Photographing Both Vultures on the Indian Lake Estates Pier V-Log. And My OSS/IS/VR Mode Settings ...

What’s Up?

In the bad news department, one of the two Mother’s Day colts apparently perished on Monday evening, possibly a result of the huge rainstorm. I saw the two adults with the two healthy colts on Sunday. I saw them with only one colt on Tuesday and Wednesday … All in all, it has been a very bad year for the breeding cranes at ILE.

This morning — Wednesday 24 JUNE 2020 — I photographed the two adults and the remaining colt in the sweet early morning light. After it clouded over I went scouting in the North Marsh with no intention of photographing. Then I saw some nice White Morning Glory flowers right on the ground — they are normally a climbing vine. As it was quite still and the light was soft, I got out my Sigma 150 macro rig with the Vello adapter on the 7r iv and went to work. I had photographed this flower about two weeks ago and underexposed everything that I created at the smaller apertures. I did not make that same mistake today.

I was glad to learn this morning that Homer Bald Eagle IPT veteran — my Land’s End roommate — Mukesh Patel, will be joining me on the Fort DeSoto Fall IPT. See the complete IPT schedule here. It is time to start thinking seriously about Bosque and San Diego …

BIRDS AS ART

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

SONY e-Guide Discount Program

Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.

Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.

97 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

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 over $1000.00, 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 has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.

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.

Vultures on the Pier Tips V-Log

I am blessed most mornings to have lots of Turkey and Black Vultures to photograph here at Indian Lake Estates. Evenings? Not so much. The best news is that they are often very tame. If and only if you move very slowly. Whether or not you ever get to ILE to photograph you can learn a lot by watching this 7-minute 52-second educational video. Here are some of the things you can learn about getting close to free and wild birds, getting the right exposure, working at 1200mm, and framing your images perfectly with SONY Tracking Flexible Spot AF.

Questions and comments are of course welcome.

Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization (OSS)

When working with my SONY telephoto lenses, I keep OSS set to Mode 3 even when working on a tripod. As you will see in the video, the sharpness and fine-feather (and eyelash!) detail at 1200mm with the a7r iv are amazing. I employed the same strategy with my Canon 600 II. And with my Nikon 600 VR, I similarly set VR to the Sport Setting and left it there all the time. Theoretically, you are supposed to turn the image stabilizer systems off when working on a tripod. In addition, you are supposed to use Mode 1 (“Normal” mode with Nikon) when handholding for static subjects and mode 2 or 3 when panning. I am buying none of that … Set it and forget it: I go with Mode 3 (“Sport mode with Nikon) all the time.

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 regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

Facebook

Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.

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 :).