Stuff
I vegged out all day on Sunday — on the floor with my feet up watching the Smithsonian channel on TIVO in the morning and then NFL Sunday Ticket for the rest of the day. At least I ate well.
IPT News
I learned last week that Mary van Deusen and her friend Patti Romano will be driving down from South Carolina to join UK Puffins and Gannets veteran Shonagh Adelman on the 2019 Fall Sandbar Secrets Fort DeSoto IPT at the end of this month. Then things got even better when DeSoto IPT veteran Jim Miller e-mailed letting me know that he would also be joining us. Everyone is excited. There are still two spots left on this great workshop.
IPT Updates
- The 2019 Fall Sandbar Secrets Fort DeSoto IPT/September 27-30, 2019: One-half and three FULL DAYS: $1499.00. Free Morning Session on Tuesday, October 1. Limit 6/Openings 2. Afternoon session on Friday, September 25 at 4pm, followed by three full days. We photograph till sunset on Monday, September 30
- The Return to Bosque Reduced Rate Scouting IPT. NOV 26-28, 2019 — 3 FULL DAYS: $1199.00. Limit: 8/Openings: 6. Extra Day Options: Join me for one to three extra In-the-Field Days at the end of the IPT as follows: FRI 29 NOV, SAT 30 NOV, and SUN 1 DEC for only $300.00/day.
- The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
FlexShooter Pro News
All FlexShooter Pro BigFeet are now in stock in the BAA Online Store. You can click on the chart above or here for more information.
Coming Soon
The FlexShooter Mini
Several months ago I had a FlexShooter Mini to test on both the UK Puffins and Gannets IPT and the Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. It is a smaller, lighter (one pound!) version of the amazing FlexShooter Pro. I used it often with both the Nikon 500 PF and the SONY 100-400 GM with great success and in a pinch, I was able to make sharper images with the Nikon 600 and the TC-E14. All with the Mini mounted on the lighter Induro GIT 204. I suggested to developer/manufacturer Csaba Karai that the Mini needed a bit more spring tension. A new batch with my suggested changes should be in stock in about two weeks.
The FlexShooter Mini with the lighter Induro GIT 204 is dead-solid-perfect for those whose intermediate telephoto or telephoto zoom is their workhorse lens for bird and nature photography. It will sell for $579 plus shipping. Folks who wish to be assured of getting one from our first shipment can order theirs by phone by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 asap. Your card will not be charged until your Mini is shipped.
FlexShooter Pro Update
We currently have only four FlexShooter Pro heads in stock here. We have all but one of the BigFeet in stock (phone orders only for now: 863-692-0906) but are sold out of the new FLN-60 BigFoot that was recently re-designed for the Nikon 600 VR. Click here to access the pretty much complete FlexShooter Pro story with videos.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve currently has several D850s in stock along with a Nikon 600mm f/4 VR. He is getting folks the hot new SONY stuff: the 200-600, the 600 f/4 GM, and the 7R iv. And the wait-list is short for the Nikon 500 P.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.. 6ISO 1600: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version Short-billed Dowitcher in fresh juvenal plumage.
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A Wow!
Sometimes when you see an image, you fall in love instantly. For me, this one was definitely a wow!
The Single Blade of Grass
If this were your image, would you have removed the single blade of grass? Why or why not?
Add Green Whenever Possible
Even before the publication of the original The Art of Bird Photography, I’ve been advising bird photographers to add green whenever possible. And I continue to do so to this day. Bird Photographer’s.Net super-moderator Dan Cadieux applied that principle to the max in today’s featured image. Sweet, smooth, and luscious were the first word that came to mind when I saw this image in Dan’s BPN post here.
If you compare the version posted here with Dan’s original post in the Avian Gallery, you might be able to note that I did a tiny bit of clean-up. If you can spot the difference, do leave a comment.
Dan Cadieux: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Master
Dan has long been the master of the Canon 7D bodies, first with the original 7D, and then with 7D Mark II. Many folks do not like even ISO 800 with this body; as you can see above, Dan has no problem at all with ISO 1600. To see more of Dan’s ISO 800 and higher images with the 7D II, see these Dan’s ISO 800 and Higher Canon EOS 7D Mark II Gallery–Part I here, and Part II here. To see even more of Dan’s images, type “Cadieux” in the little white search box on the top right of each blog post page and hit the search icon. In short order, you will find links to about 8 blog posts. One of those details how Dan processes his 7D II images.
Image Critiques
I’ve long said and firmly believe that there is no better way to grow as a photographer than to have your images evaluated by others and to then return the favor by critiquing their images. And there is no better place to do that than on BPN. Our motto: honest critiques done gently. The $40 for an annual membership gives you the very best bang for your bird photography dollar. I hope to see you there. If you join, send me a link to all of your posted images via e-mail and I will be glad to post a comment.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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Fort DeSoto in fall is rife with tame birds. All of the images in this card were created at Fort DeSoto in either late September or very early October. I hope that you can join me there this September. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
The 2019 Fall Sandbar Secrets Fort DeSoto IPT/September 27-30, 2019: One-half and three FULL DAYS: $1499.00. Limit 6/Openings 2.
Afternoon session on Friday September 25 at 4pm. That followed by three full days. We photograph till sunset on Monday, September 30
Added: a Free Morning Session on Tuesday October 1
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds and terns in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, night-herons, and gulls that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With luck, we may get to photograph two of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit and Roseate Spoonbill. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two along with some American Oystercatchers. We may very well get to see and photograph the amazing heron/egret hybrid that has been present for four years. We should get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.
On the IPT you will learn:
- 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure.
- 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
- 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
- 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
- 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
- 6- To spot the good situations and to choose the best perspective.
- 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
- 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
- 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
- 10- How and when to access the magical sandbar safely.
- 11- More than you could ever imagine.
Morning sessions will run at least three to 3 1/2 hours, afternoon sessions 2 1/2 to 3 hours. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. There will be a Photoshop/image review session after lunch (included) each day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. This IPT will run with only a single registrant (though that is not likely to happen). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with the hotel information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).
Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving …
Payment in full is due now. Credit cards are OK for your $500 deposit. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. If you leave a deposit you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your check out to BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice in mid-August. Please remember that we will meet early on Saturday morning. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.
IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together are urged to e-mail for discount information.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Just stopping by to say thanks to all for the kind words. I am also glad that it is unanimous in keeping that blade of grass in. I love it there as well. I will also add to the other question that Artie removed a couple of subtle faint spots near that blade of grass. Lastly, if you have not done so yet come and join the fun and learning on BPN!! 🙂
Thanks a stack for stopping by Dan. I love, love, love this image. Good job on the clean-up question. And great job on the first fall female Mourning Warbler image here.
with love, artie
ps: come on down!
I love the blade of grass. It adds to the image and I’d leave it as is. (while not exactly the same, it reminds me of your Gannets in Love where there is a small piece of the vegetation falling off – that little bit adds so much to the image)
Thanks a stack, Muhammed.
with love, artie
Artie I would definitely leave the blade of grass. I saw this on BPN when Dan first posted.When I see that Dan has posted on BPN I am always anxious to view because I know it will be something exciting. Dan has always succeeded in some beautiful posts and I use it for inspiration.Along with other great Photographers on BPN and great learning experiences.I have to Thank you Artie because of your blog and BPN is how I have progressed the most in my Photography.
Thanks a stack Kevin. And I agree, Dan is a gem.
with love, artie
Good morning Guru (it’s 8.30 am here).
The Bar-tailed Godwit image by Dan Cadieux is wonderful.
I’m little curious about the f number. I thought when 1.4 extender is attached to an f/4 lens; the aperture relegates to f/5.6; not f/5!
Kindly correct me if I’m wrong.
Continue loving your posts as always.
Quazi
Thanks for commenting. We’d wish it was a bar-tailed in Canada but it is, as clearly labeled, a juvenal Short-billed Dowitcher. Thanks for catching my typo on the aperture — it has been fixed.
a
I like the blade of grass. It looks like the bird is looking at it, and it provides visual balance for the composition. This is a gorgeous image!
I would leave the blade of grass, it adds to the image
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I’d leave it. Looks like the bird is about to remove it.
Thanks Mike. They are nowhere near on the same plane and the shorebirds do not eat plants 🙂
with love, artie
Stunning image. This question surprised me in that I thought my answer would be to remove the blade of grass but, looking at the image having covered up the grass with my finger, I think I prefer it left in – something to do with the visual balance for me I think.
Jake
Hi Art,
I would not remove the blade of grass. It is the subject of the bird’s stare and is not a distraction as it blends nicely with the background and the water.