What’s Up?

On Monday, I left Boise City, OK and drove to the top of Capulin Volcano National Monument in northeastern New Mexico. I took 412 to the southeast and then 87 north and west to the entrance road. The views along the way were less than thrilling. Part of the 8,000 square mile Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, Capulin Volcano showcases the volcanic geology of the surrounding area. The views are spectacular day or night, with views of 4 different states from the volcanic rim and one of the darkest night skies in the country. It was snowing lightly when I arrived, and visibility was near zero.

I pulled over by a really cool pine tree skeleton, but could not figure out how to make a decent photo. After taking a peek into the crater, I drove down the switchbacks and turned right to head north to Folsom, NM. From there, I headed north and then east on 456 to Kenton, OK. The scenic views on 456 were spectacular, especially along the 17 miles of unpaved road.

On the final stretch of 325 as I headed back to my hotel in Boise City, I had a zillion meadowlarks, several Red-tailed Hawks, a Ferruginous Hawk, and another Golden Eagle. I managed to get a few of the raptors in the frame with the 200-600 as they jumped off their telephone pole perches, but I deleted every one.

Today is Tuesday 25 October 2022. I left Boise City at 430am and headed for Wichita National Wildlife Refuge to see what I could see. I head to Dallas on Wednesday afternoon for my afternoon non-stop flight to Orlando. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred-thirteen days in 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!

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

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

Mind Boggling 70-200mm f/2.8 Versatility. And Drive-by Handheld Roadside Shooting

This image was created on 24 October 2022n in northeastern New Mexico. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 99mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 800: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (stopped down three stops) in Manual mode. AWB at11:39:08am on a solidly 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 #1: abandoned farm buildings

I Thought that the Cows were Metal Cutouts

When I first spotted this tranquil scene, I thought that the cows were metal cutouts, similar to those I had seen in the Palouse year ago. When they began mooing and moving, I realized that I was wrong. As the 200-600 was much too long even at the short end, I grabbed the 70-200 and went to work. You can see part of the cinder cone of Capulin Volcano in the upper right background.

Drive-by Handheld Roadside Shooting

When driving though scenic country, it often pays to pull over (if you can do so safely) or find a parking area when you spot something neat to photograph. Proper technique for each of today’s images would call for setting up a sturdy tripod and taking your time. But when I am doing drive-by shooting, my choice is to go handheld all the way. The faster I work, the more beautiful things I can find.

This image was also created on 24 October 2022n in northeastern New Mexico. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (this time 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 1600: 1/250 sec. at f/8 (stopped down three stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:50:02pm in light snow. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: feather detail: road-killed Turkey Vulture

Found on Road Dead

It was snowing as I drove by the road-killed Turkey Vulture, so I pulled over and again grabbed the 70-200 lens. The short minimum focusing distance of this lens makes it perfect for quasi-macro applications such as large flowers, butterflies, large bugs, and feather detail. As I saw very few vehicles from dawn to dusk, it was easy to simply pull slightly off the road and park when I spotted something interesting to photograph.

This image was also created on 24 October 2022n in northeastern New Mexico. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (this time at 84mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 1000: 1/250 sec. at f/8 (stopped down three stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 4:39:38pm under cloudy skies. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: fall color along creek-bed

Cottonwoods?

I came across many small stands of trees with bright yellow leaves. If this image are not cottonwoods, please let me know. It was the dead portion of the tree near the center of the frame that caught my eye. Had Monday been clear and sunny, I would have had far fewer photographic opportunities.

This image was also created on 24 October 2022 in northeastern New Mexico. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (this time at 122mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/320 sec. at f/8 (stopped down three stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:47:24pm under cloudy-bright skies. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: rock formation

Are You a Geologist?

I saw dozens of interesting rock formations along 456 and stopped to photograph many of them. The one in Image #4 was reminiscent of a Mount Rushmore with almost a dozen famous folks. If you know the name for formations like the one in Image #4, please leave a comment and let us know what it is.

Rank These Images Please

All are invited to leave a comment ranking today’s four featured images with A being the strongest image and D the weakest. I will share my rankings with you in Thursday’s blog post.

Typos

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

Fall 2022 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3 Late Registration Discount Info

If you are interested in learning about the late registration discount offer for the third Fort DeSoto IPT, please get in touch via e-mail

On Getting Better

Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.

Fort DeSoto in fall is rife with tame birds. All the images on this card were created at Fort DeSoto in either late September or very early October. I hope that you can join me there this fall. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Caspian Tern, Great Egret, Sandwich Tern with fish, Willet, Black-bellied Plover threat display, Snowy Egret, 2-year old Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron.

Fall 2022 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3

3 1/2 Days: Monday 31 October through the morning session on Thursday 3 November 2022. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds and terns in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, night-herons, and gulls 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 we will get to do some 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.

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

This IPT will run with only a single registrant (though that is not likely to happen). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB information.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check two months 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 or Jennifer 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.

Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.

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. The length of cloudy morning sessions will often be extended. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Spoonbills at DeSoto

Over the past years, Roseate Spoonbills have become regular visitors to Fort DeSoto Park. I know when and where to find them and can teach you to approach them successfully. Do consider joining me on the last Fall DeSoto IPT.

What’s Up?

Today is Sunday 23 October. Early this morning, the rental car was headed north and then west for an exploratory visit to the Oklahoma Panhandle in search of Rock and Canyon Wrens and some nice scenery. It was very windy en route and is supposed to get a lot colder tomorrow. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred-eleven days in 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!

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

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

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV 24-600mm Digital Camera (with extras)

Price Reduced $200.00 on10/23/2022

Multiple IPT veteran Bill Schneider is offering a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera with extras for a very low $849.00 (was $1049.00). The sale includes the original box, the front lens cover, two extra batteries — (a $54 value each), three in all, a dual battery charger (a $25 value), a Sony 64GB card, 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 Bill via e-mail.

I began bird photography with this great premium super-zoom bridge-camera. It was a great bang for my buck. I was able to get on those small, far away birds, and at the same time, it was a great macro lens. Not to mention everything in between! Anke Frohlich

This super-zoom bridge camera sells new for $1698.00. You can save a handsome $850.00 by grabbing Bill’s DSC-RX10 IV now. artie

Providing speed, reach, and versatile recording features, the Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV from Sony is a compact solution for the multimedia image-makers. Featuring an updated 20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, the RX10 IV is capable of up to 24 fps shooting at ISO 12800, as well as recording UHD 4K/30p or Full HD 1080/120p video. The sensor’s back-illuminated and stacked technologies afford a high degree of image quality with notable clarity and reduced noise to suit working in challenging lighting conditions. Complementing the shooting speed of the sensor and processor combination, this camera also offers a quickened 315-point focal plane phase-detection autofocus system for focus speeds as fast as 0.03 seconds.

Balancing the imaging capabilities, the RX10 IV is also characterized by its 25x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens, which spans an impressive 24-600mm equivalent focal length range and uses Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to minimize the effects of camera shake by up to 4.5 stops. Its optical design incorporates eight extra-low dispersion elements and six aspherical elements to control a variety of aberrations throughout the zoom range, and its f/2.4-4 maximum aperture range benefits working in low-light conditions.

Rounding out the RX10 IV is its characteristic robust form factor, which includes both a 2.36m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder along with a tilting 3.0″ 1.44m-dot touchscreen LCD. The intuitive design also features three dedicated control rings on the lens-a zoom ring, a manual focus ring, and an aperture ring-and the aperture ring can be de-clicked for smooth, silent aperture adjustments. The magnesium-alloy body is also weather-sealed to permit working in trying environments. Additionally, for sharing and control flexibility, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also available for wireless image sharing and remote camera control from a linked smartphone or tablet. Sony & B&H

This image was created on 10 October 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Tierra Verde, FL. While seated on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 560mm), 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. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:18:06am on a then-clear and sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S 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: Laughing Gull — 1st winter in the surf

Teaching Situations

While teaching IPTs, I am always on the lookout for ideal teaching situations. A small group of young Laughing Gulls standing on the edge of the surf on on the last Desoto IPT proved to be ideal subjects. I got everyone down on the ground and explained that lower would be better. I went to the toe-pod technique. Everyone else had the 200-600 and was able to get closer and lower than I was. With the 400 f/2.8 and the 1.4X TC I needed to stay farther back and a bit higher up on the beach. After we discussed perspective, we fine-tuned our exposures and talked about focusing and image design. As there were gentle wavelets, the main topic was the effect of the small breaking waves on the images.

Understand that if the waves break right behind the bird’s head or body that it will be very distracting. I urged everyone to press and hold the shutter button as the breaking wave approached the bird’s feet. I kept 19 images from the series of more than 150. Today’s two featured images were my favorites.

This image was created on 10 October 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Tierra Verde, FL. While seated on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 560mm), 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. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:18:06am on a then-clear and sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Laughing Gull — 1st winter in the surf

Foot or No Foot?

Both images were created in the same second and demonstrate why you should always be photographing birds using your camera’s highest frame-rate. Do you prefer Image #1 that offers a peek at the gull’s right foot, or Image #2, in which both feet are covered by the frothy bubbles? If you opt to leave a comment, let us know why you made your choice.

In addition to the excellent placement of the wave, I liked the head angle, the pose, and the subject-to-sensor-plane origination. And the handsome young bird. Note that I would not have wanted the bird any larger in the frame.

Typos

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