My, How Fast They Grow!

What’s Up?

A single photographer needs to leave Homer early (due to new, even more restrictive travel rules for Canadian citizens). This opens up two (or possibly three) pro-rated (with a late-registration discount) days aboard my 2022 eagle boat. This would seem to be a great opportunity for folks living in Anchorage or elsewhere in Alaska, or for folks who will be visiting the region soon. Please contact me via e-mail to staffbaa@att.net or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. See below for details.

I visited the eagle family on a dreary Sunday morning. I did not do any photography at the nest, but I did take a very few while sky Osprey flight images with the hand held 600 f/4. The rest of the day was spent catching up on samandmayasgrandpa@att.net e-mails. After my swim and an early dinner, I really enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics.

Today is Monday 7 February 2022. The forecast for the morning is for cool and mostly cloudy with a breeze from the northeast. In bird photography terms, that means not too good. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes 86 days in a row with a new one.

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 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.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.

Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Ellen Mack is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent condition for $549.00. The sale includes the BG-E16 Battery Grip ($120 value), the original product box with the CDs, the front body cap, the battery charger, one LP-E6N battery, the manual, the camera strap, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears or next day if payment is via PayPal.

Please contact Ellen via e-mail or by phone at 1-707-292-0393 (Pacific time zone). zone).

Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie

Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR (with extras!)

Price Reduced $100.00 on 6 February 2022
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price

BAA-friend and BPN member Ravi Hirekatur is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent condition for $497.00 (was $597.00). The shutter count is 167,000; the body was recently cleaned and checked via Canon’s 18 point service and has not been used since. The 7D II is rated for 200,000 shutter actuations. The extras include the Battery Grip BG-E16 (a roughly $130.00 value), the Kirk L clamp BL-7DIIG (a roughly $80.00 value), and the Canon Remote Release Canon RS-80N3 (a roughly $50.00 value). The sale also includes the original product box, the front body cap, the battery charger, a total of two well-used Canon batteries LP-E6N, the manual, the camera connecting cord, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 (Central time).

Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie

Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!

Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know recently that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!

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, or to 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 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 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. 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.

This image was created on 13 January 2022 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing as tall as possible just outside my SUV, I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted 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.. ISO 1250. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:45:49am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle adult feeding week-old chick (full frame at 1200mm)

Aging Eagle Chicks

The photo above appeared on the blog on 14 January 2022. My best guess, based on the behavior of the adult and the lack of the egg tooth, is that the egg hatched on or about 7 January (2022 of course).

In doing research for this blog post, I learned that Bald Eagles lay from one to three eggs, with two being the average clutch size. The clutch is incubated for 35 days after the last egg is laid. The young grow quickly and leave the nest anywhere from eight to 14 weeks after hatching. Most can fly at 10 to 12 weeks.

I came across an amazing story that detailed (with photos!) how a Red-tailed Hawk chick wound up in a Bald Eagle nest in British Columbia’s Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary and was raised till fledging by the adult eagles! Read the whole story here.

This image was created on 4 February 2022 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing as tall as possible just outside my SUV, I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 500. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:35:57am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle — month-old chick in nest

My, How Fast They Grow!

I’ve never seen the splotchy plumage of a young Bald Eagle. How would you describe the bird? Doofy? Disheveled?

Based on the estimate of the date of hatching, the eaglet in Image #2 is just about four weeks old. I was amazed at how fast it had grown in the three weeks since I created Image #1. For the past few days, I’ve watched it raise one wing at a time while resting at the bottom of the nest. In a few weeks, it will be standing on the edge of the nest flapping both wings to strengthen the wing muscles. As I get back from Homer late on 4 March, right at eight weeks, I may miss some or all of that.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

Pro-rated/Late Registration Discounted DAYs on the Second 2022 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT

IPT #2: SAT 26 & SUN 27 FEB 2022: $900.00 per day (reduced from $1,100/day). (Friday 25 FEB is possible offering the chance for a 3-DAY IPT) This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

Also featured are a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and SONY. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic image designs, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will actually learn to be a better photographer.

The best and most creative boat captain.

A sturdy, spacious, sea worthy, open-deck craft.

The only Bald Eagle workshop with an incredibly helpful, full time, professional first mate.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image critiquing sessions.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare (if necessary) to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Please Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 8 hours for two pro-rated days or 12 hours for three pro-rated days, you will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.

Deposit Information

Payment in full is due now via credit card or by personal check made out to BIRDS AS ART and sent to us via US mail.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the two trips is to sign up for both. If you have any questions or are good to go for one or for both trips, please get in touch via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.