Your Call
All are invited to leave a comment stating their preference for each of today’s three featured images. Please put them in order with your favorite image first and your least favorite of the three last. Ambitious folks can comment on why they made their choices. I will share my list and my reasons with you here tomorrow.
What’s Up?
The first Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT continues to be incredibly successful beyond-belief. My blog buddy and room-mate Bob Eastman created 5980 images including at least a few spectacular ones. Using the most valuable rig on the trip, a Sony 70-200mm II with the 1.4X TC on an a1, he created a killer image of a young Bald Eagle picking up a dead Black Scoter. Bob is nailing his exposures and his flight photography keeps improving at each session. Seventy-nine year-old Carolyn Johnson continues to amaze everyone with her spirit and her youthfulness; she has no problem handholding the Sony 200-600! Robert (“Bear Bob”) Sabin is still quietly killing with his Canon R5/RF 100-500 rig. Vasili (“The Sponge”/AKA “Machine Gun Kelly”) “) Chernishof has created an astounding 40770 1DX III images after only five shooting sessions!
In yesterday’s blog post, seven of Matthew Huras’s images were tied for first place. In my book, the spectacular bittern in flight is alone in second place. Yes, the Bufflehead in flight was amazing as noted by many. The soft light, the colors, and the action in the mating Kestrels are all nothing short of perfection. In the loon swallowing large fish vertical, I loved the pattern of the spray and the wake behind the bird’s neck as much as the fish. The pink sky in the SEO image is something we can all only dream of. The image design of the Northern Pygmy Owl image that showed off the tiny size of the bird so well is brilliant. The flapping baby grebe shot was simply too cute and too beautiful. If you held a gun to my head, I would have had to pick Image #8 as my very favorite because of the low angle and the fact that one fish was eating another fish. Are you kidding me? Anyhoo, thanks again to Matt for allowing me to share his work with you.
Today is Thursday 23 February 2023. There is midday drizzle in the forecast, so we will do two sessions today, one early and one in the afternoon. This blog post took about two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimizations) and makes three hundred thirty days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.
The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.
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!
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.
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. 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.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Price reduced $50.00 on 16 FEB 2023
Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for only $649.00 (were $699.00). The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now by clicking here to avoid being disappointed.
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.
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 on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
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 21 February 2023 on the second afternoon of the first Homer IPT. Sitting on the snow after we landed at McKeon Spit, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be about 1/2 stop under. AWB at 3:25:32pm on variably cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle about to strike, talons extended |
Learning About the Wind
With the nonstop flight photography, the Homer IPT offers a virtual nonstop education on the effect of the wind on flying birds. With the wind foremost in my mind, I sat the group on the edge of China Poot Bay with the wind behind us to try for images of the birds striking directly at us. In the morning, we were faced with the dreaded wind-against sun conditions, so I taught the group to study the patterns of the birds in flight and learn to anticipate them banking. The eagles offer a variety of dramatic flight poses as they turn and begin to dive.
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This image was created on 21 February 2023 on the second afternoon of the first Homer IPT. Standing at full height after we landed at McKeon Spit, Kachemak Bay, I again used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (a mistake!) (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 3:25:32pm on variably cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Adult Bald Eagle braking to land |
A Big Mistake
Study the EXIF and leave a comment letting me know what error I made when setting the aperture. Does anything about this image bug you?
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This image was created on 22 February 2023, the third afternoon of the first Homer IPT. While standing on the boat at Franklin Flats, Kachemak Bay, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: The Three Amigos — adult Bald Eagles on snag, one calling |
Our Captain
When advertising the Kachemak Bay IPTs, I state that the captain of the boat that I use is the best in Homer. He continues to prove that every session. On Thursday afternoon, he took us into Franklin Flats, a spot I had never been to in 20 years of visiting Homer. It was a calm lagoon with a large stand of gorgeous dead tree skeletons on the spit. Likewise, on the landmark side of the bay, there were lots of dead snags, most of them adorned with from one to eight eagles. His knowledge of the tides and the locations is unequalled. He knew that we needed an incoming heading for high tide to visit this gorgeous and productive spot. Everyone loved it!
The Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM Lens
Boy, am I glad that I purchased the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens last May. After trashing the lens for bird photography, I have come to love it for its handhold-ability and its super-wide f/2.8 aperture. I have been equally thrilled with my decision to bring the 400 and leave the 600mm f/4 GM lens at home. With image #3, I added the 1.4X TC to provide extra reach.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
The 3 Amigos is my pick!
I do like #2 even though f4 was a mistake. I’m sure topaz took care of the necessary ISO 2000 noise.
All 3 images of Bald Eagles are interesting and well made and good!
Under “Our Captain” a typo . Should be eight not eighth .
Love the pics . Good shooting and safe tavels .
Hi Artie, were you referring to image 2 or 3 for comments? I suppose you could have shot at f/2.8 and cut the ISO by 1/2? It’s a lovely image and if I had to nitpick I would have preferred the left talon wasn’t overlapping the tail. The three amigos is a likewise solid image. I am wondering if you walked to your left, facing the birds if you would have achieved a bit more separation of the lower bird’s head from the trunk? Also, I might have cloned out the one branch which is projecting posteriorly and probably tried straightening the trunk slightly. Enjoy the trip and be safe; we have layers of ice in the cold, dark, Midwest.