Great News
Once I get my taxes to my accountant, I will be announcing several trips. Note that there is still a single opening on the first Homer Bald Eagle IPT. Click here for details.
Wanted to Buy
If you have a Canon EF 180mm Lens sitting on a shelf doing nothing and would like to get a good price for it, please get in touch via e-mail.
Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images is your favorite? Why? I have a very clear winner that I will share with you in the next post.
My Calls
Thanks to those who chimed in with their three (or five!) top images in the last post. The winner was the iPhone clouds pano. I liked that one and the flower as well, but my top tree were all birds, here in no particular order:
Image #9: Great Egret juvenile with bill open.
Image #3: Least Sandpiper adult in basic (winter) plumage.
Image #5: White-winged Dove on sand beach!
Right on their heels were Image #4: Sandhill Crane adult calling and Image #10: Stretched wing of Anhinga.
What’s Up?
First off, thanks to Marc Wortsman and Robert Sabine (both of Long Island, NY) for their generous BAA Blog Thank You Gifts.
As noted in the Indian Lake Estates Late Summer Potpourri blog post here, I’ve been enjoying some unexpected fabulous bird photography recently at ILE. In that post, I did not even mention the fabulous morning that I had with bathing Black Vultures on Monday past, 16 September. Three days later, on Thursday the 19th, I had a handsome young Great Egret preening for an hour on The Perch II, finally got some sweet stuff on the young Tricolored Heron that had been avoiding me for two weeks, and was blessed by a bathing Great Blue Heron. Though I fanned on two of the three best chances, it was still a fantastic morning.
Yesterday, on Friday morning, despite seemingly perfect conditions — clear with a NE breeze, I had a comparatively lousy morning. But still was able to create today’s two featured images.
Today is Saturday 21 September 2021. I’ve just about finished my 2023 taxes and am awaiting the return of Chip the accountant from vacation. He should be back in Clearwater any minute. It is dead clear with a gentle breeze from the north so I will, of course, be heading down to the lake at about 7:15am. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.
Please remember to use the B&H 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!
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.
Need a New Laptop?
Need a new laptop for photography? Consider the Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M3 Max, Space Black).
Key Features
Apple M3 Max 16-Core Chip
128GB Unified RAM | 8TB SSD
16″ 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
40-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
Backlit Magic Keyboard
Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
macOS
In other words, the bomb. Looking to spend a bit less? Click here and search for Apple MacBook Pro M3. Feel free to e-mail or call (863-221-23720 for laptop advice.
Why Not Buy Your MacBook Pro From Apple?
If you purchase a laptop from Apple and have a problem right off the bat they will fix it for you in a few days or a week after you send it to them. They will not replace it. If you purchase a laptop from B&H and have a problem right out of the box, they will send you a new one no questions asked.
Save 15%!
If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.
I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.
Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.
Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com
B&H
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
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 Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
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.
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 stave 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 on 20 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000. 1/500 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one full stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning. Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle perched above old nest tree |
Hopeful…
Recently, I’d seen a single eagle once at last year’s (lousy for bird photography) eagle nest, and twice seen a single bird at the old nest tree (above, and great for bird photography). One afternoon I had the two adults on the ground near last year’s nest. But, as usual, they were impossible to approach successfully in my vehicle. I love the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest hole and the inclusion of the pine needles in Image #1. And the early light.
Image #1 Lessons
When Using Your Car as a Blind
1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back. I am not sure if it would have been possible to have had the woodpecker nest hole perfectly illuminated (without even the tiny shadow).
2- When working a subject well above you, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of inclination, the degree to which you need to point the lens up to get on the subject.
3- Toward that same end, roll the driver’s side window with the BLUBB up as high as possible while still allowing you to get the lens on it.
4- If you have a subject that is not going anywhere, try experimenting with apertures smaller than wide open and see if you can learn anything.
5- In the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:
a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.
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This image was also created on 20 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 3200. 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning. Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Black-bellied Whistling Duck after bath |
Image #2 Lessons
When Using Your Car as a Blind
1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back.
2- When working a subject on the ground, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of declination, the degree to which you need to point the lens down to get on the subject.
3- Toward that same end, be sure to roll the driver’s side window down all the way so that the BLUBB rests on the door frame. Simply put, you want to be as low as possible assuming that you could not get out of the vehicle without flushing the bird.
4- Again, in the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:
a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Artie, I’m with David in seeing the BBWD as the clear winner. For me, any image with water is highly dependent on the beauty of the water, and the striated color here is sweet. Good advice on lowering and raising a car window, though I can’t remember the last time I shot from a vehicle. I always preferred a manually operated window, and often drove with the 600 in the window on a Rue mount and Wimberley head. Later I had at least one power window failure with that heavy setup (600s much heavier then, as you know).
Hey Cliff,
Still blue water lit by early morning sun never sucks.
I remember doing the same more than a decade ago. If you are not shooting from your vehicle here at ILE, you will pretty much be limited to the cranes.
with love, a
i love the picture of the bald eagle they are my favorite it reminds me of my trip to Alaska with Mom and Arna.
love ilene
That’s all we have left of them now.
a-Bro
“I had a comparatively lousy morning.”
Artie –
To borrow a phrase from my fishing friend…a bad day photographing is better than a good day working!
Yes, one of my many blessings.
a
ps: Saturday morning was even worse!
Hi, Artie. The duck is the clear winner for me. Love the pose, color, background. I’m not sure what the pine needles add in the eagle photo (for me they detract) and I was spoiled by Homer. But being off sun angle really enhances the woodpecker hole; the shadow really enhances it. I can’t tell you how many images I have saved by asking the car or skiff driver to turn off the motor. The telephoto lens really nagbifies those vibrations.
For me, the pine needles indicate a Florida eagle, a smaller subspecies of the birds in Homer and the rest of Alaska. And I far prefer the pine needles to an all blue sky.
a