Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Homer Late Registration Discounts

If you are interested in traveling to Homer, AK with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info. Several folks are in the process of registering so do not tarry. The first IPT is looking sold out as I await the last deposit check.

What’s Up?

Not much, apart from getting lots done on the new Used Gear listings. And, also below, the announcement of three Spring 2023 DeSoto IPTs. Coming soon, several 2023/24 San Diego trips and the July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime.

Today is Saturday 28 January 2023. I have so much to do that I did not even think of heading down to the lake. This blog post took about six hours to prepare (including the time spent on the used Gear listings, the image optimizations, and the DeSoto IPT announcement), and makes three hundred-five days in a row with a new, educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then go back to posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Induro GIT 304L Tripod

Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We now have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for shipping. Best to order yours now to be sure that you get one. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now to avoid being disappointed.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens with extras

Blog regular Anthony Ardito is offering a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (USA warranty) in like-new condition for a very low $10,498.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original front lens cover, the lens strap, the original product box and everything that came in it, a Rolanpro Nylon Waterproof Lens Camouflage Rain Cover (a $118.00 value), a CR-X Low Foot (a $122.00 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Anthony via e-mail at e-mail.

The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state-of-the-art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I never leave home without mine. In short, they are the weapons of mass destruction for nature and sports photographers. The Sony 600 GM is the best ever as it is super-sharp with both the 1.4X TC and the 2X TC. I even shoot flight at 1200mm! It is the lightest 600 f/4 ever manufactured. And with most of the weight to the rear, it the best balanced 600 out there, and thus, it is easier to handhold than any of its competitors. This lens sells new for $12,998.00 and is almost universally out of stock. If you have been dreaming of a Sony 600mm f/4 for years, grab Anthony’s pretty much new lens right now and put $2,500.00 in savings into your pocket. artie

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Grand Master) Lens

Anthony Ardito is also offering a Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens (USA warranty) in like-new condition for a very low $1,698.00.

The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it including the ALC-F82S 82mm front lens cap, the ALC-R1EM rear lens cap, the ALC-SH156 lens hood, the lens case, all factory accessories and manuals, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Anthony via e-mail at e-mail.

Prized for its ability to isolate focus, the FE 135mm f/1.8 GM from Sony is a medium telephoto prime characterized by a bright and sophisticated design. It is perfect for portraiture and also excels at close-range sports shooting and as a unique focal length for landscapes. Its Grand Master design prioritizes both sharpness and bokeh quality and the lens also offers fast autofocus AF capabilities and durable build quality. It is designed to achieve notably high resolution and sharpness through the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations and its bright f/1.8 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting conditions. Th rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques. Sony & B&H

This superb, high-end medium telephoto lens sells new for $2,098.00. It is the dream lens for all serious portrait photographers. If you have been hoping to find a reasonably-priced copy this lens, grab Anthony’s pretty much new one right now and put $400.00 in savings into your pocket. artie

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens

Homer IPT registrant Charlie Curry is offering a Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens in like-new condition for a very low $999.00. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens hood, the soft case, the manuals, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Charlie via e-mail.

This is a fast, versatile, wide angle zoom lens the features advanced G Master optics, a robust physical design, and a bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture. It is the go-to lens for folks shooting scenic landscapes, sports, and portraiture. It is noted for its high resolution and sharpness throughout the zoom range due to the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations. Sony & B&H

Version II of this lens sells for $2,298.00 so you can pocket some handsome savings by grabbing Charlie’s lens now. artie

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens

Homer IPT registrant Charlie Curry is offering a Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens in like-new condition for a very low $1498.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens hood, the soft case, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Charlie via e-mail.

Offering G Master performance in a compact, fast, and versatile form, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a wide-angle zoom covering ultra-wide to standard wide-angle fields of view. It is Ideal for a range of subjects from scenic landscapes to lifestyle to architecture. The lens’s advanced optics and bright f/2.8 design pair with a flexible zoom design to suit working in a variety of shooting conditions. It is designed to achieve notably high resolution and sharpness across the zoom range via the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations. Sony & B&H

This lens sells new for $2,198.00 so you can save a very nice $700.00 by grabbing this one right now. artie

Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens

Homer IPT registrant Charlie Curry is offering a Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS lens in excellent condition for a very low $548.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Charlie via e-mail.

This lens from Sony will satisfy nearly all the wide-angle needs of full-frame E-mount shooters. The flexible wide zoom is characterized by a constant f/4 maximum aperture, making this an ideal lens for street photography, landscapes, cityscapes, and other subjects requiring a broad field of view and the inherent versatility of a zoom. Based on the ZEISS Tessar optical concept, this lens uses has 12 elements in ten groups that help ensure a smaller overall lens size along with reduced flare, distortion, and chromatic aberration. The constant f/4 maximum aperture offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range and also lends greater control over focus position when using shallow depths of field. The rounded seven-blade diaphragm yields a pleasing bokeh quality. Sony & B&H

This lens sells new for $998.00; save a very nice $450.00 on this lightweight wide-angle by purchasing Charlie’s Vario-Tessar 16-35. artie

This image was created on 28 April 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 382mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel. Multi-metering -1/3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:07:14am on a cloudy-dark morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Snowy Egret with baitfish

Seeing the Situation

One of the very great advantages of attending an IPT is learning to spot the great situations. This skill is developed by keeping your eyes open, understanding the relationship between the light, the sky conditions, and the wind direction, understanding that bird behavior is often repetitive, and thinking creatively.

With the Snowy and Great Egrets catching baitfish under the pier, the most important piece to the puzzle was knowing exactly where to be to take full advantage of this great opportunity. That is where I put the group 🙂

This image was also created on 28 April 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 364mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel. Multi-metering -1/3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:09:29am on a cloudy-dark morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Snowy Egret with baitfish

Why Shutter Priority in this Situation?

It was a very difficult situation as there was a lot less light close to the pier than there was once the birds flew away from it. And the tonality of the water was darker near the pier. As a result, the two images with the darkest water, Images #2 (perfect) and #4 (dead-solid perfect), were excellent exposures. The image with the lightest toned background, Image #3, was well underexposed. Image #1 was right in the middle. I some difficult situations you must come up with a compromise exposure decision. And that is true whether you opt for Manual mode or for an automatic mode such as Shutter Priority (as I did with today’s all four of today’s featured images).

This image was also created on 28 April 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel. Multi-metering -1/3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:10:34am on a cloudy-dark morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Snowy Egret with baitfish

Square Crops

As with two of today’s featured images (#1 and #3), photos where the bird is flying toward us to some degree work very well as square crops. When the bird is flying from one side of the frame to the other (Images #2 and #4), 2X3 crops usually look a lot better.

This image was also created on 28 April 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 320mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel. Multi-metering -1/3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:28:11am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Snowy Egret striking baitfish

Your Call?

Which of today’s four featured images is your favorite? Why? Which one features the most interesting background?

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 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: Tuesday 28 March through the morning session on 31 March 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

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, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.

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 before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your check out to BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call?

If you have a preference for either of today’s featured images, please leave a comment and let us know why.

Homer Late Registration Discounts

If you are interested in traveling to Homer, AK with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info. Several folks are in the process of registering so do not tarry. The first IPT is looking sold out as I await the last deposit check.

What’s Up?

Even though I had a great time in San Diego for five weeks, it is good to be home. And it was great to get back in the pool on Wednesday. I have a ton of work to do before leaving for Homer on 18 February.

Today is Thursday 26 January 2023. I plan on heading down to the lake after I hit Publish on this post to see how the eagles are doing. This blog post took about an hour to prepare (including the time spent on the two image optimizations), and makes three hundred-three days in a row with a new, educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then go back to posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Induro GIT 304L Tripod

Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We now have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for shipping. Best to order yours now to be sure that you get one. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now to avoid being disappointed.

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, or to any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 17 December 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 9:29:29am just before the sun came over the distant trees. Tracking: Center (!) Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 800mm with the 2X. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Northern Harrier on The Perch — looking to our right

Getting a Kick!

I always get a kick out of photographing a new species on The Perch. With lots of help from my ILE-friend and neighbor Ralph, we set up The Perch II (now referred to simply as The Perch) in late-May 2021. You can learn the backstory in the A Thing of Beauty is a Joy … The Perch II blog post here.

I saw this bird, my first-ever Northern Harrier to land on The Perch, earlier on the morning of 17 December. It flew off as I made a cautious approach in my X5. When I re-checked later in the morning, it was back on The Perch.

This image was created on 17 December 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3-stop). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be about 1/6 stop short of dead-solid perfect. AWB at 9:30:34am just before the sun came over the distant trees. Tracking: Center (!) Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 800mm with the 2X. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Northern Harrier on The Perch — looking to our left

Why the Bold-faced Exclamation Point?

So, why the bold-faced exclamation point here: Tracking: Center (!) Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly?

I learned recently that many folks using the Sony a1, even those in my Sony A1 group, do not realize the tremendous versatility of the Tracking AF modes that I recommend in the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group e-mails. I recently began using Tracking: Expand Spot and will be sending an e-Mail to the group soon detailing how and why I made some important changes to my Limit Focus Area Menu item.

Anyhoo, here is how it works. Whether I am working horizontally or vertically, I keep the Tracking AF Area in the center of the frame. With both of today’s featured images, I was using Tracking: Expand Spot in the centered position. (Remember, as I was working off the BLUBB, I set the DMF switch on the lens to OFF to keep the manual focus ring from inadvertently throwing off the focus accuracy.)

I always acquire focus with the centered AF Area. As I recompose as needed by moving the lens, the AF point will stay glued to the bird’s eye or face (depending on the situation). For Image #1, with the bird looking to my right, I shifted the lens down and to my right after acquiring focus to place the bird on the left side of the frame. When the bird looked back to my left, I simply shifted the lens to my left. The AF point or area sticks like glue!

Only a single eagle-eyed reader, David Pugsley, noticed that over the past month I have begun using Tracking: Expand Spot. David is in the a1 Group. With wife Michelle, he will be joining me on this summer’s Galapagos Photo Cruise of a Lifetime. Kudos to David for paying attention the small details!

The Simplified Lesson

After acquiring focus with the Sony A1, any Tracking AF Area will track the bird’s face or eye anywhere in frame as you recompose. This enables folks to place the subject anywhere in the frame quickly and efficiently. Note: some Canon and Nikon mirrorless bodies can be set up to operate in similar fashion.

Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points!

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free)

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. By June 1, 2022, the group was up to an astounding 124 lucky and blessed folks. (More than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive six e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will receive new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1.

All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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