What’s Up?

Not much. It has been all work, no play for me since I got home from the second DeSoto IPT as I get ready for my trip to OKC next Thursday.

Today is Saturday 15 October 2022. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less about five hours hours to prepare and makes two hundred-three days a row with a new one.

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!

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time with the puffins on Grimsey Island, Iceland — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone else would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

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

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

OKC Photocon 2022

OKC Photon 2022 INFO

I will be doing a Master Class entitled “A Bird Photographer’s Story” at OKC PhotoCon 2022 in Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday 22 October 2022. Check out the great line-up of speakers and programs here (and be sure to scroll down all the way). Check out the schedule here. I am really looking forward to seeing Joe McNally’s program, The Camera is a Visa – Around the Globe, on Friday (4:30 to 6:30pm). You can see some of his amazing, incredibly eclectic work here.

This big photographic event is sponsored by Bedfords. Click here to register ($119.99). Save $20.00 when registering by using the BAACLASS code at checkout.

OKC Photon 2022 Free Critique Offer

Folks who use the BAACLASS code at checkout are invited to set up a ten minute/ten-image critique with me on Friday or Saturday afternoon by contacting me in advance via e-mail. Whatever your favorite subject or genre, I’d love to see your best work. Many photographers do not realize that the principles that guide us are the same whether we like to shoot birds, wildlife, nature, food, people and portraiture, weddings, wars, sports, architecture, old buildings, old cars, or our grandchildren. A great photo is a great photo. Understand that I will evaluate each image as if it were my won. Once you have purchased your ticket, send it to me by e-mail and I will shoot you the additional details via return e-mail. I hope to meet you and see your best work in OKC.

New Listings

Canon EOS R5 with extra

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EOS R5 in excellent plus condition for a very low $2849.00. There is one small scratch on the body forward of the top LCD panel. Otherwise, the body and the rear monitor are near-mint with no scratches or imperfections. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it, one extra battery, the charger, a Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R (a $199.00 value, in excellent plus condition, and includes the caps and the pouch), 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 Monte via e-mail.

I used an R5 for several months while writing the R5/R6 Camera User’s Guide. Here’s what I liked: The R5’s superb 45MP CR3 files handles large crops easily. The Menu is easy to navigate.The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. With the R5, users can create in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) images with a slew of options. I love creating funky in-camera HDR images of birds in flight in cloudy-dark conditions. With the R5, users can create two different kinds of Multiple Exposures with zillions of options. One of three different Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R5 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. artie

Canon EOS R6 with extra

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera body in near-mint condition for a very low 1949.00. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it, two batteries, the charger, a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R (a $99.00 value — in excellent plus condition, and includes the caps and the pouch), 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 Monte via e-mail.

The R6 is virtually identical to the R5 but for the 20 MP raw files and the smaller price tag. The Menu is easy to navigate.The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. One of three different Canon Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R6 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. artie

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens with extra

Sale Pending within hours of listing

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens in mint condition for a very low $2175.00. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, 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 Monte via e-mail.

This versatile telephoto zoom lens pairs beautifully with either an R5 or an R6 four folks who will never own a $12K super telephoto lens. With its incredible minimum focusing distance it is great for flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and the like. And it is a great lens for birds and birds in flight. artie

Canon Extender RF 1.4X (Teleconverter)

Sale Pending within hours of listing

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon Extender RF 1.4x in excellent plus condition for a very low $375.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, 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 Monte via e-mail.

As regular readers know, TCs are so important to what I do that I always travel with three 1.4X teleconverters and two 2X teleconverters. (Note: they do fail on occasion.) artie

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens with extra

BAA Record-low Price!
Sale Pending within hours of listing

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a BIRDS AS ART Record-Low $648.00. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod ring, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.

Please contact Monte via e-mail

If you are shooting Canon Mirrorless and are considering the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, understand that that lens does not accept any teleconverter, not an EF TC and not an RF TC. As I have said here often that is ridiculous. You’d be much better off with one of the EF versions to enjoy the true versatility of your 70-200.

The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes especially with fall color peaking in many areas. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on feeding sprees right next to the road. Lenses in this class are easily hand holdable by just about everyone. artie

ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see the blog post here.

Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens with extra

Sale Pending within hours of listing

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a very low $3699.00. The glass is clean and has no scratches or blemishes. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod ring, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.

Please contact Monte via e-mail.

I owned and used and loved both versions of the 400 DO. In fact, I owned this very lens — Monte purchased it from me when I switched to Nikon. It is easily handhold-able by most folks and delivers sharp images with either TC. This lens with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is deadly with all Canon mirrorless bodies. Though no longer in production, there are a very few new ones available for $6899.00. Save a very nice $3200.00 by grabbing Monte’s 400 DO II. artie

Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (Teleconverter)

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (Teleconverter) in excellent condition for a very low $139.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, 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 Monte via e-mail.

As regular readers know, TCs are so important to what I do that I always travel with three 1.4X teleconverters and two 2X teleconverters. (Note: they do fail on occasion. artie

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens with extra

Sale Pending within hours of listing

Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a very low $4999.00 (was $5199.00). The glass is perfect with no scratches or blemishes. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the lens trunk, the lens strap, a replacement foot, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.

Please contact Monte via e-mail.

The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new 600 III going for $12,999 and used version 600 IIs hard to find, you’d do well to grab Monte’s lens ASAP. artie

This image was created on 17 June 2008 22 at Bonaventure Island, Percé, Quebec, Canada. Working on a tripod, I used the M-3.6.1 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head-supported Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens and the oft-maligned Canon EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 400: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (sopped down two stops). AWB at 8:40:03am on a cloudy morning. “Gannets in Love” — Northern Gannet pair courting

Gannets in Love

Gannets in Love was created when I was co-leading a trip to Bonaventure Island 13 years ago. It seems much longer than that. Northern Gannets nest in huge colonies on both sides of the Atlantic. The largest range from 25,000 to 75,000 pairs. I have been privileged to visit the largest of those, Bass Rock, Scotland, on many occasions.

Gannets build nests of seaweed, plants, mud, and debris from the sea, usually atop coastal hillsides or cliffs. As the nests are only two to three feet apart, these gannetries are crowded places. And loud! Making an artistic photograph of a gannet nest in the muck is a near-impossible task. Unless you keep your eyes open.

The birds featured in Gannets in Love, probably a young pair, were building a nest on top of a viewing shelter. I saw a unique situation. After shortening one leg of my tripod, I set it up at the bottom of the stairs that led down to the shelter and began making images. My favorite image of the series caught a small bit of greenery in midair as one bird — usually but not always the male — passed nesting material to the other.

This image was was awarded first place in the “Professional Birds” category of the 2009 National Wildlife Federation contest, and first place in “Art in Nature” in the 2009 Nature’s Best contest. As those contests were judged earlier in the year than the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition (WPTOY), the image was still alive in the BBC contest which prohibits folks from entering images that were honored in other notable contests. I was hoping for a rarer-than-rare triple header. I was pissed when I learned that Gannets in Love did not even make the final round of judging in the WPOTY contest. And so it goes.

Digitally-signed Fine Art Canvas prints of “Gannets in Love” are available in various sizes. Each print is skillfully produced by Canvas In Demand. Click here for sizes, pricing, and framing and additional information.

Fine Art Traditional Photographic Prints

All BIRDS AS ART images, both film and digital, are available as signed traditional photographic prints in a great variety of sizes. You may purchase an unframed print of any BAA image that you see on the web site, in a Bulletin, or on the Blog. Click here for sizes, pricing, and additional information.

birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100 The companion e-book to the solo exhibit at TheNat, San Diego, California The new e-book on CD is available here.

birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100

This e-book, created on a wing and a prayer in less than two weeks–see Harebrained Scheme here–includes the 67 spectacular images that hung in the Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum in a career-retrospective solo exhibition in 2017. In addition, there are an additional 33 images in the spectacular e-book that barely missed making the show.

This exhibition companion e-book makes it possible for everyone to “visit” TheNAT gallery retrospectively — and, in addition, to enjoy seeing my then-top one hundred bird photographs under one roof. Each image includes a title, the species name, the location, relevant EXIF data, and an anecdotal caption.

birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100: $23 for the professionally produced CD (includes shipping to US addresses only)

Please click here to purchase the CD. As above, your purchase price includes shipping to all US addresses. If you would like your CD signed on the inside cover with a black Sharpie, you will need to place your order by phone and request a signed copy: 863-692-0906. For our Canadian friends we are offering the CD for $28 with shipping to Canada via phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Those who purchase the CD are advised to copy the file to their computers and then archive the CD.

To purchase via convenient download for $20, click here.

The new e-book via is also available via convenient download for $20 by clicking here.

birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100: $20 via convenient download.

Overseas folks, and anyone else as well, can purchase the e-book via convenient download for $20 by clicking here.

Typos

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

This all-new card includes only images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.

San Diego IPT #3: 3 1/2 DAYS: FRI 20 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT sessions.

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

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 as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

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 $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

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 sunsets.

What’s Up?

Most folks do not realize that the best sky color often occurs as early as 45 minutes before sunrise. I arrived at Sebastian Inlet just after 6:30am. Sunrise was at 7:20am. I was on the jetty by 6:40am just as the color was developing on what was a partly cloudy morning. I had my 600 f/4 alone on the tripod so I grabbed my 70-200 II from my Xtra-hand vest and created some nice cloud-scapes. Early on, there was zero wind with a very healthy population of no-see-ums. After a while with little to no action, I headed up the inlet for a Wood Stork fix. They were tamer than ever. Then it was back to the jetty. The action had picked up a bit with fishing Caspian Terns and Ospreys. As the sun broke through, conditions soon became sauna-like so I packed up and headed home.

Today is Thursday 13 October. I have a ton of work to do but may head down to the lake early to check things out. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than an hour to prepare and makes two hundred-one days a row with a new one.

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!

Iceland

If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

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

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

Dorsal Flight Pano Crop

This image was created on 24 January 2022 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BAA) Induro GIT 304L 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 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/10-stop short of perfect. AWB at 3:43:06pm on sunny afternoon. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican — breeding plumage Pacific-race in flight — dorsal view

A New Afternoon Spot in La Jolla

Just a few years ago, I found an afternoon spot in La Jolla that — contrary to popular opinion, offers consistently good opportunities for Pacific-race Brown Pelican flight photography. Along with head shots and lots of greetings and squabbles. I am not sure why I never processed this one as the breeding plumage bird is a beauty and the incoming dorsal wing pose is very sweet indeed. Not to mention the sweet Pacific-blue background. Be sure to click on the image to see the bird jump off your screen.

One of the neatest things about this spot is that lenses as short as 70-200mms can be effective for incoming flight shots.

Typos

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