March 19th, 2023 Your Call?
Today’s two featured images are quite similar. They are of the same bird and were taken just 27 seconds apart. Which pelican pose is the strongest? Why? For me, this one is a no-contest.
This Just In
Our landline (863-692-0906), has been giving us problems on and off for days. If you have left a message and not heard from us, please get in via e-mail. If you would like to leave a deposit for the first Fort DeSoto IPT, for one or both of the Homer IPTs, or for an In-the-Field session at ILE, please try me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions
Right now, I have five tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE. Timing for a great learning and photo session has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction from this Sunday onwards. We can fine-tune your date for the best weather. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.
Galapagos 2023 Opening Filled!
Lake Morton In-the-Field veteran Bob Matyas will be joining the smallest Galapagos 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT group ever. Why? Two folks signed up for single cabins. This trip is by far the world’s finest photographic cruise of the famed archipelago. I will be returning in August 2024. If you are interested or have questions, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.
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?
As I mentioned yesterday, Saturday was a Great Egret sort of morning. I was thrilled with my images. The longest series, of a clean, young bird on The Perch II in sweet early morning light featured many keepers and I learned a ton by working the bird off the BLUBB- at 600mm, 840mm, and 1200mm. The big surprise was a sharp head-shot-sequence of an even younger Great Egret (more black on the bill tip) capturing and swallowing a small fish. Photos and more soon.
Of yesterday’s two featured spoonbill images, I could not pick a winner. I love the soft pinks with no shadows in the 2nd image, but I also loved the vibrant pinks and blues in the sunlit flight shot. I had no problem at all with the shadow of the neck against the far wing, but was not in love with the shadow of the bird’s head on that same wing. I did lighten and take the Blues out of the latter shadow. Thanks to all who commented. The results were about 50/50 🙂
I was glad to learn the Bear Bob Sabine will be doing both 2024 Kachemak Bay sessions and that IPT veteran Sanjeev Nagrath has left a deposit for the second 2024 Bald Eagle IPT. Please do not hesitate long if you are thinking of joining me next year in Homer.
Today is Sunday 19 March 2023. Happy birthday to my daughter Jennifer, the CEO and accountant of BIRDS AS ART. She works here part time and three days a week as a lactation counselor at Sebring Hospital. The forecast for the morning is for cloudy with a north wind so I will be heading down to the lake to see what is up and about. I will be ending my second 38-hour fast at brunch when I get back from photographing.
This blog post took more than 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-three 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. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now!
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.
The Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service
The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and tomorrow’s very important update. Unfortunately, things at Stick Marsh are changing very soon.
To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal.
I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the new conditions and the coming change.
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This image was created on 21 December while scouting for the San Diego IPTs. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted <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. 1/400 sec. at f/4 (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 7:24:52am before the sun rose over the big hill to the east in La Jolla.
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: Pacific-race Brown Pelican
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Picking Your 30-frames per second Keepers
On the recently concluded Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs, every participant who was not already using Photo Mechanic as their image browsing program purchased a license from BIRDS AS ART after they saw how quickly I picked my keepers. I helped all of the new Photo Mechanic (PM) folks set up the program and shared a few high levels tips with those who were already using PM.
Today’s two featured images were part of at least a 59-frame series featuring the same pelican. All of the exposures were perfect — thanks, as always, to Zebra technology, and all of the images were razor-sharp on the eye. Note that I did stop down one full stop for a bit more depth of field as I was relatively close to the relatively large subject. So, the big question is, how do you choose which two of 59 almost identical images to keep? I literally keep my finger on the right-facing arrow key, pausing only when something jumps off the screen at me. With long sequences of virtually identical images, I will simply tag one or two at random to compare during the second edit or when picking an image for the blog.
It looks as if I forgot to mention that PM is blazingly fast. Oh, and by the way, the image review sessions on all IPTs are huge favorites as I teach folks to recognize the fine points that make one image slightly better than another, of much better than many similar images.
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This image was created on 21 December while scouting for the San Diego IPTs. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted 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. 1/400 sec. at f/4 (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 7:25:19am before the sun rose over the big hill to the east in La Jolla.
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: Pacific-race Brown Pelican
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Color Mixer
Six months ago, I began using the Color Mixer tab while converting my Sony A1 files in Adobe Camera Raw. ACR is identical in Photoshop and Lightroom. And Capture One offers a similar feature. I have finally begun compiling a folder of images to be used in a Color Mixer video e-Guide. Though I first got into using Color Mixer with the Blues, with today’s featured images I made adjustments to both the Saturation and/or Luminosity sliders for all seven colors: Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Aquas, Blues, Purples, and Magentas.
Your Call?
Today’s two featured images are quite similar. They are of the same bird and were taken just 27 seconds apart. Which pelican pose is the strongest? Why? For me, this one is a slam dunk. I will share my thoughts on the two images here tomorrow, along with the reasons for my choice.
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This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
March 18th, 2023 Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images do you like best, the one made in the sun or the one made when it briefly turned cloudy? Why?
Scroll down to learn how to come up with perfect exposures in sunny and cloudy conditions with any system.
This Just In
Our landline (863-692-0906) has been giving us problems on and off for days. If you have left a message and not heard from us, please get in via e-mail. If you would like to leave a deposit for the first Fort DeSoto IPT, for one or both of the Homer IPTs, or for an In-the-Field session at ILE, please try me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions
Right now, I have five tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE. Timing for a great learning and photo session has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction from this Sunday onwards. We can fine-tune for the best weather. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.
Galapagos 2023 Opening Filled!
Lake Morton In-the-Field veteran Bob Matyas will be joining the smallest Galapagos 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT group ever. Why? Two folks signed up for single cabins. This trip is by far the world’s finest photographic cruise of the famed archipelago. I will be returning in August 2024. If you are interested or have questions, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.
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?
Based on the weather forecast, I’d guessed that Thursday would have been the better day. Thursday was very good, but Friday was the best day of the year. By far. The shooting strategies this year are far different than they were for the past two seasons. If you are planning a visit soon, you will surely want to sign up and receive the back issues and the very latest Stick Marsh Info. I may be offering a few more In-the field sessions at Stick Marsh in early April.
I was glad to learn the Bear Bob Sabine will be doing both 2024 Kachemak Bay sessions and that IPT veteran Sanjeev Nagrath has left a deposit for the second IPT. Bald Eagle IPT. Please do not hesitate too long if you are thinking of joining me next year in Homer.
Today is Saturday 18 March 2023. I just got back from the lake. It was a Great Egret kind of morning. I spent fifty minutes with a handsome young bird on The Perch II, then did another hunting in the mars. I ended my morning using the 600 f/4 with the 1.4X TC trying for head portraits of the small crane colt using the knee-pod technique. The images are downloading as I type. I located both two-chick families in the South Marsh but drove on by.
This blog post took about more than two hours to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-two 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. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now!
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.
The Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service
The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and tomorrow’s very important update. Unfortunately, things at Stick Marsh are changing very soon.
To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal.
I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the new conditions and the coming change.
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
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 18 March 2023 on a Stick Marsh In-the-Field Workshop in Fellsmere, FL Seated on a pillow, employing the knee-pod rest position, I used the handheld BLUBB-supported 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 640. 1/5000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the exposure was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:00:00am on then sunny morning.
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.
Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill landing in full sun
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Dealing With Constantly Changing Light
With some broken cloud cover to the east, the light was changing almost constantly. One minute you would set the exposure for bight sun, the next minute you had to decrease the shutter speed and raise the ISO when a cloud covered the sun. On the drive back to ILE yesterday after our great Stick Marsh morning, Mike Gotthelf asked if there were a better way to come up with good exposures in constantly changing light.
The answer is “No.”
If you work in any automatic mode with AUTO ISO — Shutter Priority would be best, it is not possible to change the Exposure Compensation quickly enough as the background changes from dark green mangrove reflections to sunlit water (or sky).
Keep on reading to learn the best approach with any system.
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This image was created on 18 March 2023 on a Stick Marsh In-the-Field Workshop in Fellsmere, FL Seated on a pillow, employing the knee-pod rest position, I used the handheld BLUBB-supported 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 1250. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:02:27am on then cloudy morning.
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.
Image #2: Roseate Spoonbill landing after a cloud covered the sun
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Determining Exposures with Sony
Both images were created at the wide-open aperture: f/2.8. Image #1 was created with a shutter speed of 1/5000 second at ISO 640. Image #2 was created at ISO 1250 with a shutter speed of 1/3200 sec. If my math is correct, Image #2 was created using 1 2/3-stops more light than Image #1.
After setting the shutter speed to 1/5000 second, the sunny spoonbill exposure was determined by pointing the lens at an incoming spoonie and raising the ISO until faint Zebras were present on the back of the neck, the brightest part of the bird. RawDigger showed these exposures to be either perfect or dead-solid perfect.
Then came the cloud. So, how did I get to the right exposure? Using Sony, it was relatively easy to come up with the cloudy spoonbill exposure. When the cloud covered the sun, I pointed the lens at a spoonbill on the ground, decreased the shutter speed from 1/5000 to 1/3200 second (to let in 2/3-stop more light), and doubled the ISO from 640 to 1250 (to let in an additional stop of light). At that point, Zebras appeared on the bird’s neck. Another perfect exposure. Note: RawDigger showed 1,788,000 OvExp pixels for Image #2 with all of the over-exposure on the sky, just what I need to come up with a dead-solid perfect exposure for the subject.
Determining Exposures with Other Systems
Folks using Nikon or Canon or any other system that I am aware of are not blessed with Zebra technology for stills. For those folks, coming up with the right exposure is a bit more difficult and a bit more time-consuming. It is best done by creating a test image and then evaluating the histogram. And yes, that needs to be done every time that the light changes.
In-Camera Histograms
With all systems, the in-camera histograms are poor at best for those who wish to create perfectly exposed to the right raw files. At times that show over-exposed highlights when there are none, and at times they show no data at all anywhere near the right side of the histogram yet there are millions of over-exposed pixels.
Saving Time With Any System
Whatever gear you are using, here is a time-saving tip to use when working in changing light. Once you have a good sunny exposure for a given subject, point your lens at the water (or any other large, consistently-toned area), and note the reading on the analogue scale. Yesterday, in full sun, that showed +2/3-stop. With the sun behind a cloud, +2-stops was pretty much perfect. As noted here previously on many occasions, the most sophisticated metering systems are pretty smart when the sun is out at full strength, and very dumb in low light conditions. And the lighter toned the backgrounds, the dumber they are. All of the above is true whether you are using Canon’s Evaluative metering, Nikon’s Matrix metering, or Sony’s Multi-metering.
If you really want to learn exposure get yourself a copy of the RawDigger-Guide and then sign up for an IPT ASAP.
Hard Work
Yes, getting the right exposure in constantly changing light is hard work. It requires study, skill, and knowledge. It requires concentration and attention to detail. And mental stamina.
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Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.
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The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)
Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: Tuesday 28 March through the morning session on 31 March 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: five.
Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: four.
Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers. /Openings: five.
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.
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Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.
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In Addition!
We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.
With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.
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Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.
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What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT
- 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
- 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
- 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
- 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
- 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
- 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
- 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
- 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
- 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
- 10- More than you could ever imagine.
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You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.
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The Details
Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.
There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).
Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.
Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your check out to BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.
IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
March 17th, 2023 This Just In
Our landline (863-692-0906) has been giving us problems for days. If you have left a message and not heard from us, please get in via e-mail. If you would like to leave a deposit for the first Fort DeSoto IPT, for one or both of the Homer IPTs, or for an In-the-Field session, please try me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions
Right now, I have five tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE. Timing for a great learning and photo session has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction from this Saturday onwards. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.
Galapagos 2023 Opening
Due to a cancellation, I have an opening for a single male photographer on the Galapagos 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT, the world’s finest photographic cruise of the famed archipelago. I am offering the spot with a substantial discount. If you are interested in joining a great group, or have questions, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.
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?
Twice early on — in an effort to have my group of two in the exact right spot, I zigged when I should have zagged. Then, we killed them as we enjoyed dozens of incoming Roseate Spoonbills at point-blank range. I loaned Nancy Fischer one of my a1 bodies and she gasped when she looked through the viewfinder and tracked the first incoming bird. She has been using the Sony a7R IV. This weekend I will be creating and sending out this season’s first Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service e-mail. The shooting strategies this year are far different than they were for the past two seasons. If you are planning a visit soon, you will surely want to sign up and receive the back issues and the very latest Stick Marsh Info. I may be offering a few more In-the field sessions at Stick Marsh in early April.
I was glad to learn the Bear Bob Sabine will be doing both 2024 Kachemak Bay sessions and that IPT veteran Sanjeev Nagrath is coming for the second IPT. Please do not hesitate too long if you are thinking of joining me next year in Homer.
Today is Friday 17 March 2023. House guest Mike Gotthelf and I are on our way to Stick Marsh to meet up with IPT veteran Jim Dolgin for an In-the-Field Session. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-one 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.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now!
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.
The Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service
The Site Guide Subscription Service is a new concept. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and next week’s update.
To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal.
I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find the Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the new conditions I encountered yesterday.
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This image was created on 5 March on the 3rd Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagles and More IPT. Seated on a gravel beach I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:25:45pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle — adult screaming
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Sunny Days in Homer
There are usually not a lot of sunny days in Homer in late winter. Whenever the forecast is for sun, we are always the first boat out to take advantage of the sweet early light. And then we come back to the harbor early so that we can do a second sailing, again taking advantage of the sweet light. Last, we turn around to create sunset silhouettes. Working closely with Captain Gabe this year, we developed several new afternoon and silhouette locations. As the last IPT featured sun all day every day, we enjoyed five out of five very productive afternoons, each with a silhouetted ending.
On Getting Low
In many cases, you can throw the background well out of focus simply by sitting on the ground. Doing so will often yield the smooth, buttery, defocused backgrounds that I love.
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This image was also created on 5 March on the 3rd Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagles and More IPT. Standing at full height, I again used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 292mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:55:45pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle — adult landing on natural perch
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The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
As you have seen in previous Homer blog posts, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens is the bomb in Kachemak Bay. Most often, folks used it either bare (the lens alone) or with the 1.4X TC. On many occasions, I used, and advise the use of the 2X TC. As I have said here previously, the new version of this lens is far, far superior to the original versions with super-fast and accurate AF and super-sharp results. In addition, it is small and light, easy to handhold, incredibly versatile, and offers Direct Manual Focus (DMF). Not to mention it incredibly short minimum focusing distance. Kindly use one of the BAA affiliate links if my comments inspire you to add this superb lens to your kit.
Choose Your Perspective Carefully
By considering and then choosing the best possible perspective, you will wind up with the most pleasing background available. For Image #2, I controlled the background by moving up and down the slope of the beach. I picked the exact spot that would put the distant snow-covered background behind the landing eagles.
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Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Multi-metering +1 stop. The exposure was determined via Zebras with exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 6:43:48pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Bald Eagle — adult at sunset
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Simple Silhouette Advice
It is almost always best to set the subject against the richest sky color. If the sun is well-muted, that is usually done by placing the subject directly between you and the sun. Then, you either get higher or lower to maximize the color. Though this principle seems obvious, some folks do not get it without some definitive instructions. Several times, I needed to grab the student from behind by their shoulders and escort them to the perfect spot!
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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