Which two of today’s six featured images are your favorites? Please let us know why you made your choices.
My Call
In the last blog post, Longs Lens Lessons From the Worst Morning in Two Weeks, here, my favorite by a mile was the Black-bellied Whistling Duck. Why? The reddish-brown feathers and the pink bill (with a touch of yellow) were set off beautifully by the background — light blue water lit by early morning sun. I had not had a good chance on one and in addition, I loved the leaning-forward pose.
What’s Up?
I sent my tax stuff to Chip the accountant on Monday. 2023 was the worst year ever for BIRDS AS ART. By far. As we used to say in AEPi, ICCL –I could care less.
The weather in the mornings has been great. The bird photography? Fair to good.
Today is Tuesday 24 September 2024. The forecast is for partly cloudy with an east wind so I will grab the gar from the extra fridge, put it out for the vultures, and try for some flight. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.
Please remember to use the B&H 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!
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.
A Rare Chance: Photographing Bathing Black Vultures
It was sunny, hot, and very still on the morning of September 16, perfect I thought, for bathing vultures. Despite the fact that in 25 years at Indian Lake Estates, I had never gotten to photograph a vulture bathing. Why not? They are very, very shy. But that morning was bingo! Sit next to me as I evaluate and comment on the 69 images that I kept. My six favorites follow. Be sure to check out the image optimizations by comparing the exposed to the right raw files in the video with the optimized images below.
The biggest take-away from the video? Photographing bathing Black Vultures on a sunny morning is a difficult challenge.
This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 559mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:38:50am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Black Vulture after bath with bill open
Why The Open Bill?
After bathing while leaving the water, most of the Black Vultures would open their bills. They were not drinking, and they were not making any of their grunting or hissing sounds. Why were they consistently opening their bills? I have no idea and my research turned up nothing.
This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 437mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:38:59am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Black Vulture bathing
The Bath
From The Birds of North America No. 411
Black Vulture will bathe in shallow water. (Rea 1983) described the bathing behavior or cathartic vultures: The birds enter the water and “drop the carpal end of one wing at a time as far as possible into the water, lower and dunk the head forward, then splash themselves vigorously with a sideways roll of the body while ruffling the body feathers.” The plumage, particularly head, neck, breast, and belly — may become quite wet. (Neil J. Buckley.)
Image #2A: A tight crop of the Black Vulture bathing image immediately above
What’s What?
Is that the left eye of the vulture just right of the letter A or the tip of the bill just to the right of letter B? I am pretty sure that it cannot be both …
This image was also created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 553mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:39:02am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Black Vulture mid-bath
Eye Replaced
With the nictitating membrane covering 2/3 of the vulture’s eye, I opted to grab the perfect eye from a frame further on in the series. Eye replacements are easy if you know Quick Masking, especially warping the selection to attain the perfect size, shape, and match.
Nictitating Membrane
Adapted from Wikipedia
The nictitating membrane (from Latin nictare, to blink) is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye to protect and moisten it while maintaining vision.
Birds can actively control their nictitating membrane. In birds of prey (and many other bird families as well), the membrane serves to protect the parents’ eyes from their chicks while they are feeding them> When a Peregrine goes into their 200-mile-per-hour (320 km/h) dives, they will blink repeatedly with their nictitating membranes to clear debris and spread moisture across the eyes. Woodpeckers tighten their nictitating membrane a millisecond prior to their beak impacting the trunk of a tree to prevent shaking-induced retinal injury.
Note: Unlike an eyelid that travels from the top of the eye to the bottom, the nictitating membrane travels sideways from the front of the eye to the back.
This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 553mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:38:59am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Black Vulture flapping after bath
The Key to This Image Optimization
I did some Eye Doctor work on the bird’s right eye, enhancing the highlight along the edge of the iris while darkening the pupil and lightening the iris. Then, again using Tim Grey Dodge and Burn, I lightened the entire right half of the vulture’s face with a (very high) 50% opacity brush.
In combination, the improvement over the raw file was vast.
This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 385mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:47:06am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: Black Vulture flapping after bath
Why Not Get Lower For All of These Images?
When the vultures are bathing, they are very sensitive to any movement at all. Though the bird in Image #3 about 25 feet to the right of sun angle, I did not want to risk moving the car forward as the bird would likely have quit mid-bath.
The thought of getting out of my vehicle and onto the ground for a more intimate perspective never even entered my mind.
Once the vultures began bathing I put the 600 with the 2X on the pillows on the passenger seat, took the BLUBB off the door frame, and grabbed the 200-600 with a a9 iii. I raised the window about 5 inches and placed the lens hood on the window. With the very fast shutter speeds, I did not have to worry about stability. Most importantly, it was much easier to zoom in and out as needed. I shot the a9 iii at half speed, 60 frames per second. In retrospect, 120 fps would have been a better choice.
This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:47:41am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: Black Vulture ruffling after bath
Should I Have Replaced the Eye?
With the light blue nictitating membrane completely covering the bird’s visible eye, should I have replaced the eye with an open one from the same series? Why or why not?
It does not seem possible to me that the Black Vultures can “maintain vision” when the light blue, seemingly opaque nictitating membrane covers the eye completely. What do you think?
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can save $26 by ordering the first five videos in Volume I by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Once I get my taxes to my accountant, I will be announcing several trips. Note that there is still a single opening on the first Homer Bald Eagle IPT. Click here for details.
Wanted to Buy
If you have a Canon EF 180mm Lens sitting on a shelf doing nothing and would like to get a good price for it, please get in touch via e-mail.
Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images is your favorite? Why? I have a very clear winner that I will share with you in the next post.
My Calls
Thanks to those who chimed in with their three (or five!) top images in the last post. The winner was the iPhone clouds pano. I liked that one and the flower as well, but my top tree were all birds, here in no particular order:
Image #9: Great Egret juvenile with bill open.
Image #3: Least Sandpiper adult in basic (winter) plumage.
Image #5: White-winged Dove on sand beach!
Right on their heels were Image #4: Sandhill Crane adult calling and Image #10: Stretched wing of Anhinga.
What’s Up?
First off, thanks to Marc Wortsman and Robert Sabine (both of Long Island, NY) for their generous BAA Blog Thank You Gifts.
As noted in the Indian Lake Estates Late Summer Potpourri blog post here, I’ve been enjoying some unexpected fabulous bird photography recently at ILE. In that post, I did not even mention the fabulous morning that I had with bathing Black Vultures on Monday past, 16 September. Three days later, on Thursday the 19th, I had a handsome young Great Egret preening for an hour on The Perch II, finally got some sweet stuff on the young Tricolored Heron that had been avoiding me for two weeks, and was blessed by a bathing Great Blue Heron. Though I fanned on two of the three best chances, it was still a fantastic morning.
Yesterday, on Friday morning, despite seemingly perfect conditions — clear with a NE breeze, I had a comparatively lousy morning. But still was able to create today’s two featured images.
Today is Saturday 21 September 2021. I’ve just about finished my 2023 taxes and am awaiting the return of Chip the accountant from vacation. He should be back in Clearwater any minute. It is dead clear with a gentle breeze from the north so I will, of course, be heading down to the lake at about 7:15am. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.
Please remember to use the B&H 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!
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.
Apple M3 Max 16-Core Chip
128GB Unified RAM | 8TB SSD
16″ 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
40-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
Backlit Magic Keyboard
Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
macOS
In other words, the bomb. Looking to spend a bit less? Click here and search for Apple MacBook Pro M3. Feel free to e-mail or call (863-221-23720 for laptop advice.
Why Not Buy Your MacBook Pro From Apple?
If you purchase a laptop from Apple and have a problem right off the bat they will fix it for you in a few days or a week after you send it to them. They will not replace it. If you purchase a laptop from B&H and have a problem right out of the box, they will send you a new one no questions asked.
Save 15%!
If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.
I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.
Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.
Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com
B&H
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
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 Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
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.
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 stave 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 20 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000. 1/500 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one full stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning.
Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle perched above old nest tree
Hopeful…
Recently, I’d seen a single eagle once at last year’s (lousy for bird photography) eagle nest, and twice seen a single bird at the old nest tree (above, and great for bird photography). One afternoon I had the two adults on the ground near last year’s nest. But, as usual, they were impossible to approach successfully in my vehicle. I love the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest hole and the inclusion of the pine needles in Image #1. And the early light.
Image #1 Lessons
When Using Your Car as a Blind
1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back. I am not sure if it would have been possible to have had the woodpecker nest hole perfectly illuminated (without even the tiny shadow).
2- When working a subject well above you, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of inclination, the degree to which you need to point the lens up to get on the subject.
3- Toward that same end, roll the driver’s side window with the BLUBB up as high as possible while still allowing you to get the lens on it.
4- If you have a subject that is not going anywhere, try experimenting with apertures smaller than wide open and see if you can learn anything.
5- In the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:
a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.
This image was also created on 20 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 3200. 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning.
Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck after bath
Image #2 Lessons
When Using Your Car as a Blind
1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back.
2- When working a subject on the ground, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of declination, the degree to which you need to point the lens down to get on the subject.
3- Toward that same end, be sure to roll the driver’s side window down all the way so that the BLUBB rests on the door frame. Simply put, you want to be as low as possible assuming that you could not get out of the vehicle without flushing the bird.
4- Again, in the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:
a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Be so kind to leave a comment letting us know which three of today’s eleven featured images are your favorites and what you liked about each one.
My Call
Picking only three Pat Fishburne images from the Both 86- and 78-Year Olds Learn on an Extended IPT blog post here was indeed difficult. With some trepidation, here are my three favorites (in no particular order) along with the reasons I liked each of them:
Image #1, the skimmer/tern-scape because I loved the soft light and the way the birds were lined up and spaced.
Image #5, the skimmer orange sunrise flight image because of the sharpness, the spectacular color, and because Pat followed directions carefully and then made her own great image.
Image #6, the adult Common Tern with spearing image because hers was much better than my best despite the fact that I was sitting right next to her!
What’s Up?
If you live in a spot that offers excellent bird photography from October through June, what is the best plan if you’d like to make some excellent images when it is usually hot and humid?
Head out anyway! You cannot make any images sitting in your living room. As I have been since getting back from Long Island, you just might be pleasantly surprised by a variety of cooperative subjects and good situations.
Today is Wednesday 18 September 2024. (Fall starts on Sunday). I headed down to the lake early today on a still morning with the first clear sunrise in the last three weeks. It was amazing to the tune of 1881 as yet un-edited images. I enjoyed still blue water, several ridiculously cooperative Killdeer, a handsome Mottled Duck, and my first good chance in months with a Black-bellied Whistling Duck. I created about 700 Killdeer images but after an hour, I made one really special one. I finished my morning off by working the dependable Black and Turkey Vultures. There are more juvenile TVs than I have ever seen before.
Anywho, whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.
Please remember to use the B&H 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!
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a Thank You gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.
Manual focus with (RED) focus peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Daisy blossom, possibly Englemann’s –picked and Plamped. Thanks to David Policansky for the ID correction.
White Balance Flower Tip
Though you can always change the White Balance after the fact when shooting RAW, I find it best to change the WB to cloudy when photographing flowers on cloudy morning or in the shade. I find it hard to explain why, other than to say that seeing accurate yellows while you are working puts my creative mind at ease.
Why the Canon 180mm Macro Lens?
Over the past few years, you have seen more than a few really fine images made with the rig that I used to create today’s two featured images. I love long focal lengths with their narrow angles of view and sweet backgrounds; the no-longer available Canon 180mm Macro lens is the longest macro lens around. Shoot me an e-mail if you’d like me to help you find a used copy.
This image was created on the afternoon of 12 September 2024 from the end of the pier at ILE.
ISO 64: 1/11236 sec. at f/1.8 iPhone 15+ pano)
Be sure to click on this image to enjoy the wider, high-res version.
Image #2: Cloud/lake pano with the iPhone 15+
Why Cell Phone?
Whenever I am out photographing, I have my iPhone 15+ with me (unless I forgot to bring it). It kills as a wide angle lens, and the ability to create powerful panos is simply astounding. I always take my phone along when I take a sun walk. On Thursday afternoon past, it was hot and hazy and the cloud formations were pretty darned neat.
What can I say? I love photography in any way, shape or form.
This image was created on 13 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, 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. 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:20:25am on a then faintly sunny morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Least Sandpiper adult in basic (winter) plumage
Sandpiper Aging and ID
You can tell that this is a Least Sandpiper by its yellow legs and its pointed, fine-tipped, slightly decurved bill. The gray feathers of the upperparts (with no orange or rufous tinges) make this bird an adult in basic plumage. I did get to photograph some juvenile and worn juvenile plumage Least Sandpipers for the first time at ILE this September.
Want to learn more as the shorebirds are moving south across North America (and Europe and Asia as well)? Get yourself a copy of my Shorebirds, Beautiful Beachcombers.
This image was created on 13 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 500mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/1600 second at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:02:11am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect.
Tracking: (upper) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Sandhill Crane adult calling
The Forgotten Lens
Since I got my hands on the 300mm f/2.8, I had quit using the 200-600. I started using it again to test it with the a-1 Firmware Update 2.01. While doing so, I realized that there are many advantages of using a zoom lens that you lose when working with the 300mm f/2.8 with TCs. In addition, you can max out the 200-600 by adding the 1.4X TC if necessary. That puts you at 840mm. With the 300 and the 2X, you are stuck at 600mm as your longest focal length.
This image was created on 14 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250. 1/800 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:13:19am on a cloudy bright morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: White-winged Dove on sand beach!
Beach Surprise
I was shocked to see a White-winged Dove on the sand beach to the left of the pier pretending it was a shorebird. I have had as many as a dozen at one time at my backyard feeder that is not set up for photography. Though the blue lores are brighter in the spring, I was quite happy with this image.
This image was created on 15 September 2024. Standing by the edge of the canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 341mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/1600 second at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:02:11am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect.
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed just well enough. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: Lynn and Chad Holleman with a 10lb. 10oz. Largemouth Bass!
Bird-Eye AF?
Bird-eye struggled a bit with acquiring focus with this happy couple image. Why not switch to Human-eye? I recently took “Fave/Eye Subject” off a custom button and added it to My Menu. Why? Too many folks including me were hitting the custom button accidentally. A-1 Group members will be hearing a lot more from me soon.
This image was created on 15 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, 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. 1/500 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:27:10am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: (upper right) Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #7: Great Egret juvenile on The Perch
Wickedly Ridiculous
Reluctant to drive on the wet fields in fear of getting stuck, I decided to create a bird-scape at 1200mm with my car parked on Palmetto Drive. My best estimate of the distance to the bird is about 200 yards. The Sony Focus Distance EXIF is totally screwed up once a teleconverter is added. For this image it shows that I was 764.2 meters (2507 feet)! Not. 200 yards is quite impressive. Nearly 1/2 mile is ridiculous.
This image was created on 15 September 2024. Standing on the sand beach left of the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 303mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 5000. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:53:30am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect.
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed just well enough. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #8: Turkey Vulture — juvenile in flight
Zooming Out for Flight
For this image, zooming out to 303mm saved the day. I rarely use the 300mm f/2.8 alone for flight photography as I almost always add the 1.4X TC to get to 420mm at f/4. Sony a-1 AF performed perfectly on this young Turkey Vulture in flight just to the left of the pier.
This image was created on 16 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000. 1/1250 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:09:22am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #9: Great Egret juvenile with bill open
Determination Pays Off Nicely
I had decent chances on several young Great Egrets on Monday morning past. Despite several failed attempts, I kept trying. I got on this one on the grassy field to the right (north) of the pier and shot a long series. The first image I created was the winner. Don’t be a quitter!
This image was created on 17 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600. 1/640sec. at f/11 (stopped down one full stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:44:37am on a partly sunny morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #10: Stretched wing of Anhinga
Winging It!
I’ve tried for this shot on numerous occasions including several times recently. Tuesday morning’s effort was the best of the lot. Did I reduce the yellow too much?
Note that I went to f/11 in an attempt to cover the depth of field of the slightly curved wing. How did I do?
This image was created on 17 September 2024. Working from the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600. 1/200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:53:03am on a partly sunny morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #11: Killdeer adult — preening pose
Always Learning
Though passable, this image was not quite as sharp as I have come to expect at 1200mm. So, before I headed out this morning, I took a bottle of LensClens and an old t-shirt with me as I headed out. I stopped in the driveway to clean the contacts. That did the trick. Everything I shot this morning at 1200mm was spot-on with the crispy eye skins that I love.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
