Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Things to Consider

1- This blog post took more than three hours to prepare.

2- Folks who invest the time to consider all of the questions, leave a comment, and then check out the answers and explanations, will become better bird photographers.

3- The educational opportunities to learn that are presented in each and every BIRDS AS ART blog post are unparalleled.

$600 IPT Discount

I am offering a $600/person discount on the Fall #2 DeSoto IPT to the first person or couple who would like to share a Gulfport AirBnB with me. Please get in touch ASAP via e-mail or call or text me at 863-221-2372. Please text me if I do not pick up. Dates and details below.

Answers to the Questions in the Previous Blog Post

High Level Exposure Question

When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be absolutely perfect despite the 171,00 over-exposed pixels. All are invited to leave a comment explaining why this was the prefect exposure for this situation. To arrive at the answer, ask yourself these questions:

1- Where were all of those OvExp pixels?

The over-exposed pixels were all in the specular highlights on the water.

2- If all of the over-exposed pixels have been eliminated, what would the image have looked like?

If I had reduced the exposure so that none of the specular highlights were over-exposed the image would have shown a black flamingo set against black water. Kudos to Elinor Osborne the only person to tackle the question. Best of all, she came up with the correct answer.

High Level Mode Question

I state often that folks should be working in Manual mode for 95+ percent of their bird photography. Study all of the EXIF data and leave a comment letting us know why you think I was working in Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Note: there were other clues throughout the post.

Yes, when backgrounds are fairly constant and the lighting conditions may change drastically as you move the lens, Shutter Priority can make life simpler by setting the necessary ISO as you change the Exposure Compensation (EC). The additional clue was that moments before I had been creating blastoff blurs at slow shutter speeds in Shutter Priority mode with EC on the thumb dial and AUTO ISO. Since the sunrise situation was many, many stops brighter, staying in Shutter Priority with AUTO ISO and EC on the thumb dial made thing much simpler. Once I increased the shutter speed from 1/30 sec. to 1/1000 sec. I simply adjusted the EC so that the specular highlights were showing significant Zebras.

There is no limit to what you can learn by spending time in the field with me.

Perspective Question

In this situation, why would getting very low have been the completely wrong option? This is an easy one.

All who answered this question thought that going from standing to sitting would have included the sun in the frame. They did not realize that that would not happen because I was working at 840mm. What would have happened is that my black flamingo silhouette would have been set almost entirely against the black marsh.

In addition, in silhouette situations where the birds are moving constantly, you need to keep moving so as to keep the subject in front of the sun, in the most brightly lit water.

Be sure to read the several interesting exchanges in the Comments section here.

What’s Up?

For the past few days, I had been urging good friend, multiple IPT veteran David Pugsley to get over to DeSoto ASAP. He called me on Sunday afternoon. Here is what he had to say: Thanks. You were not exaggerating! DeSoto was amazing this morning! I’ve never seen it so good. We had four flamingoes in beautiful blue water with clean backgrounds, hundreds of photographable shorebirds (including 500 Red Knots and dozens of Marbled Godwits), and dozens of huge tern and shorebird blastoffs. Being practically surrounded by thousands of birds was an incredible experience. My friend Alan was along and he enjoyed it as much as I did.

I was glad to learn recently that Roy Holden sold his Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the “old five,” immediately after the price drop, and that Ellen Mack sold her Canon 100-400mm L IS II lens within hours of it being listed on the Used Gear Page.

Today is Monday 9 October 2023. I will be working on my first-ever submission to Getty Images. I was grandfathered in there when they purchased Corbis. This move is years overdue and it will be a week-long project at best. As a result, the upcoming Digital Basics III Video Series will be put on the back burner for a while.

Wherever you are an 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.

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.

B&H Simplified

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.

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.

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park. Standing at full height in 6 inches of water, 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. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:29:23pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version. Image #1: American Avocet non-breeding male stretching near wing

No Time to Get Low

I was enjoying some great flight photography when I noticed that the handsome avocet had moved away from the flock of dowitchers and was standing in clear water. So, I got up off the ground, dried off my hands, and moved to my right to get on sun angle. As I was moving a bit closer, the avocet began to stretch its near-wing elegantly. I thought about trying to get down on the ground, but realized that the moment would be long gone by the time I did. So, I raised the lens and fired off eight frames. This one was my favorite.

This image was also created on 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated in six inches of water I used the knee-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. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:33:02pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version. Image #2: American Avocet non-breeding male

Another Perspective Question

The orangish, o-o-f shapes at the top of the frame, are Marbled Godwits. Would this image have been better or worse had I gotten about 20 inches lower by using the foot-pod technique rather than the knee-pod technique? Why?

Your Call #1

Do your prefer the elegant pose in Image #1 or the intimacy of Image #2? Why?

This image was also created on 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on damp sand, 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 1600. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:48:23pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version. Image #3: Caspian Tern non-breeding yawning

Prayer Answered

The first Caspian Tern that I saw that afternoon landed right in front of me. I was late getting on the bird, it landed in a group of other terns, and it was flying slightly away from me. I got off several shots, but deleted all but one that I kept as a record shot.

Later on, I saw a different Caspian standing in a relatively clear patch of water. So, I moved left and carefully got back down on the ground. I took a few frames with a single Laughing Gull standing right behind the attractive tern thus photo-bombing (ruining) the shot. Then, I prayed. Within seconds my prayers were answered and the subject I wanted badly was completely isolated. In very sweet light. As I placed the lens between my feet, the bird yawned. This was my favorite of a series of about a dozen images. And yes, wing stretches and yawns do not last long.

This image was also created on 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park. Again, seated on damp sand, 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 1600. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:48:23pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version. Image #4: Caspian Tern non-breeding

Your Call #2

Which do you. prefer, Image #3 with the yawn, or Image #4, a shot of the same bird doing nothing?

Are there any reasons to prefer Image #4 over Image #3? I have two good ones.

This image was created on 6 October 2023. 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 with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 400. The exposure was determined by Zebra technology with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop — don’t ask me why) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:26:29am on partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version. Image #5: American Flamingo walking by marsh grasses

A Historical Occurrence

The presence of small groups of American Flamingos in Florida and beyond, driven north by Hurricane Idalia at the end of August 2023, is a notable ornithological event. As noted previously, this species is an American Birding Association Code 4 rarity: Species not recorded annually in the ABA Checklist Area, but with six or more total records-including three or more in the past 30 years-reflecting some pattern of occurrence.

While there is no guarantee that there will still be a few flamingos at DeSoto for the second DeSoto Fall IPT, I surely would not bet against it. As they have been around for more than five weeks, chances are excellent that more than one will still be around. Heck, I am thinking of driving over this week for a morning!

Long Confused: A or An?

For as long as I can remember, I was unsure if “an historical event” or “a historical event” was correct. I found this online here at GRAMLEE.COM this morning:

For the letter “H”, the pronunciation dictates the indefinite article: Use “a” before words where you pronounce the letter “H” such as “a hat,” “a house”, “a happy cat,” or “a historical occurrence” (sic). Use “an” before words where you don’t pronounce the letter “H” such as “an herb,” “an hour,” or “an honorable man.”

All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version. Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.

Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. 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. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and 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.

On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.

These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the 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, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.

Up Early, Stay Out Late!

Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.

Typos

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

This image was created on Thursday 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto. Seated on wet mud, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens 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 640: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:53:38am on a clear morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 800mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. American Flamingo filter feeding

DeSoto — Amazing Plus, Plus Two Un-banded Flamingos!

DeSoto was as good as it gets on Thursday morning: 200 American White Pelican, several thousand terns, two thousand shorebirds including five plover species, Marbled Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, and more. There was several Brown Pelican feeding sprees in the Gulf early on. Plus the usual assortment of wading birds including several Reddish Egrets, Snowy Egret, and Little and Great Blue Heron.

The huge attraction were two American Flamingos blow northwards by Hurricane Idalia at the end of August of this year. Dozens were spotted along the west coast of Florida and more were seen in, Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Kentucky and as far north as Michigan! An injured flamingo was banded and releases and has been being seen at DeSoto. I was thrilled to get to photograph two un-banded birds this morning. They’ve been here for five weeks already so that may just stick around for an IPT.

If you would like to join me at DeSoto on Friday morning, or on an upcoming IPT there, keep reading.

Urgent: Join me on Friday Morning!

If you can make a morning session on Friday 6 OCT at DeSoto, I can offer you a ridiculously low price. Remember that you only live once. For details, shoot me an e-mail or text me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. This gig includes a working lunch with image review and Photoshop lessons.

All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version. Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.

Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. 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. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and 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.

On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.

These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the 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, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.

Up Early, Stay Out Late!

Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.

Typos

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

The Upcoming Digital Basics III Video Series

Over the past few months, I have added lots of great new stuff to my digital workflow: Color Mixer basics and the more sophisticated Saturation Targeted Adjustment Tool, 2-Step Noise Reduction, and the Remove Tool. With so many changes and improvements, I had been considering creating a Digital Basics III PDF. Recently, I realized that creating a series of videos would be a lot simpler and would make learning a lot simpler for most folks. In addition, videos will allow me to delve more deeply into the fine points of using the new (and previously used) Photoshop tools. Each video will include two complete image optimizations, from soups to nuts.

Additional details soon.

Mini IPT or In-the-Field DeSoto Sessions this Week

Meet me at North Beach in Fort DeSoto on Wednesday morning (4 OCT). Share my Gulfport AirBnb for one or two nights (or not), and enjoy as many as five in-the-field sessions. I will be heading home after the morning session on Friday 6 OCT. The weather is looking excellent. I am offering either of these opportunities for a ridiculously low getting-to-know-you price, too low to mention here. Please remember that you only live once. For details, shoot me an e-mail or call or text me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. A working lunch with image review and Photoshop lessons is optional. I can tailor things just for you.

Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM Super-telephoto Lens (the “Old Five”)

$200.00 Price Drop on 10/2/2023

Roy Holden is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM super-telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $1799.00 (was $1999.000). The sale includes the front leather lens cover, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, 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 Roy via e-mail.

The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II, and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto lens option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. Used 500mm II lenses are selling for as much as $7,018.95. I was surprised to learn that they are no longer in production as it was one of my favorite Canon super telephoto lenses. Used copies are selling for from $2,899.95 to $3,349.95 right now on B&H. This lens will work perfectly on your dSLR bodies and/or with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R on all Canon mirrorless bodies. artie

What’s Up?

Early on Sunday morning, I headed west on SR 60. There were no Cattle Egrets as there had been the day before. And the herd of black cows that had been next to the fence line the day before had moved about a mile to the north, far out of photographic range. Thus, there were no Cattle Egrets standing on the backs of black cows 🙁 So, I drove home and photographed Morning Glory blossoms in my butterfly garden.

Today is Monday 2 October. I will spend a good part of the day getting ready to head over to Fort DeSoto on Tuesday afternoon. Wherever you are an 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.

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.

B&H Simplified

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.

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.

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

Gear Questions and Advice

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

This image was created on 19 June 2021 at Huguenot Memorial Park near Jacksonville, FL. Seated on damp sand using the knee-pod technique, 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 ???. 1/400 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:33:02am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be within 1/3-stop of 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: Laughing Gull — large chick standing on beach

ISO 4000

Click on the image to see that the image quality and fine feather detail look pretty darn good. Note that though the grey tones of the young gull were well on the warm side, the sand has a beautiful bluish glow, very much on the good side. It is possible that the sky to the west and above the bird was clear and blue, even in the pre-dawn, but that there were huge clouds in the eastern sky over the Atlantic Ocean behind me. Or not.

Exposure and Noise

As the raw file brightness was within 1/3 stop of perfect and the image overall was light-toned, there was not a lot of noise in the original. In general, at any ISO, there will be more noise in under-exposed images and more noise in the darker tones and shadows. Do note the noise in the green blades of grass in the Before version.

This image was created on 5 April 2022 at Harris Neck NWR, GA on a Georgia Nature Photographers Association field trip. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 463mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/1000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:54:54am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect plus a bit more. 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: Great Blue Heron fishing

ISO 4000

I got lucky here with a shutter speed of “only” 1/1000 second. At times, the f/6.3 aperture of the Sony 200-600 can be problematic, especially when compared to the super-fast Sony 400mm f/2.8 lens (with or without the 1.4X TC).

Image #2: Great Blue Heron fishing

Noise in the Shadows

Click on the tight crop above to see that noise, even in a perfectly exposed to the right original, is always greater in the shadows.

This image was created on 11 May 2023 at the Hidden Lagoon on a Fort DeSoto Spring IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518m) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:39:43pm on a cloudy afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness 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 #3: Reddish Egret — white morph fishing

ISO 3200

With a white subject, ISO 3200 allowed me to work at 1/2000 second, sharp enough to create a razor sharp on the eye image of a relatively slow moving subject in search of a fish.

2-Step Noise Reduction with Moderately High ISOs

Note the huge amount of noise in the dark tones of the mangroves in the BEFORE version and the complete elimination of the noise in both the dark tones of the mangroves and the water in the AFTER version.

By looking at the white feathers, you can see that I warmed the image up during post processing. In addition, the fine detail in the white feathers was enhanced during the image optimization.

My new 2-step Noise Reduction technique does very well with moderately high ISOs.

This image was created on 6 September on a panga ride at Champion Islet, Galapagos, Ecuador. Sitting in a zodiac 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 ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:50:55pm in the deep shade on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness 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 #4: Short-eared Owl on lava rock

ISO 20,000

So just why did I need 1/2000 second (with the corresponding, ridiculously high ISO of 20,000)?

#1: I was in a gently rocking panga (zodiac).

2- The owl had been taking flight and harassing the sealion that was resting just below it.

Note also the exceptional sharpness of the eyes and the face.

2-Step Noise Reduction with Ridiculously High ISOs

The results using my new 2-step Noise Reduction technique on an ISO 20,000 image with lots of dark tones were remarkable. The noise was eliminated completely and a fair degree of fine feather detail was retained.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s featured flower images do you like best? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.

Important Retraction

Thanks to Craig Elson (via e-mail) and to Lisa Cuchara (who left this comment at the last blog post):

Lisa Cuchara — September 29, 2023 at 6:51 pm

Be very careful with those Sandisk SSD drives. Learn more in the article here — The Newer SanDisk Portable SSDs Are Failing So Frequently We Can No Longer Recommend Them. This situation has been serious enough that other staff members at PetaPixel have stopped using SanDisk portable SSDs regardless of their age. I no longer use them.

A-1 Group Member Craig Elson via e-mail

Hope you’ve had a great summer in Iceland and the Galapagos! Saw today’s blog just now and thought I would write to you directly instead of posting on the blog so that you could decide how to handle. Given how busy you’ve been, I am guessing you’ve missed all the recent press about the problems with the Sandisk Extreme Pro SSDs, the 4TB ones in particular. In short, they cannot be trusted any longer. Well…maybe they can be, now, after the firmware updates, but the way the company has handled this mess, I personally just don’t think you can trust them any longer. In any event, just wanted to make you aware of it since so many people take your advice and counsel and I didn’t want you to be caught off guard on this.

Best, Craig

The Bottom Line

I have been using an older version of the Sandisk 4TB SSHDs without a problem for several years. I was totally unaware of the very serious problems with the newer versions. At present, I cannot recommend purchasing either of the newer versions. If you are currently using a reliable 4TB SSHD, please contact me via e-mail. When purchasing anything or renting an AirBnB, it is always wise to check out the reviews. See the reviews on the current Sandisk SSHDs here.

What’s Up?

I had a ball photographing flowers at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales on the morning of Thursday past. With mostly cloudy skies and barely a breeze, conditions were perfect. I will share of few of those new images with you here in the next blog post. Most importantly, I had a ton of fun enjoying the process, looking for the perfect subject, finding the best perspective, and framing the image.

Today is Saturday 30 September. When Jim went shopping on Friday, I had him pick up two pounds of fresh tuna from Junior’s Fish Market but forget to tell him to grab six avocados at Publix. So this morning, I will be heading out early in hopes of doing some wildflowers at the Ridge Audubon center in Babson Park. On the way home, I will be stop at the supermarket in Lake Wales to pick up the main ingredient for guacamole! Wherever you are an 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.

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.

Ryan Sanderson — September 28, 2023 at 11:53pm

Artie, Have you considered what happens to your photos and the storage devices that hold them when you’re no longer here? It’s an inevitability we all face and as I think about it, do these images get saved or appreciated by anyone? Does someone go through the many photos that so many photographers have taken but have never even looked at once after they’ve been downloaded? Sorry if this sounds kind of dark, it’s just had me wondering.

My Reply

Thanks for the excellent question, Ryan. Yes, I have considered that. Upon my death, hopefully not this week, it is very likely that all the hard drives and images will wind up in the garbage can. Not the trash cans on our computers, but literally, the large, hard plastic receptacles that we wheel to the curb once a week. (Note — I am aiming at least to make 81 to equal or beat my Dad’s longevity, but who knows?)

For me, the key is accepting reality. What is the (potential) value of my images? Unless I succeed in placing images from the past few years with Getty, the answer is $0.00 or very close to it. It is now exceedingly rare that we sell the rights to an image or images. As noted here before, such sales are down more than 99% since 2001 when BAA sold such rights for more than $220,000.00. The market is so depressed that we barely make an effort anymore.

So, why do I keep photographing? Because I love the process and I love the challenge of photographing birds. And I love making (and looking at) good images. Both old and new images are used to generate ideas for the blog which in turn generates at least some income — affiliate sales, IPTs (also down precipitou$ly), and the sale of educational materials like books, CDs, and PDFs.

When it gets down to the nitty gritty, I simply love looking at and optimizing both new and old images. Doing so give me great pleasure. When I spent more than $4.5K a few years ago to recover three years plus of recent (but mostly worthless) images, that was done to preserve the memories — the locations, the experiences, the friends I was with, and of course, in many cases, memories of the birds depicted in the photos.

When I mentioned recently how much fun I had seeing the newly backed up images from the office computer, I was not kidding. And I cannot wait to share the family images with my two daughters and their families. And I can’t wait to go exploring the main Elements HD folders, and strangely — to deleting hundreds of inferior images. Every time that I come across a good image that I had totally forgotten bout, it’s like getting a happiness injection.

If anyone needs help with learning to accept reality, check out The Work of Byron Katie. You can surely find some peace but doing the Work.

Why Do You Photograph?

Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know why like or love to photograph free a wild birds.

The Fact$ of Life

Right now, the market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, most depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program.

In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4001. Yes, 4001 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

B&H Simplified

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.

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.

B&H

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

Gear Questions and Advice

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

This image was created on the morning of 28 September 2023 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL. Crouching, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera body. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial: 1/500 second at f/3.5 (wide open) in Manual Mode. Cloudy WB at 8:21:05am on a cloudy, almost windless morning. Manual focus with (Blue) focus peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #1: Starry Rosinweed blossom

Horizontal versus Vertical Compositions with Round Flowers

With most round flowers — there are many, I begin with a bullseye image design by working tight and placing the circular blossom dead center with just a small border around it. That is what I did with Image #1. Then, as I often do , I moved the tripod back a bit and went vertical. Moving it to my left changed the background and introduced several nice elements including a new bud that I was able to position right in front of a second, smaller flower. As always, perspective is very important when doing nature photography.

This image was also created on the morning of 28 September 2023 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL. Again, crouching a bit, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera body. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial: 1/400 second at f/3.5 (wide open) in Manual Mode. Cloudy WB at 8:45:05am on a cloudy, almost windless morning. Manual focus with (Blue) focus peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #2: milkweed blossoms

Breezy Day Flower Options

Even though there was not much wind on Thursday morning, I sometimes had to deal with a breeze when photographing in relatively open areas. Even a slight breeze requires intermediate shutter speeds of from 1/250 to maybe 1/1000 second (depending of course, on wind speed). Especially when working in low light conditions as I was early on at Bok, your options include the following:

1- Working wide open with a moderate shutter speed while sacrificing depth-of-field (as I did with Image #2)

2- Stopping down two or three stops while dropping the shutter speed and hoping that the breeze stops for a moment.

3- Raising the ISO dramatically and going with a small aperture and a relatively high shutter speed.

Note that with the 2nd and third options, bringing up unwanted background detail is often a concern. (And yes, I have heard of “focus stacking.”)

Another problem with a breeze is that accurate focus may be thrown off (as it was in Image #2). I had focused (manually) on the single tiny blossom just left of dead center, but the wind blew the flower head slightly toward me just as the shutter was released.

Image #2A: Step 1 noise reduction screen captures milkweed blossoms

New, 2-Step Noise Reduction Technique

I recently began experimenting with a new, 2-step noise reduction procedure. The results with step 1, as seen above, are quite excellent. With the addition of the second step, the results are spectacular. I will be sharing details on this new NR procedure and lots more in the upcoming Digital Basics III video series. Stay tuned.

This image was also created on the morning of 28 September 2023 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL. Again, crouching a bit, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera body. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial: 1/80 second at f/8 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual Mode. Cloudy WB at 9:15:31am in the woods on a cloudy, almost windless morning. Manual focus with (Blue) focus peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #3: Yellow Crane Orchid

Depth of Field with Telephoto (and other) Macro Lenses

Whenever you are working with a telephoto lens anywhere near the minimum focusing distance, depth-of-field is minuscule, most often measured in mere fractions of an inch. A docent couple riding around on a four-wheeler kindly led me to the stand of Yellow Crane Orchids. Most of the blossoms were a bit past their prime. And photographing orchids is often difficult because they are oddly-shaped and anything but flat. I stood on the path a looked for a shot for more than a few minutes before spotting something that I liked, Image #3. I made a few images focusing on the near edge of the orange part of the flower, and then a few more focusing on the center of the flower. I converted two raw files, the sharpest one of each. In Photoshop, I selected the sharper flower center, put it on a layer, dragged it atop the images with the sharp near edge, and refined that layer using the Transform command followed by a Regular Layer Mask. Let’s call it a crude, manually assembled, two-frame focus stack.

Robus RC-5558 Versus Robus RC-5558-3

The Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod has four leg sections. The Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod has three leg sections. At the last minute, I decided to bring the RC-5558-3 to Bonaire. Both weigh almost exactly the same (5.2 and 5.1 lbs. respectively) and can support any lens that you own. The closed length of the 5558 is 22.5″ as compared to 26.9″ for the 3-leg section 5558-3. That makes the 5558 a bit easier to pack. At times, it may be easier to work with a 3-leg section tripod than it is to work with a 4-leg section tripod as there is one less twist lock to deal with. Whenever I need to get low, the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod with four leg sections is the clear favorite for me.

Topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, either should be fine for folks up to about 6′ 1″ tall. Taller folks or those who need a tall tripod when working on a ladder, for example, are directed to the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod that comes in just about one foot taller and weighs only 5.6 lbs. If you are looking to save a bit of weight check out the Robus RCC-5560 Vantage Series C 4-Section Carbon Fiber Compact Tripod.

Do know that on average, RWS (Really Wrong Stuff) tripods cost more than twice as much as the comparable Robus models and do not perform as efficiently as my Robus 5558s do.

This image was also created on the morning of 28 September 2023 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL. Again, crouching a bit, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera body. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial: 1/640 second at f/8 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual Mode. Cloudy WB at 9:49:29am in the woods on then sunny morning. Manual focus with (Blue) focus peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #4: rear of unknown sunflower species strongly backlit

Strong Backlight with Flowers

The cloudy skies cleared and the sun came out at full strength. I stumbled upon Jim and we decided to head back to ILE. As we walked toward the visitor center and the parking lot, I noticed some nice patterns on the rear side of a strongly backlit, large, bright-yellow sunflower. I was ready to pass on the chance when I noted a shaded bush that I could use to create a black background to accentuate the backlight. After that it was just a matter of getting the lens in the exact right spot. Using several of my newly-learned Photoshop techniques made the image optimization a lot easier than creating the image! I will be sharing all of those techniques and lots more in the upcoming Digital Basics III video series.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

As several disks in my Drobo back-up system have failed and the company has gone out of business, I spent much of the last four days copying older image files from the office computer to three new 8TB back-up external drives. One disk of the five discs took nearly two days to copy! (Can you say “slow”?)

On a related note, I am really loving my new Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Silver). Its blazingly fast processing speed is most appreciated while optimizing images in Photoshop.

Take a gander and see if you can figure out the ISOs that were used to created today’s four featured images. Feel free to leave a comment on the image quality and let us know which of these high ISO images is your favorite. Do understand that I am using a completely new approach to noise reduction. Details here soon.

Today is Tuesday 26 September 2023. Wherever you are an 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.

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.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

Ellen Mack is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in excellent-plus condition for $1099.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens hood, the original lens foot and a RRS Arca Swiss foot, the carrying case with strap, the original product box and instruction manual, 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 Ellen via e-mail or by phone at 707-292-0393 (Pacific time zone).

This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98-meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for bird-scapes, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is deadly (with an EOS-RF adapter) with an EOS R, R5, R6, or R7! This lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save a handsome $1,300.00 by grabbing Ellen’s lens right now. artie

Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro Heads Back in Stock

Since the introduction of this great head in the US four years ago, it has — for good reason, become the most popular tripod head on this side of the pond. Learn more or purchase yours here in the BAA Online Store.

‘Damn the Torpedoes – Full Speed Ahead’: Navy’s First Admiral Was Hispanic Hero. 15 September 2020. From Lt. Cmdr. Rolando Machado, Task Force One Navy, via Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs.

David Glasgow Farragut was the U.S. Navy’s first full admiral. At the time of his death in 1870, Farragut had served a total of 59 years in uniform. Two separate classes of destroyers and five total U.S. Navy ships have been named in his honor. The current USS Farragut (DDG 99), is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer based in Mayport, Fla. (Coincidence note: Mayport, FL is just across the St. John’s River from Huguenot Memorial Park where Image # was created.)

Farragut’s father, Jordi Farragut Mesquida, was a merchant mariner born in Minorca, Spain. Emigrating to the United States in 1766, he commanded a small merchant ship trading goods across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Responding to a sense of service, he declared his allegiance to the fledgling United States in 1776, anglicized his name to George Farragut, and accepted a commission as a lieutenant in the South Carolina Navy during the American Revolution.

After the war, George and his wife, Elizabeth Shine, of Scots-Irish descent from North Carolina, moved west to Tennessee where he became a ferry captain on the Holston River and served as a cavalry officer in the state militia. In 1801, their son, David Glasgow Farragut was born. At the age of eight, his mother died of yellow fever. A year later he followed his father’s example of service and the sea and took an appointment as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy and commenced his life at sea.

Farragut served during the War of 1812 and commanded ships during counter-piracy operations throughout the Caribbean and during the Mexican American War. When the Civil War broke out, despite his career of service and his vocal criticism that secession was treason, superiors in the Union Navy questioned his loyalty.

With much to prove, Farragut executed an exceptional naval campaign taking New Orleans and in follow-on battles for Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Best known for the battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864, he was in command of a squadron of ships when one of them was struck by a mine (then referred to as “torpedoes”). Recognizing hesitation from his subordinate commanders, he took the bold and decisive action of placing his flagship Hartford in the lead and giving the order, “Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!” His actions in the face of danger led the flotilla to victory.

Farragut’s career as a naval officer is not simply an example for sound naval tactics and determination. Choosing not to discipline with the lash despite its popularity among other captains, he also proved that tolerance, kindness and moral courage are not disadvantages, but rather strengths to naval leadership.

This image was created on 19 June 2021 at Huguenot Memorial Park near Jacksonville, FL. Seated on damp sand using the knee-pod technique, 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 ???. 1/400 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:33:02am on a partly cloudy morning. 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: Laughing Gull — large chick standing on beach

Full Speed Ahead and Damn the ISO!

In the The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight With (or without) the Sony α-1, my co-author Arash Hazeghi writes:

Many photographers are hesitant to use fast shutter speeds because they are worried about high-ISO noise. While high-ISO noise can be an issue, a photograph that was rendered soft or blurry is much worse than a sharp image with slightly visible noise. No amount of post-processing or sharpening can save a raw file that is soft or blurry at the pixel level10. Sharpening a very soft or out-of-focus (o-o-f) photo, regardless of the sharpening method, will aggravate the noise and create artifacts and will yield coarse or
“crunchy” looking details. This is because the fine details were never captured in the raw file to begin with.

On the other hand, with optimal processing, it is easy to clean up the photos that are tack sharp but a little noisy. With proper exposure and optimal post-processing, the α-1 can easily handle ISOs as high as ISO 6400. Arash prefers Capture One ProTM (C1P) software for raw conversion and the Topaz DeNoiseTM or NeatImageTM plugins in Adobe Photoshop CCTM for advanced noise reduction. (At the time of publication, Artie was going with Adobe Photoshop CC for his raw conversions and Topaz DeNoise AI for noise reduction.

And all of the above is every bit as true when photographing static subjects (like the young gull above) rather than birds in flight. I was fairly confident that I could create a sharp image at 600mm with a shutter speed of 1/400 second. From there, it was just a matter of raising the ISO enough to ensure exposing to the right.

After enlarging the image and checking out the noise levels, take a guess at the ISO that was used to create Image #1.

This image was created on 5 April 2022 at Harris Neck NWR, GA on a Georgia Nature Photographers Association field trip. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 463mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/1000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:54:54am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Great Blue Heron fishing

Getting Lucky …

Thanks again to GNPA friend Eric Bowles for taking me to so many great places on my April 2022 visit to Jekyll Island, GA. We had a ton of fun. I had been photographing the great blue perched on a log in a field of duckweed when it suddenly took flight. I fired off about 30 frames as it skittered above the surface of the water. Most were sharp on the eye at the relatively slow shutter speed of 1/1000 sec.

Yes, you have heard it here before: When unexpected action happens, press the shutter button first and ask questions later.

To ensure exposing well to the right, I had raised the ISO until I saw some Zebras on the heron’s white chin.

After enlarging the image and checking out the noise levels, take a guess at the ISO that was used to create Image #2.

This image was created on 11 May 2023 at the Hidden Lagoon on a Fort DeSoto Spring IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518m) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:39:43pm on a cloudy 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 #3: Reddish Egret — white morph fishing

Laziness and High ISOs

When I am feeling a bit lazy, I often choose the Sony 200-600mm G lens over the 400mm f/2.8 GM. The 400 f.2.8 is 2 1/3 stops faster than the 200-600 so it saves me seven clicks of ISO. I will be the first to admit that the f/6.3 maximum aperture of the 2-6 (at 600mm) is on the slow side.

Even in low light conditions, the much slower 2-6 is more versatile than any super-telephoto lens. And its small size and relatively light weight makes it easier to get where you need to be (almost always without a tripod). And best of all, the latest noise reduction options allow us to use very high ISOs without sacrificing much in the way of image quality.

After enlarging the image and checking out the noise levels, make an educated guess as to the ISO that was used to create Image #3 (virtually in the dark).

This image was created on 6 September on a panga ride at Champion Islet, Galapagos, Ecuador. Sitting in a zodiac 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 ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:50:55pm in the deep shade on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Short-eared Owl on lava rock

It Was Sunny …

It was sunny when we left the ship and set out for a panga ride so I did not hesitate to bring only the 200-600 and leave the 400mm f/2.8. With wind-against-bright-sun conditions, it was a very tough afternoon. We persisted without much success. Things were so difficult that the other zodiac headed back early.

We were exploring a deep, dark, high-walled cove, when Arnie, the panga driver, called out, “owl!” He navigated slowly around a point and there was a Short-eared Owl hassling a Galapagos Sealion. We stayed with the owl more than an hour.

And yes, I was wishing that I had toted the 400mm f/2.8 along in my very old lens bag. I coached those in the small boat with me on using high ISOs to expose to the right while maintaining fast-enough shutter speeds.

After enlarging the image and checking out the noise levels, make an educated guess as to the ISO that was used to create Image #4.

Typos

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

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 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT

San Diego IPT: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 4.

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.

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.

The Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanies that have been the backbone of my traveling-by-air strategy for several decades, is currently on sale in blue only for a ridiculously low $9.99. Amazingly, you can still find them, on Amazon no less, for as much as $33.90. These beanies are far less costly than the LensCoat stuff, offer far more protection in terms of absorbing shock during travel by air or by car, and provide better protection against moisture as well. I use two of the hats for my camera bodies. You can buy thinner, cheaper watch caps, but they simply do not do the job.

Learn more about traveling by air with your gear here. And learn more about the two great Think Tank bags here. One or the other of these two great rolling bags make my life easier whenever I get on a plane.

My Call

In the last blog post, Tortoise Heaven: the Highlands at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, I wrote:

Which two of today’s four featured Galapagos Tortoise images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choices.

The few who responded coherently chose Image #3 as their favorite. My two choices are the stitched pano, Image #1 because I love the crop and the reflection, and Ed Dow and the tortoise, Image #3, as it does a great job of depicting the situation.

What’s Up?

I continued getting tons of work done on Thursday. This blog post took about two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimization). 4087 published posts are nothing to sneeze at.

Today is Friday 22 September 2023 and I still have lots to do. Wherever you are an 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.

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 on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. AWB at8:58:45am on a then partly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. The JPEG above represents the full frame, out-of-camera raw file for the Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other image

Keep or Delete?

While scrolling through more than 2,000 images from a typical San Diego morning session, you come across a series that includes the image above, _A1G5406 La Jolla, CA. When a pelican flies into the cliff and lands near others, it is sometimes difficult to tell if they are saying “Howdy” or squabbling over space. As the incoming birds lands, you do not have much control over the image design (especially when you are working with a fixed focal length like 560mm here). You need to trust the AF system and keep your fingers crossed.

I made about half dozen images as the birds interacted. Though this was the best of the lot, there were still some serious problems. Most notably, the photo-bombing juvenile on the lower frame edge, the one just right of center looking at the two birds that were communicating.

Before you scroll down, decide if you would keep or delete this raw file and leave a comment letting us know why.

This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. AWB at8:58:45am on a then partly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. The Optimized Version: Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other

The Optimized Version

Yes, I did keep the raw file. The superb quality of sharp a-1 image files allows for fairly large crops.

After converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw, all but the juvenile mentioned above were eliminated with a fairly aggressive crop. My first try was a wider crop that included the rock and the feet of the pelican standing on it. For the first time ever, I tried Generative Fill. Though the results were halfway decent, they did not stand up to a closer look. Then, I tried the tighter crop that you see in the optimized version above.

Ten days ago, I began working with the new Remove Tool. It is a huge improvement over the similar Spot Healing Brush, but it is not perfect. When you wish to remove a background distraction that merges with the subject, the results, however, can be amazing. With many images, I learned that using the Divide and Conquer technique prior to employing the Remove Tool consistently yields spectacular results.

As soon as I get my new Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Silver) set up and running — it is sitting on the couch in the unopened box, I will get to work and some Digital Basic III videos that will teach you how best to work with the Remove Tool. Stay tuned.

Though the optimized version represents only 41.8% of the original pixels, the image quality remains superb.

An A7INFO screen capture for the original Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other image.

Face/Eye Tracking in Chaotic Situations

When photographing birds in flight, or in action situations with multiple birds in the frame, do not expect your mirrorless AF system to nail the eye every time. It ain’t gonna happen. But quickly and accurately tracking the bird’s face (as above), will often yield razor-sharp-on-the-eye files. As noted previously, you must trust your AF system in the really difficult situations.

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 September 2023, the group was up to an astounding 148 lucky and blessed folks. And 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 1.32. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive eight 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

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s three and completely different featured images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice. And while you are at it, take a crack at the Multiple Choice/Fill-in questions.

My Call

In the last blog post, Flying High in the Galapagos, here, I felt that all the images were very strong. My least favorite, however, was the top shot of the young Swallow-tailed Gull. Why? Just a few minutes before I had fanned on a great dorsal view flight chance of an even handsomer juvie of the same species. Most popular was Image #2, the Hood Mockingbird in flight. While I loved that one, and did have something to do with its creation, most of the credit has to go to the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and the a-1; Face-Eye AF is beyond incredible with this rig — super-fast initial AF acquisition and amazingly accurate eye-tracking.

My very favorite image, also made with the 400mm f/2.8, was Image #1, Waved Albatross on final approach with landing gear down. Why? It has been very difficult over the decades to create a flight shot of this species that excited me — they usually just glide on by with nary a flap. With this bird’s landing gear down, the tail fanned, and the braking-to-land wing position, this one was very satisfying.

What’s Up?

I was thrilled to learn this week that newbies Alan Goodwin and Paul Marbourg will be joining many multiple IPT veteran John Dupps and me on the fourth DeSoto IPT. There are still three spots open on that one and IPTs #2 and #3 (scroll down for details) are wide open, assuring you of a private or near private IPT experience. In addition, be sure to check out the two Used Gear Page bargains immediately below.

This blog post took about two hours to create (including the time spent on the three image optimizations). 4085 published posts are nothing to sneeze at.

Today is Monday 18 September 2023 and I still have lots of work to do. As soon as I hit Publish, I will get back to answering e-mails and dealing with greedy, uncaring corporations and like Fed-Ex and shyster mail order companies. Wish me luck. Have you been scammed, cheated, or screwed over lately? Feel free to leave a comment and vent.

Wherever you are an 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.

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.

Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM Super-telephoto Lens (the “Old Five”)

Roy Holden is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM super-telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $1999.00. The sale includes the front leather lens cover, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, 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 Roy via e-mail.

The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II, and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto lens option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. Used 500mm II lenses are selling for as much as $7,018.95. I was surprised to learn that they are no longer in production as it was one of my favorite Canon super telephoto lenses. Used copies are selling for from $2,899.95 to $3,349.95 right now on B&H. This lens will work perfectly on your dSLR bodies and/or with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R on all Canon mirrorless bodies. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens with extra

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $400.00 on 15 SEPT 2023

John Armitage is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low-by-far $999.95 (was $1,395.95). The sale includes the original tripod mount, a Lens Collar Support Tripod Mount Ring RT-1 for Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens (a $29.99 value), the soft case, the front and rear caps, the original box, 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 John via e-mail

The skilled and venerable Anita Gail Erica North owned and used this lens a lot on her international travels when she shot Nikon. It is light in weight and focuses quickly and accurately. artie

This image was created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x 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 400. 1/40 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be a bit beyond dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:44:17 am on a mostly cloudy, foggy, misty 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: Shorebird flock blur

Using Every Club in the Bag

For the three photos in today’s blog post, I used focal lengths of from 131 to 1200mm. Using different lens/teleconverter combinations will enable you to create a striking variety of interesting images.

DeSoto Image #1 Multiple Choice/Fill-in: Shorebird flock blur

A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I love the intricate and delicate patterns and the degree of blurring — the effect is magical.
C- I like it a lot but for the dark smudges along the upper and lower frame edges.
D- I could take it or leave it.
E-Other: _______________________________________________________________.

This image was also created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. For this one, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 131mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:47:13am on a dark, dingy, now dreary morning. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Reddish Egret high-key bird-scape

Two Lenses?

For many decades, I almost always went afield with two lenses. I’d have a long super-telephoto lens mounted on a tripod carried incorrectly (see the YouTube video just below on that) on my right shoulder, and an intermediate telephoto flight lens on a Curve Breathe strap on that same shoulder. For the past few years, I’d rarely bring two lenses on a beach photo outing. When I did, it was almost always with one big lens and with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens in the rear pouch of my Xtrahand vest where I could grab it when needed.

DeSoto Image #2 Multiple Choice/Fill-in: Reddish Egret high-key bird-scape

A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I find the high key look intriguing. And I like the clever, out of the box image design with the bird looking out of the frame the “wrong way.” Why? Because the subject in the lower right corner nicely balances the stand of skinny trees in the upper left. In addition, using the wide open f/2.8 aperture for a bird-scape gives the image somewhat of a surreal look.
C- I could take or leave this one.
D-Other: _______________________________________________________________.

How to Carry a Long Lens on a Tripod. Or not?

Check out this video to learn what and what not to do. I did it wrong for 30 years and my right shoulder is still paying the price.

This image was also created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. Seated behind my flattened tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter (at 1200mm) 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. 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:22:58pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: American White Pelican swimming in late afternoon light

American White Pelicans at DeSoto

Flocks of as many as several hundred birds of this species are a common sight at Fort DeSoto in the fall. The first migrants usually begin arriving in mid-October.

DeSoto Image #3 Multiple Choice/Fill-in: American White Pelican swimming in late afternoon light

A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I love the warm light, the yellow beach grasses, the sweet blue water, the almost rule-of-thirds image design, and the splash of disturbed water at the front of the wake.
C- I like it a lot but, am not thrilled with the quasi-horizon line cutting through the bottom of the pelican’s neck.
D: I could take or leave this one.
E- Other: _______________________________________________________________.

All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version. Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.

Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. 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. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and 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.

On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.

These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the 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, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.

Up Early, Stay Out Late!

Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.

Typos

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

North Seymour and More. Twice!

North Seymour Island is one of the three consistently great photo landings on a Galapagos trip. The others are Darwin Bay on Genovesa and Punta Suárez on Española (Hood) Island. Each is a world class photographic location ranking up there with locations in East Africa and the Southern Ocean. On every BAA Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime, we visit each of these locations twice. Mine is the only photography workshop to arrange such an itinerary.

If you would like to join me on this trip in mid-August 2024, stay tuned or shoot me an e-mail. Remember that you only live once.

Your Call?

Which two of today’s ten featured North Seymour images are your favorites and which is the weakest? Please be so kind as to leave a comment and be sure to let us know why you made your choices.

What’s Up?

After an exhausting 12 1/4 hour door-to-door journey (with a summer cold), I traveled yesterday from Guayaquil, Ecuador to my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL arriving at 4:45pm. Huge thanks to my right hand man Jim Litzenberg for picking me up at MIA. Photographically, the 2023 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime was a huge success in spite of the fact that the trip featured more sun than any of my previous visits to the archipelago. I will be announcing details of the proposed 2024 workshop here soon. This blog post took more than seven hours to prepare.

Today is Thursday 14 September 2023 and I have lots of catching up to do. Wherever you are an 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.

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.

Stop Deadly Conditions for NY Songbirds by Turning Out Building Lights at Night

Learn more about the senseless slaughter every spring and fall and sign the petition here.

This image was also created on 29 August 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1250. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1600 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 4:51:22pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #1: Great Frigatebird Male displaying with pouch inflated image

The 200-600 at 840mm

On bright sunny days, I have long suggested that folks strive to work tight and right on sun angle with their shadow pointed right at the subject. Adding the 1.4X TC to the incredibly versatile Sony 200-600 enabled me to do just that while eliminating distracting elements of the backgrounds.

This image was also created on 29 August 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1000 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 5:21:11pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #2: Blue-footed Booby preening single feather image

The Incredible Tameness of the Creatures of the Enchanted Islands

Everyone in the group was astounded by the tameness of the birds and animals we encountered on our voyage. For the most part, the creatures we encountered were virtually unaware of our presence. National park rules permit an approach of 2 meters, 6.6 feet. That unless a bird or animal approaches you.

On our first landing at North Seymour, which was also the first landing of the trip, I remember sitting on a rock next to my friend Muhammad Arif photographing the preening booby in Image #2 and discussing possible image designs and motifs. That after he asked, what are you trying for?

Though I kept more than a few images from the series, this upside-down blue-footed photo that showed both eyes well was my very favorite.

This image was also created on 29 August 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held 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 via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 2000. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 5:40:53pm on a mostly sunny afternoon. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #3: Magnificent Frigatebird adult male on nest image

Soft Backlight

A light cloud momentarily in front of the sun provided the gentle backlight that made this image possible and successful. The 200-600mm at 600mm provided the reach that I needed to create this head portrait. And Sony Zebras, property set, enabled me to come up with a workable exposure with the rim light over-exposed just a bit, allowing me to reveal detail on the shadowed side of the subject.

This image was also created on 29 August 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 612mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 2500. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1000 sec. at f/13 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 6:00:54pm on a sunny afternoon. Manual Focus with (yellow) Focus Peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #4: Galápagos Sealion backlit at sunset image

Manual Focus in Strongly Backlit Situations

In strongly backlit situations, the AF systems of almost all Digital camera bodies (including the most sophisticated mirrorless bodies), will not be able to achieve sharp focus. The trick is to focus manually and rely on Focus Peaking. This technique, of course, works best when you are on a tripod. As I was handholding, I used the knee-pod technique and strove to keep the lens as still as possible. Most of the images were not critically sharp. Image #4 was!

This image was created two weeks later on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 506mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open), in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 6:13:31am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #5: Blue-footed Booby displaying image

Zooming Out a Bit When Needed

Zooming out a bit from 600mm enabled me to avoid clipping the booby’s wings when it raised them during its display. Again, I was seated on a rock to control the background.

This image was also created on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 506mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 6:25:22am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #6: Great Frigatebird male in flight at point blank range image

Encouragement

With both the wind and the sun behind us and dozens of frigatebirds flying right at us — many at close range, conditions for flight photography were dead solid perfect. I encouraged all in the group — even those not using Sony gear, to try for some flight head shots by continuing to track the birds as they got closer and closer. For me, Image #6, above, the full frame BWT, was BINGO!

This image was also created on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 388mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 6:28:46am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #7: Swallow-tailed Gull adult landing at nest image

Zooming Out a Lot When Needed

Zooming out from 600mm to 388mm enabled me to fit the whole gull in the frame as it landed quite near me. In situations like this, I use a technique that I call “esti-zooming.” As I see a bird approaching to what will likely become close range, I will estimate the focal length that I will need to fit the bird in the frame and zoom out accordingly. You might call it “guess-ti-zooming.”

This image was also created on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held 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 via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 6:59:22am on a then cloudy-bright morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #8: Great Frigatebird large chick in nest image

Subject-to-Background Distance

Many folks profess that the f/6.3 aperture of the Sony 200-600 will always bring up unwanted background detail. As you can see in Image #8 above, that is faulty reasoning. The distance from the subject to the background is far more important than the aperture when you are striving to create soft, pleasingly out-of-focus backgrounds. With the vegetation probably six to eight feet behind the subject, the green and brown leaves were rendered pleasingly de-focused.

This image was also created on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1000 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 7:35:50pm on a once again sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #9: Great Frigatebird small chick in nest image

Patience

Near the end of our last (and second) walk on the North Seymour dry landing, I noticed a tiny white fluff-ball of-a-chick peeking out from under a male Great Frigatebird on the nest. All in the group gathered around and picked a spot. I went for one right on sun angle. We all waited patiently. The chick emerged and shutters fired away. When the chick got fed, I was totally blocked by the wing of the adult. Several others in the group were in perfect position to capture the action and did just that.

This image was also created on 12 September 2023 on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime at North Seymour Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador. I used the hand held 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 via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 500. RawDigger showed that the exposure, 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode, was perfect. AWB at 8:18:47am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C performed perfectly. Bird Eye/Face Detection was both enabled and irrelevant. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper, high res version. Image #10: Swallow-tailed Gull close-up of adult’s feet image

Never Quit

At the very end of our second walk around North Seymour Island, a world class photo location for sure, I was standing above the steps that led down to the landing when an adult Swallow-tailed Gull landed perhaps eight feet from me. I stopped down a bit and went back to work. This was my favorite of about a dozen images. Then it was time to get back on the Samba, finish packing, say goodbye to the crew, and head for the airport on Baltra.

Typos

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

Save $200!

Been thinking of an IPT? Sign up for any Instructional Photo Tour while I am in the Galapagos and enjoy a $200 discount on your balance. See the IPT schedule here and then call Jim at 863-692-0906 to leave your deposit. Hard to choose between DeSoto in the fall, San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans, or Homer, AK for Bald Eagles and more.

What’s Up?

As I am in the Galapagos leading the 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime, this is being posted automatically in abstentia. If you are interested in joining me in the Galapagos in August 2024, please get in touch via e-mail. Remember that you only live once.

I will be back in my office for a full day of work on September 14, 2023. See you then!

Today is Saturday 9 September 2023. 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.

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 on 16 August 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 225mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial at +2 stops; AUTO ISO set ISO 2500: 1/125 sec. at f/5.6 (wide-open at that focal length) in Shutter Priority Mode. AWB at 7:47:37pm, just four minutes before sunset. With a large cloud in the western sky. 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: Common Tern flock in flight with a single Laughing Gull and a bit of pink sky

Not All Sunsets are Glorious. What to do?

When the western sky is painted with an almost surreal arrays of reds, yellows, oranges, and purple, it is fairly easy to create some dramatic images or flying birds (if you are so blessed). On cloudy afternoons, many photographers give up too early, at the first sign of a cloud in the western sky. Seeing a narrow strip of light sky below the big, bad, dark cloud, I opted to stick around and see what developed.

When a small strip of color developed, I said a short prayer asking for a blastoff in just the right spot. A flock of terns answered my prayer but were a bit too high in the sky. I zoomed out a bit so as to include some pink sky in the lower right corner of the frame. The Laughing Gull with its wings stretched out nicely was a plus.

Tip

When there is not a whole lot of color in the sky, use a telephoto lens, keep your eye on the color, and pray for some birds to fly near or through it. And remember that if you head home early you ain’t gonna get nothin’ The double negatives are an attempt at humor.

This image was also created on 16 August 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Again, standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 309mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial at +2 stops; AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/60 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:48:28pm, three minutes before the time of sunset as a large cloud covered the sun in the western sky. 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: Black Skimmer in flight above strip of color

Less Than a Minute Later

Less than a minute later as I was hoping for another blastoff, a single skimmer flew back to the East Colony and by chance, went right through the strip of color. Lucky me. Heck, twice lucky.

Multiple Choice/Fill-in

A- I like Image #1 best because …
B- I like Image #2 best because …
C- I do not like either image because …
D- I love both images because …

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which two of today’s five featured images are the strongest? Please be so kind as to leave a comment letting us know why you made your choices. Doing so will help you to become a better bird photographer, but not as much as joining a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour.

Save $200!

Been thinking of an IPT? Sign up for any Instructional Photo Tour while I am in the Galapagos and enjoy a $200 discount on your balance. See the IPT schedule here and then call Jim at 863-692-0906 to leave your deposit. Hard to choose between DeSoto in the fall, San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans, or Homer, AK for Bald Eagles and more.

What’s Up?

As I am in the Galapagos leading the 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime, this is being posted automatically in abstentia. If you are interested in joining me in the Galapagos in August 2024, please get in touch via e-mail. Remember that you only live once.

I will be back in my office for a full day of work on September 14, 2023. See you then!

Today is Tuesday 5 September 2023. 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.

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 on 14 January on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height I used the tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the Sony a7R IV (now replaced for me with The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. AWB at 5:00:21pm in the shade. Tracking: Spot M/AF-C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Brand’t Cormorant displaying

Working a Subject

Beginning photographers often think that after they’ve made a single image of a new species (great, good, fair, or lousy), that they are done and ready to move on to the next subject. Nothing could be further from the truth. I would suggest that after making an image of a new species that they add some variety to their portfolio by using different focal lengths, choosing different perspectives, and striving to create a variety of behavioral images. After more than 30 years of photographing at La Jolla, I have huge files on the pelicans, the Brandt’s, the Wood Ducks, the Heermann’s Gulls, and all of the regular suspects. Yet I can’t wait to get back there.

This image was created on 28 December 2022 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height on the sidewalk above the nesting ledge, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/5000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. AWB at 10:02:48am in the shade on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Brandt’s Cormorant braking to land

Incoming Flight

There is tons of action as the Brandt’s Cormorants fly into their nests, often carrying nesting materials in their bills. Though you do not need a long lens, a fast one is required as the nesting shelf is in the shade most of the time (even on sunny days). Cloudy days are preferred as you do not have to worry about the bird going from sunlit to shaded. Bird-Eye/Face Detection at f/2.8 is particularly amazing with the α-1.

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 don 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 properly and safely format their flash cards.

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.

This image was created on 2 January 2023 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height on the sidewalk above the nesting ledge, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 3200: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:57:32am in the shade. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Brandt’s Cormorant stretching both wings

Different is Always Good

You can only make so many images of a Brandt’s sitting on it nest no matter how beautiful the bird or the seaweed-draped nest. The good news is that as when photographing gulls, you usually do not have to wait too long until they do something neat.

Can an image of a bird with no visible eye work? Why or why not?

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)

Four brand new folks joined the group this week. I just sent out an e-mail with my CAMSET32.DAT file for folks who are working with Firmware Update 1.32.

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 27 August 2023, the group was up to an astounding 148 lucky and blessed folks. (More than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Some, like me, own three!) 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! Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSET32 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive nine 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.

This image was created on 9 January 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at San Diego, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 224mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 640: 1/800 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 11:15:13am on in the shade on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Brandt’s Cormorant displaying

Easy Peasy

Whether you are visiting La Jolla in December or March or any time in between there will be some handsome males with they cobalt blue & purple gulag sacs displaying. You can work tight as in Image #1 or loose as in Image #4.

Join me in San Diego to learn about getting the right exposure of dark birds with light or dark backgrounds, coming up with a variety of pleasing backgrounds, getting great images of birds in flight, and tons more.

This image was created on 22 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, behind the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 2000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 7:48:49am on a very cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version. Brandt’s Cormorant begging chick in nest/head of adult replaced

Early Birds

On my last visit we glimpsed the first Brandt’s chicks in early January! Most years the babies are not seen until the beginning of March. Join me in San Diego to learn several methods of setting up your tripod to your advantage in tight situations with a brick wall in front of you!

The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT

San Diego IPT: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.

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.

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.

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.