Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

My Call

My favorite image by a mile in the last blog post was Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill in flight with nesting material. Why? Gorgeous light, sharp, and carrying a pretty big stick. But the main reason is that because the two nesting islands at Stick Marsh are located to the northwest, 99% of the images of spoonbills carrying nesting material have the bird angling away from the photographer. By recognizing a very special set of circumstances, I was able to make a quality image of one with a stick flying towards me.

BTW, thanks to the very few who commented on their favorite.

What’s Up?

Today is Monday 18 March 2024. Though the morning forecast is not good (again) — partly cloudy with a breeze from the SW switching to West, I will head down to the lake in an effort to learn more about my a9 iii and to see how the Ospreys are doing. Wherever you are and whatever you wind up doing, I hope that you have a great day.

If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide.

If you would like to enjoy some incredible world class photography and photographic instruction, do yourself a favor and grab one of the three remaining spots on the two 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs. Better yet, save $1000.00 by signing up for both! It will almost surely be my last ever Homer trip … Both trips will surely fill soon. See the details along with all IPT info on the recently updated page here.

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.

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 m 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.

These images were created down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL on 16 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be almost one full stop too dark. AWB at 8:27:16am on cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Ospreys copulating in the old eagle nest tree — these are the two originals from which the composite below was created.

New Tenants Moving In

The Ospreys had been hanging out at the old eagle nest tree for several weeks. On the morning of the 15th, I made some nice incoming flight images with the bird carrying some Spanish moss. As the nest is now wide open, it will offer some great flight photography on mornings with winds that have an easterly component. Especially for those with a bit of patience. That usually does not include me 🙁

Not Quite My Best

I got so excited when the birds began to copulate that I botched the exposure. And until the very end of the sequence, all of the images were mis-framed; in my excitement, I had consistently cut off the bottom of the nest. And by the time I corrected my mistake, the birds had turned away into the SW wind. What to do?

When using Photo Mechanic to cull a folder, I tag my keepers by hitting the letter “T.” I hit #1 to color tag the best images with Red — _A939555 on the left above. To indicate a tagged image that might be used as source material, I tap #2 to color tag it Yellow — _A939575 on the right. Keep reading to learn how I created the stitched pano.

Deal of a Lifetime

Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their a9 iii bodies will receive the complete camera setup by way of a CAMSET.dat file with detailed instructions on how to load my settings onto their a9 iii. Along with everything that I know and have learned about this amazing 120 fps camera body. That same CAMSET01.dat file along with the other info will be available to others (those who did not use one of my affiliate links) for a very fair $209.93. Shoot me an e-mail to learn how I came up with that price. If you think it is too high, use one of my affiliate links (it does not cost you one penny) to purchase an a9 iii or figure out the camera on your own.

Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM Lenses

Huge thanks to “Seattle” Mike Lavigne, Paul Sher, Keith Kennedy, Pamela Vitale, Monte Brown, Anita North, Richard Curtain, and Dane Johnson for using one of my affiliate links to purchase their very own “game changer.” Each will be receiving a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide around the end of this month. If you used one of my links to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens and you are not on the list, please shoot me an e-mail and include a copy of your B&H or Bedfords invoice.

This image is a composite of the two images above. Both were created in the same second down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL on 16 March 2024. Standing outside my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be almost one full stop too dark. AWB at 8:27:16am on cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Ospreys copulating in the old eagle nest tree

Combining the Two Images

After increasing the exposure by 0.80,, I converted the raw file for the best image and then expanded canvas below — Crop > W x H x Resolution. Next I converted the source image by right clicking on it in ACR and selected Use Previous Settings from the drop-down menu. I used the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select what I needed from the bottom of the frame, placed it on its own Layer (Command + J), an dragged it (V) roughly into place at the bottom of the base image (_A939555). Even if you were on a tripod, positioning the selection so that every twig matches requires some special attention. As I was handholding, positioning the bottom of the nest required lots of attention as it was necessary to work very large, slightly rotate and resize the selection, and use the left and right arrow keys to move it until it matched fairly well.

Does JI Always Equal JO?

JIJO. Junk in Equals Junk Out usually rules the roost. Even though the best image was nearly a full stop under and mis-framed as well, the final optimized image is clearly not junk. And it tells a special story. Therefore, junk in does not always equal junk out. That both images were sharp was the saving grace. My new double Noise Reduction technique helped save the day. It is described in detail and demonstrated in every edition of the Digital Basics III Video Series. I am planning to complete the first Volume by publishing #5 sometime this coming week.

The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized about 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 have 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 huge 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 check out Volume I/#1 here.

You might opt to purchase single videos or to subscribe to Volume I and save $26 by ordering the first five videos in one fell swoop. You can purchase the 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.

Join me to photograph Black Skimmers, Common Terns, American Oystercatchers, and more!

The Summer 2024 Nickerson Beach 3 1/2 day Terns, Skimmers, Oystercatchers, and more IPTs

July 29 – August 1, 2024. 3 1/2 days: Afternoon session on MON 29 July through the afternoon session on THURS 8 August: $2099.00. Limit: 6. Openings: 5

August 5-8 2024. 3 1/2 days: Afternoon session on MON 5 August through the afternoon session on THURS 1 August: $2099.00. Limit: 6.

Join me at Nickerson Beach Park this summer to photograph Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers. The trip is timed so that we should get to photograph tiny chicks as well as fledglings. There will be lots of flight photography including adults flying with baitfish and mole crabs. Creating great images of the chicks being fed is a challenge but I will do my best to help you toward that end. We will get to photograph a variety of breeding behaviors including courtship, sitting on (incubating) eggs, chick feeding, and more. We may get to photograph pre-dawn and early evening blastoffs. There is generally great afternoon skimmer flight photography that includes frequent midair battles sunny days. And with luck, we might even see a few tiny chicks in addition to fledged and flying young. We will also get to photograph the life cycle of American Oystercatcher. This will likely include nests with eggs and small chicks, young being fed, and surely a few fledglings.

Nesting Piping Plover is also possibly. There will be lots of gulls to photograph; most years I am able to find a few lesser black-backeds of varying ages in addition to the Herring, Ring-billed, and Great Black-backed Gulls. You will learn to identify and age the various gull species. There will likely be some Willets feeding along the surf and with luck we might get to photograph a handsome juvenile or two. In addition to the locally breeding shorebirds, we will likely get to see some southbound migrant arctic-and sub-arctic breeding shorebird species such as Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, and maybe even Red Knot.

Change Your Life!

Afternoon sessions will run from 5:30 till sunset (assuming that entry policies are as they were in 2023. Morning sessions will run from pre-dawn till about 9:00 or 9:30am, roughly 3 1/2 hours.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps (or 120 fps!) camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Adult American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise; Adult American Oystercatcher posing on clean sand; predawn skimmer flock blur; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer landing at nest on cloudy day; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer sunrise group blur; Black Skimmer adult with Atlantic Silversides; juvenile Semipalmated Plover, and photographer with oystercatcher family.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach 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.
• 6- To spot the good and great 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. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Black Skimmer pair with chick; Common Tern landing at nest with small baitfish; large Common Tern chick on pristine beach; American Oystercatchers courtship flight; Common Tern with pipefish; Common Tern fledgling; American Oystercatcher on eggs in high wind; American Oystercatcher nest with three eggs; and Black Skimmer midair battle.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run about 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 5:30 and run till sunset. 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 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. 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 airports are JFK or Islip (if you have lots of Southwest points). 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 ridiculously early 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 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $699 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. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to 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 right after you register. 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.

Join me on the COMBO IPT this coming August to photograph adult and juvenile shorebirds at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Clockwise starting from the upper left back to center: juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs; adult Semipalmated Plover; fresh juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Least Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Stilt Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher; worn, molting adult Semipalmated Sandpiper; worn, molting adult White-rumped Sandpiper; and juvenile (left) and worn, molting adult Greater Yellowlegs.

The August 2024 JBWR-East Pond/Nickerson Beach 3 1/2 day Shorebirds, Skimmers, and more COMBO IPT

July 29 – SAT August 17 through the morning session on TUES 20 August 2024. 3 1/2 days: $2199.00. Limit: 6.

Join me for four mornings at the famed East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY (conditions permitting) to photograph southbound migrant shorebirds and for three afternoons to photograph beach nesting birds. The window for photographing juvenile shorebirds in fresh plumage is very narrow and this trip will of course get you to the right spot at the exact right time. You will learn to identify and age the shorebirds and to photograph them (at ground level). I will gladly share everything that I have learned during the 46 years I have been visiting the pond. Heck, I started late. After too many years of mismanagement, the gate valve at the north end of the East Pond has finally been repaired properly; water levels should be perfect this summer. If it is not, we will spend our mornings at Nickerson.

Afternoons (and mornings as well) at Nickerson Beach Park are superb in mid-August for photographing Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young of all ages. There will be lots of fledged chicks by mid-August, lots of flight including adults flying with baitfish and mole crabs, and excellent chances to photograph both chick feeding and predation by gulls. The Great Black-backed Gulls see the young skimmers as potato chips. We should get to photograph the evening skimmer blastoffs. On hot sunny days, there is still great afternoon skimmer flight photography that includes frequent midair battles.

There will be lots of terns (mostly commons) and gulls to photograph; most years I am able to find a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages in addition to the Herring, Ring-billed, and Great Black-backed Gulls. You will learn to identify and age the various gull species. There will likely be some Willets feeding along the surf and with luck we might get to photograph a handsome juvenile or two. In addition to the locally breeding shorebirds, we will likely get to see some southbound migrant arctic-and sub-arctic breeding shorebird species such as Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and maybe even Red Knot. And we might encounter large, swirling flocks of Sanderling in flight over the ocean.

Join me this August to photograph at the East Pond at JBWR in the mornings (conditions permitting) and at Nickerson Beach in the afternoons. Clockwise starting from the upper left back to center: Marbled Godwit (likely in juvenal plumage); Wilson’s Phalarope in first winter plumage; Black Skimmer adult in flight over the Atlantic; juvenile American Oystercatcher foraging surf; adult Lesser Black-backed Gull; Black Skimmer attacking tiny chick; Killdeer in fresh juvenal plumage; Least Sandpiper in fresh juvenal plumage ruffling; and juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs and mixed shorebird flock.

Morning sessions at the East Pond will run from just before dawn till about 9:00 or 9:30am. If the afternoon weather forecast is looking ominous, we may decide to photograph until after 11:00am and cancel the afternoon session. Afternoon sessions at Nick will run from 5:30 till sunset (assuming that entry policies are as they were in 2023).

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps (or 120 fps!) camera bodies. In addition, we will process some participant images and distribute the screen-capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. All IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Adult American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise; Adult American Oystercatcher posing on clean sand; predawn skimmer flock blur; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer landing at nest on cloudy day; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer sunrise group blur; Black Skimmer adult with Atlantic Silversides; juvenile Semipalmated Plover, and photographer with oystercatcher family.

Some of What You Will Learn on the COMBO 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 you make even a single image if you are using SONY gear).
• 2-How to get low and super low
• 3- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 4- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 5- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great 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. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- To identify and age a variety of shorebird, tern, and gull species.
• 11- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session during and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. This IPT will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Islip (if you have lots of Southwest points). 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 ridiculously early 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 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $699 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. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to 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 right after you register. 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.

This Just In — 9:54am Thursday

If you would like to join me early at Stick Marsh tomorrow for an -in-the-Field Session, Friday 15 March, try me on my cell at 863-221-2372 ASAP. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Then shoot me an e-mail as well. Time and life are short and the weather is looking perfect. A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens with a TC is fine.

From David Policansky via e-mail:

Hi, Artie. I finally got my images downloaded to my computer. I have a few nice ones from the day I wandered around the docks before the IPT started, but, and forgive the hubris, I’m blown away by how many really nice images I made on the first, dark, snowy day. Many were almost perfectly exposed (thanks again for your coaching) and I needed only to open up the shadowy parts of the wings a bit in editing. A surprising number were pretty darned sharp. And at least on my monitor most of them, even those created at ISO 5000, don’t have much noise. And then there were some whose compositions I really like.

As you know, many people have helped to make me a better photographer. But even though I’ve been photographing for many decades, and even though I’ve gone on several IPTs with you before this latest one, you helped me raise my photography to another level. And even though my post-processing skills and my editing program are rudimentary, attending your Photoshop workshops really helped me and I was able to apply what you taught us even though I shoot JPEGs and don’t use Photoshop.

So thanks again, again.

with love, Dr. Fish

You Do Not Need a $20K rig to learn bird photography or to make great images on an IPT!

David was using the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens with a Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera. New, his incredibly small and light rig cost him just a shade over $2000.00, $2,049 to be exact. He did quite well and I hope to be sharing some of his work with you here soon.

What’s Up?

Stick Marsh was amazing on Tuesday past, one of the best mornings ever. I am falling deeply in love with the a9 iii. Photos and more soon.

Indian Lake Estates has been decent at times despite the fact that there are currently zero crane babies so far this season. And I have not been able to locate a bird on eggs. I do, however, have hope, as I have seen several single cranes hanging out in the marsh down by the lake. With the higher than usual water levels and the vegetation sky high, there is a good chance that there are a few cranes on eggs. Time will tell. The eagle pair down by the lake have two large young in the new (obstructed) nest but they have not fledged yet. Yesterday there were thousands of migrant Tree Swallows flying around everywhere.

JBWR

If you would like to learn the secrets of photographing shorebirds at the East Pond, check out the amazing opportunities available in mid- to late August in and around New York City by scrolling down. And yes, NYC! The first to register may opt to share my Lido Beach Air BnB with me (and enjoy a discount on the IPT as well). If you are interested, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.

Today is Thursday 14 March 2024. I will be heading down to the lake early for a bit with the a9 iii, the 300mm f/2.8, the 600mm f/4, and both TCs. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you will be having fun too. I do, of course, have a long to-do list.

Speaking of the Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens, five folks have kindly used one of my (two) affiliate links to purchase theirs. They will be receiving the first-ever BAA lens guide before the end of the month as a thank you.

This from multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown via e-mail this morning:

I tried the Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens for a few minutes this evening and so far it is amazing, lightweight, fast, and sharp. Unbelievable that it can be a 600 with the 2X and still be so light. My shoulders will love it.

In the same vein, if you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. As above, folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide and lots more.

If you would like to enjoy some incredible world class photography and photographic instruction, do yourself a favor and grab one of the very few remaining spots on each of the 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs. Better yet, save $1000.00 by signing up for both! It will likely be my last ever Homer trip … Both trips will surely fill soon.

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.

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 codeine 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.

Join me on the COMBO IPT this coming August to photograph adult and juvenile shorebirds at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Clockwise starting from the upper left back to center: juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs; adult Semipalmated Plover; fresh juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Least Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Stilt Sandpiper; fresh juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher; worn, molting adult Semipalmated Sandpiper; worn, molting adult White-rumped Sandpiper; and juvenile (left) and worn, molting adult Greater Yellowlegs.

The August 2024 JBWR-East Pond/Nickerson Beach 3 1/2 day Shorebirds, Skimmers and more COMBO IPTs

July 29 – SAT August 17 through the morning session on TUES 20 August 2024. 3 1/2 days: $2199.00. Limit: 6.

Join me for four mornings at the famed East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY (conditions permitting) to photograph southbound migrant shorebirds and for three afternoons to photograph beach nesting birds. The window for photographing juvenile shorebirds in fresh plumage is very narrow and this trip will of course get you to the right spot at the exact right time. You will learn to identify and age the shorebirds and to photograph them (at ground level). I will gladly share everything that I have learned during the 46 years I have been visiting the pond. Heck, I started late. After too many years of mismanagement, the gate valve at the north end of the East Pond has finally been repaired properly; water levels should be perfect this summer. If it is not, we will spend our mornings at Nickerson.

Afternoons (and mornings as well) at Nickerson Beach Park are superb in mid-August for photographing Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young of all ages. There will be lots of fledged chicks by mid-August, lots of flight including adults flying with baitfish and mole crabs, and excellent chances to photograph both chick feeding and predation by gulls. The Great Black-backed Gulls see the young skimmers as potato chips. We should get to photograph the evening skimmer blastoffs. On hot sunny days, there is still great afternoon skimmer flight photography that includes frequent midair battles.

There will be lots of terns (mostly commons) and gulls to photograph; most years I am able to find a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages in addition to the Herring, Ring-billed, and Great Black-backed Gulls. You will learn to identify and age the various gull species. There will likely be some Willets feeding along the surf and with luck we might get to photograph a handsome juvenile or two. In addition to the locally breeding shorebirds, we will likely get to see some southbound migrant arctic-and sub-arctic breeding shorebird species such as Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and maybe even Red Knot. And we might encounter large, swirling flocks of Sanderling in flight over the ocean.

Join me this August to photograph at the East Pond at JBWR in the mornings (conditions permitting) and at Nickerson Beach in the afternoons. Clockwise starting from the upper left back to center: Marbled Godwit (likely in juvenal plumage); Wilson’s Phalarope in first winter plumage; Black Skimmer adult in flight over the Atlantic; juvenile American Oystercatcher foraging surf; adult Lesser Black-backed Gull; Black Skimmer attacking tiny chick; Killdeer in fresh juvenal plumage; Least Sandpiper in fresh juvenal plumage ruffling; and juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs and mixed shorebird flock.

Morning sessions at the East Pond will run from just before dawn till about 9:00 or 9:30am. If the afternoon weather forecast is looking ominous, we may decide to photograph until after 11:00am and cancel the afternoon session. Afternoon sessions at Nick will run from 5:30 till sunset (assuming that entry policies are as they were in 2023).

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps (or 120 fps!) camera bodies. In addition, we will process some participant images and distribute the screen-capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. All IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Adult American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise; Adult American Oystercatcher posing on clean sand; predawn skimmer flock blur; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer landing at nest on cloudy day; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer sunrise group blur; Black Skimmer adult with Atlantic Silversides; juvenile Semipalmated Plover, and photographer with oystercatcher family.

Some of What You Will Learn on the COMBO 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 you make even a single image if you are using SONY gear).
• 2-How to get low and super low
• 3- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 4- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 5- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great 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. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- To identify and age a variety of shorebird, tern, and gull species.
• 11- More than you could ever imagine.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Black Skimmer pair with chick; Common Tern landing at nest with small baitfish; large Common Tern chick on pristine beach; American Oystercatchers courtship flight; Common Tern with pipefish; Common Tern fledgling; American Oystercatcher on eggs in high wind; American Oystercatcher nest with three eggs; and Black Skimmer midair battle.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session during and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. This IPT will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Islip (if you have lots of Southwest points). 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 ridiculously early 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 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $699 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. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to 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 right after you register. 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.

Note

This blog post took 4 1/2 hours to create.

I Did Not Want to Like the Sony a9 iii Mirrorless Body …

Based on what I had heard about the Sony a9 iii, and having been absolutely in love with the Sony a-1 for several years, I really did not want to like the Sony a9 iii. I figured that the 24.6-megapixel a9 iii raw files would pale when compared to the superb 50.1 MP raw files of the a-1. I was sure that file size would be the deal breaker.

In truth, the a9 iii files are superb with lots of fine detail. And I love the colors of the a9 iii images. Using my new workflow as detailed in the Digital Basics III Video Series, the optimized images look great. I am 100% positive that they will pass muster when I begin submitting my a9 iii images to Getty.

While I have been thrilled by the a-1’s 30 fps frame rate, 120 fps opens up a whole new world for flight photographers. Be sure to check out the video below to see what I am talking about. I cannot wait to work with the a9 iii and my 600mm f/4 GM lens!

Yikes! I almost forgot to mention that if you use one of my affiliate links to purchase your a9 iii, you are invited to shoot me your receipt via e-mail. After it checks out, I will send you my a9 iii CAMSET.DAT file, instructions on how to load that to your a9 iii, a complete Buttons and Dials guide, and additional brief comments. Lucky you!

What’s Up?

I got my hands on an a9 iii in Homer and set it up as best as I could in a short time. With the weather looking good for Friday morning, we woke early and headed to Stick Marsh. With Jim driving, I had an a-1 and the a9 iii on my lap. As I went over every menu item on the a9 iii, I realized that I had been mistaken. The menus on the two bodies were in fact quite similar, if not identical (but for the new stuff on the a9 iii). By the time we got to the recreation area, I pretty much had the camera figured out. I did not, however, learn how to close the shutter curtain with power off until after we got home.

I was in position by 6:45am and began creating images. The morning was quite overcast and the sun did not break through completely until just after 8:00am. There was a fair amount of action and though I was shooting more aggressively than I usually do, I was quite surprised when I filled a Delkin 160GB CF-Express A card early on. With pre-capture set to one full second and the frame rate maxed out at 120fps, you will fill cards quickly.

I created 9046 images without hardly realizing it. I peeked at the images briefly and chose a few to optimize. The formal edit using Photo Mechanic took 20 minutes on the clock. Photo Mechanic will become more valuable as frame rates continue to increase. As Camera Bits recently ended their affiliate program, I will be offering a Photo Mechanic Getting Started Guide asap. It will cost $25.00. If you are new to Photo Mechanic, you will surely want a copy of the guide so that you can get off to a perfect start.

I kept 200 images but 152 of those were kept to create the movie-like spoonbill in flight video below. That left me with 48 keepers on what was a mostly dreary morning. I will keep a handful of the 152 after I create the movie. So let’s say I wind up with as most 55 keepers. The leaves me with a keeper rate of .006% — less than one percent.

Why so low? The light was lousy for most of the morning. I was shooting aggressively so that I could see lots of raw files and learn about the AF system. And every time that you start a new series, the camera will save 120 pre-capture images! In any case, I found culling the images in Photo Mechanic easy as the family jewels literally jump off the screen.

Today is Saturday 8 March 2024. I was hoping to head down to the lake this morning but it was dark and drizzly so I opted to stay in and finish today’s blog post on the Sony a9 iii. That done, I am headed down to the lake for a (shirtless) 1.5 mile Vitamin D walk.

I learned minutes ago that multiple IPT veteran Brian Bowers is signing up for Homer #2. And it looks as if many multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof will be re-upping for both 2025 Homer IPTs. If that works out, there will soon be only a single opening left for the first IPT. I was glad to learn that Ralph Fletcher’s Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens in excellent condition sold for the asking price of $4,999.00 just minutes after it was listed in the last blog post.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you are also having a great day.

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.

This image was created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:05:42am on heavily overcast 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 in flight braking to land

300mm f/2.8 GM Lens/a9 iii

When I first visited Stick Marsh several years ago, I realized instantly that Sony needed to make a lightweight 300mm f/2.8 lens. Yesterday with the 300mm f/2.8, I was able to sit farther back than I used to when using the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the 1.4X TC. Not to mention that I gained one full stop of ISO by being able to work at f/2.8 rather than f/4.

As it turned out, I was correct. Of the many thousands of images that found their way into the trash, most of them were razor sharp, well-framed images of spoonbills in flight. I kept only those with family jewels potential. In short, the Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) is the perfect lens for Stick Marsh. And for Homers eagles as well.

The First Ever BIRDS AS ART Lens Guide

Impressed by my Sony 300mm f/2.8 images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. It will be published sometime in late March as I have a lot more to learn about this amazing new lens.

How Birds Fly by John K. Torres

I met and interviewed John Kenneth Terres several decades ago for a Bird Watchers’ Digest article. He gifted me a signed copy of “How Birds Fly.” Several months ago, when I could not find it, I ordered a copy from Amazon and was totally blown away. While viewing my a9 iii images rapid fire yesterday in Photo Mechanic, I felt as Terres must have felt when he finally saw some slow motion movies of birds in flight. The experience was incredible. Click on the logo link above to order your copy. If you love flight photography, you owe it to yourself.

Roseate Spoonbill Movies

Watch the two flight movies; you will be amazed and delighted.

This image was also created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:03:44am on then mostly sunny morning. 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: Great Blue Heron head portrait

When the Sun Finally Came Out

When the sun finally came out yesterday, I added the 2X TC to the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and went to work. I was thrilled to see the super sharp results. Handholding at 600mm is simply a joy. Good bye tripods. Unless and until I need 840 or 1200mm.

This image was also created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:16:51am on then mostly sunny morning. 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 #3: Roseate Spoonbill in flight

Lightweight Handheld 600mm Flight Photography

This image thrilled me even more than Image #2 did. Handholding the 300mm f/2.8/2X III combo is a dream. I can do it all day long in part because of its small size. I am not sure if the a-1 will do as well with flight with the 300mm f/2.8/2X III combo.

Do Understand

Do understand that purchasing the latest greatest camera gear will not make you a better bird photographer. You need to study and practice. And look at as many great images as possible. Period. There are hundreds if not thousands of folks with $5,000.00 or $10,000 or even $30,000 or more worth more of great gear who simply do not have a clue as to how to make a good photograph. How do I know this? I see them every day at great shooting locations around the world.

What is the solution? Join me somewhere on a BAA Instructional Photo-Tour. I will not be doing them forever …

Typos

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

Re-Published

Yesterday’s blog post is re-published below as the server was down all day while I was flying home from Anchorage, AK.

The First Ever BIRDS AS ART Lens Guide

Impressed by my Sony 300mm f/2.8 images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. It will be published sometime in late March as I have a lot more to learn about this amazing new lens.

Text from Eugen Dolan who did both 2024 Homer IPTs

Thank you ever so much for all your teaching, and insight into your photoshop skills which gave me an absolutely wonderful and eventful ITP – the cold notwithstanding. Safe travels.

Eugen

My Call

My two favorite images from the last post were #2, Bald Eagle in flight set against shaded mountainside and #5, Bald Eagles braking to land in low light conditions, each because of the amazingly different backgrounds. My two weakest images were #1, Bald Eagle in flight/late day sun because it was boring and #4, Bald Eagles landing on distant spit on a then dark and dismal morning because it was made at ISO 10,000 and was simply not as strong as the others. That said, several folks liked that one. I actually do too.

Your Call?

Which is today’s strongest image? Why?

What’s Up?

Both Homer IPTs were fabulously successful; all the participants headed home thrilled. The last few days of the 2nd IPT were the coldest I have ever experienced in more than 20 years of visiting Homer. The key to survival was getting the group into sheltered spots with lots of eagles and a variety of backgrounds. We discovered two great new dining spots in Homer: River Cafe for breakfast and lunch, and AJ’s Old Town Grill for some fabulous steak and seafood dinners. Aside from the great folks I had along, my personal highlight was spending lots of quality time with the Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E).

Today is Sunday 2 March 2024. I took a redeye from Anchorage to Seattle last night and should be flying to Orlando today, arriving in the early evening. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you are having more fun than me.

If you would like to enjoy some incredible world class photography and photographic instruction, do yourself a favor and grab one of the two remaining spots on each of the two 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs. Better yet, save $1000.00 by signing up for both! It will be my last ever Homer trip … Both trips will surely fill soon. Scroll down for the details.

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.

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 codeine 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 23 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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 1:35:04pm on cloudy afternoon. 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: Bald Eagle in flight with spruce tree background

Spruce Hillside Background

With thousands of sunny day and white sky flight shots of both adult and young Bald Eagles, I am always looking for something a bit out of the ordinary. A spruce covered hillside provided something interesting and different. Unlike dSLRs, Sony a-1 autofocus has no problem with backgrounds other than sky. The adult eagle’s clean white head and pristine tail made this individual a perfect subject.

This image was created on 25 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x 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. 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop don’t ask me why) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 10:14:00am on partly sunny morning. 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: Young Bald Eagle on berm

On The Edge

I am forever looking for subjects teed up on the edge of some sort of rise or mound so that I can make uncluttered images of birds set against distant backgrounds, When I spotted the handsome young eagle above sitting on the edge of the berm with a pleasing Kachemak Bay blue background, I crouched down and went to work. On average, the young eagles need about 2/3 more light than the white-headed adults.

This image was created on 25 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheldSony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x 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. 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop don’t ask me why) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 10:23:43am on partly sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Adult Bald Eagle head portrait

Clean, Tight, and Graphic with the Sony 300mm f/2.8/2X/a-1 Rig

Headhunting with the handheld Sony 300mm f/2.8/2X/a-1 rig is a snap because of its small size and light weight. Thus, you can easily get into position while minimizing disturbance. Working with a big telephoto lens on a tripod is far more challenging. Note the perfect head angle and the detail in the white feathers.

This image was created on 23 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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 11:54:29am on cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed well enough. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Adult and Young Bald Eagle squabbling

You Know the Drill!

If you’ve heard it here once, you’ve heard it here a thousand times: when unexpected action takes place, push the shutter button. If you so much as think about or attempt to change the exposure or the AF method or point or anything else, you will miss everything. When the two eagles in the image above began squabbling, I had zero expectation of making even a half-way decent image. But I fired off a half dozen frames and was pleasantly surprised when one of the worked out nicely.

As I was properly exposed for the adult, the head and face of the juvie on our right was much too dark, that in part because the head of the young bird was shaded — yes, light almost always has a direction even when the sun is not shining. Once I had the TIFF in Photoshop, opening up the head with Tim Grey Dodge and Burn brought the image to life.

How in the World???

Considering that Zone AF grabbed the middle of the adult’s raised wing, how in the world were the eyes of both eagles rendered perfectly sharp?

This image was created on 23 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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 11:54:29am on cloudy morning. 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 #5: Adult Bald Eagle on log framed by beach grasses

Choose Your Perspective Carefully

To improve your bird photography, be sure to check out your backgrounds carefully when photographing static subjects. With Image #5, I chose my perspective carefully so as to frame the eagle’s head between the two stands of golden beach grasses.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

No Homer IPT Price Increase!

Despite that fact that the hourly boat fee has been increased by 33%, I have decided not to raise the price of the 2025 Homer IPTs. Note that similar trips with 40% less time on the boat cost $5800!

IPT #1: FRI 14 FEB 2025 through the full day on TUES 18 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

IPT #2: WED 19 FEB 2025 through the full day on SUN 23 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

Register for both trips to maximize your travel dollars and enjoy a $1000 discount while you are at it. In 2024, three of the five participants did both trips!

This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require some good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If the conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader and instructor. He is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes. You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode. Most importantly, you will learn to pick your best flight photographs from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the best and most creative boat captain on his sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck watercraft.

There will be only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.
bb

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Important Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $300.00/hour. The leader will pay for the bait.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. In 2024 those included Moose, Sea Otter, a variety of sea ducks in the harbor, and Great Grey and Short-eared Owl.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (the latter made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of these two trips is to sign up for both of them. If you have any questions, or are good to go for one or both of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

Typos

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

This Just In!

Many multiple IPT veteran Joe Barranco signed up for both Homer 2025 IPTs. Best not to tarry as there are now only two spots left on each IPT. I’d advise you to sign up for both today!

The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens is a Real Game Changer

I fully expected this lens to be fantastic. It has, however, exceeded all of my expectations. It will quickly become a real game changer. Especially for folks like me who are looking to go lighter and lighter. It is so light that I can handhold it all day long without any strain at all. I used it alone a ton on our first fabulous day with the eagles. I handheld it with the 2X TC for eight hours of songbird photography on Thursday and did quite well. And on Friday, I handheld it for another eight great hours of eagle flight photography.

Expect to see more than a few Sony 400mm f/2.8 and 600m f/4 GM lenses for sale fairly soon. You will be seeing lots more 300mm/f/2.8 images here soon.

The First Ever BIRDS AS ART Lens Guide

Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. It will be published sometime in late March as I have a lot more to learn about this amazing new lens.

Calls

Which is your favorite of today’s five 300mm f/2.8 featured images? Why?

By a small margin, I liked the Sanderling image in the last blog post best because of the lovely flight pose and the soft light. Funny that they are the same reasons that I liked the cormorant shot.

What’s Up?

Day one of the first Homer IPT got off to an incredible start. With cloudy skies and an 18mph southeast wind, we enjoyed pretty much perfect flight photography conditions. Whether we photographed from the boat or landed on one of several productive spits, we were pretty much inundated by incoming eagles. And there was just enough snow cover to illuminate the eagle’s undersides. Multiple IPT veteran Chris Loffredo who had been away too long, summed things up nicely after creating more than 12,000 images during our first session when he said, “I could never have even imagined so many eagles so close. I created more images today than I did on a two week African photo safari.” The rest of the group was beyond thrilled as well.

Our day two sailing was cancelled because of high winds and 10 foot seas so we visited a local feeder set-up and enjoyed a spectacular session with Pine Grosbeaks, Boreal Chickadees, Pine Siskins, Red-breasted Nuthatches, both cross bills!, and a single cooperative Gray Jay.

On Friday we had sun to work with for most of the day. We photographed for more than eight hours and were doing great until folks began running out of memory! When we got back to the harbor, we were greeted by a flock of close to 1000 Rock Sandpipers (along with a single wintering Dunlin). We spent nearly 30 minutes working them as Gabe jockeyed the boat in so close that I was photographing single birds with the 300mm/2X TC! That was a first.

Today is Saturday 24 February 2024. With everyone in the group beyond exhausted with tens of thousands of images to cull and facing a horrible morning forecast — 30 knot winds and 10-foot seas, we are taking the morning off. That despite the fact that the forecast fizzled. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, have fun.

If you would like to enjoy some incredible, world class photography, do yourself a favor and grab one of the three remaining spots on the two 2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs. Better yet, save $1000.00 by signing up for both! It will likely be my last ever Homer trip … They will surely fill soon. Scroll down for the details.

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.

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 codeine 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 21 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500. 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 11:33:42am on blessedly cloudy morning. 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: Bald Eagle in flight on final approach

The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM Lens, the Sony a-1 Mirrorless Camera, and Homer, AK: a Three-Way Match Made in Heaven

Huge thanks to Sony’s Mark Weir who arranged for a loaner 300mm f/2.8 to coincide with my Homer trip. My copy should be arriving from Bedfords soon after I get back to Florida. And boy, I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

With low light conditions not uncommon in Homer, the 300 f/2.8 might be the perfect lens but for the fact that it is often a bit too long. It is the perfect companion to the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens. Both of these lenses performs extraordinarily well with either TC. I used the prime lens alone to create Image #1 and barely fit the whole bird into the frame. It was so tight — but not clipped on either side, that I added a bit of canvas left, right, and above. With the perfect conditions and soft light, I advised the group to strive for images with a strip of beach grass at the bottom of the frame.

This image was also created on 21 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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/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 11:33:41am on blessedly cloudy morning. 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: Bald Eagle screaming in flight

Too Long a Lens!

Here, I clipped the eagle’s right wing but wound up loving the result after a crop from our left and below. Images of eagles screaming in flight are quite rare.

This image was also created on 21 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 10:59:54am on blessedly cloudy morning. 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 #3: Bald Eagle flight with dark cliff background and falling snow

When the snow flurries began, I called out to the group, “Shoot them in flight against the dark wall of the cliff. A fast shutter speed will render the snow as pinpoints.”

I love when I make an image that I had pre-visualized.

This image was also created on 21 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) 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/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 1:59:47am on still blessedly cloudy morning. 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 #4: Juvenile Bald Eagle in flight

Don’t Stop Shooting!

With today’s amazing mirrorless camera bodies, do not quit shooting when a bird flies right at you and gets larger and larger in the frame. DSLR AF had very little chance in those situations. Though mirrorless does not nail focus perfectly every time, it succeeds more often than not. And like the bad child when it is good, mirrorless AF can be very, very good with birds flying at you at point blank range. This image is so, so sharp that you can see the blood vessels in the young eagles’ eyes.

This image was created on 22 February 2024 at Anchor Point, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x 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. 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 9:33:40am on barely sunny morning. 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 #5: Pine Grosbeak eating Mountain Ash berries

A Lightweight, Hand-holdable 600mm F/5.6 Lens

Adding the 2X TÇ to the new Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens yields a lightweight 600mm f/5.6 lens with deadly fast and accurate AF. The resulting images are tack sharp and feature the crisp eye-skins that I love. Hand-holding this rig while everyone in the group was on a tripod most of the time enabled me to move quickly to get right on sun angle for the various perches. And that is just what I did to create Image #5.

I have not yet had a chance to use the new lens with the 1.4X TC but I would bet my life that the images will be beyond amazing.

This image was also created on 23 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500. 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:40:17am on dead clear morning. Tracking: Expand-Spot/AF-C with Animal Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Sea Otter with its wake in pink, pre-dawn reflections.

Small in the Frame Sea Otter!

After checking out the forecast and consulting with Captain Gabe, we left the dock super-early, crossed Kachemak Bay, and enjoyed the pink/purple/blue skies that you will see the world over in the western sky (opposite the sunrise) on crisp, clear mornings. We had dozens of eagles in the air all around the boat well before the sun was anywhere near coming over the mountains behind us. I kept calling out, “Look for the pink backgrounds!” Someone called out, “There’s a Sea Otter swimming toward us.” It was far from us so I had time to get into Tracking: Zone and switch from Bird-Eye to Animal-Eye AF. I adjusted the exposure by getting lots of Zebras on the pink water and then got lucky when the otter turned its head to the left.

My new workflow transformed the pale, washed out raw file into a colorful, very fine, very subtle, and very different image. Who would have thought that a small in the frame Sea Otter shot would work so well. After the sun came up, we enjoyed some great flight photography. After 1 1/2 hours, another eagle photo tour boat crossed from the spit, albeit quite a bit late — they had missed 90 minutes of wondrous photography.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

No Homer IPT Price Increase!

Despite that fact that the hourly boat fee has been increased by 33%, I have decided not to raise the price of the 2025 Homer IPTs. Note that similar trips with 40% less time on the boat cost $5800!

IPT #1: FRI 14 FEB 2025 through the full day on TUES 18 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

IPT #2: WED 19 FEB 2025 through the full day on SUN 23 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

Register for both trips to maximize your travel dollars and enjoy a $1000 discount while you are at it. In 2024, three of the five participants did both trips!

This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require some good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If the conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader and instructor. He is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes. You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode. Most importantly, you will learn to pick your best flight photographs from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the best and most creative boat captain on his sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck watercraft.

There will be only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.
bb

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Important Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $300.00/hour. The leader will pay for the bait.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. In 2024 those included Moose, Sea Otter, a variety of sea ducks in the harbor, and Great Grey and Short-eared Owl.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (the latter made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of these two trips is to sign up for both of them. If you have any questions, or are good to go for one or both of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Though I just got home, I am beginning to pack my suitcases and one of my Thank Tank rolling bags for my upcoming trip to Homer, AK. I fly to Anchorage this coming Monday. I’ve been relaxing a bit, walking everyday and spending time in the pool, and working on identifying and reducing stress in my life.

Today is Thursday 15 February 2024. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, enjoy.

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.

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 codeine 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 save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 20 April 2017 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Mongoose M3.6 Action head-mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with the 2X III teleconverter and the EOS 5D Mark IV dSLR. The exposure was determined by creating a test image and then evaluating the histogram (and Highlight Alert Warnings (AKA blinkies). ISO 400. 1/1250 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger this morning, the raw file exposure was determined to be two full stops under-exposed! AWB at 9:13:50am on a completely sunny day. Image #1: Royal Tern in breeding plumage

The Times They Have Changed

Seven years ago I was using the Mongoose M3.6 Action head. And I was still using Canon despite the fact that I had been let go (fired) as a Canon Explorer of Light after a great 19-year run. The 5D Mark IV had a frame rate of 7 fps and produced 30.4MP files (and still does). Compare that with 30 fps and the 51MP image files of the Sony a1 and you realized the tremendous changes that have occurred in the past 7 years.

I had never heard of RawDigger and thus, most of my images were one to two full stops too dark. Unless I got lucky. Zebras were only on safari and in zoos. Now, after studying my Sony images in RawDigger for several years I am routinely and consistently able to produce perfect and dead-solid perfect exposures.

In less than a year, I would learn of the original FLexShooter Pro and soon thereafter, of the huge advantages of the /Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro. I introduced both to North America and put them on the map. The latter is the world’s best tripod head for all lenses. By far.

Monte Brown — February 4, 2024 at 10:29pm

Artie, I have the Mongoose 3.6 head and really like it, if the camera falls over it is operator error. What is the difference between the Mongoose 3.6 and the Lever Clamped Flex Shooter Pro?

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — February 5, 2024 at 8:25pm

Monte. Thanks for your recent comments and questions. Both have been greatly appreciated. The Mongoose M3.6 Action head is a great head for super-telephoto lenses. I used one for more than a decade and we still sell a few each year. It is far lighter than the old standards, the Wimberley V1 and V2 heads.

With any system, folks should not be walking around with a big lens clamped on any tripod head. All of the manufacturers specifically deny liability should a clamp fail. In addition, it is much better for your shoulder health to carry the lens in one hand and the tripod in the other when walking any appreciable distance.

And now to get to your question -:). The Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro is a ballhead that acts like a gimbal. Once you level the black ball, you can point the lens in any direction and it stays square to the world. The silver ball features a counter-balanced spring mechanism that enables you to point the lens anywhere and have the lens sit like a dog. The levered-clamp enables you to mount the lens in two seconds without fiddling and removing it in one second if a good bird flies by overhead. Last is the bi-directional clamp that enables you to mount the camera with a short lens attached in addition to all telephoto lenses and telephoto zooms.

with love, artie

ps: click on the link and watch the video as I probably left a few good things out!

This image was created on 17 April 2019 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. I used the handheld Nikon 500mm PF lens and the D850 dSLR. The exposure was determined by creating a test image and then evaluating the histogram and the Highlight Alert Warnings (AKA blinkies). ISO 800. 1/800 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger this morning, the raw file exposure was determined to be one-half stop under-exposed. AWB at 7:21:35am on a mostly sunny morning. Image #2: Laughing Gull in breeding plumage with tiny baitfish

DeSoto Spring Beauties

Both Royal Terns and Laughing Gulls are handsome birds in non-breeding (winter) plumage. As they are when in their juvenile and first-winter plumages. But in spring at the height of breeding (alternate) plumage, their beauty is dazzling. The former features gleaming, bright white underparts, snazzy jet-black crests, and bright orange bills. Laughing Gulls in spring sport wine-red bills and legs, jet-black hoods, white eye crescents, and red eye rings. Their beauty is greatly under appreciated and they are often neglected as photographic subjects. But never by me.

Note: By 2019, was trying Nikon. Though the AF was better than Canon dSLR AF, I would soon learn that Sony AF was far better. That superiority, combined with the Zebra technology that enables folks to determine the correct exposure in the viewfinder before making a single image, and incredibly high quality image files makes Sony (specifically with the a1), the best system presently available for bird photography.

Be sure to click on the composite to view a larger, high-res version. All images from 2023 Fort DeSoto Spring IPTs. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Snowy Egret in breeding plumage with crest blowing; Osprey striking; Brown Pelican sunrise silhouette; Royal Terns copulating; Marbled Godwit striding; Royal Tern courtship feeding; Snowy Egret hunting; Laughing Gull in breeding plumage along flight; Reddish Egret in flight with killifish.

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

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.

The 2024 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tour (IPT)

The Spring Fort DeSoto IPT: Wednesday 8 May through the morning session on SAT 11 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers. Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in springtime. Though DeSoto can be great any day of the year, spring is my very favorite time to be there as 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.

Act fast to explore the possibility of sharing an AirBnB with Jim Miller and me. Doing so would greatly reduce the cost of lodging for this great trip.

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.

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. On the May trip, many of the shorebirds will be 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. I almost forgot to mention — Laughing Gulls in breeding plumage are to die for!

You do NOT need a fast super-telephoto lens to do this trip!

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.

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.

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.

The Details

Morning sessions will run about two and one-half 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 11:30 or so 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 during and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. This IPT 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). For folks who register soon, the is an excellent chance that we can share an AirBnb to reduce lodging and meal costs and maximize your learning opportunities.

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunset colors. 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 non-refundable $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. If you have any questions, or are good to go for one of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 for more info.

Typos

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

Apologies

As I have had just one day off from teaching since I arrived in CA here weeks ago. I have fallen behind badly with regards to answering e-mails. As I fly home this coming Saturday, I should begin catching up early next week.

What’s Up?

As in San Diego, we have dodged lots of challenging weather on the Morro Bay IPT. But we have had many great chances and done well. Best of all, everyone is learning. As expected, the Long-billed Curlews have been the stars of the show. On Wednesday, there were several hundred Short-billed Gulls. On other days, just a few. This species was formerly named Mew Gull or Common Gull. It is best described as a miniature version of Ring-billed Gull with a tiny bill. The first winter birds are quite handsome.

And on Thursday evening we enjoyed a pretty sweet sunset.

Today is Friday 9 February 2024, the third full day of the IPT. We are again headed out early. Wherever you are and whatever you choose to do, I hope that you too have a great day.

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.
Go Chiefs.

My Call

In the last blog post, I loved both images but my favorite was the cormorant blur. The venerable Cliff Beittel agreed when he commented and summed up my thoughts precisely: The blur, perhaps because of the panning, is perfect. The vibrating x-ray-like sharpness in the primaries is amazing. Love the panned waves and color.

Your Call?

Which of today’s four featured Morro Bay images is the strongest? Which is the weakest? Why for both?

Swamped by a Rogue Wave
Sony a-1 Weather Sealing

Many complain about the weather sealing of the Sony a-1 against both moisture and grit. As I routinely abuse all three of my a-1 bodies, I never complain. I recently sent in my two oldest a-1 bodies for a clean and check. (Free including round-trip FedEx shipping for SONY ProSupport members — $100 annually.) Because of sand and corrosion, I was charged about $500 for each. Both bodies were restored to pretty much like new condition. I was happy.

Many know that I totaled and a-1 in San Diego two years ago by dropping an a-1 on the 200-600 into a foot deep tide pool while clambering around on the low cliffs at La Jolla (camera-end first). The lens was fine. The camera was insured.

On Wednesday morning, I was sitting on the beach at Morro Bay with my 2-6. I saw a rogue wave coming. I turned to my right and attempted to crawl away quickly on my knees and elbows. In a flash, I was swamped. I was aghast when I saw my rig disappear under the salt water for 2-3 seconds. I had a gallon of the ocean in my right hand parka pocket along with several ounces of sand. I was pretty sure that the body was toast, but was surprised that it did not go haywire. After a few minutes, the Thumb Dial quit responding followed soon thereafter by the Fn button. All else continued to work just fine. I had to turn off Display from My Menu and set the ISO off the menu item. That cost me a ton of time. But I still made some good images.

When we finished the morning session, I turned the camera off to close the shutter. When I got back to the AirBnB, I removed the battery, removed the front cover, opened the flash card door, and placed the camera and the lens in the far end of a pillow case. Then I positioned a hair dryer with the nozzle pointed into the pillow case, set it to low, and turned it on for an hour. Both the Thumb Dial and the Fn button worked perfectly.

Yes, there is the chance that the camera will succumb to corrosion from the salt at any time. After using it all day on Thursday, I was impressed that it is worked perfectly.

Had I simply raised the camera and faced the wave head on, the rig would have stayed dry and out of harm’s way. My mistake was thinking that I might escape unscathed.

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 codeine 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 save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 6 February while photographing with Mike Lavigne who drove down from Seattle for a day of private instruction before the Morro Bay IPT. We had a great morning. Seated on damp sand behind my flattened Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I worked off the rear monitor with the the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500: 1/1000 second at f/4. AWB at 7:49:40am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Long-billed Curlew posing for portrait

The Huge Advantage

Sitting behind your lowered tripod allows for much more intimate portraits than those created while standing at full height. Nothing, however, can match the intimacy of getting super-low by working off your flattened tripod (as I did with all of today’s images), by using the heel pod technique, or by placing the lens hood right on the ground. In general, the lower you go, the sweeter and more distant the background. Image #1 illustrates this perfectly. Working wide open eliminates any possible distracting lines in the background — the beach melts into the ocean and the ocean connects seamlessly with the sky.

This image was also created on 6 February while photographing with Mike Lavigne who drove down from Seattle for a day of private instruction before the Morro Bay IPT. We had a great morning. Seated on damp sand behind my flattened Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I worked off the rear monitor with the the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/3200 second at f/4. AWB at 8:26:30am on a then still cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Herman’s Gull adult breeding plumage

Heermann’s Gull

There are a zillion Heermann’s Gulls in Morro Bay. Though most are juveniles and 2nd winter birds, there are more than enough breeding plumages adults around to make any bird photographer happy. If you are in love with the intimate super-low look, be sure to bring your reading glasses if you need them as they make it much easier to see the location of the AF point or points and to carefully frame each image.

The Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro is beyond compare when working super low. Once you firm the tripod into the sand, take a moment to level the silver ball and then lock the black lever. Then rotate the lens in the tripod collar to the click stop. When you activate the level you will note that your rig is perfectly square to the world no matter where you point the lens. You can pan left or right without ever having to worry about crooked horizon lines.

This image was also created on 6 February while photographing with Mike Lavigne who drove down from Seattle for a day of private instruction before the Morro Bay IPT. We had a great morning. Seated on damp sand behind my flattened Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I worked off the rear monitor with the the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 second at f/4. AWB at 8:27:42am on a then cloudy bright morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Long-billed Curlew escaping with Mole Crab

Not Easy

Even with the smooth, level panning provided by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, tracking and framing moving subjects is difficult when working super low. In Image #3, however, I was able to fire off six image when a gull began chasing this curlew in hopes of grabbing its crab. I was able to pan quickly enough so that the first four images were well framed. Three of the four featured very pleasing wing positions. With the last two images, I was unable to pan quickly enough and the bird’s long bill was clipped.

This image was also created on 6 February while photographing with Mike Lavigne who drove down from Seattle for a day of private instruction before the Morro Bay IPT. We had a great morning. Seated on damp sand behind my flattened Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I worked off the rear monitor with the the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined by Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640: 1/3200 second at f/4. AWB at 9:03:02am on a then partly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #4: Herman’s Gull second winter plumage running

Still Not Easy

As this second winter Heermann’s Gull began chasing a curlew, I did not pan quickly enough to keep the bird back in the frame. I tried several times to add canvas in front of the bird, but with the varying patterns in the water, I gave up and went to a square crop. Following moving subjects when working super-low is far more difficult than when working off your lowered tripod or when handholding (either seated or standing). What are you looking for, art or action? In Image #3 I was lucky enough to come up with both. Note that handholding is only an option if you are easily able to manage the weight of the lens you wish to use.

Typos

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

Change Your Life

Sign up for a spring Fort DeSoto IPT. Details below.

What’s Up?
A Must Read for Everyone

The second 2024 San Diego IPT lost a morning to rain and the last two mornings featured difficult wind against sun conditions, but the amount of learning that went on was astronomical. Jeanette LaPorte arrived with her Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and a 100-400 II as a total beginner. Tom Baker, with his Olympus 100-400/OM 1 rig was more experienced, but his approach to bird photography was haphazard. Neither had a plan as to how to create a sharp, well-framed, properly exposed image. And both arrived with tripod heads that were a complete hindrance, totally unusable. Tom’s sidekick-type head and a RRS BH-55 ballhead cost more than $700.00 new and was totally unsuitable for bird photography. His RRS tripod was adequate but far over-priced. Jeanette was in the same boat with a flimsy tripod and a tiny ballhead that would have put her camera and lens at risk had she used it. Not to mention that framing an image and locking the head was a virtually impossible task.

We worked first on seeing the shot, looking for birds on the edges of the cliffs, ideally those standing on small rock mounds with distant backgrounds. Then we discussed the minimum shutter speeds needed when handholding. Next up was adding lots of light to the metered exposure when working in low light conditions and trusting the meter to plus or minus 1/3-stop when the sun was shining. (I came up with a great new teaching technique to drive home those points.) I showed both of them how to read the analog exposure scale in the viewfinder. Tom learned to use his in-viewfinder histogram to create more consistent exposures, and Jeanette learned to check the histogram and to enable and use Highlight Alert to check a test image. As both were using zoom lenses, the next step was to learn to frame the shot and use the camera’s AF system to come up with a decently composed image.

With the goal of having them become more consistent, we reviewed the steps needed to create a good image time after time:

1- See the shot.
2- Set a shutter speed that will allow you to create a sharp image.
3- Zoom in and out and select an AF mode or point that will yield the framing that you want, and ultimately, a pleasing image.
4- Set a good exposure by adjusting the ISO.
5- Keep the lens as still as possible.
6- Push the shutter button.

Both participants ended up understanding all the steps necessary to create decent images of birds.

As we kissed goodbye, I reminded them again of the many advantages of using a decent tripod topped by a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro:

1- Making sharper images at slower shutter speeds and correspondingly lower ISOs.
2- Slowing you down thus allowing you time to check your exposure!
3- Slowing you down thus allowing you to check your framing!
4- Enabling smooth, level panning when doing flight photography on a tripod. As both students were so deficient in the basics, we did not spend a lot of time on flight photography.

Galapagos and Homer IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof was very proud of his new $800.00 Gitzo ballhead when he arrived in San Diego for five days of bird photography. The plate that came with the tripod was huge, impossible to hand-tighten via the ridiculous flip-up twist lever (??), and could never be leveled properly. And every time that he loosened the head, his $10,000 lens flopped violently to one side of the other. Though his new $13,000 Canon RF 600mm f/4 lens was waiting for him when he got back home, he was still resisting my suggestion that he purchase a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro even though we did a half hour session in the lobby of a parking garage demonstrating the huge and numerous advantages of the spring-balanced ballhead that acts like a gimbal and can easily be leveled perfectly. And prevents ballhead flop.

In every blog post I offer to guide folks on the purchase of new gear. Few take advantage of this free offer and opt to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on gear that will not do the job.

Today is Sunday 4 February 2024 and I am staying in to rest and pack up for the drive to Morro Bay on Monday. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

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.

Your Call?

Which of today’s seven featured images is your favorite? Which is the weakest of the lot? All are invited to learn by leaving a comment and letting us know why they made their choices. My favorite will likely confound everyone.

Please Remember

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.

My Call

In the last blog post, my favorite image was the square drake Wood Duck head because of the bright colors, the perfect exposure, and the sharpness.

That image led to the interesting and educational discussion below in the Comments section:

High Level Question (I doubt if anyone will get this one)

You are photographing a bird with lots of dark tones and some small bright white highlights — a drake Wood Duck or a drake Ring-necked Duck, for example, and are working in an automatic exposure mode — Shutter Priority, for example. The bird is swimming toward you. Why will you need to use more and more negative Exposure Compensation as the bird gets closer and closer?

Joel Eade. February 1, 2024 at 12:38:pm

My guess on your exposure question is that as the bird gets closer the bright white area is getting larger and thus represents more and more pixels in the final image. So, to keep the overall exposure optimum you have to dial in more negative compensation.

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. February 1, 2024 at 2:54pm

Good try, Doc. You wound up with the correct answer, “More negative compensation,” but your reasoning was faulty. Yes, the small white area get bigger as the bird gets closer. The bird, however, is predominantly dark so as the bird swims closer the dark dominates the bright whites more. Thus, you need more negative compensation to save to save the whites. In addition, the amount of white is such so so tiny that it will barely influence the meter.

a

Joel Eade. February 2, 2024 at 8:50am

So, what you are saying is: the camera’s meter is reading the image as darker overall as the bird approaches and is thus trying to increase the exposure which will blow out the whites unless you dial in more negative compensation.

That’s interesting, is that true for all metering modes?

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. February 2, 2024 at 9:17am

Hey Joel,

ps: As the drake Wood Duck fills more and more of the frame, there is less light water in the background to influence the meter reading toward underexposure …

Bill Eaton. February 1, 2024 at 7:21pm

As the bird gets closer there is less background affecting the exposure.

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. February 2, 2024 at 11:04am

Correct, as noted in my Reply to Joel’s second comment.

with love, a

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 525mm) 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. 1/3200 second at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual Mode. AWB at 3:37:14pm on a partly sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect. 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: Brown Pelican juvenile braking to land

A Superb Flight Lens

Simply put, the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is a superb flight lens for most folks. Spot-on accurate tracking AF is a given, and, as with Image #1, being able to zoom out can be a huge plus as the bird gets closer. That, when compared to a faster, heavier, fixed focal length lens.

A bit on the slow side at f/6.3, I did not use this lens in the cloudy, drizzly weather; it does, however, shine when the sun does. Or in cloudy bright conditions.

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Sitting on the sidewalk and resting the back of my left hand on a steel railing, I used the 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 ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/320 second at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop not in error) in Manual Mode. AWB at 3:44:58pm on a then cloudy bright afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Brown Pelican Pacific race, tight detail of resting bird

Pelican in Green Heaven

You need to carefully choose your perspective when aiming to create the in-heaven look. In the image above, just the right amount of out-of-focus vegetation placed the pelican in a sublime setting. Had I gotten lower, the suffused green would have blocked our view of the bird. Had I got higher, I would have lost the in-heaven look.

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Crouching to a level below the fence along the sidewalk I used the 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 ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/250 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:05:59pm in the shade on a cloudy bright afternoon. 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: Wet and Injured Brandt’s Cormorant

Hurt and Bleeding

I saw this young Brandt’s Cormorant land and immediately noticed that it was absolutely soaking wet and that there was a gash in the back of its right foot and lots of blood on the rock. I surmised that it got smacked by a big wave as it attempted to climb up on the rocks Rockhopper Penguin style. He slept for a while and was gone within an hour. I am pretty sure that it would survive. The key to the success of this image was exposing far to the right; I went with the water totally Zebra-ed.

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 318mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/500 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:37:17pm in the shade on a cloudy bright afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be 1/3 stop too dark. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Animal Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: California Sea Lion mother kissing large pup

California Sea Lions

There are a zillion sea lions in La Jolla. They are best photographed on cloudy days or in the shade. I rarely work them but when I saw these two kissing, I adjusted the exposure, went vertical, zoomed out, and clipped a flipper here and there in all but one frame of the series.

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Crouching slightly and resting the back of my left hand on a steel railing, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500. 1/200 second at f/9 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:53:25pm in the shade not long before the sun disappeared for good. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bir Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Brown Pelican Pacific race, tight detail of head and bill of resting bird

The 200-600 & 1.4X TC is a Viable Combination

Whenever I need extra reach when going light with the handheld 200-600, I do not hesitate to add the 1.4X TC. And that is true even when the light levels are very low. With my new 2-step noise reduction (as detailed in the Digital Basics III Series), I do not shy away from ISOs in the 3200 to 20,000 range.

This image was created from two images made just a few minutes apart and combined using a Color Burn blending mode in Photoshop. Both images were made at 600mm in Shutter Priority mode with Auto ISO. The base image of the clouds and sky image at 1/3-stop, and the cormorant flight silhouettes at +1.7 stops. On 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C for the sky and 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: Brandt’s Cormorants returning at sunset

Color Burn Blending Mode

I thought about combining the two images moments after I made them. I knew that it was likely that I could blend them successfully. I experimented with several of the blending modes without any success at all. But Color Burn got me on the right track. I did need to lighten the resulting image.

This image was created on 1 February on the second 2024 San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 374mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Shutter Priority +2.0 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 100: 1/15th sec at f/10. AWB at 5:24:04pm just after sunset. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be 1/3 stop too dark. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Animal Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #7: Brandt’s Cormorants slow shutter speed abstract blur

Abstract Blurs

This image features two birds. It is a fairly large crop. Handheld blurs made at shutter speeds slower than 1/30 second and those created when the lens is jerked or not panned smoothly will often result in images with an abstract flair.

Be sure to click on the composite to view a larger, high-res version. All images from 2023 Fort DeSoto Spring IPTs. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Snowy Egret in breeding plumage with crest blowing; Osprey striking; Brown Pelican sunrise silhouette; Royal Terns copulating; Marbled Godwit striding; Royal Tern courtship feeding; Snowy Egret hunting; Laughing Gull in breeding plumage along flight; Reddish Egret in flight with killifish.

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

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.

The 2024 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: THURS 14 March through the morning session on SUN 17 March 2024. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Wednesday 8 May through the morning session on SAT 11 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in springtime. Though DeSoto can be great any day of the year, spring is my very favorite time to be there as 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.

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.

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. On the May trip, many of the shorebirds will be 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. I almost forgot to mention — Laughing Gulls in breeding plumage are to die for!

You do NOT need a fast super-telephoto lens to do this trip!

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.

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.

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.

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 during 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). For folks who register soon, the is an excellent chance that we can share an AirBnb to reduce lodging and meal costs and maximize your learning opportunities.

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunset colors. 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 non-refundable $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. If you have any questions, or are good to go for one of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 for more info.

Typos

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

My Call

My favorite Monte Brown image was the tight shot of the back of the pelican’s head and neck, Image #3. Why? Because of the incredible colors and the sweet, sweet, and distant background. Homer IPT vet and great friend Bob Eastman agreed and was the only one to note that the incoming pelican in Monte’s Image #4 was the same individual as the bird in my Image #1 in the Horizontal or Vertical for Tight Incoming Pelican Flight? blog post here. Monte vowed to stay close to me on this IPT and ask a ton of questions. He did just that with the expected results. We were, of course, standing right next to each other when that gorgeous birds flew right at us.

What’s Up

Homer and Galapagos IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof joined me this morning at La Jolla. He will be staying and photographing with me for almost a week. We got off to a very slow start his morning but when we tried my morning back-up spot, the flight photography action heated up to a boil. I created another 4000 images and kept 137 after the first edit. Because of the amazing improvements in autofocus technology, I deleted probably two thousand or more images that would have thrilled me less than a decade ago.

In today’s post blog, I share seven of my very favorites, each created with the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4. Yes, handholding in general is always better for flight photography, but only if you can comfortably manage the lens needed to do the job. Handholding the 600mm f/4 for a long shooting session is really pushing it for me. So I put the best tool on a tripod and with excellent conditions (soft light and a wind from the east) and the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I did a pretty good job of keeping the birds in the middle of the frame. That is always step one. Then you get to pick the really special ones on your laptop.

Today is Monday 29 January and we will be heading back to La Jolla early. Wherever you are and whatever you choose to do, I hope that you too have a great day.

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.

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 codeine 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 save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. While standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 8:54:14am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #1: Royal Tern winter plumage in flight set against the dark face of a building wave

The Recipe for Success

Put the 600 lens on the tripod. Set the shutter speed to 1/4000 sec. and the aperture wide open at f/4. Use Zone AF with Bird/Face Eye enabled. Set the Limit Range Switch to Not Full. The only variable is the ISO that depends on the light levels and the tonality of the subject. The more you practice shooting flight off a tripod the better you get.

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:07:11am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #2: Brown Pelican Pacfic-race breeding plumage in gliding flight over the ocean

Adjusting the Exposure Based on Subject Tonality

Once we had the base exposure for the most common subjects, the Royal Terns, we would add 1/3 stop of light for the Heermann’s Gulls, and 2/3 stop for the somewhat darker pelicans. Easiest is to raise the ISO to increase the exposure. As the light changes, Sony Zebras make it easy to correctly determine the base exposure.

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:25:18am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #3: Brown Pelican Pacfic-race two year old in flight above breaking wave

Include a Breaking Wave

Whenever possible, strive to include a breaking wave at the bottom of a frame. Acquire focus on a pelican, and then hope for a break 🙂

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:33:14am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #4: Heermann’s Gull on final approach/broken wave background

Pure White Backgrounds

Once a wave breaks, a large white area of foam remains for a few seconds. The “wash” that is left behind after a big wave breaks makes for dramatic backgrounds.

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:55:27am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #5: Black Oystercatcher landing

Fast Reflexes Needed

When I heard the shrill, distinctive call of the oystercatchers in flight, I swung my lens to the right, acquired focus, tracked the bird as it landed, and made a decent series of images.

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:59:23am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #6: California Sea Lion surfing

Virtually Impossible

At my morning back-up spot, dozens of sea lions are jumping out of the water and surfing in on the breaking waves. Getting one in the frame is extremely difficult. The funny thing is that I have no recollection of making Image #6. I would especially appreciate hearing your thoughts as to whether this image works or would be an insta-delete for you.

This image was also created at La Jolla, CA on 28 January 2024 on a private IPT. Again, while standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 10:31:16am on variably sunny/variably cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #7: Royal Tern in flight — breaking surf background

Varying Backgrounds

As the terns were dropping out of the sky, the backgrounds were changing each moment. The background for Image #1 was the dark face of a building wave. In #7, the pure white background was created by a wave that had just broken. This situation makes it abundantly clear as to why you must be in manual exposure mode with changing backgrounds. You have correctly set the exposure for the subject; the tonality of the background doesn’t change anything.

Your Call

Which do you think is the strongest image? Why? Which is the weakest image? Why?

Click on the composite to view a larger version and be even more impressed. The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight with the Sony α-1 e-Book/PDF link sent via e-mail: $150.00

The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight with the Sony α-1

by Arash Hazeghi and Arthur Morris

First of all, if you use Nikon or Canon (or Olympus or Fuji) gear, do not be put off by the title. While a portion of the guide deals with the Sony α-1, there is a ton of priceless information, tips, and techniques that can help you become a better flight photographer. No matter what system you are using. If you do not use an α-1, be sure to read down to the bottom to save a few bucks.

Arash Hazeghi and Arthur Morris have created the definitive and most comprehensive ever treatise on photographing birds in flight. With more than sixty years of experience photographing birds, they know what you need to know but have not figured out yet! You will be astounded by the depth of their knowledge and the tips they have to offer. More than six months in the making, the guide contains 229 pages, 24,321 words,97 exceptional and inspirational flight images — each with a legendary, enlightening BIRDS AS ART caption, and 22 screen captures. The guide contains a wealth of useful, practical, and for the most part — never-before-available information.

Purchase

Click here to purchase your copy in the BAA Online Store.

What Everyone Will Learn

We will teach you the basic concepts that you need to master to become a great flight photographer along with the techniques used by the world’s best flight photographers.

You will learn that most any telephoto lens can be perfect for flight photography in a given situation; focal lengths for the images in the book range from 200mm to 1200mm and everywhere in between.

We discuss the merits of various lenses in depth, including and especially comparing the 400mm f/2.8 lenses with the 600mm f/4s.

We guide you in getting your hands on the flight photography lens that will best meet your needs. We offer a variety of handholding and rest position tips and include tips on working with a big lens on a tripod when working with a flight lens that is otherwise too heavy for you.

Both authors offer their thoughts on getting the right exposure when photographing birds in flight. You will learn to get the right exposure on foggy days and even when photographing black birds in white sky conditions.

You will learn the tremendous importance of pre-focusing, of finding the bird in the viewfinder quickly, acquiring focus almost instantly (with tips on doing all three).

You will learn the role of image stabilization in flight photography and the best settings.

Both authors share their thoughts on using the focus range limiter switch. In the same vein, you will learn to use Direct Manual Focus to make your flight photography life easier.

All will learn about the best wing positions and the importance of the background with images of birds in flight. With lots of examples.

You will learn about the best shutter speeds (and the best aperture) to use when photographing flying birds.

You will learn to photograph flight while seated and the many advantages of doing so.

You will learn the best methods of controlling high ISO noise.

All will learn to format their flash cards properly and safely.

You will learn what to do when your AF system is temporarily blinded.

All will learn the huge effect that wind strength and direction has on flight photography and to evaluate the quality and direction of the light on both sunny and cloudy days.

You will learn why it is vitally important to shoot aggressively when photographing birds in flight.

You will learn to carefully observe and evaluate a variety of bird behaviors that may shine light on some excellent opportunities for photographing birds in flight. And about getting into the best position from which to photograph.

You will learn to be a much better flight photographer.

What Sony Folks Will Learn

Exactly how Artie uses Zebras to come up with perfect exposure after perfect exposure.

The fine points and recommended settings for Optical Steady Shot (OSS).

The concept of Auto-Focus (AF) tracking in the α-1.

Everything there is to know about the complex Sony autofocus system.

About all the AF patterns, how to quickly switch them, and about those favored by each author. And why.

The Tracking and Non-tracking AF patterns. When and why Arash uses Non-Tracking Zone. And why Artie uses only two AF patterns.

How to set and use Bird Face-Eye detection for flight photography.

How and why to assign various custom functions to the various programmable buttons on the α-1 body.

The perfect settings for the many, many Menu items that are vitally related to flight photography.

How and why the Sony α-1 uses both contrast and phase detection AF to determine focus (and the benefits thereof).

Which are the best memory cards for the Sony α-1.

To quickly access frequently used menu items.

Non-Sony α-1 Discount

Using the honor system, folks who do not use a Sony α-1 body are invited to click here to save $25.00 on the purchase price of the guide.

Typos

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

Kudos!

Kudos to Stuart Edwards who left the comment below on the last blog ost.

January 23, 2024 at 11:09am

The relatively short focal length and the distance to the subject makes for the broad area in focus even at the wide aperture.

What’s Up?

Though it stopped raining for the IPT, the weather has been anything but typical San Diego sunshine. As lousy as the weather has been, the pelican photography has been the polar opposite — totally amazing, the best I have ever had in 35 years of photo visits. Right now, I have 7,416 un-editd images from the first two days of the IPT to go through. Monte Brown created more than 8000 images on Wednesday alone! There was so much flight and action on the main cliff that we opted to stay for five hours and skip the afternoon session.

You still have time to have your life changed and learn a ton by signing up soon for the second 2024 San Diego IPT (info below).

Today is Thursday 25 January 2024. I will be meeting Monte and Keith Solberg early for Day 3 of the first San Diego IPT.

Wherever you are and whatever you choose to do, I hope that you too have a great day.

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.

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 codeine 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 save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 24 January at La Jolla, CA on Day 2 of the first 2024 San Diego IPT. While seated on a dirt cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 336mm), 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: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 11:30:48am on a cloudy morning. Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Breeding plumage adult Pacific-race Brown Pelican landing TIGHT — horizontal

Midday Flight Photography

Midday flight photography is best done on cloudy days. With a gentle breeze from the northeast early on, there were dozens of pelicans flying in, but in the light wind, most were not high enough. The birds were 100% copasetic — head and shoulders portraits of gorgeous birds were there for the taking with any telephoto lens. We talked about isolation, AF, head throws, and exposure. At about 10:30 the wind switched to the SW and the intensity picked up so we turned around and faced north to photograph the pelicans flying in to land, many right in front of us. For most of the morning I used the 70-200 with either the 1.4X or the 2X TC.

While it is much easier to shoot flight with the camera oriented to horizontal capture, it is very difficult to frame the image as the bird approaches point-blank range without clipping the feet. I did that on about 300 images. I got very lucky with this bird as I mis-framed 22 of the 24 close-range shots. That after 33 more distant images of the same bird flying right at me from a distance. I should have realized soon that turning the camera on end and creating tight vertical flight originals was the best way to deal with clipping the feet. As below.

This image was also created on 24 January at La Jolla, CA on Day 2 of the first 2024 San Diego IPT. Again, while seated on a dirt cliff 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 Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 11:31:44am on a cloudy morning. Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. 2-year old Pacific race Brown Pelican landing TIGHT — vertical original!

Duh!

As I said above, shooting vertical originals of pelicans in flight at point blank range is the best way to go when the birds are flying right at you at point blank range. I wish that I had come to my senses sooner 🙂

The traditional use of this technique is when you are working in horizontal format photographing banking birds and clipping the wingtips; you switch to vertical and can then easily fit the banking birds in the frame without clipping the wingtips. Having a vertical grip on your camera body makes shooting vertical flight easier, but I hate the added weight so I sold mine a few moths ago. Without a grip, you simply rotate to your right 90° counter-clockwise and go to work.

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 2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #2: 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 31 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 3 FEB, 2024: $2149.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings 4.

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 new 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deposit Info

A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2024 San Diego IPT. 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.

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.