Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured crane colt images is the strongest? Why did you make your choice?
What’s Up?
On Wednesday morning there were several vultures chowing down on the skinless carcass of a very large, very dead eel. They were soon joined by a young Crested Caracara. I created more than 5500 images; Anita made about twice that many. Our favorites were of the occasional squabbles between the Turkey Vultures and the caracara. Occasionally, the small pier family colts wandered by to have their photos taken.
On Thursday morning I put out a Mottled Duck carcass that I found last week on the pier after it had been beheaded by one of the local Bald Eagles. I defrosted it on Wednesday afternoon. While waiting for the action to develop, we photographed two families of baby cranes by the South Canal. Later on, one of the families made its way to the pier and obliged us by feeding in the shallows along the edge of the lake. Then the vultures came to feast; the caracara never showed its face. Vulture pix here soon.
Both mornings were virtually without a breath of air.
Today is Friday 25 April 2025. Anita and I have scheduled four morning pontoon boat trips on Lake Blue Cypress beginning this morning so we will be up early. Another of my top former students, Clemens Van der Werf, will be joining us for at least the first morning. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on an Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025) or in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Both offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and ground transportation during your stay.
Indian Lake Estates BAA Baby Crane In-the-Field Sessions
I am currently available for morning BAA Baby Crane In-the-Field sessions on the following dates: April 29-30 and at least the first half of May. Please e-mail for costs and additional information. Or, shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.
BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
Why Attend? Speakers, Gear, Deals, and More!
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
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Bedfords Simplified
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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. But 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.
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 on 24 April 2025 right down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the sand beach left of the pier with my eye at the viewfinder, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 152mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 500: 1/3200 second at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:38:58am on a still, sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane small colt high stepping |
Avoiding the Intersecting Horizon Line
Rather than work off the tilted rear screen with my reading glasses on, I opted to work with my eye to the viewfinder to avoid having some sort of horizon line cut through the bird and to eliminate the chance of having to deal with the pier in the background. As I was seated, the perspective was low enough for me. And I like the strip of green along the upper frame edge.
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This image was created on 24 April 2025 right down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the sand beach left of the pier and working off titled vertical rear screen with the camera held just inches above the ground, she used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 142mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 500: 1/3200 second at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:39:12am on a still, sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane small colt standing tall |
Does the Grass Behind the Colt’s Body Bother You?
Why or why not?
Super-Narrow Depth of Field
Note that with the colt’s left leg pulled back slightly the left leg is not covered by the f/2.8 depth of field. The young bird’s right leg (on our left) is in sharp focus.
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Image #2A: IEDT Viewer Screen Capture showing AF point |
Trusting a-1 ii AF
When you are working off the tilted rear monitor, either horizontally or vertically, you must learn to trust the AF system unless you have superman vision. As my eyes are generally at least 14 inches from the monitor, I am unable to see the tiny green eye tracking AF box — even with my readers on. I must, therefore, trust the AF system. That is rather easy to do with the a-1 ii.
Note that I added a bit of canvas all around to create the optimized version.
As A7 INFO does not support the a-1 ii, I turned to Viewer in Sony’s Imaging Edge Desktop app. It is a real shame, heck, almost criminal, the Sony does not allow users to examine the raw file data and determine what AF method they were using for a given image. Both Canon and Nikon make it easy in their respective apps. When speaking with a Sony Pro Support rep last week, I could not stop laughing when he stated that the reason that users cannot learn the AF method after the fact was because Sony was protecting it Intellectual Property. Have you ever hear anything that ludicrous? I asked him how users were supposed to learn the intricacies of their camera’s AF systems without knowing the AF pattern they were using. He was stumped.
Please note that at times, the team as Sony Pro Support can be amazingly helpful.
I love image #1!
Another vote for Image 1, for all the reasons already stated. Lovely. As I scrolled to Image 2, I almost laughed out loud at the audacious colt and photograph. But I wish there was more light in the eyes. Possibly they could be brightened, or maybe you have a similar with the head turned. Background marsh doesn’t bother me at all–I might like it even better with more DOF for a better sense of place.
Grass behind in #2 does not bother me. it would though if it cut across the colt’s head. I like #1 by far the most because of: high stepping behavior, green strip, grass on left which balances the colt, movement in the blue water, and water drops off the foot.
Art: I love #1,because it’s an action shot, with the small crane stepping into the water. I also like the reeds on the left, which nicely balance the crane on the right.
I really enjoy both images, but I’ll go with #1 for the high-stepping pose and the included environment. The grass behind #2 doesn’t bother me one bit as the head/neck has plenty of clearance.