Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
August 15th, 2022

Carlotta Grenier Skimmer Flight Photography. And SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable Solid State V2 External Drives

Image Back-up e-Mail Conversation with Doug Smith

AM: Hi Doug,

re:

DS: Hope all is well!

AM: Is thanks. Great in fact, and ditto.

DS: I have had some storage problems when it comes to saving my photographs. Could you suggest a device that would be good to store photographs while in the field.

AM: I would advise against any device designed to store photos in the field. That’s what flash cards are for. High capacity Delkin flash cards are safe and reliable. I have been using them for 21 years and have never lost an image due to a Delkin card failure.

Find them here for whatever camera you are using.

AM: Why do you want to store photos in the field?

DS: … and then a larger devise that would be my main system at home? I am using a Dell laptop for travel and an ASUS laptop at home.

AM: Safest and best are high capacity Solid State (external) drives. They are virtually failure proof. That said, multiple back-ups are mandatory. I learn ed that lesson several months ago to the tune of $4,500.00.

I use three SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 externals for my Time Machine back-ups.

The smaller size, the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 externals might suit you best.

If you purchase any new cards or externals drives, please be sure to use the links above.

Thanks and love and best of luck,

artie

What’s Up?

I enjoyed a good morning at Nickerson with some sunrise red light, some fledgling Common Terns, and lots of flying and skimming skimmers. As I type, I am hoping to find my flashcard in the parking lot when I return this afternoon; it disappeared from my left-hand pocket on a shopping trip 🙁 I made an hour round trip drive back to Whole Foods (AKA Whole Paycheck) in hopes of finding it on the floor near the register where I checked out. (I’ve pulled that one off before!) Or perhaps it will mysteriously turn up in the car or in my room. You gotta love it.

Today is Monday 15 August. I will be heading back to Nickerson early; the forecast is looking excellent: sunny early with a NE breeze turning cloudy with the wind shifting to the east. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes one hundred forty-four days in a row with a new one.

So far, nine folks have been in touch about joining me at either Nickerson or JBWR in the coming weeks for an In-the-Field session or two. The first window for doing shorebirds at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is closing now, the second window is from 24-26 August. See the additional details below.

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!

Clockwise from the upper left corner back around to the center: Wilson’s Phalarope, JBWR; just fledged Common Tern, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, adult skimming, Nickerson; Black Skimmer killing tiny skimmer chick, Nickerson; American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise, Nickerson; Common Tern chick swallowing baby bluefish, Nickerson; Short-billed Dowitcher, juvenile, double overhead wing stretch, JBWR; Black Skimmers, predawn flock blur, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, 10-day old chick, Nickerson.

Click on the card to view a larger version.

Nickerson Beach/East Pond JBWR composite

Nickerson Beach/East Pond at Jamaica Bay (JBWR) In-the Field Workshops

Both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at JBWR offer some of the best midsummer bird photography on the planet. Hundreds of pairs or Black Skimmers and Common Terns along with more than a dozen pairs of American Oystercatchers breed at Nickerson each season so there are lots of chicks of all sizes and handsome fledged young to photograph. Provided that the water levels are low, hundreds of young shorebirds in their handsome fresh juvenile plumages stop by the pond each August on their way south.

Nickerson often reveals nature at it rawest, most basic level. Most days we get to photograph all sorts of dramatic behaviors ranging from skimmers and terns fishing and feeding (and tending) their you. There are often chances to shoot a variety of predatory encounters — gulls eating large skimmer chicks, skimmers eating skimmer babies, and Peregrine Falcons hunting. And rarely, if we are lucky, Peregrine Falcons catching! Consider joining me to learn a ton both about bird photography and the birds.

I am taking the Auto Train north on 31 July and will happily spend all of August on Long Island. I head south on 31 August and should be back home on 1 September (barring anything unforeseen). I am offering In-the-Field sessions at both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. If you are interested, please get in touch via e-mail or text me at 863-221-2372.

Whether you are a local or would like to fly in for several days of instruction — a sort of private, or small group. — at worst, IPT, LMK via e-mail so that we can work on a schedule that could possibly include both Nickerson and Jamaica Bay.

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.

Please Remember

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

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

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

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

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

If You Enjoy the Blog …

Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.



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… 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 9 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach by Carlotta Grenier on a BAA In-the-Field session. While seated on dry sand, she used the no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/3200 sec. at f/5 (stopped down 2/3 stop). AWB at 6:50:04pm on a clear afternoon.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.

Photo courtesy of and copyright 2022: Carlotta Grenier
Image #1: Black Skimmer in flight
Image Optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Via e-mail from Carlotta

I would like an afternoon session at Nickerson first and then see where we stand. I will bring the 600mm f./4 lens and both my a1 bodies so that you can load your settings on them. I am not your fastest learner as I am now 80 years of age and really slowing down. I am almost as passionate about photography as you are; it is keeping me alive and interested in living.

Phone Conversation with Carlotta

For my next session, I would like you to teach me to photograph birds in flight.

Via e-mail from Carlotta

Thank you for helping me with my flight photography. It is better, but I have a lot to think about, and my timing is not there yet. But with more practice, I will get better. Anyway, I never got so many sharp flight shots in my life!

This image was created on 9 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach by Carlotta Grenier on a BAA In-the-Field session. While seated on dry sand, she used the no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/3200 sec. at f/5 (stopped down 2/3 stop). AWB at 6:47:19pm on a clear afternoon.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.

Photo courtesy of and copyright 2022: Carlotta Grenier
Image #1: Black Skimmer in flight
Image Optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Carlotta Grenier

As mentioned here previously:

Carlotta is a very young 80 years old. She knew me when my floppy sun hat was new, close to 25 years ago. She loves to photograph horses and birds. Her images continue to do well in her local Connecticut photo club contests.

She inspires me to get out every day and to strive to continue to improve. If there is an older person in your life who has or continues to inspire you, please do share.

Your Fave?

Which of Carlotta’s two featured images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.

August 14th, 2022

A Great East Pond Morning. And the Huge Sony Advantage

The Best Image?

This post features five of my favorite shorebird images from yesterday morning at JBay. Which is your favorite? Why? I like them all, but have two or three favorites. I will be publishing what I consider the three very best images from the session here soon.

What’s Up?

I’ve been photographing at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for 39 years. Saturday morning, enjoyed with client/friend Muhammad Arif, was one of — if not the, very best mornings ever. We were in the perfect spot and the birds showed up almost before we were ready. The birds were very close. After a bit, we needed to move back a bit to be able to focus. The tally for the morning: created 2479 images, kept 120. That 4.8% keeper rate will go down considerably after a second edit.

Afterwards, it was nice seeing some old friends on the Shorebird Festival walk. Learning of the recent deaths and life-threatening illnesses of others? Not so much. As we age, we get to face our own mortality head on.

Today is Sunday 14 August. I headed to Nickerson Beach very early, had some decent chances, and was back in the car finishing this post at 8:15am. 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 one hundred forty-three days in a row with a new one.

So far, nine folks have been in touch about joining me at either Nickerson or JBWR in the coming weeks for an In-the-Field session or two. The first window for doing shorebirds at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is closing now, the second window is from 24-26 August. See the additional details below.

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!

Clockwise from the upper left corner back around to the center: Wilson’s Phalarope, JBWR; just fledged Common Tern, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, adult skimming, Nickerson; Black Skimmer killing tiny skimmer chick, Nickerson; American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise, Nickerson; Common Tern chick swallowing baby bluefish, Nickerson; Short-billed Dowitcher, juvenile, double overhead wing stretch, JBWR; Black Skimmers, predawn flock blur, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, 10-day old chick, Nickerson.

Click on the card to view a larger version.

Nickerson Beach/East Pond JBWR composite

Nickerson Beach/East Pond at Jamaica Bay (JBWR) In-the Field Workshops

Both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at JBWR offer some of the best midsummer bird photography on the planet. Hundreds of pairs or Black Skimmers and Common Terns along with more than a dozen pairs of American Oystercatchers breed at Nickerson each season so there are lots of chicks of all sizes and handsome fledged young to photograph. Provided that the water levels are low, hundreds of young shorebirds in their handsome fresh juvenile plumages stop by the pond each August on their way south.

Nickerson often reveals nature at it rawest, most basic level. Most days we get to photograph all sorts of dramatic behaviors ranging from skimmers and terns fishing and feeding (and tending) their you. There are often chances to shoot a variety of predatory encounters — gulls eating large skimmer chicks, skimmers eating skimmer babies, and Peregrine Falcons hunting. And rarely, if we are lucky, Peregrine Falcons catching! Consider joining me to learn a ton both about bird photography and the birds.

I am taking the Auto Train north on 31 July and will happily spend all of August on Long Island. I head south on 31 August and should be back home on 1 September (barring anything unforeseen). I am offering In-the-Field sessions at both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. If you are interested, please get in touch via e-mail or text me at 863-221-2372.

Whether you are a local or would like to fly in for several days of instruction — a sort of private, or small group. — at worst, IPT, LMK via e-mail so that we can work on a schedule that could possibly include both Nickerson and Jamaica Bay.

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.

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.

This image was created on 13 August 2022 at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY. While seated on damp mud and working off the tilted rear screen, I used the flattened, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1600. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/320 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 6:22:52am on a clear morning with a large cloud in front of the sun.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.

Image #1: Semipalmated Sandpiper juvenile in no light situation

Off to a Great Start

There was a big-ass cloud in front of the sun as we walked out onto the South Flats. I knew exactly where we needed to be. We got in position and sat down on the wet mud — Muhammad had brought a yoga mat to sit on. Before I had finished leveling the silver ball of the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, a handsome young semi-sand landed point-blank right in front of us.

The Huge Sony Advantage

When the tiny sandpiper landed almost too close to me in no-light conditions, I chose a shutter speed — 1/320 sec., that I thought would make a sharp image if the bird held still for a moment. Working wide open at f/4 in the low light, I raised the ISO using the rear dial until I had lots of Zebras on the water. The result: a perfect exposure in a difficult situation. As the bird was walking most of the time, I made only a single sharp image out of a dozen. But I got the exposure right!

This image was also created on 13 August 2022 at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY. Again, while seated on damp mud and working off the tilted rear monitor, I used the flattened, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 6:27:08am just as the sun cleared the large cloud in front of the sun.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.

Image #2: Lesser Yellowlegs juvenile in golden early morning light

Gorgeous Yellow Light on the Phragmites

Once the sun cleared the big cloud, it was just a matter of getting a bird in halfway decent position. This young yellowlegs landed to our left in the glorious color. The upper background is (invasive) phragmites. Overall, this species is a big negative. It grows as a dense monoculture that crowds out dozens of various native plant species thus several reducing species diversity of both plants and animals. I just might try working off a Panning Ground Pod next time and going for the all-yellow background.

The Huge Sony Advantage

In the golden light, I again chose a shutter speed — this time 1/500 sec., that I knew would make a sharp image if the bird held still for a moment. Again, working wide open (without a teleconverter) at f/4 in the low light, I raised the ISO using the rear dial until I had some Zebras on the water. The result: another perfect exposure in a difficult situation.

I coached Muhammad as to shutter speed and ISO in each situation as I had the huge advantage of having Zebras live in the viewfinder.

This image was also created on 13 August 2022 at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY. While seated on damp mud and working off the tilted rear monitor, I used the flattened, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 640: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3. AWB at 8:53:14am on a sunny morning.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly all morning long by accurately tracking the birds’ eyes (as long as the birds were not moving quickly, filling the whole frame, or turning their heads away).

Image #3: Semipalmated Sandpiper juvenile facing the camera

Facing

It is difficult to pull off nice images of shorebirds facing directly at you. AF does not always perform superbly as it did here with Image #3 because the system does not really have a good look at the subject’s eye. I like the good look at the blob-tipped bill that denotes Semipalmated Sandpiper. Least Sandpipers are browner or redder and have fine-tipped bills. Western Sandpipers have longer bills that are deeper (thicker from top to bottom) at the base and have flattened slighted decurved bill tips. I like the raised leg, the slight sidelight, and the sharpness of the bird’s face and head. Note the light yellowish/green legs that might be confused with the yellow legs Least Sandpiper.

The Huge Sony Advantage

In the full sun, I chose a shutter speed that could freeze the foraging birds: 1/1600 sec. Now working wide-open at f/5.6 with the 1.4X teleconverter in place, I raised the ISO using the rear dial until I had some faint Zebras on sunlit whites on the bird’s breast. The result: another perfect exposure in a difficult situation.

This image was also created on 13 August 2022 at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY. While seated on damp mud and working off the tilted rear monitor, I used the flattened, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 640: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3. AWB at 7:43:06am on a sunny morning.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly all morning long by accurately tracking the birds’ eyes (as long as the birds were not moving quickly, filling the whole frame, or turning their heads away).

Image #4: Lesser Yellowlegs juvenile flicking wings

Aggressiveness and Serendipity Pay Off

I had a perfect portrait of this bird standing still lined up with the AF point right on the bird’s eye, a nice low perspective, a fast enough shutter speed, and the guaranteed correct exposure. Rather than making 3 or 4 images, I decided to hold the shutter button down until the bird did something. This strategy was rewarded when another shorebird flew by overhead and my subject bird flicked its wings as I fired continuously. Getting an image this good required some luck, but had I not been set up perfectly, all would have been for naught.

The Huge Sony Advantage

Again, working in full sun, I chose 1/1600 sec. to freeze the potential action and raised the ISO using the rear dial until I had some faint Zebras on the sides of the breast and the flanks of this young yellowlegs. The result: another perfect exposure in a difficult situation.

This image was also created on 13 August 2022 at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY. Again, , while seated on damp mud and working off the tilted rear monitor, I used the flattened, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 800: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. AWB at 8:13:25am on a sunny morning.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly all morning long by accurately tracking the birds’ eyes (as long as the birds were not moving quickly, filling the whole frame, or turning their heads away).

Image #5: Marbled Godwit vertical

Verticals from Horizontal Originals

I had this bird on the left side of the frame looking right. When it turned its head elegantly to my left, I fired off two frames. With the 51,000,000 pixels of a sharp a1 ARW file, the crop to a vertical was the obvious choice.

The Huge Sony Advantage

Working in full sun, but well-off sun angle, I dropped down to 1/1000 sec. for the foraging godwit. Then I adjusted the ISO until I had faint Zebras on the neck of the Marbled Godwit. The result, and I hope that you are not bored yet: another perfect exposure in a difficult situation.

The Lesson: in rapidly changing light, folks using Sony gear with Zebras set properly have a huge advantage over folks using systems that do not offer Zebras in the viewfinder with stills.

Typos

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

August 13th, 2022

A + B = C (not for the first time)

What’s Up?

There were lots of shorebirds at the East Pond on Friday morning. Two hunting Peregrine Falcons, however, made photography difficult as the birds were understandably very nervous. That said, we got some good stuff and Dan Gerstman learned a ton.

I had an easy afternoon at Nickerson. I worked a nest with three still-tiny skimmer chicks for two hours without a ton of luck as the mother spent most of the afternoon facing east. I enjoyed watching the interplay of feeding and fighting and life and death at the colony.

Today is Saturday 13 August 2022. I will be heading back to JBWR this morning to do some photography and attend the Shorebird Festival. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and sharing my extensive JBay knowledge with the boys and girls. 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 one hundred forty-two days in a row with a new one.

So far, nine folks have been in touch about joining me at either Nickerson or JBWR in the coming weeks for an In-the-Field session or two. The first window for doing shorebirds at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is closing now, the second window is from 24-26 August. See the additional details below.

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!

Clockwise from the upper left corner back around to the center: Wilson’s Phalarope, JBWR; just fledged Common Tern, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, adult skimming, Nickerson; Black Skimmer killing tiny skimmer chick, Nickerson; American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise, Nickerson; Common Tern chick swallowing baby bluefish, Nickerson; Short-billed Dowitcher, juvenile, double overhead wing stretch, JBWR; Black Skimmers, predawn flock blur, Nickerson; Black Skimmer, 10-day old chick, Nickerson.

Click on the card to view a larger version.

Nickerson Beach/East Pond JBWR composite

Nickerson Beach/East Pond at Jamaica Bay (JBWR) In-the Field Workshops

Both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at JBWR offer some of the best midsummer bird photography on the planet. Hundreds of pairs or Black Skimmers and Common Terns along with more than a dozen pairs of American Oystercatchers breed at Nickerson each season so there are lots of chicks of all sizes and handsome fledged young to photograph. Provided that the water levels are low, hundreds of young shorebirds in their handsome fresh juvenile plumages stop by the pond each August on their way south.

Nickerson often reveals nature at it rawest, most basic level. Most days we get to photograph all sorts of dramatic behaviors ranging from skimmers and terns fishing and feeding (and tending) their you. There are often chances to shoot a variety of predatory encounters — gulls eating large skimmer chicks, skimmers eating skimmer babies, and Peregrine Falcons hunting. And rarely, if we are lucky, Peregrine Falcons catching! Consider joining me to learn a ton both about bird photography and the birds.

I am taking the Auto Train north on 31 July and will happily spend all of August on Long Island. I head south on 31 August and should be back home on 1 September (barring anything unforeseen). I am offering In-the-Field sessions at both Nickerson Beach and the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. If you are interested, please get in touch via e-mail or text me at 863-221-2372.

Whether you are a local or would like to fly in for several days of instruction — a sort of private, or small group. — at worst, IPT, LMK via e-mail so that we can work on a schedule that could possibly include both Nickerson and Jamaica Bay.

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.

Please Remember

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

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

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

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

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

If You Enjoy the Blog …

Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.



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… 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.

A + B for the Black Skimmer chick swallowing Atlantic Silversides (spearing) image

Photo Mechanic Color Tagging

When editing (picking my keepers) from a morning or afternoon photo session in Photo Mechanic, I tag the keepers by hitting the letter T. The untagged images will be deleted at the end of the session with a single keystroke. For me, it makes much more sense to tag the keepers rather than the rejects because the rejects outnumber the keepers by about 10 to 1 or more. Therefore, less work.

In addition to tagging and untagging, Photo Mechanic offers eight color classes. You can utilize them as you wish. When I am editing a folder, I hit one (1) to assign RED to indicate my very favorite images. I hit two (2) to assign YELLOW when I come across an image that can potentially be used as source material. In this example, A, the image on our left, was sharp and offered a good look at the small baitfish. The adult in that image, however, failed to exit the scene completely after feeding its chick. In B, the image on our right, the adult flew off leaving a fairly clean section of beach that I could use to cover the offending end of the adult in A. That was done easily and efficiently by painting a large Quick Mask of the clean beach in B, dragging it into place with the Move Tool (V), painting the edges in and out with the Brush Tool, and then executing the desired crop from the right and from above. My usual beach cleanup followed. Eagle-eyed readers might have noticed that in the final image below I moved the out-of-focus patch of green in the mid-background to the right to improve the compositional balance.

Photo Mechanic

I use Photo Mechanic many times every day for ingesting (downloading & naming) my images, picking my keepers, and sorting and arranging image files. It is lightning fast and easy to use. Camera Bits offers great phone support: +1 503.547.2888 Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm [PST/PDT]. Photo Mechanic is delivered via electronic download from the manufacturer’s website. After purchasing the program from BIRDS AS ART, your license code will be sent via e-mail within 1-3 business days.

Photo Mechanic is a standalone image browser and workflow accelerator that lets you view your digital photos with convenience and speed. Photo Mechanic’s super fast browsing and its ability to quickly Ingest, Edit, and Export your photos takes the hard work out of your workflow. Its powerful batch processing, full support of IPTC and Exif metadata, and innovative use of image variables and code replacements make Photo Mechanic an indispensable tool for digital photographers. This great program works on both MAC and PC platforms. You can learn lots more in the blog post here.

This image was created on 11 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. While seated on dry sand, I used the lowered, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, 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 6400. 1/400 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:43:11pm, just as the sun disappeared behind a big cloud 25 minutes before sunset.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.

Black Skimmer chick swallowing Atlantic Silversides (spearing)/composite image

Amazing Stuff

Sharp at 1200mm. ISO 6400. If you ask me, Sony is quite impressive. For bird photographers, right now is a wonderful time to be alive.

A quick search in the little white search box at the top right of each blog post page reveals that the A + B = C (composite image) concept has been covered previously here on the blog.

The Lesson

Though I created today’s source image accidentally, there are times when you can intentionally create needed source material by thinking fast in the field and creating additional frames. I love everything about digital photography.

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).

You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.

Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.

You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.

Typos

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