My Call
Of the four images featured in the last blog post, Four Squares at the Sewer Works Main Pond on Bonaire, I could not pick a favorite; I liked them all. One of the very few comments from that blog post (and my response):
Cliff Beittel/April 30, 2023 at 9:49am
Can’t get enough flamingos, and the beauty in Image 4 really fits the square frame. The stilt is sweet too, and I think it can be leveled better in ACR’s Geometry panel by drawing guidelines (1) along the back of the left wing and its reflection (but ignoring the tips of the primaries), and (2) along the top of the blue water. That actually tilts the bird clockwise a bit and looks natural. Had a big night with six stilts myself in the past week and spent a lot of time getting the birds and their ripples leveled.
On the Robus tripods, I thought about the Induro you had for sale a while back but decided it wasn’t tall enough (though I’m only 6’2″ these days). Bought the Robus 5570 before that brand showed up in your captions and love the height for nesting birds. Even with a very high angle shot, I can have the viewfinder at eye level or above using a 500 f4, teleconverter, and the EF-to-R converter.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART/May 1, 2023 at 8:21am
Thanks for your kind words. As for leveling the stilt image, when I draw a line along the top of the blue water, I get a CCW rotation. And I hesitate to level via the reflections when they are not distinct … Speaking of Black-necked Stilts, where did you photograph yours?
Paraphrasing Red (played by Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption, written by Stephen King) who said, “Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all,” (Perhaps) some images are not meant to be leveled 🙂
And yes, the Robus tripods are great.
with love, artie
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.
B&H Simplified
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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.
What’s Up?
My Saturday flight from Bonaire to Miami was blessedly uneventful — sorry, Bob Eastman 🙂
My Bonaire hosts, Steve and Meredith Schnoll, treated me like a visiting king by opening their home and their hearts to me — they were accepting, gracious, and beyond exceedingly generous. I — and they, had a great time. Thank you Steve and Mere. See you in Guayaquil!
I stayed in a Miami Airport hotel, woke early, and drove to Wakodahatchee Wetlands where the Wood Storks are enjoying yet another productive breeding season. It was cloudy and a bit stormy with a strong south/southwest wind. I think that I made a few good images but have not ingested the card yet. It was good to get back in the pool on Sunday afternoon.
Congrats to Steph Curry on his amazing (all time-high) 50-point game-7 performance as he led his underdog Golden State Warriors past the young Sacramento Kings to the next round of the NBA playoffs. Next up are LeBron James and the re-vamped Los Angeles Lakers. As always, I will be rooting for the Dubs (AKA the Warriors). In the same vein, congrats to the Toronto Maple Leafs who, led by their two stars, ended a 17-season playoff drought by defeating the Tampa Bay Lighting in a Game 6 to move on to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
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.
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This image was at La Jolla, CA on 12/20/2022. Seated on a dirt cliff, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult resting |
The Pedestal Perch
This perch is just left of center on the north-facing lower shelf at the prime La Jolla pelican spot. It can be shot successfully from three different basic locations: from the top, from half-way down, or from the lower shelf (assuming that you can get down safely and without scaring off all the pelicans. For this one, I was half-way down. If you can’t make an IPT, you can learn a ton about photographing at La Jolla in the San Diego Site Guide.
The Direction of Light
In shaded situations (as with the image above), and on cloudy days, the light still has a direction, so I try to stay somewhat near sun angle. You do, of course, have more latitude in softer and low light situations than when the sun is out; I do not hesitate to work 20 to 45 degrees off light angle but on all but the darkest days, keep the sun somewhat behind me even though it is obscured by clouds.
Do remember that many photographers strive to work 15 to 30 degrees off sun angle on sunny day to give the bird’s feathers more definition. I do not 🙂
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This image was created at La Jolla, CA on 12/20/2022. Seated on a dirt cliff, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult with wings raised |
The Sandstone Mound Perch
This small sandstone mound is favored by handsome pelicans. It just might be my favorite pelican perch in all of La Jolla. It is on the northwestern tip of the lower shelf and is best photographed from down below.
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This image was created at La Jolla, CA on 22 December 2022. Seated on a dirt cliff, I used handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure compensation on the rear dial. Multi-metering +2 1/3-stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600. 1/500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:29:39am on a then-foggy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult on perch
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Marveling at Zebras
Many very good photographers using gear that does not offer Zebra technology make great images. And lots of very good photographers using Sony gear scoff at Zebras (and make great images). Me? I marvel at being able to produce perfect exposure after perfect exposure simply by raising or lowering the ISO until I see faint Zebras on the subject. Zebra technology shines when the light is changing constantly, at times, by small amounts.
Folks using Sony mirrorless bodies other than the a1 should consider purchasing the SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and yours truly. Folks in my Sony a1 group receive a free copy of this guide upon request.
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160 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris |
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT morning sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
I discovered some really neat spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
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Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.
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Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
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Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. |
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Hi Artie, Love image 2, how an aperture of 2.8 bringing the whole bird in focus ? I always have problem with that.
Hi Roomie,
It is a matter of distance to the subject.
#1: this is a substantial crop so I was actually farther away than it looks.
#2: the distance to the subject was 23.8 meters.
#3: At 560mm, the d-o-f at f/4.5 is .48 meters in front of and behind the point of focus.
#4: .48 meters is roughly 1″ 7″ in front and behind, a total of 3″2″, enough in this case to cover the whole bird.
with love, arite
All three images Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult are cute and interesting. The second image of Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult with wings raised is funny with the wings raised and out. And the first image of Brown Pelican Pacific-race adult resting is also funny but also cute!
Artie,
Thank you for your kind words. We are glad you enjoyed your time in Latitude 12.
See you in Ecuador!
You are welcome, and thank you guys again, Mere. “Enjoyed” is a big understatement. Thanks again for your and Steve’s house-pitality!
much love, a
Agree with Bob on the pelican with raised wings–perfection.
The stilts here are at The Bailey Tract part of “Ding” Darling. There are at least three pair, perhaps five (some in the ponds near the parking lot, some at ponds near the back), though not always close enough for photography. Post Ian, Wildlife Drive at “Ding” is deader than I’ve ever seen it.
Using guide lines in the Geometry panel of ACR requires at least two lines; nothing happens until you draw the second. Sometimes two verticals work, other times two horizontals, or one of each (“work” meaning a result that looks correct whether it is or not). If there’s no obvious second line, putting a 0-degree or 90-degree line near one edge can work. Only takes a few seconds to try.
Thanks for the follow-up e-mails on the Geometry panel. I did not know that there is an Auto setting 🙂
with love, a
ps: I remember seeing stilts there a few decades ago.
Artie
I am grateful that your plane “DID NOT CRASH” 🙂 🙂 Neither did mine from Alaska yikes
Of todays images i love #2 with the wings raised it definitely adds to the photo as apposed to the sleeping #1 image however still nice. #3 the black area in front of the feet looks to be an incoming Pelican or perhaps a cormorant however it is distracting and quickly draws my eye away from the main subject. Sounds like you had an amazing mini vacation get away and wonderful hosts 🙂 aren’t you always on vacation 🙂
Always with love b Lots of smiles in the blog today
Thanks, Bob. Me too!
I had one without the bird in the background and was undecided which to process.
with love, a