Homer 2024 Eagle IPTs
Filling Fast; Early-bird Discount Expiring Soon
Right now, my two 2024 Homer IPTs are half-full only two weeks after being announced. That the two photographers who have already signed up for both 2024 sessions are Homer IPT veterans should tell you something. I am offering an early-bird registration discount that expires at 8:00pm this coming Monday. Click here for discount details.
What’s Up?
I headed down to the lake on Friday morning in perfect conditions. I did OK, but Stick Marsh would have been a better choice with clear skies and a decent wind from the east.
In yesterday’s blog post, my preference was for Image #1, the handsome eagle. Why? I liked the tones of the blue water better and I liked the immaculately clean eagle better than the scruffy one.
Today is Saturday 25 March 2023. I am up early and will be headed down to the lake here this morning. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-nine 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. It won’t be long now.
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.
The Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service
I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the latest construction project.
The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and the latest info in the Stick Marsh Site Guide e-Mail #6: March 20, 2023 Update. To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal order.
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
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. 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 Amazing 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, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
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 waitlists 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 Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
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. 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.
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This image was created 24 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing in a relatively shallow culvert, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt stretching right wing |
The Relocated Sandhill Crane Colt
A bit worried after not having seen the colt at the north end of the lakefront for five days, I was glad to see it again in the exact same spot as I had seen it with the two adults many weeks ago.
I cannot decide which of the today’s images I like best.
Crane “Chick” versus Crane “Colt”
I did some online surfing to see if anyone states definitively when a Sandhill Crane chick becomes a colt. I did learn the colt reference was inspired by the long legs of a crane colt and the fact that they run like a young horse. Other than that, I came up empty. For me, it is a matter of size. When a baby crane looks tiny when compared to its parent, I call it a chick. When they get as tall as the adult’s legs are long, probably at about five weeks, I begin calling them colts. For what it’s worth.
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This image was created 24 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing in a relatively shallow culvert, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane small colt stretching right leg |
High Level Exposure Question
Note that I needed to do some work to restore detail to the colt’s visible left cheek in Image #1, but in Image #2 the colt’s right cheek was just fine. That despite the identical exposure parameters and unchanging light. In the same vein, RawDigger showed that Image #1 was slightly brighter than Image #2. That again, despite identical exposure parameters.
How do you explain the above after considering that the light and the exposure parameters were both constant?
Not: the answer to this question explains why Sony user’s may see Zebras one second and no Zebras the next instant.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Thanks for answering my message Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART!!
Hmmm. The way the feathers are laying (nap) or perhaps one side was wet?
Both sides dry …
a
While I agree with the previous responders that the angle makes a difference, it also appears to me that there is more white in image #1.
Hi David,
Not sure by what you mean by “more white in Image #1.”
artie
Images #1 and #2 are interesting and well made with Sandhill Crane colt and Sandhill Crane small colt! Sandhill Crane small colt isn’t real real smaller then Sandhill Crane colt in image #1.
That makes sense, Sue. They are the same bird.
artie
In #1 the colt’s cheek was directly facing the sun. In #2 the cheek was angled right a bit. Or……………my Canon R5 sometimes makes the first shot in a series brighter than the rest of the series.
Similar answer to Joel’s, though I’d argue the illumination (from the sun, as measured by an incident meter) is the same, but the reflectance (what the camera meter measures) is higher in Image 1. Theoretically, the brighter reflectance should have produced more Zebras, causing you to reduce exposure, but perhaps you set exposure when the cheek was at a less reflective angle. Both sweet shots.
True, but if you try to adjust the exposure as a bird turns its head, you will miss many good poses. Your answer, however, is the best.
with love, a
For me Artie both are a wonderful capture, but I like the second image with the colt stretching his leg. Joel is correct on the exposure question.
My guess on the exposure question: The left cheek has more illumination because of the sun angle, thus more prone to over exposure (and subsequent loss of detail) compared to the right cheek which is partially blocked from the direct sunlight.
Love the soft background colors! And the poses, of course.