What’s Up?
Today is Tuesday 30 November 2021. This blog post is a story in three pictures. All are invited to figure out what happened and to leave a comment. I am exploring eastern Long Island in search of Snowy Owls and more. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less an hour to prepare and makes 22 consecutive days with a new one.
Four new folks joined the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group in the past two days. Details below.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Brand New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, and any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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.
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This I-phone image was created on 30 November 2021. Image #1: Sign at beach access point |
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This image was created on 30 November 2021 at 8:29:20am. Image #2: Woman with dog on beach |
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This image was created on 30 November 2021 at 8:29:30am. Image #3: Snowy Owl flying away … |
SONY Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords!
Bedfords still has a very few SONY Alpha 1 bodies in stock. Order yours, save 3% by using the BIRDS AS ART discount code at checkout, enjoy free second day air Fed-Ex, and earn free entry into the BIRDS AS ART Sony Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes Group. As part of the attraction, the first e-mail that you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. With another photographer joining yesterday, we are now up to an astounding 98 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. More recently, we have been in contact with folks at SONY sharing our thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with the EVF blackout problem.
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
“Sony” owl?….now i know you love Sony…but? lol
Thanks and fixed.
with love, artie
This is so familiar, but in my neck of the woods less about dogs and more about the drive for the perfect cell phone “selfie” that ends up with flushed birds and ruined photos
Hi Roger,
That is often the case with the Connecticut and West End Snowy Owls (though I have not witnessed it myself). That and simply too many photographers. That is why I left CT and headed for eastern Long Island.
with love, artie
The sign doesn’t say “No Dogs” … the person has the dog on a leash and obviously under control, seems like a responsible dog owner to me … the beach is not just for bird photographers. I’m a nature photographer and a dog owner, I also live on a beach.
Hi Larry,
You are correct in that dogs are allowed on this particular beach form 2 OCT through 31 MAR. I spoke to the woman. She knows about the owls and she know about the photographers. We were the only people on the beach. I was standing behind a 600mm lens in a bright yellow expedition parka. The owl too was in plain sight.
The fact remains that much to my horror, she walked straight at the bird and she and her dog flushed the resting bird. Responsible? Maybe … Ignorant? Not at all. Aware? Not so much. Oblivious? For sure. Uncaring? Likely.
with love, artie
ps: In the same situation, would you have kept walking right at the bird and the photographer because it is your right?
One of those moments where you have to take a deep breath. I’ve been at DeSoto before shooting x bird when a photographer (!) has walked right down my lens barrel at, and through, the bird. Some folks are aimless.
Don’t forget that I am the one who says “We need to thank all of the clueless folks who walk right through the flocks of resting birds. They are the #1 reason that the birds at DeSoto are so accepting of photographers 🙂
with love, artie
Hope you’re not blogging from the Montauk jail. 😉
Not arrested today 🙂
with love, artie
And the woman yelled at you for being to close to snowy
That happens often, but she was actually apologetic. See my response to Larry above.
with love, artie
And the dog flushed the owl.
🙂
a
You encountered a person who obviously can’t read, you gotta love it!
Actually, dogs on a leash are permitted OCT through the end of March. See my reply to Larry.
with love, artie
I was referring to the part of the sign that states how the birds perceive all dogs to be a threat. In so many words telling folks to be aware of their surrounding and not cause unnecessary stress on the birds. I suppose, as you said, she was oblivious to the presence of the Owl but I wonder what she thought you were photographing?
Understood. You’d think that a woman who lives on the beach and is proud of having the owl sit on her porch might be a bit more aware of her surroundings … Again, the irony is that we were probably the only people on more than ten miles of very wide beach. Just bad luck.
with love, artie