Good Photoshop News

Huge thanks to longtime friend Tim Grey. Tim is one of the top educators in digital photography and imaging, offering clear guidance on complex subjects through his writing, speaking, and training. Tim explained that the Denoise AI feature had not been eliminated in ACR 17.5. They simply changed the implementation (but did not bother explaining anywhere to anyone). The new version is actually a bit of an improvement as compared to the old Enhance method. I will begin working on the first volume of the Digital Basics IV Video series this afternoon. The use of new Noise Reduction feature will be covered in detail. Volume I should be in the BAA Online Store no later than Monday.

Good a- II News

On Wednesday, I updated one of my two a-1 ii bodies to Firmware 3.00 as several folks who purchased their new camera body received theirs with the latest firmware installed. Now they are good to go and will easily be able to get all my setting on their a-1 ii bodies and receive both the Buttons and Dials guide and the INFO sheet so that they can head out and begin making great images from day one. Use one of my affiliate links to purchase your a-1 ii and get everything above free. Using one of my links never costs you one penny more and if you get in touch via e-mail, I may be able to save you some money.

What’s Up?

I have been finding some stuff to photograph here at ILE for the past few days. On Tuesday morning I had a young female Anhinga on The Perch II. The next morning there was a preening young Great Egret that was evicted by a young male Anhinga. And this morning, I worked the cranes for a bit. One family was scavenging what I thought might have been a mower-killed skink about eight inches long. I sent a bunch of screen grabs to my herp-friend, Matt Milnes. He wrote:

“It a Glass Lizard, Ophisaurus ventralis. They are one of several species of legless lizards that are native to the southeast. The common name comes from the fact that they readily drop their tail when handled. They have external ear holes and movable eyelids, like other lizards, whereas snakes lack external ear holes and have a clear fixed scale that covers their eyes.”

Today is Thursday 18 September 2025. What you choose to do today, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful blessed day.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1-ii from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1-ii Info and Updates Group, a roughly $225.00 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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

This image was created down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates on 15 April 2025. Seated in the driver’s 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 a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 2500: 1/1600 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/2 stop too dark. AWB at 8:32:42am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Solitary Sandpiper Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Photographing a New Species Well

Solitary Sandpiper, related to the yellowlegs, is a rare bird at Indian Lake Estates. I have seen it only once here in a quarter century. As its name implies to some degree, it is not seen in large numbers anywhere. I once saw three in the same spot on Staten Island early on a fine morning in May. Anyhoo, it is always a thrill to make a decent image of new species.

Solitary Sandpiper Species Account from Shorebirds; Beautiful Beachcombers
Tringa solitaria

True to its name, the Solitary Sandpiper is usually seen alone, It is extremely rare to see a group of more than three or four. Solitaries bob up and down as they search deliberately for aquatic insects and small crustaceans along the edges of shallow freshwater pools or along the shores of woodland ponds or streams. The presence of a fly-over Solitary Sandpiper is often revealed by its shrill “”peet weet” call.

This species is dark-brown above, lightly spotted white. It has greenish legs, a fairly short, straight bill, and a prominent, complete eye-ring. The throat, neck and breast are streaked dark brown. All plumages are similar, but in fresh juvenal plumage the spotting is brighter and more evident. Amazingly, this species nests in trees in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, frequently using the old nests of Rusty Blackbirds, robins, grackles, and waxwings. Solitary Sandpipers migrate south across a broad front, primarily east of the Rockies. A few winter in the southern United States, most in the Caribbean region and from Central America south to Argentina.

This image was created less than two minutes after Image #1 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates on 15 April 2025. Seated in the driver’s 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 a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 2500: 1/2000 second at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:32:42am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Solitary Sandpiper jumping forward Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Getting An Action Shot of a New Species

Getting a decent action shot of a species that you have never photographed before is the icing on the cake. Before you scroll down, see if you can figure out what I don’t like about Image #2. Clue — with a breeze from the southeast the thing that bugged me was 100% bad luck.

Image Color Question

I optimized Image #1 this morning while Image #2 had been processed about 5 months ago. Do you like the warmer color tones in Image #1 or the slightly cooler look to Image #2?

This image was created less than two minutes after Image #1 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates on 15 April 2025. Seated in the driver’s 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 a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 2500: 1/2000 second at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:32:42am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Solitary Sandpiper jumping forward (with head replaced) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Photoshop Hanky Panky

Bad luck resulted in the bird’s head being turned slightly away in Image #2. So, I painted a Quick Mask of the same bird’s head on Image #1, moved it roughly into place on Image #2, refined the placement and warped the layer, and then added and refined the Regular Layer Mask that I had added. As the head was now held much higher, I needed to remove parts of the bill (and a bit more) that had not been covered by the Quick Mask. The last step was to select the formerly masked area with the Quick Selection Tool and reduce the saturation so that the replaced head matched the rest of the bird.

And no, I will not be entering Image #3 in any contests.

Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers

Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers

Written for naturalists and birders, the text tells you everything you’ve always wanted to know about North America’s sandpipers, godwits, yellowlegs, phalaropes, plovers, avocets, stilts, and oystercatchers. Topics covered include identification and aging, shorebird behavior, their incredible migrations, feeding and diet, mating and breeding strategies, eggs, nests, and young, conservation efforts, and shorebirding tips. Also included are approximately 50 species accounts covering all of the regularly occurring North American shorebird species. With 70 of Arthur’s images and 26 more by some of the world’s best nature photographers, this book, at publication, contained the finest collection of shorebird photographs ever published in a single volume.

Composite #1: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for General Bird Photography

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.

Composite #2: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for Birds in Flight

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.

Composite #3: All the result of using Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii

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!

All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Purchasing or Upgrading to a Sony a-1 ii

The Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide

I now own and use two Sony a-1 ii bodies. Every day that I use them, 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 — the lack of a tilting rear screen on the original a-1 always ticked me off. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus almost exclusively for take-off flight images. In my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography because you should always be utilizing the maximum frame rate. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. I must mention again 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 have come 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).

The price of a new a-1 is $5,898.00. The price of a new a-1 ii is $1,100.00 more: $6,998.00. As the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography to the original a-1, the choice for folks new to Sony or for those upgrading from lesser Sony camera bodies is an easy one. Prices for used a-1 bodies has not dropped drastically as I anticipated. At this point, a-1 folks who like showing flight and action and can afford an a-1 ii, are advised to purchase an a-1 ii. Please remember that life is short; we only get one ride on the merry-go-round.

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 for free. Using my links will never cost you one penny and may actually save you some money. 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 $244.93. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail. If you would like to chat about upgrading, shoot me a text to 863-221-2372 and LMK a good time to call you.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s five featured images do you think is the strongest? Why?

Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More

Multiple IPT veteran Eugen Dolan is joining me for a month, arriving on 26 September. Beginning bird photographer Alvin Red Stevens is joining us for a week; he shows up on 12 October. And when he leaves, new friend Mishael Voisin will be with us for a week of photography and learning. Newcomer John Anderson and his Olympus gear will be Jing me for three day in early November. Several other folks have sworn that they will be joining me at some point in November but right now it is wide open. Check out the opportunities immediately below and then change your life by joining me this fall. Feel free to e-mail me or to call or text — 863-221-2372 with any questions or concerns.

On Tuesday past I completed a third edit of the Sebastian OCT-NOV 2024 folder. It is always fun to discover some really good images that never caught your attention before. Below I share five more not-an-Osprey images that got me excited on my third trip through the folder of photos created during what was a great month at Sebastian in 2024. Do understand that in 2026 the top Sebastian location, the South Jetty, is scheduled to be closed for major reconstruction next season. That is why I am all in for 2025!

Topaz AI Stuff

Click here for more information. Additional info here on the blog soon.

What’s Up?

On Saturday morning, I worked several preening Sandhill Cranes from my SUV and then took my shirtless pier walk. I spent some time selecting images for my next big project– the Digital Basics IV Video Series. I have some fabulous new tips and techniques to share. Those include the use of the masking feature in Adobe Camera Raw (thanks to Anita North), the use of the Point Color eye dropper to tame super-saturated colors during raw conversions (discovered in tandem with Anita), a fabulous new Remove Tool trick that makes my favorite Photoshop Tool even more amazing — that one discovered by me 🙂 I have recently begun doing some Curves work during my ACR raw conversions and will share this new addition to my workflow in the new videos.

Today is Sunday 14 September 2025. I will be working on the above-mentioned Digital Basics IV Video Series in the morning and watching NFL games for the rest of the day. I so enjoy the close games and the competition. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have fun and have a great day.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Osprey with Mullet; Mullet school under attack from below; Wood Stork landing; Tarpon jumping; Reddish Egret landing; Osprey turning to begin dive; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sebastian Inlet in Fall

Sebastian Inlet in the fall attracts schools of migrating saltwater fish that in turn attract dozens of Ospreys — we’ve counted 61 in the air at once, along with hordes of hungry birds including Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, and Laughing Gull. Other species of birds feed on smaller baitfish; those include Wood Stork, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue heron, Little Blue Heron, and White Ibis. Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone are easily photographed. American Avocet is an uncommon visitor. Rare gulls have included Lesser Black-backed Gull (all ages), Franklin’s Gull (first winter), and in 2024, a spectacular young Sabine’s Gull that remained for several weeks.

As this location provides world class action for at least two months each year, bird photographers travel to Florida’s East Coast from all over the planet. You are invited not only to join me but to learn a ton about bird photography. Remember that the more time you spend at great locations, the more chance you have to enjoy perfect weather conditions and opportunities that leave you in awe.

The shared AirBnB approach has proven to be tremendously popular and is hugely beneficial to learning.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Sanderling flock bird-scape blur; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Brown Pelican diving silhouette; 1-second breaking wave blur; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden blur; Osprey in flight/full downstroke; Snowy Egret/double overhead wingstretch. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

2025 BIRDS AS ART Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More In-the-Field Sessions

Available Dates: Friday 26 September (arrive on Thursday 25 September) thru the morning session on Mon 24 November 2025.
Limit: four photographers.

In 2024, I had an AirBnB in Vero Lake Estates for 26 nights. I had so much fun and enjoyed so many great opportunities that I am returning next fall for two full months; the AirBnB is just 22 minutes from the inlet.

Getting There

You can fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and rent a car or fly to Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and explore the possibility of airport pick-up and drop-off or a taxi or uber ride to and from the AirBnB. Rides with me are available for $15/day on a space available basis. Folks who ride with me do not need to purchase a park pass but will need to kick in $2.00/day when we are charged.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey diving; Osprey with menhaden; Brown Pelican with Yellow-tailed Menhaden in bill pouch; Sabine’s Gull/juvenile top shot; Osprey landing on Cabbage Palm stump; Wood Stork sunrise silhouette; American Avocet running with wings raised; Osprey diving with talons outstretched; Peregrine with wings fully raised. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What You Will Learn

1- First and foremost you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.

2- You will learn to shoot flight hand held and off the tripod.

3-You will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button.

4- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.

5- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially (but not limited to) the photography of birds in flight.

6- You will learn to select the best shutter speeds for all types of bird photography, from flight and action to pleasing blurs.

7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.

8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.

9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.

10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.

11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.

12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.

13- You will learn to see and understand the light.

14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.

15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

16- You will learn pro level tripod handling tips

17- During our image review sessions, you will learn the factors that separate insta-deletes, keepers, and family jewels. With general bird photography those include head angle, subject-to-sensor plane orientation, choice of perspective, the quality of the light, the quality of the background, image sharpness, and the image design. When evaluating photos of birds in flight, you must — in addition to the above, consider wing positions and flight poses.

18- You will improve your image optimization skills by leaps and bounds and will return home with a collection of image optimization videos.

The very best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey overhead with bunker; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey chase; Great Egret with pinfish; Osprey emerging with flounder; Great Egret taking flight; Osprey kiting; 1/8 second sunrise Atlantic Ocean blur. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Trip Costs and Booking Details

Change Your Life

Book any 3-6 Days: Lodging is $175/night. Instruction is $600/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are usually daily.

Please note: Folks who sign up for an odd number of days of instruction will enjoy half + 1 afternoon sessions (more are possible if conditions are good) Those who sign up for an even number of days will enjoy at least 1/2 that number of afternoon shooting sessions (more are possible if conditions are good)

Book any 7-10 Days: Lodging is $160/night. Instruction is $575/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any 11-14 Days: Lodging is $150/night. Instruction is $550/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any three weeks: Lodging is $130/night. Instruction is $525/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay for one month (28 nights): Lodging is $120/night. Instruction is $500/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay two months (60 nights): Lodging is $100/night. Instruction is $475/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Brunch is on me. Dinners are provided for $20/day. I am an excellent chef and the food both healthy and of high quality.

Please note: your day of arrival is not a day of instruction.

Deposit Information

Payment in full is due now. Please make the check out to:

BIRDS AS ART

And send it via US Mail to

BIRDS AS ART
PO Box 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855

I hope to spend some quality time with you at Sebastian Inlet in the fall of 2025 and to change your life. If you have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail or with a text to 863-221-2372.

Typos

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

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

This image was created on 9 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 1000: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide oepn) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:58:02am on a partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #1: Willet flapping after bath Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Learn the Behavioral Signals

When you see a tern, a gull, or a shorebird (or a songbird for that matter) dipping its breast in the water it is taking a bath. Nine times out of ten it will jump up and flap its wings when it is done bathing. Move closer for the tight/splashing bathing shots, or, as I did here, stay back (or zoom out) to make some flapping-after-bath images. Note that the birds will almost always flap into the wind when they are done. At times, they may jump straight up and flap and then land in the same spot to resume bathing. At other times they will fly to shore and look for a good spot to preen.

This image was created on 10 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. 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 Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 640. 1/8000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:25:06am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #2: Caspian Tern juvenile braking to land Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Favorite Handheld Sebastian Combos

Depending on the wind, the sky conditions, and the presence of baitfish, I will often grab the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens with the 1.4X TC in place (as with this one on the next three images). That puts me at 420mm at f/4 and gives me an eminently handhold-able flight lens. On sunny days, I’ll sometimes go with the 2X so that I have a lightweight eminently handhold-able 600mm f/5.6 rig in my hands.

Caspian Tern is “good” (i.e., uncommon) bird anywhere in Florida at any season. If you know of a good location anywhere in the northeast to photograph this species at an accessible breeding colony shoot me an invite. Years ago there was a decent breeding colony in Tampa Bay but Florida Audubon approved a dredging project that destroyed the nesting area. The Caspians never returned to breed.

This image was created on 10 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. 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 Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 320. 1/5000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:57:41am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #3: Royal Tern adult in flight Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Get the Head in the Clear

When picking your flight keepers and the bird is flying from one side of the frame to the other, look for images where the bird’s head does not merge either with a wing or with the breast. The fast frame rates and science-fiction-like autofocus systems of the high end mirrorless camera bodies should give you lots of images to choose from. But it always helps to know what you are looking for.

This image was created on 15 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. 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 Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:52:22am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #4: Snowy Egret displaying Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sometimes There’s No Time To Sit

When photographing at the beach, getting on the ground to get lower is generally a great idea. I’ve recently come up with a new Artie-fact: when photographing at the beach, get down on the ground unless you have a clear reason for remaining standing. The most common acceptable reason would be to keep from introducing distracting elements in the distant background.

With Image #4, I was standing when the bird began to chase another SNEG so I had no choice but to make the image when the action happened. I think that the photo would have been a bit stronger had the subject raised its head (and its crest!) a bit more so that the bill did not merge with the far wing. Beach clean-up was minimal and some black crud was removed from the snowy’s chin with the Remove Tool.

This image was created on 15 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. 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 Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 2000. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:36:36am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #5: Brown Pelican in flight Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Cloudy Day/White Sky Flight Photography

I love cloudy days for flight photography because you do not have to deal with harsh underwing shadows. By exposing well to the right, you open up the underwings so that the maximum amount of detail is revealed. When I juiced up the color of the ocean by increasing AQUA in Color Mixer, there was a big CYAN cast on the pelican. So I nixed that and opened the image in Photoshop. Then, working on a new layer, I went back to ACR and juiced up the AQUA on the whole image. Then, I added a Regular Layer Mask and erased the color cast on the pelican. Voila.

The title says it all. Purchase your copy here. The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight by Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D., and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight: $99.00

I had long dreamed of becoming a great flight photographer. When using dSLR gear, making sharp images was a huge problem. Most of the time, the camera bodies simply were not up to snuff. Things have changed dramatically with mirrorless technology. The high-end mirrorless camera bodies now feature science fiction-like autofocus systems and frame rates of 30, 40, and even 125 fps. Nowadays, getting the eye sharp is no longer a problem. The problem more often involves selecting the strongest image from a long series of sharp images.

The truth, however, is that there is a lot more than owning a Canon EOS R1, a Nikon Z9, or a Sony a-1 ii to consistently creating great photographs of birds in flight. Some of the biggest factors to success include gear choice, shooting strategies, and understanding the importance of sky conditions and wind speed and direction. Once you have the techniques and technical aspects down pat and can routinely create sharp images, learning the importance of flight poses, wing positions, backgrounds, and subject placement and image design enable you to create and then select superb flight images. And you guessed it, each of those topics and tons more are covered in detail in The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight.

The guide consists of 267 pages and 21,013 words. There are 82 illustrative photos scattered throughout the text, two screen captures, and a 112-image gallery that includes examples created by Canon, Nikon, and mostly Sony gear. As seen above, each of the 194 inspirational photos is labeled with an educational caption.

You can purchase your copy here for $99.00.

Arash Hazeghi

Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D. is a principal electron device engineer. He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2011, from Stanford University, Stanford, California. His pioneering research on Carbon Nanotubes has been cited many times. In the past decade, Arash Hazeghi 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 names including SanDisk, Intel and Apple.

More relevant here is that he is widely recognized as one of the world’s best birds in flight photographers. He specializes in raptors and the technical aspects of bird photography.

Flight photography is a skill that can be studied, practiced, and learned. Improve your skills by studying The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight
By Arash Hazeghi Ph.D., and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What you will learn (about):

1- Weight and handholding super-telephoto lenses.
2- Weight and handholding intermediate telephoto and telephotos zoom lenses.
3- Choosing the right flight photography lens or lenses for you.
4- The importance of focal length for flight photography.
5- The importance of lens speed (the maximum aperture for flight photography.
6- Choosing between fixed focal lengths and zoom lenses for flight photography.
7- The importance of AF speed and performance for flight photography.
8- Handholding tips and techniques.
9- Shooting flight off a tripod with the Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro.
10- Flight poses and wing positions.
11- Why artie changed his mind about the 400mm f/2.8 lenses for flight and more.
12- The advantages and disadvantages of using teleconverters for flight photography.
13- Why to stay away from off-brand lenses.
14- Understanding the importance of wind direction and speed for flight photography.
15- The relationship between sky conditions and wind direction and how it affects flight photography.
16- Creating flight silhouettes in wind-against-sun conditions.
17- The importance of being on sun angle for flight photography (and avoiding harsh shadows).
18- Tips on doing flight photography in cloudy, foggy, or overcast conditions.
19- About the direction of light in cloudy, foggy, or overcast conditions and how it affects flight photography.
20- How your understanding of bird behavior can dramatically improve your flight photography.
21- Tips on attracting birds for flight photography.
22- What to do when your camera’s AF system is temporarily blind.
23- The vital importance of pre-focusing.
24- How Direct Manual Focus can help you with flight photography.
25- The importance of shooting aggressively when doing flight photography.
26- Everything that you need to know with regards to rest positions for flight photography.
27- The importance of getting low when doing flight in many situations.
28- Getting the right exposure when doing flight photography.
29_ Why to use Manual mode 95% of the time for flight.
30- Tips on finding the bird in the frame, acquiring focus, and tracking the bird in flight.
31- How to set and best utilize your lens’s image stabilization feature (and why).
32- Setting the focus range limiter switch on your flight lens or lenses.
33- To choose the best shutter speed for photographing birds in flight.
34- The vital importance of pre-focusing. And yes, this is so important that it is on the list twice.

You can see four sample pages in the blog post here. And you can purchase your copy here.

Typos

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

Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More

Multiple IPT veteran Eugen Dolan is joining me for a month, arriving on 26 September. Beginning bird photographer Alvin Red Stevens is joining us for a week; he shows up on 12 October. And when he leaves, new friend Mishael Voisin will be with us for a week of photography and learning. Several folks have sworn that they will be joining me at some point but right now, November is wide open. Check out the opportunities below and then change your life by joining me this fall. Feel free to e-mail me or to call or text — 863-221-2372 with any questions or concerns.

Yesterday I completed a third edit of the Sebastian OCT-NOV 2024 folder. It is always fun to discover some really good images that never caught your attention before. Below I share three Osprey images that got me excited on my third trip through what was a great month at Sebastian in 2024. Do understand that in 2026 the top Sebastian location, the South Jetty, is scheduled to be closed for major reconstruction next season. That is why I am all in for 2025!

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post, my very favorite image was #3, the Red Light District skimmer. The rest were tied for second place 🙂 Huge surprise: several folks (besides me) actually liked two of the three blurs. (I liked them all.)

What’s Up?

On Monday afternoon, the departure of the Auto Train from the Lorton, VA Station was delayed due to electrical problems. After an excellent flatiron steak dinner, some sleep, and a blessedly uneventful ride, we de-trained at Sanford, Florida at 10:50am on Tuesday morning, two hours late. I made it home by 1:30pm. It was good to sleep in my own bed that night.

Today is Wednesday 10 September 2025. I just got back from a short trip down to the lake to see what’s up and about. The usual suspects were present but I did not make a single photo from my SUV. I was not going to take a rig on my sun walk on the pier but when I spotted a Great Blue Heron on the railing, I grabbed the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens with the 1.4X TC and an a-1 ii. I got close to the GBH and wound up making some decent head and neck portraits. I have two appointments in town this afternoon and need to get some shopping done as well. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have fun and enjoy the day.

As I have some fabulous new tips and techniques to share, I will soon begin work on the Digital Basics IV Video Series. Covered will be the use of the masking feature in Adobe Camera Raw (thanks to Anita North), the use of the Point Color eye dropper to tame super saturated colors during raw conversions (discovered in tandem with Anita), and a fabulous new Remove Tool trick that makes my favorite Photoshop Tool even more amazing — that one discovered by me 🙂

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

This image was created on 30 October 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. Seated on a large rock next to the shore, 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 Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 5000. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 8:22:12am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #1: Osprey struggling with fish in its talons Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Wishing, Hoping, and Praying

When an Osprey dives and winds up floating on the surface of the water with its wings spread, you know that it has a fish in its talons, and is catching its breath and securing its grip on its quarry. As a photographer, you are talking to the fish quietly: please do not let this one go!. I am not sure if last year was typical, but it seemed that more than half the time my prayers were not answered; the fish hawk would take flight without a fish in its talons. Better luck this year!

This image was created on 5 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. Standing at full height, Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). ISO 2000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 9:20:05am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #2: Osprey carrying Yellowfin Menhaden using the two-talon grip Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

A White Sky Exposure Tip for All Systems on Cloudy Days

When correctly doing flight photography on cloudy, white sky days, you should set your shutter speed and ISO so that you are reading at least +2 stops off the sky. It goes without saying that you should be using the wide open aperture. For best results, you will want a shutter speed of at least 1/3200 second. You must not be afraid using high ISO settings! There are times when working at plus two stops off the sky that when the raw file is examined in RawDigger, that the image will be under-exposed; +2 1/3 or + 2 2/3 stops would have been better.

A Sunny Day Exposure Tip for All Systems

Be aware that on sunny days your approach is completely different; you will be using much lower ISOs and need to be sure not to over-expose the shiny sides of the often silver fish. Join me at Sebastian to learn more about exposure than you ever imagined.

This image was created on 20 November 2024 on a Sebastian Inlet Extended IPT. Standing at full height, Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Sony a-1 (now replaced by the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1000. 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 9:24:12am on a cloudy bright morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #3: Osprey pulling Yellowfin Menhaden out of the water Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Yellowfin Menhaden

For several years I have mistakenly been using Yellow-tailed Menhaden when referring to the Osprey’s favorite November catch. I learned just this morning that the correct name for this fish species is Yellowfin Menhaden (Brevoortia smithi). In September, finger Mullet make up the bulk of the diet of Ospreys fishing the inlet.

Yellowfin Menhaden have silver bodies with greenish or bluish backs, golden yellow caudal (tail) fins, and a single black or purple spot behind the gill cover. This species is considered migratory, though its movements are less extensive than those of Atlantic Menhaden. Instead of long north/south coastal migrations, Yellowfin Menhaden typically move seasonally between inshore and offshore waters for feeding and spawning. In November, the adults make their way through the inlet to head offshore to spawn; peak spawning occurs from November through March. After hatching at sea, the larval fish are carried back into the estuaries by currents. The juveniles spend their first year growing in these estuarine nursery areas before joining the adult offshore migration in the fall.

This image was created on 27 October 2023 at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 800; 1/3200 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:29:59 am on a mostly 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. Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Viewing the Sebastian Composites below

Be sure to click on each composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Osprey with Mullet; Mullet school under attack from below; Wood Stork landing; Tarpon jumping; Reddish Egret landing; Osprey turning to begin dive; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sebastian Inlet in Fall

Sebastian Inlet in the fall attracts schools of migrating saltwater fish that in turn attract dozens of Ospreys — we’ve counted 61 in the air at once, along with hordes of hungry birds including Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, and Laughing Gull. Other species of birds feed on smaller baitfish; those include Wood Stork, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue heron, Little Blue Heron, and White Ibis. Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone are easily photographed. American Avocet is an uncommon visitor. Rare gulls have included Lesser Black-backed Gull (all ages), Franklin’s Gull (first winter), and in 2024, a spectacular young Sabine’s Gull that remained for several weeks.

As this location provides world class action for at least two months each year, bird photographers travel to Florida’s East Coast from all over the planet. You are invited not only to join me but to learn a ton about bird photography. Remember that the more time you spend at great locations, the more chance you have to enjoy perfect weather conditions and opportunities that leave you in awe.

The shared AirBnB approach has proven to be tremendously popular and is hugely beneficial to learning.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Sanderling flock bird-scape blur; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Brown Pelican diving silhouette; 1-second breaking wave blur; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden blur; Osprey in flight/full downstroke; Snowy Egret/double overhead wingstretch. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

2025 BIRDS AS ART Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More In-the-Field Sessions

Available Dates: Friday 26 September (arrive on Thursday 25 September) thru the morning session on Mon 24 November 2025.
Limit: four photographers.

In 2024, I had an AirBnB in Vero Lake Estates for 26 nights. I had so much fun and enjoyed so many great opportunities that I am returning next fall for two full months; the AirBnB is just 22 minutes from the inlet.

Getting There

You can fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and rent a car or fly to Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and explore the possibility of airport pick-up and drop-off or a taxi or uber ride to and from the AirBnB. Rides with me are available for $15/day on a space available basis. Folks who ride with me do not need to purchase a park pass but will need to kick in $2.00/day when we are charged.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey diving; Osprey with menhaden; Brown Pelican with Yellow-tailed Menhaden in bill pouch; Sabine’s Gull/juvenile top shot; Osprey landing on Cabbage Palm stump; Wood Stork sunrise silhouette; American Avocet running with wings raised; Osprey diving with talons outstretched; Peregrine with wings fully raised. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What You Will Learn

1- First and foremost you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.

2- You will learn to shoot flight hand held and off the tripod.

3-You will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button.

4- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.

5- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially (but not limited to) the photography of birds in flight.

6- You will learn to select the best shutter speeds for all types of bird photography, from flight and action to pleasing blurs.

7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.

8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.

9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.

10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.

11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.

12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.

13- You will learn to see and understand the light.

14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.

15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

16- You will learn pro level tripod handling tips

17- During our image review sessions, you will learn the factors that separate insta-deletes, keepers, and family jewels. With general bird photography those include head angle, subject-to-sensor plane orientation, choice of perspective, the quality of the light, the quality of the background, image sharpness, and the image design. When evaluating photos of birds in flight, you must — in addition to the above, consider wing positions and flight poses.

18- You will improve your image optimization skills by leaps and bounds and will return home with a collection of image optimization videos.

The very best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.

From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey overhead with bunker; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey chase; Great Egret with pinfish; Osprey emerging with flounder; Great Egret taking flight; Osprey kiting; 1/8 second sunrise Atlantic Ocean blur. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Trip Costs and Booking Details

Change Your Life

Book any 3-6 Days: Lodging is $175/night. Instruction is $600/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are usually daily.

Please note: Folks who sign up for an odd number of days of instruction will enjoy half + 1 afternoon sessions (more are possible if conditions are good) Those who sign up for an even number of days will enjoy at least 1/2 that number of afternoon shooting sessions (more are possible if conditions are good)

Book any 7-10 Days: Lodging is $160/night. Instruction is $575/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any 11-14 Days: Lodging is $150/night. Instruction is $550/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Book any three weeks: Lodging is $130/night. Instruction is $525/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay for one month (28 nights): Lodging is $120/night. Instruction is $500/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Stay two months (60 nights): Lodging is $100/night. Instruction is $475/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.

Brunch is on me. Dinners are provided for $20/day. I am an excellent chef and the food both healthy and of high quality.

Please note: your day of arrival is not a day of instruction.

Deposit Information

Payment in full is due now. Please make the check out to:

BIRDS AS ART

And send it via US Mail to

BIRDS AS ART
PO Box 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855

I hope to spend some quality time with you at Sebastian Inlet in the fall of 2025 and to change your life. If you have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail or with a text to 863-221-2372.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Thursday and Friday afternoons on the beach at Nickerson were awe-inspiring with thousands of migrant Common Terns and many hundreds of Black Skimmers blasting off every three minutes into the 20+ mph wind that roared in off the Atlantic. It was a wild scene as the flocks flew off, swirled around, and then re-landed on the outer beach in ever-larger tight groups. You could actually feel the energy of the flocks growing until the next blastoff.

By Friday morning the remaining coastal flooding pool was down to two nearly connected large puddles. There were several photographers having fun in the mud with dozens of small shorebirds right in front of them in the smaller of the two puddles. Many of the mostly young birds were often too close to focus on. And there were lots of almost impossible to photograph squabbles. It was amazing to see the pond shrinking in size right before our eyes; the size of the pond diminishing by perhaps a foot every five minutes. By Friday afternoon that puddle had disappeared leaving medium sized puddle.

Today is Saturday 6 September 2025. Early in the morning, I headed to one of my soul places, the birthplace of my birding and photography career, the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Working with the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4 lens alone and later on with the 1.4X TC in place, I enjoyed a very good morning with soft hazy light, not too many bugs, and beautiful green reflections in my favorite corner of the pond. I am pretty sure that I made some very good images of the expected and usual suspects: juvenile and adult Lesser Yellowlegs, a single young Greater Yellowlegs, a very sweet juvenile Semipalmated Plover, perhaps a half dozen worn juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher, a few Least Sandpipers, and several dozen Semipalmated Sandpipers including a very few worn, molting adults.

Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1-ii from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1-ii Info and Updates Group, a roughly $225.00 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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

This image was created on 3 September 2025 by yours truly at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height along the edge of the remaining coastal flooding pool, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined with Sony Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:27:55am on a 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. Photo Mechanic Screen Capture of birds in flight Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

Insta-Delete?

In the last blog post, I asked if folks would delete this image instantly and if not, what their plan might be for the image optimization. Very few responded. Cliff Beitel suggested a possible version that involved a moderate crop. When my reply included this:ps: my solution might shock you. Or not, Cliff replied, Won’t be shocked if it focuses on that pretty dowitcher. You might say that he hit the nail right on the head. See my optimized version immediately below.

This image was created on 3 September 2025 by yours truly at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height along the edge of the remaining coastal flooding pool, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined with Sony Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:27:55am on a 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 #1: Dorsal view of juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher in flight Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

The Aggressive Image Optimization

After converting the raw file, I first cleaned the playing field in the center of the frame, painted a generous quick mask of the dowitcher hard on the right frame edge, moved it to the center of the frame, adjusted the tonality of the layer to match the tonality of the background, and added and fine-tuned a Regular Layer Mask so that the new layer blended seamlessly with the layer below. A healthy crop yielded the final image immediately above.

Though the optimized .TIF file represents less than 17% of the original 51 million pixels, the resulting JPEG is fine for internet presentation. With the relatively huge crop, image quality has of course suffered a bit; I would not want to make a large print of this image.

This image was also created on 2 September 2025 by yours truly at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand near the edge of the surf, I used the handheld (!) Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined with Sony Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:07:21am 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 #2: Black-bellied Plover molting adult taking flight Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

Operator Error

Thanks in part to the Pre-Capture feature of the a-1 ii (set to 0.3 seconds), I was able to create a nice take-off sequence of this large plover while handholding the 600mm f/4 at 840mm. Though the earlier frames in the series were tack sharp on the bird’s eye, I panned a bit too slowly to keep up with the bird in this frame; the eye was not quite tack sharp. In addition, the shutter speed was a bit too low; 1/4000 or even 1/5000 second would likely have produced a sharper eye. As I did love the pose, however, I selectively sharpened the eye first with Topaz Sharpen AI and then with a contrast mask, all as detailed in both Digital Basics II and the Digital Basics III Video Series.

This image was also created on 2 September 2025 by yours truly at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand near the edge of the surf, I used the handheld (!) Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined with Sony Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:10:30am 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. American Oystercatcher juvenile in flat flight Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

Astounding a-1 ii AF Performance

About three minutes after the Black-bellied Plover flew to my right, my good fortune continued when a handsome young American Oystercatcher flew almost directly at me. As I was a bit late getting on the bird, I was astounded to see that the AF system tracked the AMOY’s eye perfectly in every frame. I kept four only four raw files because as the bird got closer and closer I began clipping wings.

I have had a million chances on oystercatchers in flight and this one is my favorite by a zillion miles; enlarge the image and check out the sharpness of the grains of sand on the bird’s bill.

I could never have even dreamed of creating sharp images of shorebirds in flight before I switched to Sony in 2019. And the a-1 ii makes almost everything possible.

The Viewer screen capture from IEDT (Imaging Edge Desktop) for the American Oystercatcher juvenile in flat flight image Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

A Screen Capture is Worth a Thousand Words

The tiny green box on this raw file as seen in IEDT Viewer shows the active eye tracking AF point. Activate this feature by clicking on the Focus Frame Display icon (seen in orange on the task bar). It is two to the left of the Info icon (i) that is also highlighted in orange.

Composite #1: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for General Bird Photography

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.

Composite #2: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for Birds in Flight

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.

Composite #3: All the result of using Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii

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!

All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Purchasing or Upgrading to a Sony a-1 ii

The Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide

I now own and use two Sony a-1 ii bodies. Every day that I use them, 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 — the lack of a tilting rear screen on the original a-1 always ticked me off. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus almost exclusively for take-off flight images. In my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography because you should always be utilizing the maximum frame rate. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. I must mention again 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 have come 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).

The price of a new a-1 is $5,898.00. The price of a new a-1 ii is $1,100.00 more: $6,998.00. As the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography to the original a-1, the choice for folks new to Sony or for those upgrading from lesser Sony camera bodies is an easy one. Prices for used a-1 bodies has not dropped drastically as I anticipated. At this point, a-1 folks who like showing flight and action and can afford an a-1 ii, are advised to purchase an a-1 ii. Please remember that life is short; we only get one ride on the merry-go-round.

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 for free. Using my links will never cost you one penny and may actually save you some money. 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 $244.93. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail. If you would like to chat about upgrading, shoot me a text to 863-221-2372 and LMK a good time to call you.

100% screen capture of the right wing from the .TIF file

PS in response to Ryan Sanderson’s Comment

Ryan,

Are you seeing the artifacts you talk about in your comment above? I am not seeing any artifacts.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Have you ever seen a better photograph of a single shorebird than today’s featured image? If yes, which photo by whom?

What’s Up?

On Labor Day at Nickerson Beach I enjoyed one my best morning sessions ever at one of my favorite locations on the planet. Everything that I did turned out to be right. The day dawned partly cloudy with a north wind that switched to northeast as the clouds first increased and then thinned out. After that, the sun played peekaboo but for the most part I was working in cloudy bright conditions. I started by opting to walk down the west side of the remaining coastal flooding pond in hopes of getting some Canada Geese (!) in bright pink reflections. To do that, I needed to walk through about a foot of water. I used the 600 alone on the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro. My plan, however, succeeded almost perfectly. As the wind was slightly east of north, some of the geese were angled slightly away; some were right on the borderline.

In that same wind, the skimmers were skimming away from the photographers on the west shore who had been trying unsuccessfully to create some backlit blurs. So, I headed for the eastern shore and created some nice blurs of my own. I chose a spot with a small flock of skimmers right in front of me and thus, had the birds flying right at me. As the morning brightened somewhat, I switched to sharp early on and made some wonderful images of both young and adult skimmers skimming in cloudy bright conditions. Once the flock departed (for unknown reasons), I decided to follow my nose. I grabbed the 600, left the tripod standing on the edge of the pond, and headed to the ocean handholding my big lens. As mentioned here previously, I have gotten stronger from working so much with the 400-800 that I am now able to handhold the 600 f/4 fairly easily and without much trepidation.

There were lots of American Oystercatchers working the surf line so I sat and worked an unbanded adult with one unbanded juvenile. At 7:39:13am I noticed a pissed-off-about-something oystercatcher running right at me from down the beach. I began firing as the bird took flight and created a 96-frame sequence as the bird flew just to my right. I clipped many frames but came up with a few stunners. I will be creating and sharing a new YouTube Picking My Keepers video soon.

Anyhoo, I was set up to do flight on the incoming skimmers and terns carrying fish at ISO 2500/1/3200 second wide open at f/4 when I spotted an obviously juvenile shorebird a bit down the beach. At a glimpse, I thought that it might be a juvenile Sanderling. I made two distant frames so that I could ID the bird by magnifying the image. I was thrilled to see the long wings, warm brown tones, streaked upper breast, and neatly edged upperparts feathers of a juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper, regular but uncommon on the East coast during fall migration. It was likely the same individual that I had seen and photographed poorly the day before.

As the young shorebird is not as bright as a tern or a skimmer, I immediately and instinctively slowed the shutter speed down one click to 1/2500 second. The bird continued heading east so I picked a spot below the berm with a clean stretch of low tide beach in front of me and sat down. The bird kept coming. I began firing as the bird moved to my right and then cut sharply to its right to head towards the Atlantic. I had two frames in the sequence where the Baird’s had both feet off the ground as it ran. Image #1 below was the better of the two because the running pose was a bit more dramatic and the head angle a tad more pleasing.

As I sat on the beach the magic kept happening with the help of the now fully northeast wind. When a young skimmer coming in from the ocean flew directly at me, I made another 96-frame (!) sequence and clipped only a few wingtips when the bird got really close. The whole experience was exhilarating. When I had a moment to catch my breath, I checked out some of the Baird’s images on the back of the camera and when I saw the running sequence with the bird square to the back of the camera, my exhilaration grew. My hunch to head down to the ocean turned into a thrilling and totally unexpected 37 minutes of action during which I created 1736 photographs. My total for the morning was 5072 still yet-to-be-edited images.

On Monday evening I drove out to Bayshore to have dinner at Fatfish on the Water in Bayshore with my younger daughter Alissa, her husband Ajiniyaz, their son Idris, and my two granddaughters, Samantha and Maya. Sam and Maya — both living in Brooklyn, are the children of my older daughter Jennifer and my son-in-law Erik. Jen and Erik live in Florida and were not able to fly up for the family dinner.

Today is Tuesday September 2, 2025. Though conditions were perfect, the Monday magic was not with me at Nickerson this morning. My best images were some takeoff shots of a molting Black-bellied Plover and a killer fly-by juvie American Oystercatcher. And I shot lots of bathing gull photos as well. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

This image was created on 1 September 2025 by yours truly at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seating on damp sand I used the handheld (!) Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by experience as detailed below. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:27:55am on a 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 #1: Baird’s Sandpiper in fresh juvenal plumage running on clean sand beach Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/birds as Art

Baird’s Sandpiper

There are five North American peep species. Peeps are small sandpiper species of the Calidris genus. Baird’s and White-rumped Sanpdiper are the only two peep species with long wings that protrude well beyond the end of their tails. Why the long wings? As they winter primarily in Argentina, they make far longer migratory flights than their three cousins: least, semipalmated, and western. Least and Western Sandpipers winter primarily in the southern US while all the semis make it down to northern South America. No Semipalmated Sandpipers winter in the US.

I recall struggling to find a Baird’s Sandpiper at the East Pond in the late 1970s. And I remember fondly the day that the late Thomas H Davis knelt down in the mud at the East Pond to draw the shape and long wings of Baird’s for me.

Three small dark specks were removed from the almost pristine beach.

Some folks love warblers, some love Osprey, some love owls, and some love all raptors. Shorebirds have long been my first love and are still my favorites.

Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers

Shorebirds: Beautiful Beachcombers

Written for naturalists and birders, the text tells you everything you’ve always wanted to know about North America’s sandpipers, godwits, yellowlegs, phalaropes, plovers, avocets, stilts, and oystercatchers. Topics covered include identification and aging, shorebird behavior, their incredible migrations, feeding and diet, mating and breeding strategies, eggs, nests, and young, conservation efforts, and shorebirding tips. Also included are approximately 50 species accounts covering all of the regularly occurring North American shorebird species. With 70 of Arthur’s images and 26 more by some of the world’s best nature photographers, this book, at publication, contained the finest collection of shorebird photographs ever published in a single volume.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Here is today’s difficult challenge: list your four favorites with the strongest one first.

In Stock!

Bedfords has both Sony a-1 ii bodies and 400-800 zoom lenses in stock. I am at a loss as to why so few folks have bought into the 400-800 as it has quickly become my all-time favorite lens. Purchase both and use my discount code at checkout to get back 3% on your credit card and earn a free copy of both my a-1 ii settings and guide and the lens guide as well.

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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

The Sony 400-800

Since the storm surge died down and the sun came out, I have been heading out mornings and afternoons with just the 400-800. It is so, so versatile. With a Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Card in my a-1 ii I head out with only a single extra battery in one pocket and my paint brush in the other (for removing sand from my gear). Best of all: no tripod ever! The f/8 aperture takes some getting used to but the 400-800 focal length versatility and 800mm at the long end are a tough combination to beat.

The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide

When I borrowed this lens from Sony, I assumed that at 5.45 pounds it was too heavy to handhold for long and that at f/8 at the long end (800mm,) it was too slow for most bird photography applications. In short, I did not want to like the lens. After months of using it, I cannot live without it. After returning the loaner, I was miraculously able to get my own from Bedfords on 16 April 2025. In this guide I share everything that I have learned about using the 400-800. For best results, you need to know exactly what you are doing to get the most out of this zoom lens. It would be best, therefore, to consider and study the material in the guide so that you can begin making great images with your new lens.

You will learn how to deal with the relatively show apertures: f/6.3, f/7.1, and f/8 when working in Manual mode.

You will learn how to ensure that you are working at the widest aperture by working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO.

If you are able to hand hold the lens, you will learn proper hand holding techniques.

If you can’t, you will learn when, why, and how to employ other options. Those include:

1- The knee-pod, heel-pod, and toe-pod techniques

2- Using the lens on a monopod.

3- The best lens plate and low foot for your 4-8.

4- The best tripod and head for the 4-8 and how best to utilize them.

5- How to use the lens from your vehicle while supporting it on a BLUBB (or not and why not).

6- Detailed instructions on how to set and use the lens controls and buttons:

a- AF/MF

b- DMF Switch

c- Limit Range Switch

d- OSS (Optical Steady Shot) Switch

e- OSS Mode Switch

f- Focus Hold Buttons

The guide also includes a Hand Holding Shutter Speed Primer and an illustrative, educational, and inspiring 67-image gallery.

Free to folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their Sony 400-800 G lens. Otherwise, please click here to order yours or send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.

What’s Up?

Thursday morning was a rare treat with still water, sweet light, incredible reflections, and skimming skimmers providing lots of action. The wind howled from the south that afternoon as the huge blastoffs of mostly migrating Common Terns continued just before and after sunset. Friday morning could not have been more different than Thursday morning as the strong south wind continued; it was hard to believe that I was in the same place.

Today is Friday 29 August. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

This image was created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 534mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb wheel. Multi Metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/60 second at f/7.1 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:17:15am on a clear 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 #1: Black Skimmer pink striking blur Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Coastal Flooding Pond Finally Pays Off Big Time

Two of the three coastal flooding ponds at Nickerson Beach have receded to nothing and next to nothing. The western-most pond still has a few acres of water. The forecast for Thursday morning was for sunny with a wind from the northwest (bad). But, when I arrived, there was little to no wind. The surface of the large pond was smooth as glass. Early on there were no birds. A whisper of a breeze came up from the northeast and kissed my right ear as I was looking to the southwest with the sun behind me (fabulous). Some birds, mostly skimmers, flew into the pond. Conditions were perfect with mirror-like reflections. With only a slight wind, the skimmers were skimming in all sorts of directions. But I had dozens of great chances and a few of them paid off nicely.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 685mm) 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 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 6:47:35am on a then 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 #2: Black Skimmer skimming Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Skimming Skimmer Autofocus Challenges

Skimming skimmers are a very tough challenge for any autofocus system in part because it is difficult to discern the dark eye in the birds black cap. And when the birds are skimming sideways, that is, parallel to the back of the camera, the system may grab somewhere on the wings rather than on the eye or the bird’s head. Lastly, splashing water about the head will often interfere with eye tracking. Though not every a- ii image will be sharp on the eye, Wide AF/C nailed the eye with this one.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 490mm) 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 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:50:44am on a then 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: Black Skimmer skimming splash Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Mirror-Like Reflections

With chilly mornings with northwest winds, the weather since Vasili left has has been more like October than August. By being relentless and getting out every morning regardless of the forecast poor conditions, you will often be rewarded by a stunningly beautiful and productive morning.That was the case for me on Thursday!

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld 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 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:02:26 am on a then 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 #4: Laughing Gull post breeding molting > winter plumage floating Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Sony 400-800 G Zoom Lens

The Sony 400-800 G Zoom lens was the perfect choice for what turned out to be a fantastic morning. Yes it is on the slow side at f/8 at the long end and yes, it is on the heavy side — less than a pound lighter than the 600mm f/4, but the 800mm of reach, the 400-800 focal length versatility, and no need for a tripod make it hard to resist for a visit to the beach on a Sunday morning. Here, in order from shortest to longest, are the focal lengths used to create what I see as today’s very fine ten-image collection: 462mm, 490mm, 534mm, 685mm, 745mm, 755mm, 790mm, 800mm, 800mm, & 800mm. Had I brought the 600mm f/4 I would have been encumbered by a tripod and would have clipped at least 2 excellent images. If I had opted for the faster, lighter by 2/3-stop 200-600, I would have been on the short side for seven of the photos.

The long end of the 400-800’s focal length range is ideal for creating static portraits as even when you are standing, the angle of declination to the subject is decreased. On Friday morning, I grabbed the lighter 200-600 in hopes of skimmer blastoffs but as they never materialized I wound up wishing that I had brought the 400-800.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 745mm) 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: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:03:47am on a then 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 #5: Black Skimmer screaming dive Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Crazy Black Skimmer

Over the course of the last week, I have been seeing a skimmer acting crazy, twisting and turning and flying upside down. I am not sure if it is always the same individual or if there are a few of the loonies around. It is easy to spot them but they fly so fast and erratically that it is almost impossible to get them in the frame. I managed to get two frames of the bird on Thursday morning; Image #5 was the best of the two.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 462mm) 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 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:05:35am on a 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 #6: Black Skimmer perfect pano reflection Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Perfect Pano Reflection

I am pretty sure that I have never before created an image with such a perfect reflection. If I lightened the bird in the water a bit and turned the image upside down, I am not sure it you could tell which side was up and which side was down. Such opportunities are extremely rare. My favorite rig did not fail me.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 790mm) 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 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:17:48am on a 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 #7: Common Tern with Sand Eel Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Not Many Sand Eels This Summer

There have not been a lot of birds flying in with Sand Eels for their chicks this summer. As below, Sand Eel populations fluctuate widely. Adapted from AI Overview:

Northeast Sand Eel (or Sand Lance) populations in the Western North Atlantic are known to fluctuate. While populations have historically been abundant, they are often found in the Gulf of Maine and along the continental shelf, with abundance closely linked to predator presence and food availability. Spawning occurs in fall and winter over sandy bottoms, with larvae carried by currents to coastal waters, where they transform into juveniles and burrow into sand to avoid predators.

Fisherman and others might enjoy learning more about Sand Eels in the article here.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 755mm) 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 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:23:40am on a 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 #8: Black Skimmer posing after bath Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Striking a Handsome Pose

I made many perfect side shots of this skimmer where the bird (and its reflection) were perfectly parallel to the back of the camera. This image, however, in which the bird is angled slightly toward me with its head held high, was my favorite of the series.

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld 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 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:25:45am on a 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 #9: American Oystercatcher flapping after bath Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Getting in the Right Spot

I pride myself in being in the exact right spot most of the time by recognizing changing situations better than most. There were three other photographers enjoying the fabulous morning. When the skimming action slowed, I alone moved left and closer to a group of skimmers that had landed on the edge of the big pond. I made Image #8, got some good photos of bathing skimmers, and when several oystercatchers landed behind the small skimmer flock, I created a long series of the bird in Image #9 flapping after its bath; the last one was the winner!

This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld 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 1250: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:55:53am on a 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 #10: Herring Gull adult swimming pano Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Under-Appreciated Gulls

Gulls are under-appreciated by most photographers. I love them for many reasons: they are common, often approachable, and make great practice subjects. Herring Gull is by far the most numerous gull in the northeast. Before the NYC garbage dumps were capped, Christmas count HEGUs numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Over the past few decades, their numbers have been reduced significantly. The worn adult in this image is looking a bit wet and bedraggled but I love the soft light and the soft reflection.

Typos

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

The Sony 400-800

Since the storm surge died down and the sun came out, I have been heading out mornings and afternoons with just the 400-800. It is so, so versatile. With a Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Card in my a-1 ii I head out with only a single extra battery in one pocket and my paint brush in the other (for removing sand from my gear). Best of all: no tripod ever! The f/8 aperture takes some getting used to but the 400-800 focal length versatility and 800mm at the long end are a tough combination to beat.

The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide

When I borrowed this lens from Sony, I assumed that at 5.45 pounds it was too heavy to handhold for long and that at f/8 at the long end (800mm,) it was too slow for most bird photography applications. In short, I did not want to like the lens. After months of using it, I cannot live without it. After returning the loaner, I was miraculously able to get my own from Bedfords on 16 April 2025. In this guide I share everything that I have learned about using the 400-800. For best results, you need to know exactly what you are doing to get the most out of this zoom lens. It would be best, therefore, to consider and study the material in the guide so that you can begin making great images with your new lens.

You will learn how to deal with the relatively show apertures: f/6.3, f/7.1, and f/8 when working in Manual mode.

You will learn how to ensure that you are working at the widest aperture by working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO.

If you are able to hand hold the lens, you will learn proper hand holding techniques.

If you can’t, you will learn when, why, and how to employ other options. Those include:

1- The knee-pod, heel-pod, and toe-pod techniques

2- Using the lens on a monopod.

3- The best lens plate and low foot for your 4-8.

4- The best tripod and head for the 4-8 and how best to utilize them.

5- How to use the lens from your vehicle while supporting it on a BLUBB (or not and why not).

6- Detailed instructions on how to set and use the lens controls and buttons:

a- AF/MF

b- DMF Switch

c- Limit Range Switch

d- OSS (Optical Steady Shot) Switch

e- OSS Mode Switch

f- Focus Hold Buttons

The guide also includes a Hand Holding Shutter Speed Primer and an illustrative, educational, and inspiring 67-image gallery.

Free to folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their Sony 400-800 G lens. Otherwise, please click here to order yours or send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.

Your Call?

Here is today’s challenge: rank today’s four featured image by putting the strongest image first and the weakest last. Like this: 2, 1, 4, 3.

In the Last Blog Post

In the last post I asked folks to pick the two strongest and the two weakest. Here are my favorites: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10. Sorry, I could not get down to two. Though strong images, #s 9 and 11 were at the bottom of my list. One reader chose #9 as their favorite.

What’s Up?

Eighty-three year old multiple IPT veteran and friend Carlotta Grenier drove down from her home in Connecticut on Sunday morning. After leaving at about 4:15am, she met me in the Nickerson Beach parking lot at 5:45. Our morning began slowly but things heated up fabulously and we wound up photographing in partly cloudy conditions until well after ten. I cherry-picked 27 of fine images off her three flash cards. Each was made with her a-1 ii and her 200-600 G lens. I will be processing some of those and sharing the best of the best with you here soon. Along with a photo of Carlotta in action!

After coffee and brunch, she headed home with a brand new Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Card. No more changing cards in the field for her. When I put a Delkin 960GB card in my a-1 ii the counter in the upper left corner of the viewfinder shows 9,999 images left –it cannot count beyond 4 digits. The most I’ve shot in a morning session had ben 4567 images. As I headed back to my vehicle I noted that the counter in the upper left corner of the viewfinder still showed 9,999 images left. It is difficult to fill one of those puppies!

Large flocks of skimmers have moved onto the beaches in front of the two colonies and massive blastoffs have become commonplace. Many hundreds of skimmer chicks survived the coastal flooding and many are fledged and flying. Significant numbers of small chicks and late eggs did of course perish.

Today is Monday 25 August 2025. The big blast-offs continued early. Then it clouded over for a bit before the sun broke through for good at 7:40am. I found a winter plumage female American Avocet in one of the large coastal flooding pools and then several juvenile Semipalmated Sandpipers and an adult White-rumped Sandpiper in a small pool that shrank down to nothing in less then an hour as I worked the birds, trying for one good one of each species. I will be heading out at about 7:00pm today for tern and skimmer flock blurs at sunset. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1-ii from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1-ii Info and Updates Group, a roughly $225.00 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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

This image was created on 24 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing on the beach at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 495mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb wheel. Multi Metering +2 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 125: 1/20 second at f/11 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:49:50am on a then 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 #1: Black Skimmer flock blastoff Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Shutter Priority for Pre-Dawn and Cloudy Morning Blurs

When set up properly, updated Sony a-1 bodies and all a-1 ii bodies allow the user to quickly switch from Manual mode with ISO on the Thumb Wheel to Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO and Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel. As noted here previously dozens of times, the latter set-up can be ideal for bird photography as long as you are working with backgrounds of relatively consistent tonalities. Before the sun rises and on cloudy mornings, the sky, the water, and the sand beaches are all light toned. Working at +2 or +2 1/3 stops will almost always produce excellent exposures with little to no chance of over-exposing any highlights.

I love this one because of the degree of blurring, the juxtaposition of the two flocks and the diagonal line of the front flock.

This image was also created on 24 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Seated low on damp sand, I used the handheld 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 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:30:53am on a then partly 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 #2: Ruddy Turnstone in fresh juvenal plumage Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

400-800 Ease of Maneuverability

You are 100 times more mobile with a telephoto zoom lens than you are with a 600mm f/4 lens and a tripod. I saw this bird working the sand just above the berm, moved into position, and got down on the ground with the 400-800 without having to touch the sand with my hands, praying all the while that the bird would stay on or close to sun angle.

I love this one because of the low perspective, the sweet light, the sharpness, and the fact that the bird posed right on sun angle.

This image was also created on 24 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Seated on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 630mm) 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: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:35:10am on a then 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 #3: Fledged and flying young Black Skimmer in fresh juvenal plumage Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

So, So Handsome

As the young skimmers continue to grow, they become quite handsome. As their wings lengthen, they become stronger, more adept fliers, attain a sleek, slim attenuated look, and bear small resemblance to their former stubby chubby selves.

As it clouded over, we set up near a practically unblemished stretch of clean sand, smoothed and scrubbed perfectly by coastal flooding. Several adult and young skimmers flew a short distance into the SW breeze and landed on our perfectly planned backdrop. This handsome youngster was the bomb. Moments after this image was created, it took flight. Thanks to Pre-capture I got several nice leaning forward/wings partially raised frames, but when it lifted off I did not zoom out quickly or wide enough and clipped a zillion wings.

I love this one because my plan paid off. And I love the super-clean background and the streamlined, sleek look of the very handsome your skimmer.

This image was also created on 24 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Seated on damp sand, I used the handheld 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 1600: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:25:29am on a then 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 #4: Juvenile Laughing Gull beginning molt to first winter plumage Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Exit Strategy

Just before we got to the walkway to the parking lot, we spotted several gulls on one of the flooded beach pools. We opted to work the juvenile Laughing Gull. The three grey feathers on its back are the beginning of its molt to first winter plumage. In a month, the bird will sport a grey saddle of feathers on its upper back. I opted to go super low for this one so as to include the distant snow fence with some beach vegetation in the background.

I love this bird-scape because of the bird’s spiffy plumage and the clever image design that includes the out-of-focus snow fence and the beach vegetation.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured student images would you wish was yours? Why did you make your choice? Though I love both of them, my choice would be crystal clear. I will share that along with my reasons in the next post.

I’ve been saying for years that beginning and intermediate photographers with their high end cameras set up properly and a modicum of instruction can often create photographs that would be the envy of experienced professionals. Even those with 42 years of experience 🙂

What’s Up?

On Tuesday morning everything at Nickerson Beach was relatively normal. We had a good morning with skimmers and terns in flight — mostly sunny with a northeast wind. Though we had heard of the possibility of coastal flooding on Long Island, we were shocked when we got to the top of the boardwalk that afternoon; the beach had become a series of large saltwater lakes. By Wednesday morning, the water had receded somewhat. We set up behind a low snow fence and enjoyed a good session with flying and bathing terns and skimmers. On Wednesday evening beach access was denied and the entire visible beach was a huge saltwater lake. Both the East and the West colonies are several feet above sea level and hopes are that the majority of chicks have survived.

Today is Thursday 21 August 2025 and our plans are up in the air. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

I still have room at the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $2299.00.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1-ii from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1-ii Info and Updates Group, a roughly $225.00 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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

This image was created on 19 August 2025 by student/friend/multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on damp sand, he used the handheld Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 840mm) and the remarkable Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless Camera. ISO 250: 1/4000 sec at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:57:25am on a sunny morning with a N/NE wind, Image #1: Great Black-backed Gull swallowing Black Skimmer chick Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Second Predation

As mentioned here previously, I had seen an adult great black-backed grab and swallow a skimmer chick about a week ago. On Tuesday morning, Vasili wandered down the beach and when he rejoined me, he had a big grin on his face. He had stumbled upon an adult Great Black-Backed Gull killing and devouring a Black Skimmer chick. In his own inimitable style, he created about 2,000 images in a very short time. Cherry picking from his card, I picked four of my favorites. The image above is a fairly large crop but the 24MP R1 files stood up nicely to having 75% of the original pixels eliminated. I was very proud of my student, envious of the opportunity he had, and thrilled that he had mastered the skills needed to take advantage of his great luck.

Important Note

If you have not studied and practiced and if your camera is not set up properly, it does not matter if you have the best gear in the world and are the luckiest bird photographer alive. But if you cannot make sharp, pleasingly designed images with acceptable exposures you will head home empty-handed.

This image was created on 11 August 2025 by student/friend/multiple IPT veteran Steve Shore on a wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on day sand behind his Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, 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 320: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:43.38am as a faint sun broke through the haze. Tracking: Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Black Skimmer chick digging scrape Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Steve Shore

Scrape Digging

Both male and female black skimmers participate in digging nest scrapes. While both sexes share this responsibility, males tend to do more scraping and create larger scrapes than females. After several scrapes are made, one is eventually chosen to be the nest. After the eggs hatch the chicks will begin to wander. For the first few days, the adult bird that is tending the chicks will create a new scrape and invite the chicks to brood beneath her. Rinse and repeat. By the first week, the chicks instinctually begin digging their own scrapes. In heavy used areas, it is not unusual to count several dozen scrapes in a ten yard square.

On the morning Steve created this gem, I was thrilled to get some nice stuff on an adult digging a scrape with the sand flying. When he shared his best chick image on the camera body’s rear monitor, I was both proud and envious. Since Steve’s bird photography has improved so drastically since Sebastian last fall, I am wondering how much the a-1 ii has to do with it …

Composite #1: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for General Bird Photography

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.

Composite #2: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The a-1 ii for Birds in Flight

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.

Composite #3: All the result of using Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii

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!

All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Purchasing or Upgrading to a Sony a-1 ii

The Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide

I now own and use two Sony a-1 ii bodies. Every day that I use them, 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 — the lack of a tilting rear screen on the original a-1 always ticked me off. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus almost exclusively for take-off flight images. In my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography because you should always be utilizing the maximum frame rate. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. I must mention again 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 have come 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).

The price of a new a-1 is $5,898.00. The price of a new a-1 ii is $1,100.00 more: $6,998.00. As the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography to the original a-1, the choice for folks new to Sony or for those upgrading from lesser Sony camera bodies is an easy one. Prices for used a-1 bodies has not dropped drastically as I anticipated. At this point, a-1 folks who like showing flight and action and can afford an a-1 ii, are advised to purchase an a-1 ii. Please remember that life is short; we only get one ride on the merry-go-round.

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 for free. Using my links will never cost you one penny and may actually save you some money. 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 $244.93. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail. If you would like to chat about upgrading, shoot me a text to 863-221-2372 and LMK a good time to call you.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images best tells the story? Why?

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post everyone chose Judy’s soft light landing spoonbill as their top pick (and that included me as well). My second pick was image #1, the tern with its wings raised and the nice blue sky.

What’s Up?

Steve Shore made it safely back to Dallas on Saturday after spending seven days with me at Nickerson Beach. His photography has improved dramatically since Sebastian Inlet last fall. Vasili Chernishof arrived safely from Pasadena and arrived at the AirBnB even before we got back from our morning session that day. He will be here for eight days. We attended the Mets game at Citi Field last night, got to witness a great game, and saw Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean go behind-the-back to begin a wicked ending inning double play. His first ever major league appearance got him his first major league victory. Check out the smile on his face after he makes the amazing play below. And check out the smile on the face of Mets first baseman Pete Alonzo; he thought it was a pretty darned good play! The batter: not so much.

Today is Sunday 17 August 2025. Vasili’s first session went quite well, again despite the wind against sun conditions. We did lots of backlit flight. We will be headed to the beach at about 6pm for some more fun and learning. Whatever you opted to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

I still have room at the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $2299.00.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

This image was created on 16 August 2025 on the second 2025 Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing on the beach, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78 at 6.8mm. ISO 64: 1/480 sec. at f/1.8. 7:26:30am on a cloudy bright morning. Image #1: Fledged and flying young Black Skimmer Image Copyright 2025 by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART<

My First Instinct

My first instinct when I saw that the handsome and healthy young skimmer had been run over by a beach vehicle, most likely while it slept on the beach, was to go in tight with the I-phone and shoot straight down. Note the blood drops in the image above.

My first emotion was anger as such deaths occur pretty much every day. When I ask the research about preventing all driving on the beach in the vicinity of the colony I’m told that such a move would be impossible (for a variety of reasons mostly having to do with local ordinances. The number of vehicles on the beach seems to have been reduced over the years but there are still way too many — police cars, safety officers, garbage trucks, and beach cleaning machines are a common sight.

This image was also created on 16 August 2025 on the second 2025 Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing on the beach, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78 at 2.2mm. ISO 40: 1/340 sec. at f/2.2. 7:28:29am on a cloudy bright morning. Image #2: Fledged and flying young Black Skimmer run over by vehicle Image Copyright 2025 by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART<

On Second Thought …

On second thought, I realized that a wide angle bird-scape might work well so I went to .5X. Note the three photographers sitting peacefully by the colony ropes in the top left corner of the frame (properly positioned for the cloudy skies and southeast breeze) as well as my unattended tripod on the beach. Note also the almost countless sets of tire tracks.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which two of today’s nine featured images do you like best? Please let us know why you made your choices.

Please note that to better guide you, the nine images are arranged by time of capture (without regard to the date).

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post here, I loved both of the avian images but if I could have kept only one, it would be the bird-scape, Image #1. I love the placement of the bird, the relatively soft light, the nest image design, and the included beach vegetation. IMHO, Patrick Sparkman’s comment put a smile on my face. That and my response are worth reading.

Nickerson Gear

I have been heading to the beach most sessions with my new love, the Sony 400-800mm G Lens. On some afternoons, I grab only the 300mm f/2.8 lens with both TCs in my beloved fanny pack. By Monday I had used the 600mm f/4 L GM lens only once, that in the afternoon. But the last two mornings I have headed out with the 600, both TCs, and my tripod. After shooting the backlit stuff on the tripod I grab the 600 and have been handholding it up and down the beach for feeding oystercatchers, flight, and more. The funny thing is that after doing so much handheld work with the relatively 400-800 I am much more capable of handholding the six! Go figure.

What’s Up?

Despite the continuing sunny mornings with south and southwest winds (bad), Steve and I have been doing quite well. In today’s post, the first of two parts, I share nine images from Sunday and Monday that can give you some ideas as to what to try when things are looking bleak because of wind-against-sun conditions. On Tuesday, Mr. Shore got a killer image of a backlit skimmer chick digging a scrape; you should be seeing it in the next blog post. This morning, we had some decent chances on getting a few red light district photos …

Today is Wednesday 13 August. We will be headed to the beach at about 6pm for some more fun and learning. I still have room at the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $1899.00.

If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!

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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.

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

This image was created on 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported 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 using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Shutter Priority +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1000. 1/30 second at f/8 (wide-open). AWB at 6:05:24am on a clear day before sunrise. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Wide/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Canada Goose flock blur (with one Common Tern) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Number One Rule for Dealing with Challenging Wind-Against-Sun Conditions in the Morning

The first thing you need to do to have a chance when the forecast is calling for clear skies and west or southwest winds in the summer is to get out early, well before sunrise. This gives you chances for creating blurs and, if there is some color in the eastern sky, a few pleasing silhouettes. Some light clouds, fog, or haze in the east will often yield some nice sky color at sunrise, and, in addition, create opportunities for using gentle backlight. On dead-clear mornings, you have a chance for the Red Light District photos. We have been trying for those without success.

As folks who have been on an IPT and those who study the blog regularly know, I am a huge fan of using Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel for predawn blurs. I set that up on my a-1 ii so that I can be ready instantly when something interesting flies by. As with Image #1.

Keep reading for some additional tips on succeeding in wind-against-sun conditions.

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported 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 5000!: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:54:55am on a 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 #2: Common Tern landing at nest site — peach sky silhouette Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Hazy Sunrises!

For traditional front lit flight photography, you want the wind and the sun behind you so that the birds are flying, landing, and taking off towards you. When faced with wind-against-sun conditions, the wind will be behind you and the rising sun in your face. Throw in some haze as we had on Sunday morning and you can experience some magical sky colors. Handheld flight with the handheld Sony 400-800 is a great option. But for some or many folks like me, your shoulders (my right) will feel it after a while.

On Monday afternoon I did a long flight session with the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported supported Sony 400-800. The funny thing is that the more I practice with that combination the more comfortable I become and the more successful I am. Go figure.

This image was created on 11 August 2025 by student/friend Steve Shore on a wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Lying flat on dry sand, he used the flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, 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: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:34.14am with the sun fronted by haze. 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 #3: Gently backlit Black Skimmer on two-egg scrape Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Steve Shore

Knowing Bird Behavior Helps All the Time

After I spotted this two-egg clutch, we sat down about 20 feet from the scrape just as the sun was breaking though the haze. With the nest lined up with the sun, this provided the gentle backlight you see in Steve’s fine image. Once we got on the ground, the bird came back to sit on her eggs in less than a minute. With the southeast breeze, it was highly likely that the skimmer would be facing us as she nestled down. And that is exactly what she did. I love Steve’s choice of height perspective and background. I made about 200 images of this same bird but none were as good at Mr. Shore’s.

This image was created five seconds after Steve Shore created Image #3 (above) on 11 August 2025 on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand, I used the handheld 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 1600!: 1/400 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:34:19am on a sunny morning with a west wind. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #4: Black Skimmer on ridge with beach grass background Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Subjects Facing the “Wrong” Way

This advice usually applies to birds in flight but is equally applicable when looking for subjects on the ground; for whatever reasons, birds do not always face into the wind. A universal tip for improving your bird photography is to get in the habit of checking behind you every once in a while. While Steve was creating Image # 3, I happened to look behind me and was surprised to see this handsome skimmer sitting on a ridge facing pretty much to the south rather than the expected southwest. I pointed the situation out to Steve and said, “All we need now is a slight head turn toward us.”

This image was created on 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 600mm) 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!: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 6:52:09am on a sunny morning with some haze in the eastern sky. 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: Black Skimmer calling in flight — golden sky silhouette Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

A Bad Flight Wind Direction is Best for Silhouettes

As the sun was already about 15 degrees above the horizon, my directions to Steve were to look for birds flying above the grasses but below the sun. I added, “Though the sky there looks pretty white to us, there is a ton of gold in it.” The haze, of course, helps with the color.

This image was created on 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, I used the handheld 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 1600: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:01:31am on a sunny morning with some haze in the eastern sky. 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: Black Skimmer attacking sleeping chick (not its own) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Watch For Backlit Action

I turned back around too the gentle backlight and when an adult skimmer approached a chick to our left that had been sleeping in its scrape for more than half an hour. I swing the lens around just as the adult began whacking at the chick with its bill. Adult skimmers will instinctually attack and even kill chicks from other nests that wind up in their territories. I acquired focus and fired away before the check scooted. As the chick did not respond to the first few pecks, Steve, for a few seconds, thought that it was dead !

Had it been a bright sunny morning, this backlit image would not have worked because the contrast would have been too great. A little bit of haze never hurts!

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Standing in the shallow surf to stay close to sun angle, I used the handheld 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 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:15:14am on a fully 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 #7: American Oystercatcher with mole crab Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Feeding Shorebirds in the Surf

Though foraging shorebirds are affected by the wind direction to some degree, they will at times feed, run, or pose parallel to the imaging sensor. With the morning high tides, we have been having a hard time with the oystercatchers feeding in the surf. Every time we approach a foraging family, they run up onto the beach above the berms before we even get near them. This was the first one we had any luck with. We did quite well on Tuesday morning on an adult with a handsome juvenile in the gorgeous white foam of breaking waves.

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Sitting on damp sand, I used the handheld 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 ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:23:35am on a 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 #8: Great Black-backed Gull on berm at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Keep Looking for Subjects Facing the “Wrong” Way

Rather than looking to the southwest into the relatively strong breeze, this bird — for reasons unknown, stood facing southeast and thus, was perfectly square to the back of the camera. I made lots of frames in search of the best breaking wave. The ghost of a Common Tern with its wings raised was the icing on that cake!

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Sitting on dry sand and facing into the wind, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 445mm) 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 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:45:07am on a 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 #9: Black Skimmer with Striped Killifish for chick(s) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Subjects Flying the “Wrong” Way (or Banking)

Later in the mornings when the backlight is too harsh, turn around, put the sun at your back, and see if you can get on a bird or two that is flying toward you. You need to be fast as the bird will be flying with the wind behind it and thus will be traveling much faster than birds flying into the wind. At times with wind against sun conditions, you can make some good images of birds turning in flight. To improve your chances for those, study the flight patterns carefully. And, with really strong winds blowing right in your face, you can always try for the back shots of birds braking to land. Though made on a cloudy day, the Common Tern landing away images in the blog post here (#s 6, 7, & 8), are superb examples of what you might be looking for.

Image #9 is not the greatest flight shot ever. The light is getting harsh and I do not like the placement of the horizon line. But it is a good example of what to look for when trying to create front-lit flight shots in wind-against-sun condition.

The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide

When I borrowed this lens from Sony, I assumed that at 5.45 pounds it was too heavy to handhold for long and that at f/8 at the long end (800mm,) it was too slow for most bird photography applications. In short, I did not want to like the lens. After months of using it, I cannot live without it. After returning the loaner, I was miraculously able to get my own from Bedfords on 16 April 2025. In this guide I share everything that I have learned about using the 400-800. For best results, you need to know exactly what you are doing to get the most out of this zoom lens. It would be best, therefore, to consider and study the material in the guide so that you can begin making great images with your new lens.

You will learn how to deal with the relatively show apertures: f/6.3, f/7.1, and f/8 when working in Manual mode.

You will learn how to ensure that you are working at the widest aperture by working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO.

If you are able to hand hold the lens, you will learn proper hand holding techniques.

If you can’t, you will learn when, why, and how to employ other options. Those include:

1- The knee-pod, heel-pod, and toe-pod techniques

2- Using the lens on a monopod.

3- The best lens plate and low foot for your 4-8.

4- The best tripod and head for the 4-8 and how best to utilize them.

5- How to use the lens from your vehicle while supporting it on a BLUBB (or not and why not).

6- Detailed instructions on how to set and use the lens controls and buttons:

a- AF/MF

b- DMF Switch

c- Limit Range Switch

d- OSS (Optical Steady Shot) Switch

e- OSS Mode Switch

f- Focus Hold Buttons

The guide also includes a Hand Holding Shutter Speed Primer and an illustrative, educational, and inspiring 67-image gallery.

Free to folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their Sony 400-800 G lens. Otherwise, please click here to order yours or send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.

Typos

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