Crested Caracara -- I Left the Nest, for This? And Using a Cable Release to Shoot Birds in Action!

What’s Up?

On Saturday morning, I headed to Stick Marsh. Despite the fog, I managed to make a few good images using the handheld Sony 400mm f/2.8 with the 1.4X TC. On Saturday afternoon, I headed to the North Tampa Rookery. Bright sun made life very difficult.

Today is Sunday 9 April 2023. This blog post took at least 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the three image optimizations. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

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Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

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.

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

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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.

This image was created on 7 April 2023 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Seated in the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1250. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:19:45am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1:Crested Caracara on the ground

The Longer the Effective Focal Length, the Shallower the Angle of Declination

The angle of declination (AOD) is the number of degrees from parallel to the ground that you point the lens down to get on the subject. If you are lying on the ground, the AOD is zero degrees. If you are standing right above a bird and pointing the lens straight down at the ground, the AOD is 90°. AODs ranging from five to twenty degrees will generally yield attractive images featuring fairly low perspectives.

Working from the driver’s seat at 840m with the rig supported by a BLUBB on the lowered window, offers a nice low perspective. I’d estimate the AOD at about 15°. If I took off the 1.4XTC and moved the car closer to the bird, I’d be pointing the lens down at a steeper angle to get on the bird, probably about 20°. If I added the 2X and moved the car further away, I could have gotten the AOD down below 10° for a more intimate view.

When using your vehicle as a blind, remember to turn the engine off before making any image. And if you are working on a BLUBB with a lens that offer direct manual focus (DMF), remember to turn the switch to OFF so that focus is not thrown off when you move the lens to re-compose.

This image was created on 7 April 2023 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/6400 second at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:47:44am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Crested Caracara being harassed by adult male Boat-tailed Grackle

The Situation and the Solution
A Cable Release for Bird Photography???

The young caracara flew off and landed in a bush in the marsh. I followed in my SUV. There were several grackles in the bush, and they began harassing the young raptor. To decrease my angle of inclination (AOI), I got out of the car and set up the tripod. I quickly realized that I was much too close at 840mm. So, I removed the TC and moved to the other side of the car about 30 feet further away from the caracara so that I could frame more loosely and perhaps make a few frames that would include the attacking bird. I moved the tracking: Expand Spot to the lower left part of the frame, kept AF active, and, looking through the viewfinder, attempted to press the shutter button when a grackle entered the frame. Of course, I was too slow.

Several months ago I purchased two Vello RS-S2II Wired Remote Switches for Select Cameras with Sony Multi-Terminal Connector. Though I have used them only sparingly, one of them was just what I needed for the job at hand. I plugged in the release, firmed up the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, and made sure that the AF point was squarely on the caracara’s face. The remote release allowed me to take my eye from the viewfinder and survey the whole scene — I would be able to see the grackle coming. In addition, it is much less tiring to hold the cable release at waist height rather than having to keep your arm raised while waiting for the action.

I missed one attack when I glanced at a crane flying to my right. Darn it! Then things got worse; all of the grackles flew off and gave the youngster some peace. As the sun was getting high in the sky, I thought about leaving but decided to stay for five more minutes on the clock. Just as I was about to pack up, I spotted a grackle flying in from the south making a beeline for the caracara. I pressed and held the cable release as the attack ensued. Two good frames were one more than I had dreamed of.

Don’t forget that I had railed against the use of cable releases for bird photography for nearly four decades. It is never too late to learn.

This image was created on 7 April 2023 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/6400 second at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:47:44am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Crested Caracara being harassed by adult male Boat-tailed Grackle

Robus Tripods

With Induro tripods no longer available, and Gitzo having transformed from best to worst (by far), B&H began producing a new line of tripods and calls them Robus, obviously a play on the word “robust.” They are quite good — durable and very stable with smooth twist locks. So far, they have done well around salt water. They are fractionally more difficult to clean than the Induros. Thanks, Jim!

Here is a recent e-mail conversation I had with skilled and experienced bird photographer Cliff Beittel:

CB: Artie,

Interesting to see you’re using a Robus tripod now. I bought one a few months ago to replace my tallest, seldom-used Gitzo (stored on the ground floor, locked up by saltwater after Ian). Never owned an Induro, but the Robus seems excellent for half the price of a Gitzo.

AM: Agree. Gitzo has been garbage for well more than a decade. They’ve been priced through the roof, they totally fail anywhere near saltwater, and, once they farmed out their repairs, getting something fixed was pretty much impossible (even if you could afford the parts).

I have several Robus models including the tallest, heaviest one that I use when working on a tall stepstool.

Much love, a

Need a Robus Tripod?

If you would like advice on which Robus tripod would be best for you, shoot me an e-mail with Robus Tripod? in the subject lines. Please include your height, the system you use, and the longest lens that you own.

Typos

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