What’s Up?
I headed down to the lake on Friday morning not expecting much. Both young eagles were flying around and returning to the nest. I found a silly-tame ten-day old crane chick and then found two tiny chicks in the marsh tended by both adults. I had an Osprey on The Perch II, but it flew away before I got into position. Then I found several on the ground and got a nice sequence of a very sleek-looking one working at 1200mm on the BLUBB in my SUV. Next were some Turkey Vulture head portraits with the same set-up. On my walk, I saw seven Forster’s Terns, an unusually high number for ILE. The caracaras were up and about but I still cannot find their nest.
After such a great morning, I will be heading down to the lake again today, Saturday 11 March 2023. If you would like to join me at ILE to photograph the crane chicks, the Ospreys, and the eaglets, or book a weather-dependent session for spoonbills at Stick Marsh, please get in touch ASAP via e-mail: $300 for a two-hour session. The weather looks perfect for Sunday morning at Stick Marsh. Give me a buzz on my cell at 863-221-2372 for that one and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred forty-six days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
|
|
This image was created on 10 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass, I used the toe-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face-Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane — ten day-old chick resting |
Blessings
Every year in late winter and early spring, ILE’s crane chicks and colts are counted among my many blessings. I have no idea why some of the young cranes treat me as if I were family by allowing close approach with just a bit of care on my part. Having just returned from Alaska, I found the bird in Image #1, walked right up to it, and sat down in the grass. The chick and the ingle adult tending it did get nervous when another pair of cranes began calling loudly from the next territory.
|
|
This image was also created on 10 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 560mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/2000 sec. at f/ (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:35:52am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face-Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane — ten day-old chick striding |
560mm
The Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the FE 1.4X TC with an a1 is a great walk-around rig when working relatively tame birds. It will likely become my go-to combo at First DeSoto. It is fantastic for flight photography and stability is not a big issue as long as I can get on the ground and use the foot-pod, toe-pod, or knee-pod techniques. That said, using a Panning Ground Pod will constantly yield sharper images and allow you to more easily follow moving subjects like foraging shorebirds.
This item is incorrectly shown as out of stock in the BAA Online Store — we will not sell you junk — 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions. To order your ground pod please call me this weekend at 863-221-2372 or Jim on weekdays at 863-692-0906 and have yours drop-shipped to you this coming Monday.
|
|
This image was also created on 10 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face-Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Sandhill Crane — ten day-old chick — tight head, shoulders, and more portrait |
Your Calls
Would you have removed the dried grass stem in Image #3? Why or why not?
All are invited to leave a comment and rank today’s three featured images from best to worst. Please let us know why you made your choices.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Artie,
Glad things are going well back at ILE.
I like #1 since it shows the colt in in it’s natural habitat and it is not an image that is often seen.
I do like the pose and framing in image #2.
Although it is part of the habitat of the colt, I think image #3 would be stronger without the dead stem of grass.
My picks in order are #1,2,3. Yes remove grass in 3. In 1, maybe remove the lower 1/3 of just the grass blur, leaving 2/3s of the blur. I like 1 a lot and 2 as well.
Thanks, Elinor!
a
I think the grass stem in image 3 needs to be removed; it is very distracting. My eye went right to it and stayed there as I tried to figure out what it was.
Thanks, Elle. It is nice seeing you here. What system do you use? Where do you live? What do you like to photograph?
a
So, it seems you like the 400mm a lot 🙂
It has its uses 🙂
a
All three images of Sandhill Crane are interesting, well made, and cute!!
Of course!
a
I am looking forward to my visit to ILE in April. It is my belief that the cranes know and trust you.
You might be right. This chick is from your personal nest.
a
Remove the stem IMO. The first thing your eye goes to.
Welcome back Artie and I am glad things are buzzing at ILE. Image 2 is my preferred of the three and I always marvel at SC chicks. I likewise might have tried removing the grass in image 3 though I would have preferred a bit more DOF to encompass more of the chick.
Absolutely would have removed the the grass stem from Image 3! Cannot imagine why you have left it? Distracting & easy to remove. Prefer this (without the grass), and Image 1, though I would have removed at least half of the blurred, bottom edge foliage on 1 as per Image 2!