Canon 800mm f/5.6L ISUSM Lens/with extras!
BAA Record-low Price!
Price Reduced $400 on 18 July 2022!
Galapagos IPT veteran (with wife Sandy), Don Selesky, is offering a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens in like-new condition the BAA record-low price of $6397.00 (was $6,797.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and key, the original tough front lens cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Don via e-mail.
I used this lens, often with a 1.4X TC, as my main super-telephoto lens for five years. It is a superb lens that offers lots of reach for those working with birds that are skittish. It is great from the car. I was astounded that 15 of the 67 images in the San Diego exhibit were created with the 800. I missed it terribly for years. It will seriously kill with an R5 or an R6 and an RF-EF Adapter! This lens sells new at B&H for $12,999 but is back-ordered everywhere. Don’s lens is a superb buy; grab it now and save a very sweet $6602.00! artie
What’s Up?
Sunday morning began with blessed clouds. At 9:00am the sun came over a large cloud out over the ocean. With the wind from the west/northwest It was supposed to be from the perfect northeast. The afternoon was the opposite — bright sun with a southeast wind followed by large storm clouds. Though it was our most challenging day, everyone ended up with some great images.
With nine deposit checks in hand, and with good friend Ed Dow grabbing a single cabin, there are only three openings left on the 2023 Galapagos Photo-cruise of a Lifetime. The trip is now a go. If you have any interest in joining us, it would be best to get in touch via e-mail ASAP.
Speaking of IPTs, I am still looking for someone to do all three Homer Bald Eagle trips and driving the round trip from Anchorage to Homer and back with me. Toward that end, I am offering a ridiculously high discount of $4500.00, $1500 off each trip. The offer may not last long because there are only two slots left on the second IPT. If you are interested, or would like additional details, please contact me via e-mail.
Today Is Monday 18 July 2022. The forecast was for rain and drizzle. Instead, we got clear skies with a SW wind, in other words, more wind against sun. Surprisingly, we did quite well. 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 one hundred twenty days in a row with a new one.
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!
The First DeSoto IPT
If you are interested in the first DeSoto IPT, 3 1/2 Days, Tuesday 27 September through the morning session on Friday 30 September 2022, know that I just reserved a three-bedroom AirBnB in Gulfport. Share it for four nights with many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown and me and save a ton on lodging: $83.69/night/person for a whole home. AirBnB photos available upon request. If interested, shoot me an e-mail.
Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.
BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)
Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.
Induro GIT 304L Price Drop
Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.
Still Listening to John Prine
Like me, John Prine liked to make up new words (see “boughten,” below), that fit the occasion.
Fort those who like good music and great songwriting, and have never heard of John Prine, click here.
Souvenirs
John Prine
All the snow has turned to water
Christmas days have come and gone
Broken toys and faded colours
Are all that’s left to linger on
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops
For they always bring me tears
I can’t forgive the way they robbed me
Of my childhood souvenirs
Memories, they can’t be boughten
They can’t be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don’t know how they slipped away from me
Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see
That’s why last night and this morning
Always look the same to me
And I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears
I can’t forget the way they robbed me
Of my sweetheart’s souvenirs
Memories they can’t be boughten
They can’t be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don’t know how they slipped away from me
Canon 800mm f/5.6L ISUSM Lens/with extras!
BAA Record-low Price!
Price Reduced $400 on 18 July 2022!
Galapagos IPT veteran (with wife Sandy), Don Selesky, is offering a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens in like-new condition the BAA record-low price of $6397.00 (was $6,797.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and key, the original tough front lens cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Don via e-mail.
I used this lens, often with a 1.4X TC, as my main super-telephoto lens for five years. It is a superb lens that offers lots of reach for those working with birds that are skittish. It is great from the car. I was astounded that 15 of the 67 images in the San Diego exhibit were created with the 800. I missed it terribly for years. It will seriously kill with an R5 or an R6 and an RF-EF Adapter! This lens sells new at B&H for $12,999 but is back-ordered everywhere. Don’s lens is a superb buy; grab it now and save a very sweet $6602.00! artie
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This image was created on 16 July 2022 at Huguenot Memorial Park, just northeast of Jacksonville, FL. I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Laughing Gull — bedraggled adult with broken wing |
Sick, Injured, or Dying
I am not quite sure why I enjoy making images of sick, injured, dying, and even dead birds. Giving it some thought, I’ve come up with two main reasons:
1- I like to tell the whole story of their lives, the good and the bad, the successes and the struggles. Heck, the births and the deaths.
2- I like to try to have their beauty and spirit show through even in bad times or in death.
The Laughing Gull in Image #1 was obviously having a very bad day. Its broken wing will lead to its death, yet the bird was parading around on the damp sand as if it did not have a care in the world. It was picking at any scraps on the beach that might provide a bit of nourishment. Enlarge the image and you just might be able to see the bird’s spirit.
What Was Your Worst Day or Night Ever?
My worst night ever was sometime in the late summer of 1991, I believe. I had a herniated disc at L5-S1. I had not yet met Cliff Oliver and had no idea that there were alternatives to surgery that were often successful. The pain was so debilitating that I felt as if my life might be over. The, I talked to my friend Barry Cohen. I told him of my situation, and he mentioned that his friend, a neighbor named Harvey, had had the same problem, had surgery, and was back playing golf in two months. So, I called Dr. Gamache’s. office on a Thursday, saw him that Friday, and had my surgery on Monday morning.
Microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure for the relief of pain and other symptoms that occur when a herniated disc in the spine presses on an adjacent nerve root. During the operation, the surgeon frees the nerve by removing small fragments of disc, bone, and ligament.
Anyhoo, when I woke in the recovery room, they had (thankfully) removed the breathing tube from my throat. But my throat was very sore. And I felt like crap. I begged for ice water. The nurse said, “Sip it. If you don’t, you will be very sick.” I gulped down several glasses of ice water. Thirty years ago, general anesthesia was a lot less fun than it is today. Dr. Oliver explains anesthesia like this: the goal is to convince your body that it is dead.
My late-wife Elaine was there with me and kissed me good night. That night, however, turned out to be the worst I have ever felt. I don’t think that I slept for more than an hour. One minute I would have uncontrollable chills where I shook mercilessly and threw off my bed covers. The next minutes I was burning up as if I had a fever of 105 degrees. In between, I had dry heaves, but there was nothing in my stomach to throw up.
The next morning a team of residents came by and asked, “How are you doing, Mr. Morris?” I replied, “My left foot is totally numb, and it feels as big as a clown’s foot” I whined. “Oh, that’s too bad,” they said.
Thirty minutes later Dr. Gamache came by and asked the same question. I replied, “My left foot is totally numb and it feels as big as a clown’s foot.” “Oh, that’s too bad,” they said. He said, “Get your butt out of the bed and start walking up and down the halls.” So I did. As things turned out, I had the best result ever from this surgery. I ached for a week or two, lovingly nursed by Elaine. My back has been dead-solid perfect for more than 30 years (knock on wood). It’s funny how my worst night became part of one of my best days ever.
What was your worst day or night ever?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
My worst day ever was yesterday. My daughter is severely ill after being hospitalized with infections for over a month. She has been profoundly disabled from birth 21 plus years ago, and my wife and I have poured out our hearts and souls to care for her at home. There is now talk by doctors treating her that she might not make it. Yesterday I was grieving the loss of her as if she is already gone. Today is a new day with hope of her survival.
Thank you for sharing, Richard. Sorry about the bad timing. I am sending love, strength, and energy to her and the whole family. Bless you.
with love, artie
Fascinating post and from a personal perspective, it would be the unexpected death of my father at age 18, just before graduating high school. That transcended any physical malady I’ve ever experienced either before or since. From an existential standpoint, in modern times I would have to choose the assassination of President Kennedy or more recently 9/11. While Kennedy’s death heralded an end of America’s 20th century, idyllic sense of optimism, 9/11 marked the unraveling of our politicians’ commitment to the American people in favor of globalism and accelerated outsourcing (arguably that was initiated under Bush I, but 9/11 was a turning point).
Thanks, Adam. Losing your Dad at 18 is a big one. That brings this to mind — two of my far worse days were the day that Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer, and then about a year later, the day we went for a scan and learned that she would die soon. Those and the years following her death were really difficult.
Learning The Work of Byron Katie (http://www.thework.com) helped me find peace with her death. Thanks for setting me straight.
with love, artie
My worst day yet was when I had knee surgery last year. I went into surgery with a bright orange wristband that said, “Allergic to codeine.” At age 83 I didn’t want general anesthesia, so they gave me a spinal block. Unbelievably, the anesthesiologist used morphine in the spinal block (codeine is a derivative of morphine!). I was never so sick in my life. Instead of being in the hospital overnight, I was there for five days — most of which I spent vomiting up everything they put in me, including all of the medicine. My sodium plummeted to a scary level. They put me on an intervenous to bring it up. I thought I was going to die and, honestly, I didn’t care if I did. I called my kids, neither of whom was home, and left a message that I was dying. One year later that is only a memory, admittedly a bad one. The knee operation was very successful. I believe even more in the lines to a country song: “If you can’t add more days to your life, add more life to your days.” I live every day to the fullest!
Artie
My worst day came on October 10th 2008 at work lifting a 55lb bag of Garnet (sand) for a waterjet machine. As i was lifting it i had lost the grip and it was falling to the floor i was in panic as i went to grab it but the weight and the falling bad being awkward as i grabbed the flimsy bag it had pulled me down and i felt something POP in my back! I fell face first into some pallets on my left shoulder side. My boss had seen it and came over and helped me up but something was not right! It was suggested i go see my doctor so i did and after explaining what happened they did an MRI of the mid back to my butt area and it was determined i had a bad sprang so he sent me to physical therapy, after 2 sessions my Physical therapist was like Bob something else is WRONG here and i think it is in your neck as i was loosing feeling in my right side and having tons of trouble with pain, she sent her notes to my doctor and they then did an MRI on my head neck area….STOP the presses do not move your head neck as they found the bottom 4 disks C3-C7 in my neck to have i call it blu-out! Bulging and herniated. I was then referred to a spine doctor! We tried injections we tried radio frequency ablations (RFA) nothing worked and now with the pain so bad i was going to pain management as well. I had no feeling in my right arm and could not button a shirt. Long story short after months of doing this and that it was determined i needed surgery and that is when Work Comp cut me off 100% stopped paying me stopped paying my bills etc. said it was pre-existing! The work comp nurse assigned to me said i will deny this if asked but she said go get an attorney so i did, BLESS HER!
Finally in May of 2010 i was on my way into surgery, weighing only 130 lbs and on 100 micro grams of fentanyl every 2 days for near 2 years i had a 3 level fusion in my neck as the 4th was just to much my doctor said so we agreed to 3 levels C4-5C5-6&C6-7 Now with a plate in my neck and 8 screws 4 on each side almost 6 months after surgery i gained 90% of my right side back! So from the fall that one day i have had my right SI joint Fused and finally this year in February i had my final surgery having my left shoulder replaced, so i am pretty much bionic! All to save a $10 bag of garnet that would change my life going forward! 10 seconds changed everything
I AM HAPPY to say i NOW take only Tylenol and ibuprofen as needed if i over due!
I am blessed beyond as i get out and take pictures of the world United States (Wisconsin mainly) (MY BACKYARD) as i see it! With my amazing A1 and few lenses i walk the rivers edge and sit in the woods i see the sunrise and the sunset, i take pictures of everything and life is amazing and NATURE is amazing, i see what Artie means by seeing the good and bad in the life of birds or animals! Work-Comp cutting me off i went 2 years without a single cent coming to me and i depleted my life savings and after all this was over i got SQUAT from the system because that is the way it is!
I love life i love bird photography and landscapes and i love to capture lightning and with the HELP from Artie and his videos i have learned tons. ONEDAY i hope to do an IPT to meet this great man!
PS Artie i sent you a short DVD i put together of MY Backyard!
Everyday forward is the most amazing now part of life, never give up!
Always with LOVE Bob
That was a baad day. Thanks for sharing! with love, artie