November 21st, 2022 NANPA Tidbit of the Day
Jaime Konarski Davidson clicked on this link in the Important Announcement from NANPA e-mail that NANPA sent to the membership yesterday and left this short comment that succinctly explains why so many NANPA members are very upset:
Obviously, I am vehemently opposed to this merger. Even more, I am beyond disappointed in how it all came to be IN SECRET. Announcing this merger to the membership without notice and rushing it all through just shows me how little respect you all have for the mission of NANPA and all of its members. The members (“governing members”) should be given ALL THE FACTS and background, pros and cons to this “joining of forces”. The membership should have a VOTE in this matter. Shame on all of you.
Fancy footwork in the announcement doesn’t change the dishonest manner in which this supposed merger is to happen. Lack of transparency abounds. Seems that there have been longstanding issues with management that have continued long since I was on the NANPA Board. I could say more, but I will restrain. I am aware of how the dissenting voices and squeaky wheels are treated on the NANPA board. I experienced this firsthand. It is a most interesting story, watching “hissy fits” and threats to quit when one does not get their way (mostly related to money for one individual).
You ALL should be ashamed at how you have handled this matter.
Just remember, things done in the dark eventually come to the light.
I am 100% against this merger and am ashamed, once again, for the manner in which this has been handled.
What Can You Do?
NANPA members, prospective NANPA members — I have heard from many such folks, and anyone who simply cares about what’s right and wrong in the world can comment by clicking on this link. Again, you do not need to be a NANPA member to comment. Please help.
What’s Up
After I hit Publish on yesterday’s blog post, I headed down to the lake with my photography gear for the first time in more than two weeks. It was cloudy and dark with a north by slightly west wind and there was not much going on. I photographed some pine tree bark with the 600mm f/4 and some vultures in flight with the handheld 70-200 f/2.8 GM II. I tried, but the results were lacking. When I saw ten cranes socializing on the South Peninsula, I drove over to chat with them. I tried but failed to make an interesting group shot. Knowing that the wind was from the north, I stayed ahead of them as they walked toward the marsh. When most of them took off, I had several decent flight chances. Today’s featured image was the best of the lot.
It began raining just before I got home at about nine It turned out to be one of the darkest, dreariest, ugliest, windiest days I’ve ever seen. Anywhere. Fortunately, I saw the weather through my office window as I sat snug and warm watching the NFL for most of the day. I got lots accomplished on the NANPA situation and on Tuesday’s Event Space Program.
Today is Monday 21 November 2022.This blog post took less than an hour to prepare and makes two hundred thirty-nine days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great 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.
Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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.
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This image was created on 20 November 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 175mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 5000: 1/1250 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:08:15am on a cloudy dark morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Sandhill Crane calling in flight
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ISO 5000 Is No Big Deal Anymore
By exposing to the right (in this case by a mile, probably +3 stops on the sky alone), and running Topaz DeNoise as the first step once you bring a converted .TIF file into Photoshop, ISOs ranging from 5000 to 12800 (and even higher) can yield very useable results. The latest greatest mirrorless camera bodies from the top manufacturers lead the league in high ISO performance.
As the cranes are relatively slow in flight, I went with only 1/1250 sec. If I’d opted for 1/2000 second, I would have needed ISO 8000. At 1/3200 second, the aforementioned ISO 12800 would have given me the right exposure.
I chuckle when I think back to the film days when we were thrilled to learn that we could push process Fuji Velvia 50 one stop to ISO 100. With that, we could use 1/500 sec. for flight on sunny days! The times they have changed.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
November 20th, 2022 NANPA Board Exposed
The small group that is trying to save NANPA had a great day on Saturday. We gathered enough votes to serve the board with a Referendum requiring that they put the question of a merger with ASMP to a vote. That they attempted to execute this merger in complete secrecy is at the very least unethical and possibly illegal. Not to mention a few other choice adjectives. Immediately after learning of the referendum on Friday past, NANPA sent an e-mail to the membership telling them how great the merger would be for them. The funny thing is, I thought that you were supposed to tell the truth from the beginning of an important issue and have a discussion of the pros and cons. Their e-mail implied that the merger was already signed, sealed, and delivered, but at this point, there is no reason to believe anything that they say.
ASMP’s goals have nothing in common with NANPA’s goals. ASMP’s membership has been declining and they would be broke but for a grant from SONY. NANPA’s membership has been stable for eight years despite continuing mismanagement. And NANPA currently has $350,000 in cash on hand. How does the NANPA president explain her claim that “The current course of the organization is not sustainable long term, as it is not sustainable for many photography and arts organizations.” I asked her that question a week ago. She did not bother to answer. Several of us began asking her questions a month ago. She evaded and stalled, never answering a single question.
The worst part is there is so much more to the story that it is actually disgusting. And all of it damning of the board’s actions. E-mail for additional details if you wish.
If you are a NANPA member and did not receive the Referendum e-mail, please check your Spam and Junk folders. If you do not find it, or if you would like to express your views, please shoot me an e-mail so that you can add your Yes vote on Sunday. That goes double if you are a lawyer.
Jeffery Pawlan’s e-mail was representative of the many that I received:
I paid my renewal for two more years of NANPA membership just 4 days ago. Then, I received the rather dismaying and completely unexpected email about the merger yesterday. I was quite upset. I am only interested in nature photography and helping conservation with my photography. I have ZERO interest in video and ZERO interest in social media, vlogging or Visual Content Creation business. Please keep me posted on how your efforts are progressing.
Regards, Jeffrey
What’s Up?
I was quite busy yesterday with the NANPA business (as above) but still managed to get lots of work done on the San Diego B&H Event Space program.
Thanks for all the nice comments at yesterday’s well received post, especially this one:
James Saxon/November 19, 2022
The Reddish Egret is my favorite. The stretch in the neck ands the position of the feet create a curve that moves my eye back and forth through the image. Very nice. FYI, thanks for all you do for us photographers that read the blog. It is always a learning experience reading, looking at photos and reading the comments by others. I know I have, as you say: “learned a ton.” Thanks again.
You might enjoy reading my reply to each and every comment made yesterday.
Today is Sunday 20 November 2022. Most of the day will be spent working on the Event Space program. I will likely head down to the lake this morning for the first time in a very long time. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred thirty-eight days in a row with a new, educational post for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great 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.
Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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.
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This image was created on 11 November 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. While seated on dry sand (with an already very wet butt), I used the foot-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 524mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:15:13pm on a then-sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Willet in basic plumage standing at the edge of the surf
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Sebastian Inlet State Park Was Closed
When life gives you Willets, make Willet-ade. When I arrived at the state park on the afternoon of November 11 only to find the park closed, I found a legal pullout and walked the 1/2-mile to the jetty. There were lots of Ospreys and pelicans diving the inlet, but the South Jetty was closed. (Learn more about what turned out to be a pretty good afternoon in the “Soft Light and the In-Heaven Motif” blog post here.
Willets can be found on most Florida beaches. Many of them are used to people and are easy to approach. The trick to making effective images is to try for something different. As a storm had passed that morning, there was a big surf. So, I zoomed out and made many wide images while standing. They looked good in the viewfinder and on the rear monitor, but on the computer, they were not anything that you would want to write home about. The first time I sat down, a rogue wave came along with the incoming tide and soaked me up to the bottom of my fanny pack. After that, I kept moving to stay on sun angle, sat down often, went to the foot-pod technique, and created today’s two featured images. As happens often, the key to success turned out to be getting ultra-low.
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This image of the same bird was also created on 11 November 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. While seated on dry sand (with an already very wet butt), I used the foot-pod technique with 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 800. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:16:18pm on a then-sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Willet in basic plumage in the foam of a breaking wave
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High Frame-Rate Mirrorless Camera Bodies and Breaking Waves
There have been many blog posts stressing the fact that the position of a breaking wave or wavelet in the frame can either ruin an image or make it special. IMHO, the latter was the case in both of today’s featured images. As the breaking wave or sea foam is approaching the ideal position — usually somewhere near the bird’s feet, the best strategy is to hold the shutter button down so that you can select the bingo image from the series. Images #1 and #2 were each part of a family long frame sequence of from 10-15 frames. Not surprisingly to me, each was clearly best by far.
Image #2 was cropped from a horizontal. Thus 66.6% of the original pixels were cropped away. The stellar images quality of sharp Sony a1 51MP .ARW files can handle even larger crops.
You Know the Drill
All are invited to leave a comment letting us know which of today’s two featured images they like best, and why they made their choice.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
November 19th, 2022
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Photographing Pelicans in Southern California with Arthur Morris
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A B&H Event Space Program
Photographing Pelicans in Southern California with Arthur Morris
On Tuesday Nov 22, 2022, I will be presenting another B&H Event Space program from 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET.
Arthur Morris, one of the world’s premier photographic educators, has been photographing the spectacular Brown Pelicans in San Diego, CA for more than three decades. The Pacific-race pelicans in La Jolla are much more colorful than their eastern relatives; they sport fire-engine red, olive-green bill pouches in winter. In addition to his favorite pelican images, Artie will share images of many of the other species that frequent Southern California each winter.
During this live-streamed presentation. Artie will share his thoughts on the best gear, on designing pleasing images, on capturing all types of pelican behaviors, on seeing and using the light, and on getting the right exposure in varying lighting conditions. He will share photos ranging from tight head portraits to small-in-the-frame bird-scapes. There will be lots of great flight photography tips as well.
Using Canon, Nikon, and Sony gear, photographing birds has been Artie’s passion for the past forty years.
Register for this free, online-only presentation here.
What’s Up?
I’ve been feeling a bit better each day. Half of the final bit of work on the NANPA issue was completed yesterday. The initial job should be finished by the time you read this today. Please leave a comment and let us know which of todays’ two featured images is your favorite, and why you made your choice.
Speaking of which, today is Saturday 19 November 2022. Most of the day will be spent working on the San Diego B&H Event Space program. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred thirty-seven days in a row with a new one. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great 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.
Oldie But Goodie #1
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This image was created on 29 May 2005 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the Wimberley V2 Head supported Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the 1.4X TC and the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 400. 1/640 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 7:14:24am on a sunny morning.
Image #1: Adult dark morph Reddish Egret displaying image
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Reddish Egret Action Photography Tip
If you are photographing a single Reddish Egret and another one flies in, get ready for action. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, there will be an altercation. Zooming out or moving back and switching to a Zone or wide screen AF pattern may save the day. With Image #1, I was able to go to vertical and photograph one of the two combatants.
Oldie But Goodie #2
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This image was created on 9 January 2006 at San Diego, CA. I used the Wimberley V2 Head supported Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the 1.4X TC and the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 250. 1/640 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 7:56:49am on a sunny morning.
Image #2: Brown Pelican — Pacific race in mega breeding plumage image
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Those Distant Pacific-Blue Backgrounds
Ever since I found the best place in San Diego to photograph the Pacific-race Brown Pelicans I have been in love with the distant, Pacific Blue backgrounds. Utilizing them there is child’s play. The lower you get, the farther away and more defocused the ocean becomes. And the best news is that it is sunny most mornings in La Jolla. Recently I learned that you can sweeten, lighten, and soften the blues by moving the Luminosity slider under the Color Mixer tab in Photoshop to the right. Lightroom and Capture One have similar controls. Consider joining me on a San Diego IPT or for an In-the-Field session in La Jolla this winter. I will be there for five weeks arriving on 19 December 2022.
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birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
The companion e-book to the solo exhibit at TheNat, San Diego, California
The new e-book on CD is available here.
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birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
This e-book was created on a wing and a prayer in less than two weeks–see the “Harebrained Scheme” blog post here–includes the 67 spectacular images that hung in the Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum in a career-retrospective solo exhibition in 2017. In addition, there are an additional 33 images in the spectacular e-book that barely missed making the show.
This exhibition companion e-book makes it possible for everyone to “visit” TheNAT gallery retrospectively and retroactively, and, in addition, to enjoy seeing my then-top one hundred bird photographs under one roof. Each image includes a title, the species name, the location, relevant EXIF data, and an anecdotal caption.
birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100: $23 for the professionally produced CD (includes shipping to US addresses only)
Please click here to purchase the CD. As above, your purchase price includes shipping to all US addresses. If you would like your CD signed on the inside cover with a black Sharpie, you will need to place your order by phone and request a signed copy: 863-692-0906. For our Canadian friends we are offering the CD for $28 with shipping to Canada via phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Those who purchase the CD are advised to copy the file to their computers and then archive the CD.
To purchase via convenient download for $20, click here.
Oldie But Goodie #3
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens (with extras)
Multiple IPT veteran Doug West is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM L lens in Good condition for a very low $1999.00. The front element is perfect. The lens is is mechanically perfect and thus still produces sharp images in competent hands. It is, however, obvious that the lens has been well-used. There are numerous scratches, paint chips, and blemishes on the lens and specially on the lens foot. Descriptive photos of the lens are available upon request. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the original front lens cover, a ReaTree LensCoat (a $75.00 value but without the strip that covers the tripod ring), a LensCoat Hoodie (a $24.95 value), a Wimberley P-50 lens plate (a $55.00 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses.
Please contact Doug via 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. Whenever it is feasible for me to get a 600mm f4 to a location, it is almost always my go-to weapon. They are fast and sharp and deadly bare or with either TC. With the latest 600mm f/4 lenses going for anywhere from $13,000 to $15,500, grabbing Doug’s oldie but goodie lens can get you into the big glass game cheaply! As it is priced to go out the door quickly so do not tarry if you are fit and eager to go long. Both of today’s featured images were created with the very same model lens that Doug is offering. artie
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This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Sold Out.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT 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.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
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Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often 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.
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Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
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Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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