Thanks
Sincere thanks to the many who left congratulatory comments on a solid year of educational blog posts. Your kind words were and are greatly appreciated. I enjoyed taking a day off from the blog after 366 consecutive posts. 🙂
What’s Up?
On Tuesday, the morning of the third full day of this year’s 4-Day Bosque IPT, we lucked out again with a second killer sunrise with big flocks of geese flying back and forth through the color for more than fifteen minutes. The tour loop road was totally dead so we did a bunch of teaching near the Flight Deck after a group potty stop. Topics covered included rear focus, shutter button AF, setting the limit range switch on both Canon and Nikon lenses, and creating and saving sets of custom settings. In addition, Denise and I shared our My Menu items and the reasons for our individual choices.
Today is the 4th and last morning of what has been a great IPT. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and was published at 4:33am from my hotel room in Socorro, NM.
Please Help Support My Work on the BAA Blog
Thanks a Stack! The last six weeks have been great!
The last seven weeks have been quite rewarding with more and more folks making it a habit to use my B&H links especially for their major gear purchases. It is great to feel appreciated. Thanks a stack to all who used our links for purchases large and small.
To show your appreciation for my efforts here, we ask, as always, that you use our the B&H and Amazon affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your purchases. B&H Is recommended for you major photography gear purchases, Amazon for your household, entertainment, and general purpose stuff. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially Gitzo tripods, Wimberley tripod heads, and the like. 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 we are always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
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This image was created at 6:33am on Monday, DEC 2, the second full day of the 4-day IPT. I used the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod), the Mongoose M3.6 head, Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop as framed: 1/30 at f/8 in Tv Mode. Color temperature: 7,000K. Central sensor/AI Servo surround Rear Focus AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Great-tailed Grackle flock as sunrise |
Thanks Donna!
This image was inspired by multiple IPT veteran Donna Bourdon (Old Car City and UK Puffins and Gannets). I had been using my 200-400 with Internal Extender every morning for the Main Impoundment fly-ins and blast offs. After seeing some of the images that Donna made of geese against a blood red sky with her 600II/1.4X III/7D II rig, I decided to go that route after noting some nice clouds on the eastern horizon. One thing is for sure, you cannot beat the reach of this combo at f/5.6…
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This image was created at 6:49am on Sunday DEC 1, the first full day of the 4-day IPT. I used the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod), the Mongoose M3.6 head, Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 1250. Evaluative metering +2 stops as framed: 1/100 at f/5.6 in Tv Mode. AWB. 65-Point Automatic Selection/AI Servo Rear Focus AF activated an array of three AF points near the rear of the bird at the waterline. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Ross’s Goose in the pink |
Three Mistakes…
Not sure how I wound up in 65-Point Automatic Selection AF Area Selection mode; I should have been in my usual AI Servo Surround. In Tv mode I thought that I had rolled the index finger wheel enough clicks to get to 1/125 sec. I fell one click short of that. I should have snugged up the controls on the Mongoose M3.6 a bit. All three of my errors led to this image being a bit less sharp than I would have preferred. When you see a gorgeous bird floating in surreal pink water your brain does not always work as it should. 🙂
Used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS
Beth Starr is offering a used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS, aka The Sigmonster, in like-new condition. Used only 3-4 times: $5,500. The sale includes the original shipping box and the original lens case. Includes insured ground shipping in the continental US. You can call Beth on here cell at 908-625-1589 or by e-mail. James Shadle has used the Nikon mount version of this lens to create many great images. Strong folks can save a bundle as this is a steal at $2,499 below the list price.
Canon EOS-7D Mark II Back in Stock at B&H and Now Shipping
B&H has a limited supply of Canon EOS-7D Mark II bodies in stock. They are ready to ship you one today. Take part in the revolution. Need reach along with a great AF system and superb image quality? Order yours today by clicking on the logo link below.
Does anything about the 7D Mark II bug you?
If anything about the 7D Mark II bugs you, please let me know via e-mail.
The Bosque Site Guide
All BAA Site Guides are designed so that with a bit of study you can show up at a great place and know exactly where to be at what time on what wind and in what lighting conditions. With a Site Guide on your laptop you will feel like a 20-year veteran even on your first visit. Site Guides are the next best thing to being on an IPT. If you plan on visiting the refuge it would be foolish to make the trip without having this guide in hand. Why spend money on gear and travel and then spend days stumbling around in the wrong spots? If you have visited previously, and are still unsure of where you should be at this time of day with that wind, this guide will prove invaluable to you as well.
You can order yours here or check out all of our site guides here.
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All of the images in the bear boat card above were created in Katmai National Park during the month of September. |
Bear Boat/Bears Catching Salmon IPT: September 1-8, 2015 from Kodiak, AK/6 FULL & 2 1/2 DAYS: $6699. Happy campers only! Maximum 8/Openings: 5. Plus the leader: Arthur Morris.
If I do not have four deposit checks in hand by 1/31/2015 I reserve the right to scrap this trip so please do not purchase your plane tickets until you hear from me. 🙂 Only one to go.
Join me in Katmai National Park, AK for seven days of photographing Coastal Brown Bears (grizzlies) catching salmon, fattening up for the long winter. Other subjects will include Mew and Glaucous-winged Gulls in flight and dip-feeding on salmon roe. Did I mention that we live on a boat and that the food is great? Most of our photography will be done in a variety of famed locations: Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, and Kukak Bay. We once had 39 bears fishing the creek at Kukak….
It is mandatory that you be in Kodiak no later than the late afternoon of August 31, 2015 September to avoid missing the float planes to the boat on the morning of September 1. With air travel in AK being what it is, with the chance of fog or other bad weather–being on Kodiak on August 30 is an even better plan). I be on Kodiak on August 30 to avoid any potential disaster. That said in my nearly a dozen bear boat trips I was delayed only once but since I was day early as noted above there was no harm, no foul.
We will take one or more float planes to the boat mid-morning on September 1. We will photograph bears fishing that afternoon and every day for the next six days (weather permitting of course). We should have bears catching salmon every day. In addition, we will get some nice stuff on Mew Gull and Glaucous-winged Gulls dining on roe and the remains of predated salmon. We may–depending on where the concentrations of bears are–get to photograph Harbor seals and some hauled out Steller’s Sea Lions (an endangered species). Halibut fishing (license required) is optional. On September 8, our last morning on the boat, those who would like to enjoy one last photo session will do so. The group returns to Kodiak via float plane midday. Most folks will fly to Anchorage and then continue on red-eye flights to their home cities.
The eight days will consist of six full days (Sept 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7) of photography featuring lots of Coastal Brown Bears catching salmon as above plus a variety of other natural history subjects plus some nice scenic photography that I forgot to mention above. Plus the first afternoon and the last morning.
What’s included? 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS on the boat as above. All meals on the boat. (The food is quite excellent.) National Park fees. One night’s double occupancy lodging on Kodiak; arrive: Sept 1/depart: Sept 2. The thank-you-in-advance dinner on Sept 1. In-the-field photo tips, instruction, and guidance. An insight into the mind of a top professional; I will constantly let you know what I am thinking, what I am doing, and why I am doing it. Small group image review, image sharing, and Photoshop instruction on the boat.
What’s not included: Your round trip airfare to and from Kodiak, AK (almost surely through Anchorage). All necessary lodging other than the cost of your double occupancy room on the night of August 31 should you opt to arrive early–we can arrange that in advance for you. We will let you know the cost of a single supplement for the one night if so desired. The cost of the round-trip float plane to the boat on September 2 and back to Kodiak on September 9. The cost of a round trip this year was $500. The suggested crew tip of $210.
Is this an expensive trip? Yes, of course. But with 6 full and two half days, a wealth of great subjects, and the fact that you will be walking with the bears just yards away (or less….) it will be one of the great natural history experiences of your life. Most folks who take part in a Bear Boat IPT wind up coming back for more.
A $2,000 per person non-refundable deposit by check only made out to “Arthur Morris” is required to hold your spot. Please click here to read our cancellation policy. Then please print, read, and sign the necessary paperwork here and send it to us.
Your deposit is due immediately. That will leave a balance of $4699. The next payment of $2699 will be due on February 15, 2015. The final payment of $2000 is due on May 1, 2015.
I hope that you can join us for this wondrously exciting trip.
By e-mail from Bill Keown, veteran of three bear boat trips!
Hi Artie, What a great trip! With the exception of the one bright sunny day it was just great. Very different from my first trip in June where we only had the bears clamming; the fishing bears were amazing! As always I learned a lot and enjoyed the group immensely. All the Best, Bill
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Fort DeSoto in spring can be bird photographer’s heaven. And most of the birds are stupid tame. |
Fort DeSoto in Spring/Breeding Plumage IPT: April 24-26, 2015. 3 FULL DAYs: $1099. Limit 8/Openings: 7.
Meet and Greet at 8pm on Thursday, April 23.
Join me at Fort DeSoto at the height of the breeding season for many of our target species: Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, dark and light morph Reddish Egret, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. In addition, we will have a good shot at photographing a variety of arctic-bound shorebird species in breeding plumage. We should have good chances with a variety of courtship behaviors including courtship feeding, courtship displays, pre-copulatory stands, and copulation.
On this IPT you will the learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. And you will learn learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
At lunch (included) we will review my images–folks learn a ton watching me edit–why keep this one and delete that one. If you opt to bring your laptop, we will take a look at five of your best images from the morning session. We will process a few of my images in Photoshop after converting them in DPP. That followed by Instructor Nap Time.
A $499 non-refundable deposit is required to hold you spot. The balance, $600 will be due on February 7, 2015. Please click here to read our cancellation policy. Then please print, read, and sign the necessary paperwork here and send it to us.
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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 :).
Your sustained activity level is something very few in our age bracket could possibly manage (I am just a few years older than you). I did something like that in mid-career in my 40s and early 50s and had to ease up. Had to. You are an inspiration to many of us.
Sincerest thanks for the “streak” and your blog. I have learned a proverbial stack and look forward to future blog posts at whatever frequency you care to share!
Hi, Artie. I thought my computer had died when I didn’t see a blog post yesterday. :). Congratulations on the streak–enough for a leap year, as you said. And congratulations on getting the streak-monkey off your back. Wonderful images as always.