What’s Up?

On Thursday morning it was sunny and clear with a strong west wind; not even I could manage anything very special in such difficult conditions (he said modestly). Conditions were much better in the afternoon. Possibly for the first time ever, I headed out with the 600mm f/4, no TC, and no tripod. I was happy with my decision.

I was glad to learn the other day that Carlotta Grenier sold her Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for the asking price soon after it was listed.

In today’s post, enjoy some of Bruce Dudek’s fine images from his two In-the-Field sessions at Nickerson. Please be sure to pick a favorite or two and let us know why you made your choice or choices.

Via e-Mail from Bruce

Artie,

After my first cull, I’m down to 376 images out of 7386 from the two In-the-Field sessions. It will take me a while to work through those and find the real keepers.

Here are some things I learned:

I don’t have much experience in photographing beach-nesting birds; you provided both the big-picture and detailed guidance that allowed me to get the hang of it. Learning and re-learning the importance of minor positional changes relative to the subject and the wind and light directions helped me to “see” the compositions. Anticipating bird behavior is something that I focus on, but the nuances of beach-nesting bird behavior is certainly in your realm of expertise and I appreciate the generous sharing. I also made great strides in overcoming my chronic tendency to underexpose in fear of overexposing the whites. The constant gentle and clear guidance on exposure and composition is an effective teaching style that is much appreciated. I am also now motivated to continue up the learning curve in Photoshop skills with the tutorial video that you created for me – that is something that I have resisted for too long. All good stuff. It was well worth the trip down. Thanks!

Bruce

Bruce Dudek: Professor of Psychology and Biology at the University at Albany, State University of New York.

Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless Camera/with extras!

$300.00 Price Drop 6/15/23!

BAA Used Gear Page veteran David Rice is offering a Nikon Mirrorless Z7 II in excellent plus condition for a very low $1,446.95 (was $1746.95). The sale includes the original box and the manual, three Nikon batteries (a $138.00 extra value) with the charger, the front body cap, a 64GB XQD Lexar Memory Card, the strap, the front body cap, a RRS L-Bracket (a $210.00 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.

Please contact David via e-mail.

High-Resolution Image Making

Improved processing, greater versatility, but familiar in design, the Nikon Z7 II takes everything that was great from the original and ups its capabilities even more. Sporting a high-resolution 45.7MP FX-format BSI CMOS sensor and dual EXPEED 6 image processors, the Z7 II is clearly aimed at the detail-obsessed image-maker. Improving upon their initial efforts, Nikon has revised the Z7 platform to offer more speed, faster processing, and greater versatility without sacrificing the beloved qualities of the original camera. The sensor’s design omits the optical low-pass filter for greater detail recording capability and the sensor supports a native sensitivity range down to ISO 64 for lush, rich captures. Updated processing also yields faster speeds, including a 10 fps continuous shooting rate and a deeper buffer for working with moving subjects. Updated autofocus now includes Eye and Face Detection for both humans and animals in the Wide-Area AF mode, for both photo and video recording. Nikon and B&H

If you are a general nature photographer looking to get into Nikon mirrorless without spending $5,500.00 on a Z9, you are in the right place. I’ve seen some great flight images with the Nikon Z6 II so I have no doubt that the Z7 II can do the same even better. As this body sells new for $2,996.95, you can save a bundle by being the one to grab David’s Z7 II along with some great extras. artie

This image was created by Bruce Dudek of Albany, NY on 13 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, LI, NY on a BAA In-the-Field morning session. Seated on dry sand, he used the handheld Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with Canon’s best autofocusing camera body, the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless. ISO 640: 1/800 second at f/5.6. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. Auto WB at 7:13:41pm on a then sunny afternoon. Image #1: Black Skimmer in flight Photo Courtesy of an copyright 2023: Bruce Dudek Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Smelling Like a Rose

Bruce was using the toe-pod technique when he saw this skimmer flying at him. He followed my oft-given advice: when unexpected action occurs push the shutter button as you do not have time to change any settings. As this is the full frame original capture, it is easy to see that he did a great job of fitting the whole bird in the frame. We are both scratching our heads as to how he managed to make a super-sharp image at only 1/800 second handheld. For flight, Arash and I recommend shooting wide open (Bruce was stopped down one full stop) with a shutter speed of 1/3200 or even 1/4000 second (if you have enough light).

Bruce got photo-bombed by a skimmer in the background. I created a Camtasia how-to video on the image optimization; I will share the before image with you here soon.

This image was also created by Bruce Dudek of Albany, NY on 13 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, LI, NY on a BAA In-the-Field morning session. Seated on dry sand with a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro atop his tremendously over-priced RWS tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with Canon’s best autofocusing camera body, the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless. ISO 2000: 1/2000 second at f/4. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to 1/6 stop short of perfect. Auto WB AT 7:40:49pm on a by-then cloudy afternoon. Image #2: Black Skimmer digging nest scrape Photo Courtesy of an copyright 2023: Bruce Dudek Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Kicked My Butt

Bruce kicked my butt on this one I have been trying for the scrape-digging posture for a week. Without success. Bruce nailed it in a single afternoon. As he was 20 feet to my left I got to witness the whole thing -:(.

This image was created by Bruce Dudek of Albany, NY on 14 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, LI, NY on a BAA In-the-Field morning session. Kneeling on damp sand with a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro atop his tremendously over-priced RWS tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with Canon’s best autofocusing camera body, the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless. ISO 400: 1/3200 second at f/4. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined nearly one stop too dark. Auto WB AT 7:26:56am on a mostly sunny morning. Image #3: First summer Great Black-backed Gull about to subdue a Blue Crab Photo Courtesy of an copyright 2023: Bruce Dudek Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Kicked My Butt Again

When I spotted this young gull on the berm I thought that it might have had a tern chick. It tossed it down toward the ocean and jumped down to subdue it. The bird was quickly joined by several hungry friends. We both missed the fight shots but Bruce nailed the crab fights back image (that I missed) 🙁 This R3 image and the one below it stood up nicely to a substantial crop.

This image was created by Bruce Dudek of Albany, NY on 14 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, LI, NY on a BAA In-the-Field morning session. Kneeling on dry sand, he used the handheld Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x and Canon’s best autofocusing camera body, the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless. ISO 640: 1/2000 second at f/6.3. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. 7:52:03am on a sunny afternoon. Image #4: Black Skimmer chick running back to momma Photo Courtesy of an copyright 2023: Bruce Dudek Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

R3 AF

Both Bruce and the R3 AF system did a good job of nailing focus when this oystercatcher chick, one of the recently discovered un-banded, 3-chick family. Clemens Van der Werf states emphatically that the R3 AF system is the best Canon has ever offered. If you are tempted, please remember to use one of my two affiliate links.

This image was created by Bruce Dudek of Albany, NY on 14 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, LI, NY on a BAA In-the-Field morning session. Kneeling on damp sand, he used the handheld Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x and Canon’s best autofocusing camera body, the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless. ISO 500: 1/2000 second at f/5.6. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. 8:51:22am on a sunny afternoon. Image #5: Male Piping Plover posing on wet sand beach Photo Courtesy of an copyright 2023: Bruce Dudek Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Nailed!

When photographing most species of plover, keeping their step, step, stop foraging behavior in mind can lead to your making a fine image.

Nickerson Beach June 2023 Common Tern/American Oystercatcher/Black Skimmer In-the-Field Sessions

I am offering both morning and afternoon sessions from now through the end of this month. If you would like to become a better bird photographer, shoot me an e-mail to learn the details. Scheduling for these sessions can be arranged on short notice by checking the weather. A better option is to join me on the IPT. As I have nobody signed up, I can tailor the dates for the first one who does.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together are invited to e-mail for discount information.

Common Terns are among the stars of the Nickerson show in June

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four working brunches). Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 6:00pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Slip (if you have lots of Southwest points. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s six featured images floats your boat? Let us know why you made your choices.

As you enlarge each photo, consider the amazing versatility and sharpness of the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens. Pair it with a Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera) and earn free entry into the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group.

What’s Up?

With a south wind and cloudy skies on Monday morning I enjoyed another epic session at Nickerson Beach. I made lots more skimmer behavioral images including a few nice mating shots. There was lots of flight photography with both the skimmers and the terns. Oystercatcher families are taking over the beaches. I discovered a new family with three, yes, count ’em, three, week-old chicks. The cherry on top was working several flocks of Common Terns on tide-scoured clean sand beaches. I’d get close, and along would come a beach walker or a cyclist and off they would go. When they re-landed, I got right back on them. Many were preening, ruffling, and stretching. Photos at some point.

I stayed in on Tuesday morning as I had a ton of work to do., and got a lot done.

The forecast for Tuesday morning was calling for NW winds at 15mph and clouds But when I peeked out the door at 4:30am and saw a dead-clear sky, I opted to stay in and get some work done. I accomplished a lot doing third edits of many image folders to clear some space on my laptop’s 8TB Solid State hard drive (SSHD). I know that sounds like a lot, but I need to stay well under 4TBs as that is the size of my back-up external SSHDs.

BAA friend Bruce Dudek signed up for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning In-the-Field sessions and drove down from Albany. Conditions were perfect — mostly sunny with a 15mph southwest wind. Right off the bat, I spotted three very accessible Common Tern chicks. After spending an hour with them, we did the skimmers and did not get off the beach till well after 8:45pm!

Nickerson Beach June 2023 Common Tern/American Oystercatcher/Black Skimmer In-the-Field Sessions

I am offering both morning and afternoon sessions from now through the end of this month. If you would like to become a better bird photographer, shoot me an e-mail to learn the details. Scheduling for these sessions can be arranged on short notice by checking the weather. A better option is to join me on the IPT. As I have nobody signed up, I can tailor the dates for the first one who does.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together are invited to e-mail for discount information.

Canon EOS-1DX Mark III dSLR

Price Reduced: $500.00 on 18 May 2023!
Price Reduced: $500.00 on 11 June 2023!
BAA Record-low Price!

Tom Torget is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark III body in like new condition for $3749.00 (was $4,749.00). The sale includes three Canon batteries, the battery charger, the strap, the front lens cover, the manual, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 addresses only.

Please contact Tom via email at e-mail or by phone at 1-830-377-5483 (Central time).

The 1DX III is Canon’s top-of-the-line professional digital camera body. It feature’s Canon’s best-ever dSLR AF system. It is fast and rugged. BAA friend and many multiple IPT veteran Clemens Van der Werf absolutely loves his and killed with it in Homer even during blizzards! The camera sells new right now at B&H for $5,999.00; grab Tom’s camera today and save a very handsome $2250.00 on his as-good-as-new body! artie

This image was created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:19:57pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Piping Plover, female in worn alternate plumage just about to grab a fly

Against All Odds! Success in Near-Impossible Conditions

On Sunday afternoon I was greeted by a strong east wind and bright sun, the perfect recipe for a disastrous bird photography session. So I grabbed the 200-600, stuck a 1.4X TC in my fanny pack, and headed to the beach. With the sun at my back, the terns and skimmers inside the colony ropes (and everywhere else, as well), would be flying and landing away from me. And away from the light. I decided to walk along the beach and head east toward Point Lookout to see what I could see.

Suggestion #1 in Seemingly Hopeless Situations

Try to find some feeding shorebirds. The smaller sandpipers and plovers are not as effected by the wind directions as the terns and gulls. When they are foraging, they will often scurry this way and that without bothering to face into the wind. I found this lovely lady just inside the first rock jetty and worked her for a while. I’d see which way the bird was headed and position myself by sitting on the beach in front of it so that when the tiny plover passed me, it would be close to being right on sun angle. When she flew off, I continued walking east to the second jetty. But I would get to spend more quality time with her on the way back. It is possible that it was the same individual that I photographed in the same spot a year or two ago.

This image was also created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing on a rock jetty to get the sun behind the water, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 452mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 320. 1/4000 second at f/14 (stopped down 2 1/3 stops) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:42:11pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect plus a bit more due to the specular highlights on the water. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Backlit golden surf and beach

Suggestion #2 in Seemingly Hopeless Situations

Once the sun gets down a bit, look for strongly backlit subjects. Including the ocean. Getting the exposure right on what I call “11am silhouettes” is tricky as they are super-bright. I could have gone to an even smaller aperture and should have focused manually with Focus Peeking. Coulda’ shoulda’.

This image was also created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Still seated on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (again at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:03:36pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection amazingly yielded a sharp on the face photo. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Common Tern just missing Sand (Mole) Crab

Suggestion #3 in Seemingly Hopeless Situations

Try the impossible. Why? Because miracles are possible. Press the button and say a prayer. Remember what Forrest Gump’s mother always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get.” BTW, just how great an actor is Tom Hanks?

Anyway, with the wind having swung to the southeast, I was trying for the rear dorsal view flight shot showing the fanned tail. I took about 100 images and kept just one. I am not sure if this bird got the tiny crab or not. From the photo, it sure looks like a swing and a miss.

This image was also created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand using the heel pod technique, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (again at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/400 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:21:16pm on a then mostly sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: American Oystercatcher on eggs in scrape nest

Suggestion #4 in Seemingly Hopeless Situations

Look for the one bird that does not care what direction the wind is from. If the wind is not howling, shorebirds or terns on the nest may sit in the “wrong” direction, i.e, not facing into the wind. When I passed this nest on the way east, this bird was facing right into the strong east wind, directly away from the light. Two hours later, the wind had come down a bit and she was facing the sun as it made its way down to the horizon. Lucky me!

This image was also created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (again at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Multi metering +2.3 stops. Shutter priority at 1/3200 second (f/6.3). AUTO ISO set ISO 1000. AWB at 7:33:30pm on a then barely sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be beyond dead-solid perfect as a small portion of the sun was in the original frame. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Common Tern on bombing run at sunset

Suggestion #5 in Seemingly Hopeless Situations

For traditional front-lit flight photography, you want the wind right behind you and the sun from somewhere behind you so that the birds are flying toward you and toward the light. So, wind against sun conditions as I had on Sunday evening are terrible for general flight photography, but are perfect for silhouetting flying birds against sky color. There was not a whole lot of color in the western sky, but I got luck when this tern flew at me from just the right spot. I could have processed this one as a silhouette.

This image was also created on 11 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 485mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation (C) on the Thumb Dial. Multi metering +2.7 stops. Shutter priority at 1/2500 second (f/6.3). AUTO ISO set ISO 64000. AWB at 7:33:30pm when the sun disappeared behind the clouds in the western sky. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Common Tern kiting above the colony

Image #6: Common Tern kiting above the colony

Wait till the sun disappears and then crank up the ISO. As the world becomes a giant soft box sun angle is no longer a factor. Just put the wind behind you and fire away.

I had switched to shutter priority with AUTO ISO when trying for backlit shots like Image #5. So when the sun moved behind the clouds in the western sky, I upped EC to +2.7 and wound up with a perfect exposure but a relatively high ISO.

Common Terns are among the stars of the Nickerson show in June

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four working brunches). Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 6:00pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Slip (if you have lots of Southwest points. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

My Call

Thanks for the many comments at Thursday’s 2X3 or Pano American Oystercatcher on Eggs? blog post. Everyone felt that the pano crop was far more effective than the 2X3 version as it eliminated the detail-less foreground and background and brought our attention right to the subject. I agree. Most did not like the o-o-f stick in front of the bird but it did not bug me; I even liked it a bit. I am looking forward to learning which three images in the video you liked best.

What’s Up?

I had an epic morning at Nickerson Beach Thursday past despite the unhealthy air quality warnings. In the course of creating 4180 images, I needed both a second card and a second battery. There are lots of lessons in the video and in the cell phone image below as well. In the latter, you can see Zebra technology at work live on the rear monitor. Aside from the terns, I got to photograph the same two oystercatcher chicks that I had photographed during the last week of May. It was astounding to see how much they had grown in two weeks. And there is another nest that should be hatching soon. Locals are invited to join me on an In-the-field session at Nickerson. Details below.

Today is Saturday 10 June 2023. The incision from my trigger finger surgery was almost completely healed the last time that I looked. I will be staying in Freeport from now through 29 June and am looking forward to photographing the Common Tern chicks. With a close eye on the wind and the sky conditions, I will be heading to the beach this afternoon. This blog post took about three hours to prepare. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too are gonna have a great day.

I was happy to learn recently that multiple IPT veteran/Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime veteran Dietmar Haenchen has signed up for the 3rd San Diego IPT.

All are cordially invited to join me at Nickerson Beach later this month or next year or on a Homer or a San Diego Instructional Photo Tour (IPT). I will be announcing fall dates for two or three Fort DeSoto IPTs soon. Not to mention a Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime in August 2024.

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.

Movie Recommendations

Enjoying Netflix at daughter Alissa’s home in Ronkonkoma, I watched Dig last week. It was quite excellent — a great story beautifully filmed. You can see the trailer here. I watched A Man Called Otto last night. Otto, played masterfully by an aging Tom Hanks, is angry at the world after the loss of first his unborn child and then his beloved wife, is very angry at the world. I pretty much cried for the entire 2 hours six minutes. At one point I heard a very distinctive voice. Curious, I searched IMBD and learned that I had been correct. The role of Jimmy was played by Cameron Britton, who played the role of Edmund Kemper, the Coed Killer, in the Netflix series, Mindhunter. Speaking softly and cerebrally during several in-prison interviews, Britton evoked evil incarnate and chilled the soul.

You can see the trailer for Season 1 here, and the trailer for Season 2 here.

I-Phone image. Sitting behind my lowered (not flattened) tripod at Nickerson Beach on 8 June

Zebras!

Enlarge the image and check out the rear monitor and note the Zebras (the black stripes) on the face and the leading edge of the folded near wing. With my camera set up as detailed in both the Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and in the a-1 Info and Updates Group e-mails, I got them by dialing up the ISO until they appeared. After doing that, you are insured of a perfect or dead-solid perfect exposure every time. There is no need to create a test image and then evaluate the histogram and/or check for blinkies.

Note also the tern on the nest right down the lens barrel, image _A1G4322 in the video below.

Epic Common Tern/Oystercatcher Smoky Morning Bird Photography Lessons with Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

I had a great morning with the birds at Nickerson Beach on Long Island on Thursday 8 June. I created 4180 images and kept 208. In this video I share my 35 favorites from that session. There are tons of lessons for you.

You Call?

Which three of the 35 images in the video are your favorites? You can either describe them or note the file number, like this: _A1G4620.

Nickerson Beach June 2023 Common Tern/American Oystercatcher/Black Skimmer In-the-Field Sessions

I am offering both morning and afternoon sessions from now through the end of this month. If you would like to become a better bird photographer, shoot me an
e-mail to learn the details. Scheduling for these sessions can be arranged on short notice by checking the weather. A better option is to join me on the IPT. As I have nobody signed up, I can tailor the dates for the first one who does.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together are invited to e-mail for discount information.

Via Text from Andrew Schonbek

Thanks for the great DeSoto IPT, Artie. It was an eye-opening experience in many ways. I have lots to work on and practice in the aftermath. Looking forward to learning more in the future. Andrew

Via Text from Stu Goz

Much love and respect to you. On the 3rd DeSoto IPT you shared a million dollars’ worth of insight for pennies.

Via e-mail from Stu Goz

Here’s cliche number one: I don’t write reviews.
Cliche number two: I’m making an exception in this one case.

I am writing this a week after my first IPT because I needed to let it all sink in properly – I needed to decompress. I’m probably not fully there yet, even now, but it’s time.

My biggest take-away is that Artie’s masterpieces are well-earned. There was never a time when I’ve seen someone work harder than he did. It was inspirational, humbling, and fascinating to watch him. Once he was in his element, the magic started immediately, and his passion was apparent for the duration of each session. My next takeaway is how unbelievably gracious, honest, and generous he is. Anyone who follows his blog already knows this (and if you don’t, you should), but Artie is an educator to his core. He is quick to explain his thought processes at any time, and leads by example.

After each session, we had a nice meal and discussed what made good photos good and bad photos bad. Enlightening. And sometimes sad. But so much better for it all. These days, more than any other time, it is the extra effort that separates the pros from the amateurs – getting low in the muck, as needed – knowing when to move, and when to stay, and doing it unwaveringly. I created so many images that I’m proud of. Artie has a great way of teaching without belittling, which keeps your mind open to his many lessons.

Artie, you are a national treasure, a never-ending source of inspiration, and a perfect mentor. I wish I could shoot right next to you every weekend.

I hope to see you again soon; your friend.

Stu Goz

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four working brunches). Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 6:00pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Slip (if you have lots of Southwest points. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

My Calls

Everyone but Kevin Hice thought that I should have eliminated the seventh, extra leg in Image #1. He wrote, Being that asymmetric is always better; I would leave the seventh leg. I agree with Kevin. Most folks liked Image #1 best. I liked image #2 best as there was more meat on the bone.

As far as the How might this image been improved had I (by luck) placed my tripod one inch to my left?, question, Bob Eastman finally got to the right answer after I gave him a very strong clue. Simply put, the muddy droplets would have been better placed against an open area of water in the background and the merge of the lower droplets with the o-o-f leg would have been avoided. As I have learned on most IPTs, many photographers have trouble understanding how the spatial relationships between various elements of an image vary with either small or large changes in perspective. I’ve done countless demos at brunch using the salt and pepper shakers to further understanding.

What’s Up?

The stitches came out yesterday and all is looking good. I walked 3.5 miles each of the last two days at Avalon Park Preserve and around the harbor, both in Stony Brook.

Today is 6 June 2023. I should be finishing up the flight photograph e-Book today or tomorrow. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too are gonna have a great day.

I was happy to learn on Sunday that multiple IPT veteran/Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime veteran Dietmar Haenchen has signed up for the 3rd San Diego IPT.

All are cordially invited to join me at Nickerson Beach this month or next year or on a Homer or a San Diego Instructional Photo Tour (IPT). I will be announcing fall dates for two or three Fort DeSoto IPTs soon. Not to mention a Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime in August 2024.

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.

Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless Camera/with extras!

Price Reduces $200.00 on 6 June 2023!

BAA Used Gear Page veteran David Rice is offering a Nikon Mirrorless Z7 II in excellent plus condition for a very low $1546.35 (was $1746.95). The sale includes the original box and the manual, three Nikon batteries (a $138.00 extra value) with the charger, the front body cap, a 64GB XQD Lexar Memory Card, the strap, the front body cap, a RRS L-Bracket (a $210.00 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.

Please contact David via e-mail.

High-Resolution Image Making

Improved processing, greater versatility, but familiar in design, the Nikon Z7 II takes everything that was great from the original and ups its capabilities even more. Sporting a high-resolution 45.7MP FX-format BSI CMOS sensor and dual EXPEED 6 image processors, the Z7 II is clearly aimed at the detail-obsessed image-maker. Improving upon their initial efforts, Nikon has revised the Z7 platform to offer more speed, faster processing, and greater versatility without sacrificing the beloved qualities of the original camera. The sensor’s design omits the optical low-pass filter for greater detail recording capability and the sensor supports a native sensitivity range down to ISO 64 for lush, rich captures. Updated processing also yields faster speeds, including a 10 fps continuous shooting rate and a deeper buffer for working with moving subjects. Updated autofocus now includes Eye and Face Detection for both humans and animals in the Wide-Area AF mode, for both photo and video recording. Nikon and B&H

If you are a general nature photographer looking to get into Nikon mirrorless without spending $5,500.00 on a Z9, you are in the right place. I’ve seen some great flight images with the Nikon Z6 II so I have no doubt that the Z7 II can do the same even better. As this body sells new for $2,996.95, you can save a bundle by being the one to grab David’s Z7 II along with some great extras. artie

The Fact$ of Life

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

In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4026. Yes, 4026 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

B&H

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

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Iceland

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

This image was created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA while scouting for a San Diego IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:39:32am on a partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican — Pacific-race adult braking to land

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens/FE 1.4X Teleconverter/α-1 Combination

The pelicans are so tame at La Jolla, especially on cloudy days, that working with a rig that gives me 280mm of reach (5.6X) at f/4 is often the best choice of rigs. As Image #1 shows, it is often perfect for flight photography.

Amazing Autofocus

From the moment that I pressed the shutter button on the a1 with the new Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM lens attached I was blown away by the speed and responsiveness of the AF system, and that was with the 2X teleconverter on! I knew that Sony had done something different and had come up with something really special. I was not at all shocked when I found this in the product description:

Among the biggest improvements with the 70-200mm II is a vastly superior autofocus system. Now comprised of 4 XD Linear motors, the lens now performs up to four times faster.

It is always a pleasant surprise when the reality lives up to the hype.

Fast, Small, and Light!

This super-fast (f/2.8) lens is absolutely tiny. And, at just under 2.3 lb (reduced by approximately 29% to previous model), it is a veritable feather. It is so small and light that I found myself using it with my gripped a1; the rig handled like a dream. With the 2X TC and an a1 with one battery and a card the rig tips the scale at 4.6 pounds making it eminently hand holdable for just about everyone.

Superior Zooming Mechanism

The zoom mechanism is fast and smooth. Best of all, a simple twist of the wrist enables you to zoom through the entire focal length range. From 70 to 200 requires less than 85° of rotation. And I just love the internal zoom; the length of the lens does not change as you zoom.

Filling a Big Hole …

One of the huge holes in the Sony telephoto lens line-up has been the lack of a 300mm f/2.8 lens. Adding the 1.4X TC to the 70-200GM II comes close to filling that hole with a 98-280mm f/4 zoom lens … Though this combo is one full stop slower (f/4 vs. f/2.8), it is about half the weight and half the price of a typical 300 f/2.8. That said, Sony is supposed to be releasing a 300mm f/2.8 lens — I will be the first on line.

This image was also created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA while scouting for a San Diego IPT. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (this time at 239mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:44:34 am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Brown Pelicans — armada in flight

Ooops!

In a recent blog post here, I somewhat mis-used the term atmospheric perspective with regards to Image #3,, the Common Terns foraging for baby Sand (Mole) Crabs in the wash zone photo. There are many definitions online. Here is one, adapted from EOSmagazine, along with a nice explanation:

Atmospheric perspective refers to how colours fade in the distance. It is often noticeable when you are photographing landscapes. It’s also a technique that artists have always used to create a sense of depth in their paintings. Atmospheric perspective occurs when tiny particles of dust and moisture cause the scattering of light.The amount that the light is scattered is dependent on its wavelength, which corresponds to the color of the light. Because blue light has the shortest wavelength, it scatters the most, causing distant objects to take on an ever-increasing blue cast. This also further reduces the contrast as elements of the scene become more distant.

While atmospheric perspective was at play in this image, it was the shallow depth of field that rendered the closest tern sharp and the more distant terns blurred. The farther a bird was from the plane of sharp focus, the more distant it appeared. Though I found some mention of this effect online, nobody gave it a name. How does this sound: Shallow Depth of Field/Diminishing Sharpness Perspective?

If you can find information on this topic, please be so kind as to leave a link below in the Comments section.

Anyhoo, Image #2 illustrates this principle perfectly. What other species, besides Brown Pelican, is present in this image?

This image was also created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA while scouting for a San Diego IPT. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (this time at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1250: 1/640 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:29:12am on a then mostly cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Brown Pelicans — juvenile head and face portrait

Great for Tight Work

With the 1.4X TC in place, I crouched down to approach this handsome young pelican in an effort to create a head and face portrait. As expected, stopping down 1/3-stop did not add much-o-f. Adding the 2X TC is always an option for close avian work when you are trying for plumage or body parts detail.

Outstanding Close-Focusing

The lens alone focuses to less than 16 inches at 70mm and to about 32 inches at 200mm. With the 2X TC at 400mm, the rig focuses to less than 34 inches — closer than the closest-focusing of the 100-400 lenses. That makes it ideal for all manner of medium-sized and large flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and just about all subjects about 2 inches or larger.

Foot and Rotating Collar

The new Sony 70-200 comes with a removable lens foot. The rotating lens collar is built in. A P-10 plate is best for this lens. If anyone tries to sell you a low foot for this lens, have them arrested. It is plenty low enough as it comes out of the box.

Being able to mount the lens on a tripod (best with the Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro) is great when doing quasi-macro work: medium-sized and large flowers, snakes, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, and the like.

Typos

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

My Call

In the last blog post, my top pick was the oystercatcher in the swash image for its simplicity and its beauty. That said, I really liked the foraging terns image as well.

Your Call

Of today’s two featured images, do you like the knee-pod perspective of Image #1 or the heel-pod perspective of Image #2. Why? Learn both of these techniques by joining me at Nickerson Beach in the third week of June. Details below.

Can you tell which of today’s two images was not noisy reduced?

What’s Up?

A few days ago, I became engrossed with the Netflix series Mindhunter. Yesterday, I finished watching all the episodes from the first (and only) two seasons. I will begin watching all of them again today. I have gotten lots of work done on the flight photography guide that I am co-writing with Arash Hazeghi. My incision has been a bit tender as expected but there are no signs of infection. The stitches are supposed to be removed on Monday.

I am looking forward to visiting Nickerson Beach again as soon as I get the all-clear from my Doctor Puopolo.

Today is Friday 2 June 2023. I plan on doing lots of writing and working on some more Bonaire flamingo images. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too are gonna have a great day.

All are cordially invited to join me next year on a Homer or a San Diego Instructional Photo Tour (IPT). I will be announcing fall dates for two or three Fort DeSoto IPTs soon. Not to mention a Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime in August 2024.

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.

Carlotta’s Sony 600mm f/4

Carlotta made a mistake when she purchased this lens. It turned out to be too large and heavy for her. She used it for a grand total of one afternoon. On the B&H used scale, this lens would be a perfect 10.

Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens

BAA Record-low Price!

Multiple IPT veteran Carlotta Grenier is offering a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (USA warranty) in like-new condition for a BAA record low $9,797.00. The lens was used just once. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original front lens cover, the lens strap, the original product box and everything that came in it, 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 Carlotta via e-mail.

The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I never leave home without mine. In short, they are the weapons of mass destruction for nature and sports photographers. The Sony 600 GM is the best ever as it is super-sharp with both the 1.4X TC and the 2X TC. I even shoot flight at 1200mm! It is the lightest 600 f/4 ever manufactured. And with most of the weight to the rear, it the best balanced 600 out there, and thus, is easier to handhold than any of its competitors. This lens sells new for $12,998.00 and is rarely in stock. If you have been dreaming of a Sony 600mm f/4 for years, grab Carlotta’s pretty much new lens right now and put $3,001.00 in savings into your pocket. artie

This image was created on 24 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1250: 1/1250 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:00:01pm on cloudy evening with storm clouds to the west. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Common Tern in preferred nesting habitat

Common Tern Nesting Habitat

On sandy beaches, Common Terns favor areas with sparse vegetation for nesting. Scattered, low-growing beach vegetation provides cover for the chicks. The female terns fashion shallow scrapes in the sand in which they typically lay two to four eggs. Some nests may include a few pebbles or shell fragments.

The scientific name for Common Tern is Sterna hirundo. “Stearn” first appeared in a poem entitled The Seafarer, written around 1000 A.D. Linnaeus adopted this word for the genus name for several species of terns, Sterna. The Latin word for swallow is hirundo. That gets us to swallow-like tern.

I have scoped out the two best locations for photographing the nesting terns at Nickerson. One is great in the afternoon, the other on clear mornings. Along with American Oystercatcher families and more than a thousand Black Skimmers, the Common Tern will be the stars of the show at Nickerson on the June IPT (details below).

This image was also created on 24 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand, I used the foot-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2000: 1/2500 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:00:45pm on cloudy evening with storm clouds to the west. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Common Tern in preferred nesting habitat

Lower Extremities Pod Techniques

I have been using the knee-pod technique for as long as I can remember. Resting your left forearm atop your bent left knee will put your lens about 18 inches above the ground offering a fairly low perspective and greatly reducing fatigue. With the knee-pod, you have your eye to the viewfinder. It is fairly easy to follow moving subjects, frame unexpected action, and shoot flight (all of those assuming that the lens is not too heavy for you.

When employing the following techniques, you will be working off the tilted rear monitor. If you wear reading glasses, you will definitely want to have a pair with you so that you can get a decent look at the subject (and the head angle!), and so that you can note the position of the active AF point or points. While these techniques provide lovely low perspectives and soft, out-of-focus backgrounds, they make it difficult or impossible to follow running birds or to frame unexpected action. Or to shoot flight.

For several years I used the ankle-pod technique to get the lens about five inches off the ground. This technique provided a really low perspective and a very intimate perspective. But it was difficult to keep the lens perfectly steady. Friend David Pugsley introduced me to the toe-pod technique on a Jacksonville IPT two years ago. Sitting on the ground with his legs outstretched and flat, he supported the lens atop his toes. This placed the lens about ten inches or so above the beach and was more stable than the ankle-pod technique. To get even lower, point your toes out and support the lens with the inside of your heels, the heel-pod (of foot-pod) technique. That puts the lens only inches above the ground.

You may wish to experiment and get even lower by placing the lens hood on the ground and your left hand below the camera to support it and to aim and level the lens. Activating the electronic level helps you keep square to the world but can be somewhat distracting.

Common Terns are among the stars of the Nickerson show in June

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four working brunches). Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 6:00pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Slip (if you have lots of Southwest points. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Via Text from Andrew Schonbek

Thanks for the great DeSoto IPT, Artie. It was an eye-opening experience in many ways. I have lots to work on and practice in the aftermath. Looking forward to learning more in the future. Andrew

Via Text from Stu Goz

Much love and respect to you. On the 3rd DeSoto IPT you shared a million dollars’ worth of insight for pennies.

Via e-mail from Stu Goz

Here’s cliche number one: I don’t write reviews.
Cliche number two: I’m making an exception in this one case.

I am writing this a week after my first IPT because I needed to let it all sink in properly – I needed to decompress. I’m probably not fully there yet, even now, but it’s time.

My biggest take-away is that Artie’s masterpieces are well-earned. There was never a time when I’ve seen someone work harder than he did. It was inspirational, humbling, and fascinating to watch him. Once he was in his element, the magic started immediately, and his passion was apparent for the duration of each session. My next takeaway is how unbelievably gracious, honest, and generous he is. Anyone who follows his blog already knows this (and if you don’t, you should), but Artie is an educator to his core. He is quick to explain his thought processes at any time, and leads by example.

After each session, we had a nice meal and discussed what made good photos good and bad photos bad. Enlightening. And sometimes sad. But so much better for it all. These days, more than any other time, it is the extra effort that separates the pros from the amateurs – getting low in the muck, as needed – knowing when to move, and when to stay, and doing it unwaveringly. I created so many images that I’m proud of. Artie has a great way of teaching without belittling, which keeps your mind open to his many lessons.

Artie, you are a national treasure, a never-ending source of inspiration, and a perfect mentor. I wish I could shoot right next to you every weekend.

I hope to see you again soon; your friend.

Stu Goz

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four working brunches). Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 6:00pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Slip (if you have lots of Southwest points. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

My Call

Yes, in Saturday’s blog post the flying oystercatcher was angled slightly away from us. And so was its head.

Chris Davidson/May 28, 2023 at 10:39am

Good morning Art, First and foremost, happy to hear your surgery went well… My thoughts on the images are the same as Richard’s, the oystercatcher’s head angle is less than ideal but the downward wing position makes it special. The Tern image is fantastic and easily beats out the others for top honors!!

Like Chris, everyone who commented on their favorite picked the kiting tern image. I could not disagree.

What’s Up?

I watched Where the Crawdads Sing on Netflix on Sunday. The movie is based on the best seller (18 million copies sold) by Delia Owens. If you get a chance to watch it, do.

Today is Monday 29 May 2023. This blog post took about four hours to prepare. My right hand is doing fine, thank you. I have gotten a ton of work done on the flight photography guide that I am writing with Arash Hazeghi and the end is in sight. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too are gonna have a great day.

All are cordially invited to join me next year on a Homer or a San Diego Instructional Photo Tour (IPT). I will be announcing fall dates for two or three Fort DeSoto IPTs soon. Not to mention a Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime in August 2024.

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 FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens

BAA Record-low Price!

Multiple IPT veteran Carlotta Grenier is offering a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (USA warranty) in like-new condition for a BAA record low $9,797.00. The lens was used just once. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original front lens cover, the lens strap, the original product box and everything that came in it, 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 Carlotta via e-mail.

The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I never leave home without mine. In short, they are the weapons of mass destruction for nature and sports photographers. The Sony 600 GM is the best ever as it is super-sharp with both the 1.4X TC and the 2X TC. I even shoot flight at 1200mm! It is the lightest 600 f/4 ever manufactured. And with most of the weight to the rear, it the best balanced 600 out there, and thus, is easier to handhold than any of its competitors. This lens sells new for $12,998.00 and is rarely in stock. If you have been dreaming of a Sony 600mm f/4 for years, grab Carlotta’s pretty much new lens right now and put $3,001.00 in savings into your pocket. artie

This image was created on 24 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park in Nassau County, Long Island, NY. Working behind my lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro I used the 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 1600. 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:39:36am, with a few clouds in the east on what would become a mostly sunny day. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: American Oystercatcher chick eating Sandworm

Sandworm Breakfast

After making a ton of great images of the chicks dining on Sand (Mole) Crabs (with a side of eggs) on Tuesday morning in very low light, I got to photograph them chowing down on seaworms on Wednesday morning, this time down sun angle in better light. By working seated with the lens about 18″ off the ground on the lowered (not flattened) tripod, we have a decent look at the chick’s fat feet.

This image was also created on 24 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand, again working behind the lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600: 1/2000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:55:12am on a then mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed quite well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: American Oystercatcher male headed for the ocean shoreline

More Light Means Faster Shutter Speeds

With sunrise at 5:31am and some light clouds to the east, the light was well muted at first. An hour later, still with some faint clouds around, the sun was quite a bit stronger so I switched out the 2X TC for the 1.4X and decided to try for some action shots at 1/2000 second. I was rewarded when the poppa bird came running with another seaworm for the chicks. Having taken a few moments to firmly set the tripod in the sand and then level the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I did not have to worry about keeping the camera level; I was free to concentrate on keeping the running bird towards the back of the frame as I panned with it.

The Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripods

For reasons that I do not understand, the prices of both the 3-leg section Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod and the 4-leg section Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod have been drastically reduced. They are available only from B&H and are currently priced at a ridiculously low $399.95, about 1/3 the price of a comparable Really Wrong Stuff (RWS) tripod. Right now, the 3-leg section version is my go-to tripod.

This image was also created on 24 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand, again working behind the lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600: 1/1600 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:56:52am on a then mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed quite well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: American Oystercatcher chick jumping

Jumping for Joy?

When baby birds jump up, it appears that they may be jumping for joy, having avoided all manner of predators, especially several species of gulls. In fact, they are exercising their tiny wings. When I saw this image on the rear monitor, I was the one jumping for joy.

High Level Exposure Question

Image #2 and #3 were made in the same light less than two minutes apart. Why did Image #3 need 1/3-stop more light than Image #2?

Your Call?

Which on one of today’s three featured images do you like best? Why?

Typos

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

What’s Up?

With a tame American Oystercatcher family with two chicks along with several thousand Black Skimmers and Common Terns, Nickerson has been great. In addition to working the oystercatcher chicks, there has been lots of great flight photography with both the terns and skimmers. And at most, there have been only a handful of bird photographers on the beach.

I am having my trigger finger surgery done at Precision Care Surgery Center in East Setauket, Long Island tomorrow at noon. Then I will hanging loose for at least a few days. Today is Thursday 25 May 2023. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day too.

David Pugsley Knows Me Too Well

Blog Post Comment: May 23, 2023 at 8:56am

1 and 3 for me with an edge to 1. Love the simplicity of the design, the open bill and the patented DeSoto background.

This image was created on 23 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, in Nassau County, Long Island, NY. I used the rear screen while working off my flattened Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber 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 3200. 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:55:50am on a blessedly cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: American Oystercatcher chick eating Sand Crab with eggs

Sand Crabs

If you see a Sand Crab with a spongy orange “cluster” around its belly (as above), it is actually a female crab with a case of eggs ready to be released.

Emerita is a small genus of decapod crustaceans, known as Sand Crabs. These small animals burrow in the sand in the swash zone and use their antennae for filter feeding. They are also called Mole Crabs, Beach Fleas, Sand Bugs, and Sand Fiddlers. The Atlantic Sand crab is a small (1 inch in length or less), gray-tan colored crab with very short legs that they use to dig down backwards into the sand. Check out the fabulously interesting and informative video entitled For Pacific Mole Crabs It’s Dig or Die here.

Unfortunately for the Sand Crabs, they have plenty of predators lurking along beaches on both coasts. Sand Crabs are prime targets for many species of fish as well as shorebirds like Willet, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, and many more. At Nickerson, and throughout their northeastern breeding range, Common Terns catch them regularly by diving in the wash as a wave recedes. The smaller gull species partake as well. The life of a Sand Crab is a daily exercise in trying to avoid becoming prey to ocean, sky, and land dwelling species, an exercise that can be daunting and, depending on the local Outer Banks wildlife population, seldom fruitful.

The good news for the sand crabs is that reproduction occurs in vast numbers, with a female laying up to 45,000 eggs at a time. The sand crab breeding season occurs from February until October, and once laid, these eggs drift out to the ocean and take about a month to hatch. After hatching, it will take an additional 4 or 5 months to become fully adult sand crabs. Granted, a number of eggs become lost during the incubation period to predators as well as rough ocean surf, but generally enough survive to create what biologists call “recruits” that live along the beaches. These baby Sand Crabs can also be found during the summer, and are distinguished by their almost iridescent bodies, and incredibly small size – most of them are a centmeter long at the most.

This image was created less than three seconds after the first image on 23 May 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, in Nassau County, Long Island, NY. I used the rear screen while working off my flattened Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber 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 3200. 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be der solid perfect. AWB at 6:55:53am on a blessedly cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: American Oystercatcher chick eating Sand Crab with eggs

Oystercatcher Chick Photo Strategy

The mother oystercatcher would lie down on the beach every few minutes, inviting the chicks to snuggle up under her. She is brooding the young. The trick was to move into position and be patient. When the male would return from a trip to the shore, the chicks would quickly run out to grab the latest morsel from the sea. With clouds to the east, sun angle was not a limiting factor. This pattern was repeated over and over again. On Wednesday morning, the father bird brought in several large Sandworms. I used to pay $4.00/dozen for those to use as bait for Striped Bass.

On Wednesday afternoon, dozens of Common Terns were fishing in the wash for baby Sand Crabs (not to be confused with Sandworms).

Can You Spot the Two Post-processing Differences?

Aside from the different crops, the position of the Sand Crab, and the inclusion of the adult’s bill in Image #2, in what two ways are the images different? Note: the differences I am looking for are the result of the image optimizations.

Do you like the inclusion of the bill in #2?

Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Why?

I have a favorite that I will share with you here on Saturday.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Today is Sunday 21 May 2023. I leave for the Auto Train station at Sanford, FL at about noon today. You should be able to find me on Nickerson Beach on Tuesday morning. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Below are four of my favorite images from the YouTube video in the previous blog post. If you missed the video, you can see it here. Thanks to the very few (two) folks who shared their favorites with us.

Which one of my favorites do you like best? Why?

Are You Old Enough to Remember This One?

I had been trying to find the song above online for months, but could not remember the words. The other day, when listening to “50’s Oldies” on Sirius radio in the car, I heard, “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” For some reason, that brought to mind “there’s a pawn shop on a corner in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.” A quick search found the Guy Mitchell YouTube version above. Other from the early 50s include “How Much is that Doggie in the Window?” and “‘Twas on the Isle of Capri that I Found Her.” Oh, and “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.”

If you have a favorite or two from that era, please note them in a comment.

This image was created on 11 May 2023 on the third Fort DeSoto IPT. Seated on damp sand, I used the heel-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 539mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness was dead-solid perfect: 1/800 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:40:58pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #1: Breeding plumage Sanderling ruffling

Ruffling

My fourth pick is one of the ruffling Sanderling images. I am a sucker for ruffling birds, especially shorebirds. Once I acquire focus and the bird leans forward, I hold the shutter button down until the bird quits ruffling. With mid-range shutter speeds, you can get dozens of varied and pleasing poses with the wing feathers blurred. I never realized that when shorebirds stand on one leg (as they do so often, that the leg they are standing on is anything but perpendicular to the ground.

Note that as I had to zoom out from 840 to 539mm, I must have been really close to this bird.

This image was also created on 11 May 2023 on the third Fort DeSoto IPT. Again, seated on damp sand, I used the heel-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (this time at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness was more than 2/3-stop short of being perfect: 1/1000 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:47:42pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #2: Molting adult Sanderling ruffling with breeding plumage Dunlin in background

Juxtapositions

I love images where the subject is in sharp focus, with a second, somewhat offset, out-ot-focus bird in the background. You had best be on your toes as juxtapositions often last a second or two at most. I quickly butt-wiggled a bit to my left to put the Dunlin right where I wanted it in relation to the Sanderling.

This image was also created on 11 May 2023 on the third Fort DeSoto IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 411mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness was 1/3-stop short of perfect: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:38:31pm in the shade of Hidden Lagoon late on what had been a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Image #3: White Morph Reddish Egret dancing

White Morph Reddish Egrets

White morph Reddish Egrets are always very special. Getting to photograph one dancing is always a thrill. In soft light? Better yet. Picking just one of the 49 images of this bird that I kept was not an easy chore. I shared fifteen of those in the video.

This image was also created on 11 May 2023 on the third Fort DeSoto IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 565mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:41:39pm in the shade of Hidden Lagoon late on what had been a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Image #4: Roseate Spoonbill with marsh grasses

My Clear First Choice

When this spoonbill landed in the perfect spot just behind the stand of marsh grasses, I got really excited. While framing the image, I zoomed out a bit so as to include the entire stand of grasses. Though the bird was looking out of the frame, to my left, my plan was to make a few images anyway. Miraculously, the bird turned its head and looked to my right. Perfection!

I love the soft light and I am a sucker for pink and green. Not to mention that the image design is exquisite (he said, modestly).

Typos

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

My Call

In Wednesday’s blog post, I liked Image #3 best — the B&W version of the Ring-necked Duck swimming with the orange eye painted back in. Why? I thought that it was a pretty clever optimization.

What’s Up?

I will be taking the Auto Train north on Sunday afternoon and will be spending a few days at Nickerson Beach before my trigger finger surgery on this coming Thursday. Today is Wednesday 17 May 2023. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

All are cordially invited to join me next year on a Homer IPT.

The Fact$ of Life

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

In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4034. Yes, 4034 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

B&H

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

B&H Simplified

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Iceland

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

This image was created on 21 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 115mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/1250 sec. at f/4 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:34:37pm on a cloudy day. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly (despite the fact that I focused on Vasili. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Vasil Chernishof and cooperative Bald Eagle

Vasili Chernishof

Vasili is an anesthesiologist from Pasadena, CA. He is relatively young as far as bird photographers go. He first signed up for the 2023 Galapagos Photo Cruise of a Lifetime and then decided to join me on the 2nd Homer IPT. It was a pleasure meeting and working with him.

A Very Cooperative Eagle

We had been photographing eagles in flight trying for frozen waterfall backgrounds. I noticed a single eagle posed in the same spot for more than twenty minutes. So, I had everyone get off the boat cautiously and move slowly to the right. The handsome bird posed and posed and posed. I encouraged folks to vary their perspectives for two reasons:

1- Get different angles on the bird.
2- Vary the backgrounds.

The bird sat and posed for an additional thirty minutes. When we headed back for lunch, we left it sitting in the same spot.

Note that the bird has turned its head slightly to its left to provide a perfect head angle for Vasili.

This image was created by Vasili Chernishof on 23 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens (at 102mm) with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera. ISO 4000: 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open)in Manual mode. AWB at 10:58:22am on a cloudy morning. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Image #2: Bald Eagle upside-down bank Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Vasili Chernishof

Blasé

Ten years ago, images like this were often honored in international photography competitions. With today’s top-of-the-line camera bodies, they have become relatively commonplace. That said, getting one almost completely upside down is an accomplishment.

Image Optimizations on IPTs

On all IPTs, I wind up optimizing one or two images for participants who have shared their work with the group (and/or with me). I make a screen capture video of the raw conversions and image optimizations and send them to the group at the end of the trip.

This image was created by Vasili Chernishof on 23 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 280mm) with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open)in Manual mode. AWB at 3:51:40m on a sunny afternoon. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Image #3: Young Bald Eagle attacking adult on perch Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Vasili Chernishof

The Daily Plan

On most IPTs, I have a rough plan for each day. Those plans are often changed in response to the weather (including and especially the wind direction and sky conditions) and so that we can adapt to local conditions in an effort to maximize the photographic opportunities. At Homer, things are 100% variable. We do not finalize a sailing plan until we awake at Land’s End Resort and look out the windows. When we head out for our first session, we never know if we will be out for two hours or for seven. If the skies are looking clear for the early evening and an east wind is predicted, we will usually head back to the harbor so that we can sail again late in the day in hopes of making some great silhouettes.

Folks often ask at lunch, “What’s the plan for this afternoon?” My response is always the same: “I’ll let you know when I get up from my nap.”

Sunny Afternoons with Winds from the West

When conditions are prefect for afternoon perched and flight photography, we will strive to visit our favorite spit, a beach that is loaded with attractive natural perches. Vasili and his 1DX III did a great job with this killer action shot on our second sailing on 23 February past.

Remember that perfect afternoon conditions for flight photography (wind and sun together) are far less than ideal for sunset silhouettes. For those, you want the wind blowing towards the sun so that the birds are flying at you with the sky color behind them.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

2024 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs

IPT #1: WED 21 FEB 2024 through the full day on SUN 25 FEB 2024. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

IPT #2: MON 26 FEB 2024 through the full day on FRI 1 MAR 2024. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

Register for both trips to maximize your travel dollars and enjoy a $1000 discount while you are at it.

This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require some good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If the conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader and instructor. He is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.

You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.

Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight photographs from tens of thousands of images.
,
You will enjoy working with the best and most creative boat captain on his sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck watercraft.

Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Please Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour. The leader will pay for the bait.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. In 2023 those included Moose, Great Grey, and Short-eared Owls.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (the latter made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check (as above).

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of these two trips is to sign up for all of them. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, or two of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

Typos

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

Egg and Daughter Nite

Official Video for John Prine’s “Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone) from his last album, ‘The Tree of Forgiveness.

If you’d like to put a smile on your face, click on the red Play Arrow above. The sound is sublime, the words are clever and funny and quirky, and the cartoon is hilarious.

As noted on the blog a while back (type John Prine into the little whites each box on the upper right of each page), it is hard to believe that I existed on this planet for more than 75 years without having ever heard of John Prine.

Note: Prine’s voice became raspy late in life after two throat cancer surgeries.

Ryan Hamilton of Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts

John Prine was already a genius songwriter. But as he got older and his voice aged along with him, he just kept getting better. The older, more gravelly version of his voice just gave his songs even more of a timeless, story vibe. It also made his voice sound more like home. I will forever be sad that I never got to meet him, but all songwriters should be thankful we have John Prine to look to for an endless well of inspiration.

“Egg & Daughter Nite” – The story behind why this song was written (which he told often) is entertaining enough! Put that aside, and the fact that the man can even write a beautiful song with the lyrics, “Egg & Daughter Nite”, is yet another feather in John Prine’s cap of songwriting genius.

From a Jon Prine interview by Jon Bernstein here on The Guardian website.

John Prine was sitting in a boat in the middle of a river when he realized he had an idea for a song.

The idea came the way ideas usually come for Prine: by listening. This time, he was listening to his fishing buddy, John Earl, a former guitar tech for the Everly Brothers, tell him a story about growing up in Norfolk, Nebraska, in the 40s and 50s.

“He told me that on Thursday nights, him and his buddies used to go to the roller rink and the egg farmers would come in from the country and they’d drop their daughters off, go sell their eggs, and then these big city guys would make time with the farmer’s daughters,” says Prine, 71. The weekly event, Prine says, was formerly known as Egg and Daughter Night: “I just thought the title of it was so good.”

Prine is laughing now, still amazed and amused by this curious slice of Americana, the very sort of oddball premise he’s used to stage the heart-wrenching, thigh-slapping quirky folk dramas he’s been writing for the past 50 years.

“It’s a very American story,” he says, as if to explain why he was so drawn to the anecdote in the first place.

The resulting song, Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone) serves as one of the centerpieces to The Tree of Forgiveness, Prine’s first record of original material since 2005.

Across the LP, Prine blends goofball wit and aw-shucks surrealism to conjure the ordinary and the profound, absurdist whimsy and existential despair, laughter and tears. These juxtapositions have long been the songwriter’s trademark, and on his latest, he places references to Easter eggs and a “funky sushi bar” among lyrics about despondency and disaster.

“Midwestern mind-trips to the nth degree,” is how Bob Dylan once explained Prine’s music. Prine himself began earning Dylan comparisons when he released his 1971 self-titled debut album, which included folk classics like Sam Stone and Angel From Montgomery, but the Chicago singer-songwriter quickly forged his own path.

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

BAA Record-low Price!

Tom Torget is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in near mint condition for a very low $1,099.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens hood, a Wimberley lens plate, the carrying case, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 addresses only.

Please contact Tom via e-mail or by phone at 1-830-377-5483 (Central time).

This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98-meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is deadly with an EOS R, R3, R5, R6, or R7! This lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save a handsome $1300.00 by grabbing Tom’s lens right now. artie

My Call

In the previous blog post, all three soft-light Snowy Egret images garnered at least one vote. Though I liked all three of them, I was not entirely happy with the relatively inconsistent image optimizations.

Your Call

Be sure to let us know which version (if any), of today’s featured image you like best, and why you made your choice.

What’s Up?

I am headed up to Long Island within the week (not sure when or how) to have my trigger finger (right index finger) surgically repaired by Dr. Stephen Populo. Dr. “Pop” bailed me out a dozen years ago with debridement surgery to clear up an infection that resulted from a previous trigger surgery (left middle finger) done by a guy in Orlando. My pre-op visit is on 23 May, the surgery two days later. Good luck to me.

Today is Monday 15 May 2023. I have quite a few loose ends to tie up before I head north. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

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

The Fact$ of Life

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

In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4009. Yes, 4009 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

This image was created on 24 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/125 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness was about 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 6:45:48am two minutes before the time of sunrise on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone//AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Ring-necked Duck drake swimming in swirly, pre-dawn water

The Color Version

On all IPTs, I get the group out early to seek unique opportunities. We were in position to take advantage of “fire-in-the-mist” conditions at Santee Lakes. but before the sun crested the distant hills to the east, I noted a handsome drake ring-necked swimming through dark swirly water. Realizing that patterns on the water surface are better shown by standing, I fired off a few slow shutter speed frames in hopes of making one or two sharp ones.

Though Image #1 could not be described as having vibrant colors, it is indeed the color version. You can see a bit of purple on the duck’s head and a bit of green in the water.

Image #2: This is a Black and White version of Image #1: Ring-necked Duck drake swimming in swirly, pre-dawn water

The Black and White Version

As Image #1 was dark and relatively achromatic, I decided to create a black and white version and see how it looked. Working on a layer, I went Filter > NIK Collection > Silver Efex Pro 3. After trying many different pre-sets, I opted for 015, Full Dynamic (harsh), and pulled back the Dynamic Brightness slider to make the dark tones darker.

Image #3: This is a version of Image #2 with the orange eye painted back in: B&W Ring-necked Duck drake swimming in swirly, pre-dawn water

Bringing Back the Duck’s Orange Eye

Having applied the B&W filter on a layer, I simply added a Regular Layer Mask and painted in the duck’s orange eye. Then, using Tim Grey Dodge and Burn, I darkened the lower half of the pupil. All of the above (and tons more) as detailed in Digital Basics II.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

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

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

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

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

I discovered some really neat spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.

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

Learning Exposure, and learning to work in Manual Exposure Mode, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.

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 shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Deposit Info

A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 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 sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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