Pose
Captain, the wind is from the east so stay to the right so that we will have a shot at the take-off as we get closer
On Day 2 of the second IPT, Anita North had a great chance on goldeneyes as we were pulling into the slip. (Anita never puts her gear away until we are docked and tied up.) Having put away my lens, I grabbed the 2-6 from my Think Tank bag, turned the camera back on, raised the shutter speed for a flight shot, and raised the ISO as needed. I was ready for the take-off. I pressed the shutter button when the first of the two hen goldeneyes took off, only to have my camera tell me “No memory card in slot.” As Anita would say, Rotter!
I was glad to have a chance on this single drake. It was the last image made on our last sailing on the last day of my trip.
Note that Tracking: Spot XS was my choice for both the otters and the ducks as either Zone or Tracking: Zone with the a-1 ii has a greater tendency to grab the water when working swimming subjects than Zone or Tracking: Zone did with the original a-1.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which near midair collision image do you feel is the strongest, Image #2, the 3X2 version, or Image #3, the square crop? Why did you make your choice?
The Last Blog Post
In the Top Ten Mega-Tuesday Adult Bald Eagles blog post here, my favorite of the ten all very excellent images was #9, Bald Eagle incoming flight pano crop. Not a single commenter mentioned that one. As noted in the post, I liked it best because it was created in the classic BIRDS AS ART style: clean, tight, and graphic with an out of focus blue background seemingly made in heaven. As the sun is low in the sky in Homer in winter, there is no such thing as “bad light” on a sunny day. The golden light just an hour before noon adds tremendously to the success of this image.
For me, the weakest image was #6: Bald Eagle taking flight as I was disappointed to lose the sun just as the bird took flight. The pose, however, was pretty neat.
What’s Up?
Though the weather in Homer, AK has been unseasonably cloudy and warm with day time temperatures in the low 40s Fahrenheit, the eagle photography has been excellent. That despite the complete lack of snow (after the first three days) and the absence of sunshine for all but about two hours on the last day of the first IPT.
Today is Sunday 23 February 2025. There is a dusting of snow on the ground and we are hoping for more before we sail at 8:45am Alaska time. Bob Sabin flies to Anchorage this afternoon. Brian (The Mailman) Bower drives back to Anchorage tomorrow in his rental vehicle at 11:00am. Steve Shore, Anita North, and I will be at least five hours ahead of him as my flight to Seattle was changed from after 5pm to 2:21pm. Ironically, we are expecting some snow on the ground over the mountain passes. A blizzard would be crippling but that is the risk you take when you opt to drive from Anchorage to Homer (and back). If I make my flight, I will land in Orlando at 5:48am on Tuesday.
Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
These two images were created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #1: Photo Mechanic composite of the two frames prior to the miracle
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
I Do Remember _DSC5534
I do remember getting on an eagle flying right to left and then exhibiting a strange flight pose. In retrospect, we might call that one midair avoidance. And I do remember asking Steve Shore who was standing to my left, “Did you see that?” I had been referring to the unusual pose.
In the next frame, _DSC5534, I did not notice the bill and the leading edge the lower wing of the second eagle entering the frame from the left until I viewed the sequence on my laptop. Heck, I did not notice the second bird until after I saw the next frame. As below.
This image was created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #2: Bald Eagles adults — near midair collision A
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
No Memory of the Next Two Frames
When the next two frames in the sequence popped up on my laptop, I was totally shocked as I had no memory of seeing two eagles in the viewfinder. I just followed through with the shutter button depressed. I do remember that a few minutes later, Anita North and Robert Sabine were excited about an image on the back of Bob’s camera. It turned out to be the exact instant of my next frame in the sequence, Image #3 below.
As I was panning right to left there was some motion blur on the head of the bird on the left. I brought the image into Topaz Sharpen AI and painted a mask of the head of the left hand bird. Topaz suggested Out of Focus Normal but I disagreed and opted instead for Motion Blur (reduced to 85%). Curious, we compared the two and the results with Motion Blur were clearly far superior. I find that Topaz Sharpen often fails to note motion blur with the automated settings.
This image was created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #3: Bald Eagles adults — near midair collision B
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Both Faces Sharp
So, the question is, Why were the faces and eyes of both eagles in focus? The obvious answer, in part, is that the two birds were close to being on the same plane. More importantly, estimating the distance to the action at about 100 feet, the total depth of field at 300mm and f/2.8 is 5.7 feet, more than enough to cover both birds in the given poses. Things got messy after that. The next frame I kept was five frames later, _DSC1561. That one showed, as you might surmise when looking carefully at Image #3, that the bird on our left, the one with its feet outstretched, was farther away than the bird on our right. In 1561, you can clearly see that the bird on our left passed well behind the bird on our right. A collision was avoided.
The Donor Bill Tip
Because of motion blur, the bill tip of the speeding bird on our left in Image #2 was severely distorted, pretty much invisible. As the bird on our left slowed down a bit in Image #2, the tip of its bill was rendered far more sharply. I created a tiny Quick Mask of the bill tip from the first image, brought it onto the second image using the Move Tool (V). After putting the selection roughly into place I rotated it using the Transform Tool, re-shaped it using the Warp command, positioned it perfectly, and — working quite large, added a Regular Layer Mask to paint away the slightly darker sky. Bingo!
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized two years ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can order your copy here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s post, I share ten of my favorite images from the most amazing day (so far) of the 2025 Homer IPTs. All were made with the incredible Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM/a-i ii combo. Be so kind as to leave a comment noting your two favorite images as well as the two weakest images in this small collection. An explanation is optional. I will share my thoughts with you here soon.
If you are impressed by the images, the image optimization sessions, and the learning that its going on here, and are seriously interested in joining me here next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372.
The Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, One Lens. One Favorite Bald Eagle Image From Days 1-4here, my very favorite image was #3, the Bald Eagle calling from perch with wings raised photo. Why? Sharp, clean, well lit, graphic, light blue sky, dramatic, and a behavior that had eluded me for more than two decades. And yes, Image #1 was a close second. Thanks to all those who commented, especially Chuck Carlson, who wrote:
February 19, 2025 at 6:45am
Image #3 Bald Eagle calling from perch. It shows more of the eagle: its energy, its gape, talon detail, underwing coverts, plus I get to hear this one.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART responded/February 19, 2025 at 12:55pm
Thanks, Chuck. I could not have said it any better myself.
with love, artie
Employment Opportunity
Seeking experienced nature photographer for photo editing …
Multiple IPT veteran and friend of 3+ decades Robert (Bear Bob) Sabin is looking to hire someone to download, edit, organize, and optimize thousands of his images. Nassau County, Long Island, NY. Hourly wages — terms negotiable. If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372 and I will put you in touch with Robert.
Today’s Post
Including the time spent on the ten image optimizations, this post took about 7 hours to prepare. Despite the absence of any snow cover, Tuesday past was one of the epic days of my 42+ years of bird photography. It was a fun and challenging day. As you can see by checking the images and the EXIF for today’s ten featured images, the light was changing fast and often. Over the course of the morning we went from ISO 5000 for flight to bright sunshine. Along the way we experienced everything in between. Huge advantage: Sony Zebra technology for stills. Though I created nearly 8,000 images, I did not fill my Delkin Black 480GB card and thus, never had to change cards. After deleting more than six thousand perfectly wonderful images, I kept a ridiculous 285 photos after the first edit.
Elisabet Shore made it safely back to Dallas, TX on Wednesday. Old friend Brian Bowers joined Anita North, Bob Sabine, and Steve Shore to fill out Homer IPT group #2. With lots of wind on Thursday, we had a ball with flight photography. Bob Sabine and I got very lucky when we were following one adult eagle in flight when another entered the scene. I will share several of the resulting totally lucky, totally unexpected images with you here soon on the blog.
Today is Friday 21 February 2025 and we are excited as we had a light dusting of snow overnight. As usual, we will be the first eagle photography boat out of the harbor to ensure that we get our chosen spot. Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift 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 from the wrong shop.
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii two days ago. Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture will surely prove to be a plus while in my option, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention at Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for. And don’t forget the Pre-Capture feature!
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, are neither huge nor eye-opening. The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a very tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii).
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
This image was created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 5000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:16:26am early on a then cloudy day.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Bald Eagle dorsal view flight against powder blue sky
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Early Morning
When we first got off the boat at Peterson Bay, there was a bit more light as compared to the previous cloudy mornings as the eastern sky was showed some signs of clearing. To properly expose to the right, I went with ISO 5000 after choosing 1/2500 sec. as my shutter speed. The wide open aperture, f/2.8, was the obvious choice. Not the powder blue (early!) sky color and that the entire bird was sharp as it was covered by the depth of field even at f/2.8. There is rarely any need to stop down when doing fight photography. The distance to the subject will almost always provide the necessary depth of field.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:38:23am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Wings-fully-raised Take-off Shot
Though I was well back from the perch and placed the bird in the lower left third of the horizontal original, I clipped about 1/2 inch off the tip of the third primary of the bird’s right wing. After cropping to a vertical and expanding canvas the missing wingtip was added by painting a Quick Mask of the tip of the fourth primary of that same wing. The selection was moved into place and rotated using the Move Tool (V) and then slightly warped using the Warp command with the Transform Tool.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:56:25am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle incoming above beach grasses
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Seeing the Slot and Seeing the Shot
With most of the group near me, I noticed that as some birds flew in low and left of the perch, there was — for a brief moment, a clean shot of a bird just above the yellow beach grasses with a perfectly clean background of Kachemak Bay and sky. Then, when a bird would approach just the right spot I would call out, “In the zone!” Everyone with me got the shot.
Well-Framed Bald Eagle Approach
This five-second Photo Mechanic quasi-video shows that while hand holding the Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens I was able to keep the bird in the frame in all but one image where I clipped a wing with the lower frame edge. Note that the amazing Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Sony’s Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera, were used to create all ten of today’s featured images. every single image in the video is tack sharp on the eagle’s eye or eyes.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/3200 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:57:33am on a then partly sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle braking to land
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Pick of the Litter
I kept an even dozen images from the uncluttered, all perfect, less-than-two second end of the 26-frame sequence; Image #4, above, was my favorite. By a very slim margin.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:19:16am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Challenging and Changing Light
As the clouds thinned a bit, the light came and went. Cloudy one moment, full sun the next. Sony Zebra technology is a tremendous advantage as you simply adjust the ISO with the Thumb Dial so that you see a few Zebras on the birds head. That said, I toasted the heads of a very few adult eagles in flight when the sun burst out while I was creating a sequence. Challenging but great fun. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, full sun with the wind in your face is death on bird photography. We were blessed with a nice breeze from the east.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:21:57am on a then partly cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #6: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Up is Better Than Down
Most of the birds dropped down off the perch to get their beaks on the tossed herring chunks. With the wind picking up, this bird obliged by flying up off the perch. Not that when a light cloudy momentarily covered the sun, I raised the ISO to get yet another dead solid perfect exposure.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/5000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:46:05am on a then bright sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #7: Bald Eagle on perch with storm cloud background
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dark Storm Cloud Backgrounds
With the wind and light behind you, dark clouds opposite the sun always create dramatic situations and images.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/5000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:51:59am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #8: Bald Eagle striking
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Change of Scenery
As conditions change, the best place to be often changes as well. When the wind picked up even more, I led the group down to the beach left of the big rock outcrop at Peterson Bay. We sat on the black gravel beach and made hay when the sun shined.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Again seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/5000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:56:42 am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #9: Bald Eagle incoming flight pano crop
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Classic BIRDS AS ART Style
Clean, tight, and graphic with an out of focus blue background seemingly made in heaven. As the sun is low in the sky in Homer in winter, there is no such thing as “bad light” on a sunny day. The golden light just an hour before noon adds tremendously to the success of this image.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the foot-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 11:21:34am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #10: Bald Eagle on black gravel beach — ground level vertical!
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1 ii Articulating Rear Screen
For years I cursed the a-1 for the lack of a rear screen that could be tilted for vertical ground level shooting. With the a-1 ii, those days are over. Though it takes a bit of practice along with my reading glasses, the results can be quite pleasing.
Summing Up
The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens coupled with the new a-1 ii is an incredible flight combination when working birds at close range. It is hand holdable and unless the operator screws up the initial focusing acquisition, every image with be sharp on the eye down to the pixel level. It is almost unfair.
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.
