Great news. The Red-shouldered Hawk was back on The Perch II on Friday morning and after 15 minutes of intense concentration, I nailed a fabulous takeoff sequence. The bird returned to the same perch and I figured that I had the technique down pat. After ten minutes I blinked and missed the bird’s departure. You will see the best of my take-off sequence here soon. Otherwise it was a pretty slow morning.
Kudos to Cliff Beittel who nailed the f/8 question in yesterday’s blog post — Anita forgot to change the aperture after removing the 2X TC (as I have done thousands of times over the past four decades after removing a TC).
I drove into town yesterday to have my stitches removed but the doctor called in sick and nobody called to let me know. (I wonder if I can charge him for a missed appointment?) Anyhoo, the incision had healed perfectly and Dr. North told me that is was OK to get back into the pool.
Today is Saturday 15 March 2025. It is just past 6:00am and we are headed back to Stick Marsh hoping to get back on a hot streak. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 21 October 2014 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the Canon 24-105mm and the EOS-7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2.0 stops 1/640 sec. at f/6.3 in Aperture Priority mod (!). Even back then I was exposing to the right.
Image #1: Bird photographer working gull shorebird flock with Marbled Godwits
Image courtesy of and copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
What Would You Do?
You came across this guy photographing. You would love a crack at the Marbled Godwits. Do you walk up behind him? What’s the right thing to do? What would you do? (Bill Eaton, is that you in the photograph above?)
An Important Rerun
As the two ladies with Canon 100-500s scared most of the American White Pelicans off the bulkhead wall the other day in Lakeland, and because there are so many new bird photographers right now, I thought that re-running this article would be a good plan.
The article below was first published on the blog (here) on September 11th, 2012. Three images are featured and lots of old friends are in the pictures. Those include Denise Ippolito, Monte Brown, and Malcolm MacKenzie. As not a lot has changed, I made only a very few revisions to the text.
Some might be interested in reading the comments on an old BirdPotographers.Net post that I posted here back on March 1, 2014. It is entitled In-the Field Nature Photography Ethics as I See Them. I came across it last night while doing research for today’s post. As I have a much thicker skin now than I had then, I undeleted about 20 comments. Sadly, two of the folks who commented, Joe Pryzbyla and Grady Weed, are no longer with us. There are some excellent comments from my good friend Eric Bowles (who is still very much alive).
Field Etiquette for Nature Photographers
I was walking along a narrow path next to Little Estero Lagoon while scouting for a Southwest Florida IPT. About 50 yards ahead of me there were two American Oystercatchers foraging. The only problem was that 35 yards ahead of me a photographer was lying on his belly photographing the pair of attractive birds. They were catching big worms and the light was lovely. What to do? The guy was on the wet sand was facing away and was not at all aware that I was there. If I called to him (to ask if I could join him) I risked scaring the birds away. So I stood there for 30 minutes and watched with a bit of envy. Finally I decided that I would join him by starting my crawl from way back so as not to flush the birds.
I advanced slowly a few yards, remaining well outside of this species usual circle of fear. I slowly and carefully got down on one knee and the birds did not notice me, but as I lowered myself to the prone position, one of the birds (to my dismay) screamed its strident alarm call. Both birds leaned forward and took flight. I felt absolutely terrible and was about to explain that I had waited for half an hour when the photographer turned towards me and exclaimed, “Artie, it’s great to see you!” Then Tim Fitzharris, a friend, a well-known professional nature photographer and author, and one of the folks who inspired me early on, reached into an upper pocket, grabbed his walkie-talkie, raised his wife (who was in their small motor home nearby with their son Jesse), and said, “Joy, you would not believe whom I just ran into while crawling in the mud!”
Folks are usually not so glad to see you when you scare their subjects away.
You are walking down a desolate beach when you see a photographer working a beautiful Reddish Egret, a species you have dreamed of photographing. What to do? First off, as we saw in the example above, you need to stay well back. If you opt to leave the photographer and his subject, be sure to give both a wide berth while passing them. Many photographers think, “I will be polite and walk around this situation,” and then they choose a route that flushes the bird (or especially, a flock of birds; it is usually easier to approach a single bird than it is to approach a flock: scare one, scare all …) As a general rule, plan your route by doubling the distance that you think necessary to avoid flushing the birds.
If the photographer is aware of your presence, you have another option: you can ask as quietly as possible or gesture by pointing appropriately to indicate “Can I join you?” If they nod or assent, you need to be especially careful as to how you make your approach. First, you must consider your route. Approaching from directly behind the photographer is almost always best. You can actually hide behind the person who was there first as you make your approach. If the photographer is standing and you are going to approach while standing, you need to keep the front leg of your tripod low. It is often best to carry your tripod in front of you rather than on your shoulder. And you will need to move slowly, very slowly. I am often amazed at folks who think that “slowly” means to walk as if you were in a supermarket and were late for dinner. If you are walking through shallow water or muck or algae, listen to your footsteps. By doing so and placing each foot down carefully you can make your approach much less obtrusive.
If the photographer is kneeling you need to get down on your knees while you are well back and then again, make your approach slowly. If the photographer is down on his belly, you need to get down on your belly, again, while you are well back, and crawl your way in. Walking right up to a photographer who is either kneeling or crawling is unconscionable. In all cases your number one concern must be to avoid flushing the subject or the flock that is being worked by someone who arrived on scene before you.
If there is only one flock of birds in sight and there are several photographers already in position then you have a bit more freedom; you can approach carefully without asking, make sure to go in low and slow. As always, you need to take great care to avoid flushing the flock. There are of course many grey areas here. In some situations, as with an obviously tame bird, you can simply approach without much concern. An example might be a fisherman-friendly Great Blue Heron that is used to being in close proximity to humans. As with all aspects of photography, knowing your subject is of paramount importance. If I came across someone photographing a Horned Lark while lying flat on the grass I would never even consider approaching as this species is notoriously flighty.
If you encounter a tour group that is photographing the only birds on the beach, then joining them would—in my opinion, be appropriate. If, however, they are tossing fish to attract the birds, then it might be inappropriate to join them unless you ask or are invited to do so. An option would be to take a position well behind the group while using a longer lens. And, by the way, if you are a member of a tour group, the restrictions on approaching birds or animals being photographed by other members of the group are greatly relaxed. That said, be sure to move slowly and to get low if need be. And if you are a member of a tour group, it is imperative that you be doubly considerate of other photographers who are not part of your group.
There is one exception to the above. If one of the group has split well off from the group and gotten close to a nice bird (or a nice flock of birds), I would suggest that you treat them as if they were a stranger, that is, with great respect.
At Homer, Alaska, when it was legal to feed the Bald Eagles there, I would routinely spend more than $1,400 on fish over a ten day period; herring is a relatively healthy eagle snack. Many photographers, certainly more than a dozen, followed my group around the Spit as if they were members of the group. They joined right in, often getting in front of the folks in my group or in front of me. Though I did not say a word—except to those who carelessly stepped in front of others, I firmly believe that their behavior was inappropriate. When folks are paying for a service, it’s rude to intrude.
In all group situations, it is imperative to be aware of the position of the others in the group. If someone is looking through their viewfinder at a subject, you are not free to walk in front of them as you please. To do so is inconsiderate. You can either walk behind them or, you can ask them if it would be OK for you to pass. When I want to get by someone quickly, I often stand just outside their field of view and say “Say when,” implying that they should let me know when it is OK to pass.
If you want to walk in front of someone who is changing teleconverters or chatting with a friend then you can do so with impunity. I saw a woman at the Venice Rookery berate another photographer for walking in front of her tripod mounted lens (even though the complaining photographer was more than 10 feet away from her rig!) If you are photographing with or in the vicinity of a group and you opt to stay well back from the subject or the flock while everyone else is photographing the same subjects from much closer range, it is usually best for you to adjust your position in response to the folks up front changing their positions. I have seen folks photographing a subject from a hundred yards away chastise other photographers who were working a tame subject from much closer range with short lenses. If you choose to stay well back and work with a long lens, you are the one who needs to move. With your narrow field of view you will only have to move a very short distance to get a clean shot. On the other hand, if several folks are working a subject with a long lens, it would not be proper for you to block them by approaching the subject.
If you have worked hard to get close to a great subject or a flock of birds, remember that working the edge of a flock is usually best, be sure to exit as carefully as you approached so that you do not disturb the birds. And that is true whether you are by yourself or with a large group. I have, on countless occasions, seen a selfish photographer who is finished working a bird or a group of birds simply stand up when they were done thus flushing the bird(s). That is like saying, “I am done and I do not care at all about you or the bird.”
If you are photographing migrant songbirds in wooded areas or edges such as The Tip at Point Pelee National Park near Leamington, Ontario or at the Convention Center on Padre Island, TX, the guidelines are quite different. If there are several photographers around, it is pretty much open season as the warblers, tanagers, vireos, and the rest of the cast are usually intent on feeding and are pretty much oblivious to our movements. Be sure, however, to move slowly, to be fairly quiet, and to avoid cutting in front of others. In such situations the birds move to the next bush or fly away pretty much when they are ready to. On the other hand, if there is a single photographer in the woods working a thrush — they are usually quite skittish, it is usually best to take another path and search for your own bird. Another option would be to stand quietly and hope that the bird moves towards your position.
Here are some guidelines to follow when photographing from your vehicle on a refuge tour route or a shoreline with vehicle access (like East Beach at Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg, FL.) If the car in front of you is close to a skittish subject, it is best to either give them a few minutes with the subject before trying to get into position, or, if possible, to pass them by without scaring off the subject. If in doubt, it is best to give them a bit of time with the subject before you attempt to go by them. If you are positive that the bird or animal is tame, you can approach at any time. When you do approach, do so slowly and with extreme care. On a related note, it is best to approach subjects with your telephoto lens in place on the window; raising the lens and sticking it out the window once you are close to the subject will often frighten it away. (Note: if you are photographing from your vehicle with a big lens it should be on a BLUBB.) Here’s another fine point: if you position your vehicle in front of the car that was on the scene first and the animal moves towards you position, you are not obligated to move your vehicle. If the other driver is savvy, they will simply pull ahead of you and hope — as will often be the case, that the subject continues to move in the same direction.
Under no circumstances is it permissible to leave your vehicle and approach a photographer working from their vehicle. At Merritt Island, I had just pulled up to a huge flock of White Pelicans doing their group feeding thing; they were herding and catching huge mullet in a pool right next to the road when a car pulled up behind me. A guy got out with an intermediate telephoto lens and all the birds flew away, about two miles away. At East Beach at Fort DeSoto I had a group of five American Avocets right outside my car. Another photographer left his vehicle, walked several hundred yards towards my position with his big lens on his shoulder, and scared all the birds away. You gotta love it. When the inevitable occurs, it is fine, if you are comfortable doing so, to let the offender know politely that their behavior was inappropriate. No matter how egregious the offense, screaming or cursing will not help the situation at all.
It goes without saying that we all must follow the rules when working in controlled areas. If the signs say “Stay on the Path,” then we must stay on the path. If the sign says “Area Closed” (and is a legal sign), then we must not enter. To do otherwise gives all photographers a bad name. At present, because of the actions of a relatively few, many refuge managers consider all photographers criminals. If you encounter another photographer breaking the rules you might consider informing them as politely as possible that their behavior is improper. If the other photographer ignores your request, it is best to move on while jotting down a description or better yet, a license plate number, and letting the authorities know what you observed. Best would be to photograph the offending photographer in action and then photograph their license plate. When you do opt to report someone to the authorities you are in my opinion, obligated to leave your contact information.
The suggestions above are guidelines based on my 42 years of field experience. There are of course lots of grey areas and close calls. At all times, however, it is best to obey the posted rules,to use common sense, and to be considerate of others and the subjects that you are photographing.
This In Belatedly — On Foul Language
This morning there was a guy at Stick Marsh who used several nasty curse words in every sentence. There were perhaps 30 folks with lenses within hearing distance. I got his attention and said, “There are lots of folks here who would appreciate it if you did not use foul language.” He said, and this ia a direct quote, “I don’t give a f__k.” I thought long and hard about continuing the conversation but am glad that I decided not to. Not a single curse word passed his lips for the next two hours.
If you are in the habit of using foul language on occasion, I would suggest that you refrain from doing so when other photographers are nearby, And this might be a good time to reconsider your language policy.
Comments, Questions, and Thoughts
Comments, questions, and your thoughts on anything above are of course welcome. Feel free to share your tales of folks who really need to study the materials here above by leaving a comment. Did I omit anything?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Both Homer 2026 IPTS are nearly sold out via personal invitation by e-mail despite the fact that they have not been formerly announced. If you are seriously interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail immediately (or sooner).
What’s Up?
On Wednesday morning Anita North and I headed early to Lakeland hoping for another fabulous morning with the American White Pelicans. I was working hard to finish the last blog post. I was not quite done when we arrived. I was glad to see about 50 AWPEs on the bulkhead wall. I saw a nice image of a pelican and a Cypress Tree trunk so I grabbed my 300mm f/2.8 with the a-1 ii, made a very few images, and then returned to the vehicle to finish the Wednesday’s blog post. Almost done, I noticed that two women had parked behind me and figured that they were photographers. Unfortunately, they were.
I exited the vehicle for a second time, ready to set up my big lens on the tripod. I noticed that most of the pelicans had left. I asked Anita what happened. She told me that she had approached the birds carefully and was seated on the grass when she sensed the two women standing right behind her. Both were using hand held Canon 100-500mm lenses. She turned to them and said quietly, “Please stay low and move slowly so as not to scare the birds.” One of them replied, “We live nearby and come here all the time. The birds will be fine.” Within minutes, they had scared all but a handful of the birds off the bulkhead wall and left to pursue other subjects.
When you see a bird photographer seated and actively photographing it is 100% rude to walk up behind them without getting their attention and asking if it would be OK to join them. That done, proper field ethics call for a very slow approach. I will find the article on field ethics and re-post it here soon as there are many new folks who simply have no idea how to conduct themselves when photographing with others.
We decide to head to a nearby lake and see what was about. We did not find much. Our streak of fabulous morning sessions had come to an end.
In today’s post, you will learn how I managed to come up empty in spite of the fact that I had been perfectly prepared for the take-off shot while Anita North hit the nail squarely on the head. Including the time spent on the image optimizations, this post took more than three hours to prepare.
Today is Friday 4 March 2025 and we will be headed down to the lake just before sunrise. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 13 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the front seat of my SUV I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2000. 1/1600 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:20:04am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #1: Red-shouldered Hawk on The Perch II
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Slow Morning
Early on an unseasonably chilly Thursday morning there was a ton of fog on the South Canal. As the sun rose, fire-in-the mist conditions were perfect but for the lack of subjects. All three of Bob Eastman’s perches on the South Peninsula were empty so we headed back north. The Perch II had been vacant when we first got down to the lake so I was pleased to see a handsome red-shouldered Hawk on it when we re-checked it. As my first instinct is to go for clean, tight, and graphic, with lots of pixel on the subject, I added the 2X TC to my 600 and Anita did the same. With both rigs on the BLUBBs I approached slowly to get on sun angle. Working at 1200mm, we both made some fine images. Image #1, above, was my favorite.
Be sure to click on the screen cap to view a larger high res version.
Image #2: A Photo Mechanic screen capture of the same bird made with the 600 and the 1.4X TC.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Getting There
After making a few tight portraits I decided to try for the take-off shot so I switched out the 2X for the 1.4X. Anita went with the bare 600mm. After making an image or two (as above), I realized that Anita was right — 840mm was too much lens for the take-off image so I removed the 1.4X.
Note how far to the right the raw file is exposed. Keep reading.
Be sure to click on the screen cap to view a larger high res version.
Image #3: A Photo Mechanic screen capture of the same bird made with the 600 alone.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Perfect Preparation and Set-Up
I had the 600 alone on the BLUBB. There was lots of room for the bird to raise its wings and take off in any direction. I made sure that the Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch on the lens was set to OFF to prevent accidentally throwing off the focus. I had time to add (Non-tracking: Wide) to my AF options vi May Menu and set that as it is the best AF method when trying the wide take-off shot. Then, again via My Menu, I upped the Pre-Capture time from my usual .2 seconds to a full 1.0 seconds, the max. With my right index finger half-pressing the shutter button and actively focusing, I was ready of the take-off. After five minutes the bird was still sitting on the perch and my right shoulder was beginning to hurt. There was one thing left to do to make my life easier …
I reached into the console and grabbed the Vello RS-S2II Wired Remote Switch for Select Cameras with Sony Multi-Terminal Connector that I keep there. (I have a second one in my fanny pack.) With my rig perfectly balanced on the BLUBB and the photo framed perfectly as you see in Image #3, adding the remote switch (cable release) allowed me to keep the shutter button half-pressed with my hand resting on my lap. Not having to keep my right arm raised completely eliminates shoulder fatigue (and the resulting pain). I use this same technique often in the field when working on a tripod and waiting for a take-off or for some interesting behavior.
The Key to Abject Failure
So, everything was perfect. I could not miss. And still the bird sat. For another four minutes. Because I had failed to angle the car correctly and my head had been turned hard left, my neck began to ache. As I turned my head to the right for a quick relaxing stretch, I heard Anita fire off a long burst. I knew I was toast. After minutes of good luck, preparedness, and hard concentration, I had managed to miss everything. The key to abject failure was one second of inattention.
This image was created on 13 March 2025 by Anita North down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the back seat of my SUV she used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500. 1/5000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2 stops in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect — in other words, not bad at all. AWB at 8:29:56am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #4: Red-shouldered Hawk leaving The Perch II
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Anita North
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Pre-Capture Rocks!
The small hawk had given no indication that it was about to take off for the smaller perch to our right. So, even though Anita had been right on the action, Pre-Capture recorded the first two images in the sequence for her. As she had the shot framed a bit too high to begin with, she clipped the wings in the previous frame, the wings fully raised shot. But she nailed both the leaving-the-perch shot above and the money shot, Image #5, below.
Anita was thrilled as this was her first time photographing this species.
Aperture Question
How did Anita wind up at f/8 (with a relatively high ISO) rather than at f/4 (with a six-clicks lower ISO)?
This image was also created on 13 March 2025 by Anita North down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the back seat of my SUV she used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500. 1/5000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2 stops in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect — in other words, not bad at all. AWB at 8:29:56am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #5: Red-shouldered Hawk taking flight with wings fully raised
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Anita North
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1/a-1 ii Crop-ability
Sharp raw files from both high-end Sony camera bodies allow for significant cropping while maintaining excellent image quality.
Kudos to Anita for making two fabulous images and allowing me to share them with you here today. The other day, Anita inadvertently grabbed her a-1 body while shooting foraging Cattle Egrets. After I noticed that, she switched to her a-1 ii. Within moments she said, “It is amazing how much better the eye-tracking is with the a-1 ii as compared to the original a-1; I agree but only 100%.
I have found that eye-tracking for general bird photography with the a-1 ii is far, far better than with the original Sony a-1. It grabs the eye and tracks it faster and far more consistently and focus is rarely lost, even with backgrounds other than sky.
For birds in flight, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body has no equal. As Arash Hazeghi says, “It is better than the a-1.” When I am late getting on a bird in flight, I have consistently been amazed at how often the AF system of the a-1 ii finds and tracks the bird’s eye.
When it comes to Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body, Arash and I agree 100%. And with my slower reflexes, Pre-Capture is more important for me than it is for Arash. Understand that in each of the images in Composite #3, I did not push the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii six weeks ago and still have not received it 🙁 Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus while in my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention that Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for.
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when first using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, seemed to be neither huge nor eye-opening. But over time, I came to realize that I was 100% wrong.
The huge difference between the new camera body and the older a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii). But for me, the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography than the original a-1.
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
In the last blog post, there were so many excellent images that rating them was extremely challenging (he said modestly). Here are mine with my favorite first and so on: 12 (nobody else chose that one), 6, 2, 3, and the very popular 9.
What’s Up?
Photography in Central Florida has continued to be fantastic. Thanks to a tip from long-time friend Fred Vaughn, Anita and I tried a new location to photograph a single, distant Roseate Spoonbill nest. It was a different and very challenging situation. I was thrilled to get two images that I really liked, those out of more than 4,500 images. Stick Marsh has been great and we’ve done well at ILE as well. Tuesday morning dawned clear and sunny with a brisk NW wind, a death forecast for bird photography. We headed down to the lake expecting to be back home in ten minutes. Surprise. There were several flocks of Cattle Egrets feeding in various locations. We found a group feeding near a large patch of purple flowers and worked those for an hour. After that, we found a killer backlit situation with the same subjects. We did not get back to my house until nearly 10:00am!
Today is Wednesday 12 March 2025. It is clear and still and we are headed back to Lakeland for another American White Pelican fix. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created by Anita North on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 9:32:52am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #1: Osprey perched on natural nest tree
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Anita North
Knowing Where to Be When Based on Sky Conditions and Wind Strength and Direction
The forecast for Monday morning had been for cloudy skies and a strong SW wind. Knowing ILE as I do, I said to Anita, “The only place to be is the natural Osprey nest near the tangerine house. This nest is terrible for photography on clear morning with any wind with a western component. But with the clouds, I knew that the birds would be landing right at us.
This image was created by yours truly on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:06am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #2: Osprey in flight with twig for nest
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Weapon of Choice
Though I made a great image last week in similar conditions with the bare 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, I decided that adding the 1.4X TC was best. So that is what we both did. With the high winds the birds were both quite active. I do not think that they are on eggs yet.
This image was created by Anita North on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on the grass, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was about 1/3-stop short of perfect. AWB at 9:55:52am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #3: Osprey after grabbing moss from canal
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025 Anita North
A Mossy First!
We often see Ospreys grabbing Spanish Moss that has fallen to the ground; they use it to line their nests. On Monday past, we saw one of the Osprey pair disappear to our left while flying over the canal. Amazingly, it flew back to the nest with a load of moss in its talons. I was confused as I had never seen and Osprey grab floating moss from the water but that seemed to be the only possible explanation. A few minutes later, the same bird dropped down out of the sky and grabbed some floating moss from the canal. I was stunned. I an act of Fatih, Anita sat down on the grassy bank and was rewarded within minutes as the Osprey flew right at her. She made a long series of fine images. As she was so close, she clipped a few wingtips.
This image was created by yours truly on 10 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL Standing near the nest tree, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect: AWB at 9:55:52am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version.
Image #4: Osprey after grabbing moss from canal
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Same Bird, Almost the Same Instant
When I saw the bird swooping down to grab the moss, I got on it easily know that my exposure settings were perfect. This is my favorite from the series. As I was not a fan of the trees and bushes along the upper frame-edge, I went to a pano crop and added a Gaussian Blur.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Please take a moment and list your five favorite images in no particular order and let us know what you liked about each of your favorites. I will share my thoughts with you in the next post (although the task is quite a difficult one he said modestly). After you have read the post, be sure to scroll down all the way and check out The BAA Middle of Florida Site Guide.
What’s Up?
Anita North and I killed on Friday morning at Stick Marsh, spent an amazing Saturday morning in Lakeland with nearly one hundred American White Pelicans, killed again on Sunday morning at Stick Marsh, and then drove from my home to Orlando Wetlands to photograph a distant spoonbill nest with four chicks in it. On Sunday alone we spent seven hours in the car and put more than 350 miles on the odometer of my SUV. We did not get back to ILE until just before 10pm. On Sunday alone, I created 7131 photos that have not yet been first edited (culled).
Today’s blog post featured an even dozen images made at Lakeland on the morning of 8 March. Including the time spent on the image optimizations, this one took about seven hours to prepare. As you view the images, consider the incredible variety of image designs, lighting conditions, and backgrounds. And be sure to note how and why I worked at the three distinctly different heights to change my perspectives. I was thanking God for Sony’s Zebra technology all morning as the sun was in and out quite often. Read carefully to learn the single biggest secret to becoming a great bird and nature photographer.
If your business is in need of a fabulous IT person, be sure to check out the Peter Kes item below.
Today is Monday 10 March 2025. The forecast is for cloudy skies with a strong southwest wind; we will likely get down to the lake at some point this morning. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Peter Kes is job hunting
Peter Kes
Peter Kes, friend of 3 decades and longtime BAA blog webmaster, is a brilliant IT (information technology) and computer expert. He is currently running a Bushveld Farm in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA (Republic of South Africa) and is looking to re-locate. You can learn more about Peter and check out his impressive resume at his LinkedIn profile page here. You can contact Peter via e-mail.
This image was created at Lakeland, FL on the morning of Saturday 8 March. Standing at full height, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max. ISO 64: 1/1086 sec. at f/1.8 at 7:00:11am before the sun hit the birds.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger version.
Image #1 iPhone Pano: the scene at Lakeland
Breathtaking!
When Anita and I turned the last corner, we could hardly believe our eyes. About 90 American White Pelicans — more than I had ever seen at this spot before, were resting comfortably on the bulkhead wall. When we left 2 /2 hours later, more than 50 of them were still in the same spot while another 25 or so floated on the lake.
With so many birds so close together I was thinking long focal lengths before I even got out of the car. As you will see below, 840 and 1200mm were my ticket to success.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #2: American White Pelican head portrait in soft light
Soft, Soft Light
I love photographing white or light-toned birds against light-toned backgrounds before the sun gets on the subjects. The front portion of the horn on this pelican’s bill was badly damaged, possibly by the pointy bill tip of another pelican. The repairs were made via two Quick Masks.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #3: American White Pelicans floating in yellow reflections
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Party of Two
During a recent discussion with Anita North, I realized that when I am at work in the field that I have no goals but for making images that please me. Toward that end, I am inspired and motivated only by what I see. In Lakeland, one of the prime motivating factors is the color of the reflections in the lake. Therefore, when photographing swimming or floating birds, I am moving almost constantly to put the birds right where I want them in the most pleasingly colored reflections. And the same is true when creating the tight shots that you see here as well. The color of the background is often a greater influence on my choice of perspective than sun angle. That said, I only very rarely work more than 15° on either side of the line of my shadow. That of course, only when the sun is shining 🙂
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #4: American White Pelican tight face portrait
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Clean, Tight, and Graphic
I was drawn to this individual because of the raised crest, the spotless feathers, the bright yellows, and the pretty much perfect bill. The obvious way to go was 1200mm. Sharpness at 1200mm with my Sony gear is unparalleled. A sliver of another bird was removed from the left frame edge using the Patch Tool to make the selection followed by Shift + Delete — Content Aware Fill.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #5: American White Pelican adult preening
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Devil is in the Details
With the bird’s bill parallel to the imaging sensor and the eye visible, I created several long series of this preening pelican. Only a single perfect frame featured the bird delicately preening a tiny feather on its back.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #6: American White Pelican adult scissors preening
The Devil is in the Background
Above is a tight example of how strongly my work is background driven. When working at 1200mm, getting your tripod in the exact right spot is often a matter of inches. Or less. Folks often ask, “What is the one big secret to becoming a great nature photographer?” My response is always the same: Paying attention to the small details.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #7: Redhead drake floating on still blue water
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
How “Lower” when Standing?
When standing at full height and photographing a duck in the water at 1200mm (or any bird on the ground), the images will look as if they were created from a much lower perspective. Why? As you will be a good distance to the subject, the angle of declination, the degree at which you are pointing the lens downward, is relatively shallow.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #8: American White Pelican with bill open
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Young and Soft and Sweet
In hatch-year American White Pelicans, the upper mandibles are pink and the bill pouches are a much paler yellow than on the adults. Note that a relatively fast shutter speed was needed to freeze the action.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #9: American White Pelican head throw
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Thanks Anita
Head throws in Lakeland are exceedingly difficult because there are so many birds packed together. I rarely even try for them. Anita, tenacious as always, was trying to make a few good white pelican head throw images and finally persuaded me to give it a try. So, I swapped the 2X TC for the 1.4X and got lucky. Parts of two extraneous pelicans were removed from the bottom of the frame.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #10: American White Pelican — Cypress Tree trunk background
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Why Lower?
Why was it imperative that I got a bit lower when creating this image? Here is the same question in a different form: what would the problem have been if I made this image while standing at full height.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #11: American White Pelican flotilla in blue and silver water
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Designing the Flotilla Image
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection allowed me to place the lead bird exactly where I wanted it in the frame: high enough to include the whole reflection along with a generous helping of blue and silver water below that.
This image was also created on 8 March 2025 at Lakeland, FL. For this one, I sat on the ground and used the toe-pod technique with the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 800: 1/4000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:11:09am on then completely sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Be sure to click on the image to view a larger high res version.
Image #12: American White Pelican in dark green reflections
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dealing with Harsh Light
By 9:00am on a sunny, clear-sky day, the light is getting a bit harsh. The way to combat that is to work as low as possible and be sure to get right on sun angle. The latter helps to eliminate shadows. So, with a flick of the lever, I grabbed the lens off the tripod, sat down, and used the toe-pod technique to get right down to the bird’s level. Again, we see the importance of the background in bird photography.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by (the late) Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back-and-forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Below are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide. Please note that last season, Gatorland did not offer a Photographer’s Pass.
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery. Note: In 2024, this theme park eliminated its Photographer’s Pass Program that allowed for early entry.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of beautiful habitats.
Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds in the various lakes here including and especially American White Pelican (AWPE) during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here, if you are lucky, you will have a chance for two difficult birds: Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the previous blog post, Why Photograph Common Birds? Why No Chance?,here, I asked the following questions:
1- Which is the stronger image? Why did you make your choice?
2- Which sky color do you prefer, the slightly blue sky in Image #1 or the grayer sky in Image #2?
3- What are the two main reasons that I had zero chance of creating a sharp, pleasing take-off shot despite the fact that Pre-Capture (PC) was set to ON with the P-C time set to one full second?
1: I felt that Image #1, the sky-pointing bird, was the stronger image because of the beautiful pose and the iridescent colors. The bird’s eye in each image was sharply focused, but the eye in #2 looked a lot better because of the slightly-toward-the-viewer head angle. Most folks liked Image #2 best because of the impending action.
2- I always struggle with decisions on sky color especially when photographing black or very dark birds early on sunny mornings. In Image #1, I blued up the sky just a bit using Color Mixer/Saturated Targeted Adjustment Tool. With Image #2, I used the same tool to make the sky more neutral, much closer to gray than in Image #1. In most cases including this one, I prefer the grayer sky though perhaps because the because the blue sky in these situations looks phony to me (even though the sky was a pleasant light blue at the time).
3: Most who commented noted that the shutter speed of 1/1000 second was nowhere near fast enough to freeze the bird in flight as it jetted off the perch. But nobody nailed the second reason. Keep reading to learn why I had no chance for the take-off shot at 1200mm.
What’s Up?
With classic death on bird photography conditions on Thursday morning — a brisk NW wind with bright sun, I pretty much came up empty.
I was glad to learn that the sale of Todd Koudelka’s used Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens is pending.
Today is Friday 7 March 2025. Anita North — visiting from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and I left ILE at 4:445qm for an experimental early season visit to Stick Marsh. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 4 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the driver’s seat of my SYV, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 7:32:01am in on a sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
a-1 ii Pre-Capture
Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii and the Sony a9 iii makes capturing take-off shots much easier especially for folks like me with age-slowed reaction times.
Image #1A: The Photo Mechanic screen capture for the Boat-tailed Grackle taking flight image
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
What Everyone Missed
What everyone missed was the fact that I simply had too long a focal length: 1200mm. I knew that the bird would fly south because of the wind direction. Even with Pre-Capture I was doomed to fail as when the birds take flight they raise their wings overhead. Clipping the wings was 100% unavoidable. A related issue was that working off the BLUBB makes it nearly impossible to pan with the bird.
The next day, after realizing my problem, I went to the hand held 300mm f/2.8/2X TC/a- ii rig. With the much lighter rig and the shorter focal length, panning with the bird as it took flight was child’s play. When trying for the take-off shot, you need to work wide rather than tight. Working wider (with a shorter focal length) gives you more depth of field. In addition, the AF system is better able to follow the bird and track the eye. Then comes the crop.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
1- Which is the stronger image? Why did you make your choice?
2- Which sky color do you prefer, the slightly blue sky in Image #1 or the grayer sky in Image #2?
3- What are the two main reasons that I had zero chance of creating a sharp, pleasing take-off shot despite the fact that Pre-Capture (PC) was set to ON with the P-C time set to one full second?
Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II Lens
BAA Record-low Price for Excellent Plus condition!
Used Gear Page vet Todd Koudelka is offering a Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $5333.95. The glass is perfect with no scratches or blemishes. There are two practically imperceptible paint blemishes on the barrel and two others on the base of the lens hood. The sale includes the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, the front lens cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses.
Please contact Todd via e-mail or by phone at 1-608 577 5375.
The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With both the EF 600mm f/4L IS III and the RF 600mm f/4L IS going for $12,999.00, and used 600mm versions IIs very hard to find, you’d do well to grab Todd’s lens ASAP. Not to mention that B&H is offering a used one — Condition: 8+ Moderate wear, in other words, in relatively poor condition, here, for $6,933.95. Todd is beating that used price by $1600.00!
Add a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R to use this lens with your Canon mirrorless camera. artie
What’s Up?
There are two (currently un-photographable) young Bald Eagles in the nest across the South Canal. Two first winter Bonaparte’s Gulls have been hanging out with the Forster’s Terns on the pier railings. Tuesday morning was not great despite the nice light and the first east wind since I got back from Homer. I did have a few decent chances on Ospreys bringing in nesting material.
Today is Wednesday 5 March 2025. I should have mentioned previously that my 19-stitch incision is healing nicely. I got lots of work done on my 2024 taxes yesterday. I will be heading down to the lakeshore this morning almost as always. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:58:49am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle male displaying
Why Photograph Common Birds?
Boat-tailed Grackles are abundant at Indian Lake Estates in most seasons. Though the males, with their long oddly shaped tails and iridescent colors, are quite handsome, their appearance does not hold a candle to many more colorful passerines (perching birds). In addition, the golden tones of the females are quite pleasing.
I often pass this species by but on occasion, will do my best to photograph both sexes.
The question is why? There are many explanations. Here goes, in the order of importance as I see things:
1- Photographing black birds with iridescent feathers is a great way to fine-tune your understanding of exposure.
2- Photographing common species taking flight allows you to learn a ton about your camera’s autofocus system and, about Pre-Capture (if your camera body offers this amazing feature).
3- In addition, by attempting to photograph common species taking flight, you get to learn about choosing effective shutter speeds.
4- Common species often provide a chance to capture images depicting a variety of interesting behaviors.
5- Photographing something is always better than photographing nothing.
Worth Noting
As mentioned here previously, Bob Eastman put up three tall perches in the South Marsh when he visited. I helped, but not very much. From north to south they are the “Skinny Perch,” the “V-perch,” and the “pine perch.” Both of today’s images were created on the “V-perch” (though the tight view does not show both sides of the “V.”)
This image was also and obviously created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:59:29am on sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Boat-tailed Grackle male about to take flight — full width pano crop
The Pre-Take-off Pose
Many species of birds lean forward just prior to taking flight. Folks with very fast reactions times may not need Pre-Capture to create successful images of birds taking flight. I am not in that group.
Note that the crop here was from the top. The width here represents the full frame original.
Why f/10?
When working a bird large in the frame at relatively close range, it often pays to stop down a bit for additional depth-of-field. Was that plan successful with these two image? I am not sure.
It is vitally important to remember that when using a telephoto lens on the BLUBB or any inferior beanbag, that — if your system offers Direct Manual Focus DMF), you must remember to turn it off either via the switch on the lens or in your camera body’s menu (depending on the system). If DMF is not turned off, you risk throwing off the focus as you recompose or attempt to follow a bird in flight.
Summing Up
Photographing common birds is fun and educational and best of all, doing so helps you to improve your skills and become a better bird photographer.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you like the inside scoop on a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens that I will be listing here soon, please get in touch via e-mail.
I’ve been enjoying some fine morning bird photography here at ILE with the vultures, Red-Shouldered Hawks, a new Sandhill Crane family, and with Cattle Egrets. The three perches that Bob Eastman put up during his visit at the end of last year continue to pay big dividends. Thanks again Bob!
This morning was much tougher as my best image was of a displaying Boat-tailed Grackle (at 1200mm). Today is Monday 3 March 2025. As soon as this post is published, I need to get back to work on my 2025 taxes. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
In today’s post learn why artie disagrees with the brilliant Arash Hazeghi who states in his video review that the new Sony a-1 ii is only “somewhat better” than the original a-1.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Gear and EXIF unknown at the time of publication.
Image #1: Snowy Owl in flight
Image copyright Arash Hazeghi
Better Than Most …
Simply put, Arash Hazeghi has been one of (if not the) world’s best flight photographer(s) for more than a decade. Like me, he has used Canon, Nikon, and now Sony gear. You can see lots more of his amazing work here.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper high-res version.
Image #3: Northern Harrier, juvenile male in flight
Image copyright Arash Hazeghi
Arash and Northern Harriers
Arash’s portfolio of Northern Harriers in flight is unequaled. And the same might be said about his collection of White-tailed Kite photographs.
Arash Hazeghi, Scientist and Artist
Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D., is a principal electron device engineer. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Stanford, California in 2011. His pioneering Carbon Nanotube research has been cited many times. In the past decade, he has been a major contributor to the research and the development of some of the most cutting-edge technologies introduced by Silicon Valley’s most reputable firms including SanDisk, Intel and Apple.
As seen above, Arash enjoys photographing avian species (especially raptors) in flight over their natural habitats. Almost exclusively, he uses hand held super-telephoto lenses with or without either the 1.4X or the 2X TC. Along with yours truly, Arthur Morris, he co-wrote the seminal The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight with Sony αlpha & Other Brand Bodies. (Note: A seminal work is a groundbreaking piece of writing that introduces new ideas and perspectives to a given field of study, in this case, avian flight photography). You can check out the recently revised version here.. Please note: folks who purchased the original The Art & Science of Photographing Birds in Flight … guide will be receiving update information via e-mail this week.
Like artie, Arash is 100% sure that the Sony a- ii the is best-ever camera for creating dynamic, highly detailed in-flight images of avian subjects in flight. The main difference between Arash and artie is that — not surprisingly, Arash understands the science that makes Sony autofocus the best.
Sony A1 ii Review for Avian and Wildlife Photographers by Arash Hazeghi
In the YouTube video above, Arash does a fine review of the relatively new Sony a-1 ii. He touches all the bases: the slightly larger chassis size with improved ergonomics, the advantages (and disadvantages) of Pre-Capture, the improved a-1 ii viewfinder and monitor, the improved Optical Stabilization System (as compared to the a-1), the lack of an integrated grip (that artie sees that as a big plus), “pretty good buffer depth,” a more flexible AF system that can be fine-tuned in more ways than the AF system of the a-1, and the amazing combination of 30 fps, 50MP files, and deadly accurate AF.
His comments on Zone versus Tracking: Zone are a bit confusing to me; this is ironic because he was the one who explained the differences to me. And, as he does not do a lot of general bird photography, he neglected to mention the articulating, multi-angle rear screen and the value of Tracking: Zone.
Summing up, Arash states that as the a-1 ii is “somewhat better than the a-1.” He recommends that folks who want to photograph birds taking flight (using the a-1 ii’s Pre-Capture) should upgrade. Do understand that the a-1 ii is only somewhat better than the a-1 ii for Arash because of the following factors:
1- He is strong and has great stamina
2- He has incredibly fast reflexes and incredibly short reaction times
3- His hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are at the top end of the scale
4- He has spent nearly two decades refining his hand held flight photograph skills
5- He concentrates on flight photography rather than on general bird photography
In short, Arash does not see the vast improvement in the AF system of the a-1 ii because of his vastly superior and dazzling skill set.
As I am weaker, less fit, (older), with much slower reflexes and poorer hand-eye coordination than Arash, and because I do a lot more general bird photography than he does, I can unequivocally state that for me, and for most mortals, the autofocus system of the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to the a-1 (as noted above). When photographing birds on the ground or in the water, Eye-Face Tracking with the a-1 ii rarely misses. The same could not be said about the original a-1. And for flight, unlike Arash, I find that the a-1 ii grabs and tracks the bird’s eye faster and more effectively than the a-1. To me, it is a no contest.
I recommend that everyone using an a9 series body (a9, a9 ii, or a9 iii) or the original a-1 upgrade to The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body as soon as they are able to get their hands on one.
The huge problem right now is getting one. I have sold both of my a-9 iii bodies and all but one of my a-1 bodies but am still waiting to have my order for a second a-1 ii filled 🙁
If you decide to order a a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body be sure to use one of my affiliate links so that you get my settings, the buttons and dials guide, and the Info sheet for free. You can use the B&H link immediately above or order yours here from Bedfords being sure to enter the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout and receive 3% back on your credit card when your camera ships.
I have found that eye-tracking for general bird photography with the a-1 ii is far, far better than with the original Sony a-1. It grabs the eye and tracks it faster and far more consistently and focus is rarely lost, even with backgrounds other than sky.
For birds in flight, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body has no equal. As Arash says, “It is better than the a-1.” When I am late getting on a bird in flight, I have consistently been amazed at how often the AF system of the a-1 ii finds and tracks the bird’s eye.
When it comes to Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body, Arash and I agree 100%. And with my slower reflexes, Pre-Capture is more important for me than it is for Arash. Understand that in each of the images in Composite #3, I did not push the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii six weeks ago and still have not received it 🙁 Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus while in my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention that Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for.
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when first using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, seemed to be neither huge nor eye-opening. But over time, I came to realize that I was 100% wrong.
The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii). But for me, the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography than the original a-1.
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
My two favorites from the last blog post were #4, Bald Eagle tight flight, and #1, Grove of earthquake drowned trees — vertical pan blur.. Number 3 (Bald Eagle adult turning in flight against white sky) and number 5 (Glaucous-winged Gull winter adult taking flight) were not bad either. I was not a big fan of #2, the habitat shot, as it paled by comparison to the somewhat similar image in the post before the last.
If you are impressed by the images you see below and with those you saw in recent blog posts and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
Fissipeds
Fissipeds, also known as “split-footed” animals, include sea otters and polar bears.
Thanks to Dr. Fish, AKA David Policansky, for correcting my original error. I thought (without giving it much thought), that Sea Otters are pinnipeds.
What’s Up?
I headed down the lake early on Friday morning and had a ton of fun with a perched Turkey Vulture, large flocks of migrating Tree Swallows, and the two crane babies at the south end of the South Peninsula. The family is getting used to me observing and photographing them from my vehicle from a good distance away.
My squamous cell surgery went well. Nineteen stitches. The guy was sure that he got all the margins clear and the test showed that he was right. No swimming for two weeks 🙁
Today is Saturday 1 March 2025. I will be heading down to the lake early and am hoping for a cloudy morning to do the crane family feeding below the big oak trees; the mixed light makes things very difficult. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 14 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 2:16:47pm on a cloudy afternoon. Performance with Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection was inconsistent.
Image #1: Sea Otter with pup in boat hull reflections
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
My Harbor Cruising Rig
As noted here previously, I forsook my 300mm f/2.8 lens for the harbor cruising and went with the 200-600 as it gave me 600mm of reach when needed and allowed me to zoom out as necessary. On our first harbor shoot on Friday the 14th I opted to work in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO and Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. I did OK. On the way back to the hotel, Anita North busted me for this approach. I realized that she was right and on our next foray in the harbor I went back to Manual mode.
This image was also created on 14 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 565mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 2:26:37pm on a cloudy afternoon. Performance with Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection was inconsistent.
Image #2: Sea Otter head portrait
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Best Captain
While there may be some other good captains taking out the eagle photography tour groups, I am 100% positive that Gabe is the best by far. He has come to understand the wind, the light, and the sky conditions so well that when working together, we always wind up in the best possible location. When working the wall in China Poot this year, he came up with a brand new strategy that had the eagles flying right at us despite the unsuitable wind direction. Gabe’s boat-handling skills are unparalleled. He skillfully maneuvered his boat to within yards of the handsome otter resting on a dock. I’ve never seen a head portrait of a free and wild Sea Otter before. And best of all, when we had our fill, Gabe backed away and left the otter resting on the dock.
This image was created on 18 February 2025 in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 326mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:15:02pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #3: Sea Otter yawning while holding pup
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Animal/Bird Face-Eye AF/C
The a-1 ii offers Animal/Bird Face-Eye AF/C as an AF subject choice. As we were coming across the occasional loon, gull, or duck along with the otters, I checked the box for Animal/Bird and found it perfect for our harbor sessions. It did an excellent job of acquiring the eyes of both the otters and the birds we encountered.
This image was created on 19 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:17:19pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #4: Sea Otter yawning while holding pup
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Great Year for Otters!
Sea Otter photography in 2025 was better than ever. Possibly because of the unseasonably warm weather. In previous years, these animals were usually quite shy. On both IPTs, they were very easy to approach. As seen above, I made my best Sea Otter images ever.
This image was also created on 19 February in the harbor at Homer, AK on a 2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Standing on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 12:33:08pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Animal/Bird Eye-Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #5: Harbor Seal on dock
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
More Great Boatmanship by Captain Gabe
Once again, Gabe got us within yards of a usually shy subject, close enough for front-end verticals. And again, with everyone moving very slowly, we were able to back away and leave the animal where we saw it originally.
Note that with each of today’s featured images, I opted to stand rather than sit (even though Gabe always lowers the front ramp/gate). While many believe that getting low is always better for wildlife, I disagree. Getting low on a harbor photo cruise almost always introduced distracting background elements.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In the last blog post, Homer — the Last Day: Typically Atypicalhere, my three favorite images in order with the strongest first are as follows:
First — Image #5: Bald Eagle in flight just above dead earthquake-drowned tree background. I guess that I am a sucker for the flat flight/747/down the lens barrel stare. In addition, I love the layered tones of the background, the drowned ghost trees, and the splashing water that serendipitously entered the frame when another eagle hit the water at just the right time in just the right spot.
Second — Image #4: Bald Eagle starting dive. I love the jet fighter/start of a dive flight pose, the position of the bird in the fog bank, and the hint of the distant snow-covered mountain ridge in the upper left of the frame.
Tied for Third — Image #7: Bald Eagle bright sky silhouette — Golden Eagle and Image #8: Glaucous-winged Gull taking flight. The former for the color brought out in a seemingly white sky situation and for the latter for the elegant and unusual “look ma, no head” flight pose.
Thanks to the (only) four folks who left a comment. Of those, three liked Image #3: Bald Eagle in flight over scenic headland best.
If you are impressed by the images you saw in this and in recent blog posts and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
What’s Up?
When I got home after my red-eye flight that arrived in Orlando on Tuesday at 5:48am, I slept for four hours from 9:00am till 1:00pm and fell asleep early in my Lazy Boy while catching up on Jeopardy on Tivo. I hit the sack at 10:30pm and slept until 7:30am on Wednesday. Ten minutes later I was down by the lake where I found two crane chicks about a week old at the south end of the South Peninsula. The only images that I made were of the usual suspects, Turkey Vultures and Cattle Egrets.
I spent the rest of the day catching up on e-mails, IPT stuff, and getting back to work on my 2024 tax return.
Today is Thursday 27 February 2025. I woke at 6:00am and will be headed back down to the lake to check things out. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
AN INVITATION TO INQUIRY
Welcome to The Work
I discovered that when I believed my thoughts I suffered, but when I didn’t believe them I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always. And I invite you not to believe me. I invite you to test it for yourself.
– Byron Katie
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 50: 1/15 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:10:06am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking Spot XS/AF-C (with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled) performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Grove of earthquake drowned trees — vertical pan blur
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Vertical Pan Blurs
To create a vertical pan blur, choose a slow shutter speed and then pan up or down while pressing the shutter button. I usually move the camera upwards. Make lots of images. Unless you are creating a pure pattern shot, check to see that you have some sort of border above and below. Working on a tripod often helps to keep all your lines straight.
The Great 1964 Alaska earthquake created numerous ghost forests around the state where groves of trees were killed and preserved by salt water. The drowned tree forests in China Poot can only be reached on the highest tides.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, again, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:16:03am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle adult — China Poot Bay scenic
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Tracking: Zone AF/C
When I am going to try for small in the frame bird-scapes, I hit the set button once to switch from Zone to Tracking: Zone. With the latter, I acquire AF with the bird in the center of the frame and then re-compose as the AF system will continue to track the bird in flight even when it is placed outside of the zone brackets. Another option is to check the box for and switch to Wide AF/C.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:17:57am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle adult turning in flight against white sky
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:27:36am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle tight flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Never-Before Published Flight Photography Secret
Here is a tip for making great action shots in non-stop flight photography situations:
The longer you can keep your lens raised with the subject centered in the frame, the greater the chance of capturing images that feature dramatic flight poses, banks, turns, and dives. Whatever lens you are using, if the lens is down in the rest position, nobody is fast enough to get on the subject once the action starts. You need to get in the habit of following birds in flight for extended periods of time so that when the bird flinches, you can press and hold the shutter button and grab those great shots.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:43:49am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed adequately. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Glaucous-winged Gull winter adult taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1 ii AF at 420mm
Theoretically, autofocus needs light to work efficiently. The more light it has, the better it is supposed to work. Thus, AF when a 1.4X teleconverter is added (robbing one stop of light), is supposed to be slower at acquiring focus and less sticky on the eye when compared to the bare lens alone. With the a-i ii and the 1.4x TC on the 300mm f/2.8 lens, however, Bird Face-Eye AF-C at f/4 seems to be just as good as it is with the 300mm lens alone at f/2.8. in other words, mind boggling.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s post, I share ten of my favorite images made on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Like our nine previous sessions on the boat, it offered a wide variety of situations, backgrounds, light, weather, and winds (or the lack thereof). The great beauty of the trip was that despite the unseasonably warm and cloudy weather, each and every day was different and rewarding.
Below each sub-title, the green italic line represents what I called out to the group as a matter of instruction (or, with Image #10, what I called out to the captain). I am proud of the fact that in each instance I not only saw the shot and called it out to the group, but that I made the shot I had envisioned. And I am equally proud that in many of the situations Anita, Steve, Bear Bob, and Brian (The Mailman) Bower each created some memorable photographs.
For me yet again, the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens was my primary tool. For the first time on this Homer trip, I used it with the 1.4X TC (and the a- ii) for flight photography. I created more than 1350 images with the hand held 420mm rig and every single image was razor sharp on the bird’s eye or eyes. Thirty-six of my 125 keepers (after the first edit) were created with the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and the 1.4X TC for an unusually high keeper rate of 2.66%. Those images merit a blog post of their own.
Please leave a comment noting your three favorite images and let us know why you made your choices. I will share my three top picks (in order of my preference) with you here soon. Along with my reasons. My #1 pick is miles ahead of my second favorite.
If you are impressed by the images you see here and by the unparalleled learning that takes place on a Homer IPT and are seriously interested in joining me next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372. Several spots are already spoken for.
The Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, Midair Bald Eagle Flight Miracle?here, my very favorite image was #2, the 3X2 version. Why? For me, the anticipation of the action in the wider frame was more exciting than what I saw as the lukewarm action in #3, the square crop. And I liked the balance and the image design of Image #2 best.
What’s Up?
Anita North, Steve Shore, and I pulled out of the Land’s End parking lot at 5:47 am. Though there was nothing untoward in the forecast, I had been worried a bit about a blizzard causing serious delays. Within an hour it began to snow, light at first and then heavier. Fortunately, however, the snow quit within a few minutes and the road to Anchorage was clean and green. After several stops for restrooms, food, and eventually to fill up the gas tank of our Jeep Wagoneer, we arrived at Ted Stevens International Airport before 11:00am. By 12:30pm we had all checked in for our flights home.
After the longest final descent in the history of aviation, I landed in Seattle. After a fairly short layover, I boarded AK 394 for my red-eye flight to Orlando.
Today is Tuesday 24 February 2025. After another blessedly uneventful flight — after two glasses of red wine, I managed to sleep a whole 90 minutes. I landed at MCO at 5:25am and as Jim woke early to pick me up, we were headed to ILE before 6:00am.
I am sure that I will be a bit jet-lagged for a few days. On Friday, I am having surgery to have a sqaumous cell carcinoma excised from my right forearm just forward of the elbow. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:15:19am during a brief snow squall on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Bald Eagle in flight with snow flurries
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Snow Flurries — Briefly
Pre-focus on the wall first to avoid focusing on the snowflakes
It began snowing as we headed across Kachemak Bay.
Oh goodie,
we said. Radar shows that it should be snowing for two more hours the captain said as we pulled up to The Wall in Poot Bay. We were excited to finally see some snow after ten days without a trace of the white stuff. Ten minutes after we began shooting it stopped snowing. You gotta love it.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:23am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle in flight against white sky with wings raised
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
High Key White Sky
There’s some nice stuff high on the port side. Be sure to work 1/3-stop darker than you were on the starboard side
The wind had dropped to zero as the snow stopped. At that point, I noticed some eagles turning high in the air on the opposite side of the boat. I called out instructions and several of the group joined me.
Why work 1/3-stop darker with the birds high against the white sky? There was a lot more light up there than against the rock wall to our starboard side. Zebra technology helped immensely, of course; I wanted some Zebras on the bright sky.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the back of the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:22:23am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle in flight over scenic headland
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Bald Eagle Scenic
Check out the long scenic shot of an eagle turning in flight above the distant headland; you’ll need to be patient
I fell in love with the fog-shrouded scene the moment I glanced toward the stern so I alerted the group. Anita North had already seen the possibility, so I made my way through the cabin to join her on the stern. Brian (The Mailman) Bower soon joined us. As the boat swung a bit, the shot was available from either the stern or from the bow. The keys to the success of the image was the crop from the top left and brightening and bringing up the color of the headland’s trees and rocks.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:52:32am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle starting dive
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dramatic Fog Bank Flight Pose
Get on the birds as they are dropping down from above the mountains and try to position the bird right in the middle of the fog bank
With a dramatic band of fog across the snow-covered mountain ridges just above the earthquake-drowned trees, the obvious plan was to create an image with the bird centered in the fog bank. So that is what I did. The dramatic diving pose was a lucky bonus. In the original frame the bird was on the left side of the frame. As it was glancing to its right, I moved the bird to the other side of the frame by painting a Quick Mask of the bird with lots of surrounding sky to our left of the eagle. The sky portion of the mask covered part of the bird in its original position. The rest of the bird was removed by circling it with the Patch Tool (my keyboard shortcut “P”) and the hitting Shift + Delete, the default command for Content Aware Fill. Moving the bird in the frame took perhaps a bit more than a minute.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:52:32am on a then cloudy & foggy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Bald Eagle in flight just above dead earthquake-drowned tree background
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Staring Right Down-the-Lens-Barrel
There are some birds flying directly at us from the right; try to include the earthquake-drowned forest in the frame
I’ve been in love with the two earthquake-drowned dead tree groves in China Poot Bay for well more than a decade. In March of 2011 I used the old, tripod/Mongoose-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6 EF L IS lens with the EOS-1D Mark IV to create a vertical pan blur of the trees. I believe that it is featured in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs (co-written and illustrated by Denise Ippolito) but could not find a copy on my laptop 🙂 In this one I love the soft light, the down-the-lens-barrel stare and the varied background layers.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect plus a bit: AWB at 9:56:59am as the sun broke through the fog.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #6: Bald Eagle diving through the brightly sunlit swatch of water
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Huge Challenge
If you are gonna try for the bird in the super-bright swatch, you need to reduce your exposure four to five stops …
Once the sun broke through the fog, the result was a swatch of super-bright highlights on the water. Most of the birds coming to the bait were flying right to left into the wind and by the time they hit the bright patch of water, they were flying away from us. The trick was to get on the odd bird flying left to right and toward us. Patience was the key.
The autofocus system of the a-1 ii was much better at acquiring and maintaining focus than the AF system of the original a-1.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:00:44am as the sun was trying to break through the fog (again).
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #7: Bald Eagle bright sky silhouette — Golden Eagle
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Golden Eagle
Look for birds flying above the ridge below the sun and set a much darker exposure, about plus one off the bright sky. Even though the sky there looks white, there is plenty of gold in them there hills!
As we had not lost a morning session to rain or to rough seas and because there was not a single sunny afternoon, we did not — for the first time ever, have a single chance to do a sunset sailing. When the sun was partially obscured by light fog, I alerted the group to the possibility of creating some golden yellow white sky silhouettes. As the sun was just out of the frame lower right, the sky behind the bird was toasted. I moved the bird forward in the frame and then painted a Quick Mask of the sky from in front of the bird, flopped it and covered the too-bright sky, refined the layer with the addition of a Regular Layer Mask, adjusted the tonality of the layer, and then blended the edges.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 10:00:44am as the sun was trying to break through the fog (again).
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #8: Glaucous-winged Gull taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Look Ma, No Head
Hey gang, as the eagles are taking a break, we will have some good chances on the gulls that are cleaning up the scraps. As they are a lot smaller than the eagles, I am adding my 1.4X TC
Many folks believe that unless you can see the face and eye (or the eyes) of a bird, you cannot have a pleasing image. I beg to differ. While I kept about a dozen of the images of the glaucous-wingeds taking flight, the wings fully forward flight pose was my clear favorite of the group.
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 496mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 12:05:10pm on a then cloudy afternoon
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #9: Sea Otter with large pup on its belly
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Too Cute!
Be sure to add at least a stop of light to the metered exposure to ensure detail in the pup’s dark fur
After re-crossing Kachemak Bay following our daily morning eagle sessions, we will usually poke around Homer Harbor in search of a few birds or otters. My favorite lens for the harbor cruising is the Sony 200-600 as it allows me to zoom out at times while providing 600mm of reach when needed. I gladly trade the loss of 1/3 stop of light (as compared to the 300mm f/2.8 lens and the 2X TC) for the versatility of the slightly slower zoom lens.
Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection
I believe that the Sony a-1 ii is the first Sony camera to offer Bird/Animal Eye/Face Tracking as a subject target choice. After enabling it in the AF Menu, I’d hit the C2 button to access it at the beginning of our harbor cruises. I was quite impressed with its performance as it grabbed and tracked the eyes of the otters much better than Bird Eye/Face tracking and it killed on the birds as well as seen in the following photo. Two for the price of one!
This image was also created on 23 February at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 12:16:24pm on a then cloudy afternoon
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird/Animal Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #10: Common Goldeneye drake taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Wings Fully Down Flight Pose
Captain, the wind is from the east so stay to the right so that we will have a shot at the take-off as we get closer
On Day 2 of the second IPT, Anita North had a great chance on goldeneyes as we were pulling into the slip. (Anita never puts her gear away until we are docked and tied up.) Having put away my lens, I grabbed the 2-6 from my Think Tank bag, turned the camera back on, raised the shutter speed for a flight shot, and raised the ISO as needed. I was ready for the take-off. I pressed the shutter button when the first of the two hen goldeneyes took off, only to have my camera tell me “No memory card in slot.” As Anita would say, Rotter!
I was glad to have a chance on this single drake. It was the last image made on our last sailing on the last day of my trip.
Note that Tracking: Spot XS was my choice for both the otters and the ducks as either Zone or Tracking: Zone with the a-1 ii has a greater tendency to grab the water when working swimming subjects than Zone or Tracking: Zone did with the original a-1.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which near midair collision image do you feel is the strongest, Image #2, the 3X2 version, or Image #3, the square crop? Why did you make your choice?
The Last Blog Post
In the Top Ten Mega-Tuesday Adult Bald Eagles blog post here, my favorite of the ten all very excellent images was #9, Bald Eagle incoming flight pano crop. Not a single commenter mentioned that one. As noted in the post, I liked it best because it was created in the classic BIRDS AS ART style: clean, tight, and graphic with an out of focus blue background seemingly made in heaven. As the sun is low in the sky in Homer in winter, there is no such thing as “bad light” on a sunny day. The golden light just an hour before noon adds tremendously to the success of this image.
For me, the weakest image was #6: Bald Eagle taking flight as I was disappointed to lose the sun just as the bird took flight. The pose, however, was pretty neat.
What’s Up?
Though the weather in Homer, AK has been unseasonably cloudy and warm with day time temperatures in the low 40s Fahrenheit, the eagle photography has been excellent. That despite the complete lack of snow (after the first three days) and the absence of sunshine for all but about two hours on the last day of the first IPT.
Today is Sunday 23 February 2025. There is a dusting of snow on the ground and we are hoping for more before we sail at 8:45am Alaska time. Bob Sabin flies to Anchorage this afternoon. Brian (The Mailman) Bower drives back to Anchorage tomorrow in his rental vehicle at 11:00am. Steve Shore, Anita North, and I will be at least five hours ahead of him as my flight to Seattle was changed from after 5pm to 2:21pm. Ironically, we are expecting some snow on the ground over the mountain passes. A blizzard would be crippling but that is the risk you take when you opt to drive from Anchorage to Homer (and back). If I make my flight, I will land in Orlando at 5:48am on Tuesday.
Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
These two images were created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #1: Photo Mechanic composite of the two frames prior to the miracle
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
I Do Remember _DSC5534
I do remember getting on an eagle flying right to left and then exhibiting a strange flight pose. In retrospect, we might call that one midair avoidance. And I do remember asking Steve Shore who was standing to my left, “Did you see that?” I had been referring to the unusual pose.
In the next frame, _DSC5534, I did not notice the bill and the leading edge the lower wing of the second eagle entering the frame from the left until I viewed the sequence on my laptop. Heck, I did not notice the second bird until after I saw the next frame. As below.
This image was created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #2: Bald Eagles adults — near midair collision A
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
No Memory of the Next Two Frames
When the next two frames in the sequence popped up on my laptop, I was totally shocked as I had no memory of seeing two eagles in the viewfinder. I just followed through with the shutter button depressed. I do remember that a few minutes later, Anita North and Robert Sabine were excited about an image on the back of Bob’s camera. It turned out to be the exact instant of my next frame in the sequence, Image #3 below.
As I was panning right to left there was some motion blur on the head of the bird on the left. I brought the image into Topaz Sharpen AI and painted a mask of the head of the left hand bird. Topaz suggested Out of Focus Normal but I disagreed and opted instead for Motion Blur (reduced to 85%). Curious, we compared the two and the results with Motion Blur were clearly far superior. I find that Topaz Sharpen often fails to note motion blur with the automated settings.
This image was created on 20 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on Day 2 of the second 2025 Homer IPT. Standing on our eagle boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:35:51am on a cloudy-bright morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version.
Image #3: Bald Eagles adults — near midair collision B
Images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Both Faces Sharp
So, the question is, Why were the faces and eyes of both eagles in focus? The obvious answer, in part, is that the two birds were close to being on the same plane. More importantly, estimating the distance to the action at about 100 feet, the total depth of field at 300mm and f/2.8 is 5.7 feet, more than enough to cover both birds in the given poses. Things got messy after that. The next frame I kept was five frames later, _DSC1561. That one showed, as you might surmise when looking carefully at Image #3, that the bird on our left, the one with its feet outstretched, was farther away than the bird on our right. In 1561, you can clearly see that the bird on our left passed well behind the bird on our right. A collision was avoided.
The Donor Bill Tip
Because of motion blur, the bill tip of the speeding bird on our left in Image #2 was severely distorted, pretty much invisible. As the bird on our left slowed down a bit in Image #2, the tip of its bill was rendered far more sharply. I created a tiny Quick Mask of the bill tip from the first image, brought it onto the second image using the Move Tool (V). After putting the selection roughly into place I rotated it using the Transform Tool, re-shaped it using the Warp command, positioned it perfectly, and — working quite large, added a Regular Layer Mask to paint away the slightly darker sky. Bingo!
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized two years ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can order your copy here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s post, I share ten of my favorite images from the most amazing day (so far) of the 2025 Homer IPTs. All were made with the incredible Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM/a-i ii combo. Be so kind as to leave a comment noting your two favorite images as well as the two weakest images in this small collection. An explanation is optional. I will share my thoughts with you here soon.
If you are impressed by the images, the image optimization sessions, and the learning that its going on here, and are seriously interested in joining me here next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372.
The Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, One Lens. One Favorite Bald Eagle Image From Days 1-4here, my very favorite image was #3, the Bald Eagle calling from perch with wings raised photo. Why? Sharp, clean, well lit, graphic, light blue sky, dramatic, and a behavior that had eluded me for more than two decades. And yes, Image #1 was a close second. Thanks to all those who commented, especially Chuck Carlson, who wrote:
February 19, 2025 at 6:45am
Image #3 Bald Eagle calling from perch. It shows more of the eagle: its energy, its gape, talon detail, underwing coverts, plus I get to hear this one.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART responded/February 19, 2025 at 12:55pm
Thanks, Chuck. I could not have said it any better myself.
with love, artie
Employment Opportunity
Seeking experienced nature photographer for photo editing …
Multiple IPT veteran and friend of 3+ decades Robert (Bear Bob) Sabin is looking to hire someone to download, edit, organize, and optimize thousands of his images. Nassau County, Long Island, NY. Hourly wages — terms negotiable. If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372 and I will put you in touch with Robert.
Today’s Post
Including the time spent on the ten image optimizations, this post took about 7 hours to prepare. Despite the absence of any snow cover, Tuesday past was one of the epic days of my 42+ years of bird photography. It was a fun and challenging day. As you can see by checking the images and the EXIF for today’s ten featured images, the light was changing fast and often. Over the course of the morning we went from ISO 5000 for flight to bright sunshine. Along the way we experienced everything in between. Huge advantage: Sony Zebra technology for stills. Though I created nearly 8,000 images, I did not fill my Delkin Black 480GB card and thus, never had to change cards. After deleting more than six thousand perfectly wonderful images, I kept a ridiculous 285 photos after the first edit.
Elisabet Shore made it safely back to Dallas, TX on Wednesday. Old friend Brian Bowers joined Anita North, Bob Sabine, and Steve Shore to fill out Homer IPT group #2. With lots of wind on Thursday, we had a ball with flight photography. Bob Sabine and I got very lucky when we were following one adult eagle in flight when another entered the scene. I will share several of the resulting totally lucky, totally unexpected images with you here soon on the blog.
Today is Friday 21 February 2025 and we are excited as we had a light dusting of snow overnight. As usual, we will be the first eagle photography boat out of the harbor to ensure that we get our chosen spot. Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii two days ago. Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture will surely prove to be a plus while in my option, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention at Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for. And don’t forget the Pre-Capture feature!
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, are neither huge nor eye-opening. The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a very tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii).
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
This image was created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 5000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:16:26am early on a then cloudy day.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Bald Eagle dorsal view flight against powder blue sky
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Early Morning
When we first got off the boat at Peterson Bay, there was a bit more light as compared to the previous cloudy mornings as the eastern sky was showed some signs of clearing. To properly expose to the right, I went with ISO 5000 after choosing 1/2500 sec. as my shutter speed. The wide open aperture, f/2.8, was the obvious choice. Not the powder blue (early!) sky color and that the entire bird was sharp as it was covered by the depth of field even at f/2.8. There is rarely any need to stop down when doing fight photography. The distance to the subject will almost always provide the necessary depth of field.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:38:23am on a cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Wings-fully-raised Take-off Shot
Though I was well back from the perch and placed the bird in the lower left third of the horizontal original, I clipped about 1/2 inch off the tip of the third primary of the bird’s right wing. After cropping to a vertical and expanding canvas the missing wingtip was added by painting a Quick Mask of the tip of the fourth primary of that same wing. The selection was moved into place and rotated using the Move Tool (V) and then slightly warped using the Warp command with the Transform Tool.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:56:25am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle incoming above beach grasses
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Seeing the Slot and Seeing the Shot
With most of the group near me, I noticed that as some birds flew in low and left of the perch, there was — for a brief moment, a clean shot of a bird just above the yellow beach grasses with a perfectly clean background of Kachemak Bay and sky. Then, when a bird would approach just the right spot I would call out, “In the zone!” Everyone with me got the shot.
Well-Framed Bald Eagle Approach
This five-second Photo Mechanic quasi-video shows that while hand holding the Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens I was able to keep the bird in the frame in all but one image where I clipped a wing with the lower frame edge. Note that the amazing Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Sony’s Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera, were used to create all ten of today’s featured images. every single image in the video is tack sharp on the eagle’s eye or eyes.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/3200 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 9:57:33am on a then partly sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle braking to land
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Pick of the Litter
I kept an even dozen images from the uncluttered, all perfect, less-than-two second end of the 26-frame sequence; Image #4, above, was my favorite. By a very slim margin.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/4000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:19:16am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #5: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Challenging and Changing Light
As the clouds thinned a bit, the light came and went. Cloudy one moment, full sun the next. Sony Zebra technology is a tremendous advantage as you simply adjust the ISO with the Thumb Dial so that you see a few Zebras on the birds head. That said, I toasted the heads of a very few adult eagles in flight when the sun burst out while I was creating a sequence. Challenging but great fun. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, full sun with the wind in your face is death on bird photography. We were blessed with a nice breeze from the east.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:21:57am on a then partly cloudy morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #6: Bald Eagle taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Up is Better Than Down
Most of the birds dropped down off the perch to get their beaks on the tossed herring chunks. With the wind picking up, this bird obliged by flying up off the perch. Not that when a light cloudy momentarily covered the sun, I raised the ISO to get yet another dead solid perfect exposure.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/5000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:46:05am on a then bright sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #7: Bald Eagle on perch with storm cloud background
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Dark Storm Cloud Backgrounds
With the wind and light behind you, dark clouds opposite the sun always create dramatic situations and images.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/5000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:51:59am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #8: Bald Eagle striking
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Change of Scenery
As conditions change, the best place to be often changes as well. When the wind picked up even more, I led the group down to the beach left of the big rock outcrop at Peterson Bay. We sat on the black gravel beach and made hay when the sun shined.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Again seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/5000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:56:42 am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #9: Bald Eagle incoming flight pano crop
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Classic BIRDS AS ART Style
Clean, tight, and graphic with an out of focus blue background seemingly made in heaven. As the sun is low in the sky in Homer in winter, there is no such thing as “bad light” on a sunny day. The golden light just an hour before noon adds tremendously to the success of this image.
This image was also created on 18 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the last day of the first 2025 Homer IPT. Seated on the black gravel beach at Peterson Bay, I used the foot-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 5000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 11:21:34am on a then sunny morning.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #10: Bald Eagle on black gravel beach — ground level vertical!
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Sony a-1 ii Articulating Rear Screen
For years I cursed the a-1 for the lack of a rear screen that could be tilted for vertical ground level shooting. With the a-1 ii, those days are over. Though it takes a bit of practice along with my reading glasses, the results can be quite pleasing.
Summing Up
The Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens coupled with the new a-1 ii is an incredible flight combination when working birds at close range. It is hand holdable and unless the operator screws up the initial focusing acquisition, every image with be sharp on the eye down to the pixel level. It is almost unfair.
For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your a copy here for $209.93.
Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.
The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide
Impressed by my (or Pat’s) Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.
If not, you can purchase a copy here for $209.93. Yes, it never hurts to use my links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail before you make a major purchase, I can often save you some money.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s post, I share one of my favorite images from each of our first four days of the first 2025 Homer IPT. All were made with the incredible Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM/a-i ii combo. I have yet to even think about adding a teleconverter. I had twenty favorites from Day 2 🙂 For me, one of the images is head and shoulders above the other three. Which one is it? And why do I love it so?
If you are impressed by the images, the image optimization sessions, and the learning that is going on here, and are seriously interested in joining me here next year, please LMK ASAP via e-mail or via text to 863-221-2372.
The Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, The Challenges of Making Very Special Songbird Images — Pre-Capture, Fast Shutter Speeds, and Crazy High ISOshere, only four folks commented on what I thought was a pretty spectacular collection of songbird images. Three of the four mentioned the Boreal Chickadee with the swept back, jet fighter wings as one of their two faves. That was my first pick by a mile. As noted, I could not have made that image (and others in the post as well) without one second Pre-Capture. Image creating an image when you did not press the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
What’ Up?
With the increasingly warmer days, we lost our snow cover and with it, the light that illuminated the eagle’s underwings so beautifully on Days 1-3. Thus, Day 4 was out most challenging. In spite of that, everyone made some great images. Both Elisabet and husband Steve Shore have been improving by leaps and bounds by adding to what they learned at Sebastian Inlet. Robert “Bear Bob: Sabine finally listened to me and purchased a Canon 70-200mm, the EF f/4 version. As a result, his eagle images have improved dramatically as compared to previous Homer IPTs. Anita North is, as expected, making fabulous images every day despite the fact that we have seen the sun for a total of about four minutes in four days so far. Though the unseasonably warm, cloudy weather is supposed to continue, we continue to pray for snow.
With the ongoing renovations at Lands End, it took me a day to find a convenient spot to do our Image Review and Photoshop sessions; we have, therefore, been making lots of hay every evening producing Image Optimization videos that are shared with the group. In today’s bird photography workshop climate these daily, intensive, two hour sessions are pretty much unique.
Today is Tuesday 18 February 2025 and we will be sailing earlier than usual to ensure our getting the location we want Elisabet is flying back to Anchorage on this afternoon and old friend Brian Bower will be joining the group tomorrow. I am especially proud of her progress with bird photography. Not to mention that she has a great eye for landscapes and has been wowing everyone with her scenic photography. Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
This image was created on 14 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on a spit in Poot Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 11:30:17am on a cloudy day.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #1: Bald Eagle gliding flight above dune grasses in light snow
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Day 1
With an overnight inch of fresh snow, conditions at Poot Bay, one of my favorite locations, were excellent. The wind, however, was not from the usual ideal direction so I moved the group around the spit all morning to put us in the best spot as the wind direction shifted over time. Though difficult to see unless you blow up the image, the fine, falling snow helped to create a magical soft light that makes this moody image special for me. The beach grasses are a big plus.
With a fixed focal length lens, the 300mm f/2.8, choosing the appropriate distance to stand away from a perch is an important consideration. If you get to close, you will be clipping wings every time. Steve Shore has also been using his Sony 300mm f/28 GM lens most of the time. Thus, he has been hanging back with me as I encourage the folks with the 70-200s to get closer by moving forward.
This image was created on 15 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the shoreline at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 2500: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 10:25:41am on a cloudy day.
Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #2: Bald Eagle adult about to touch down
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Day 2
As mentioned here ad nauseam recently, the light reflected off the snow perfectly illuminates the eagle’s dark underwings (especially on cloudy days). Peterson Bay offer several really attractive, relatively tall, lichen-covered perches. In this image, I love the wings fully spread braking pose, the soft light, and the inclusion of the top of an evergreen tree in the frame.
This image was created on 16 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the first 2025 Homer IPT. Standing at full height on the shoreline at Peterson Bay, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2500 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 11:13:07am on a cloudy-bright day.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #3: Bald Eagle calling from perch with wings raised
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Day 3
Until Day 4, I used the Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) pretty much exclusively. With the cloudy, low light conditions, the f/2.8 speed of this lens enables you to work with relatively low ISOs. With the new a1 II Mirrorless Camera pretty much every single eagle image I have made in the first four days — more than 25,000, has been razor sharp on the eye. The very few unsharp sequences — less than a handful, were caused by me mis-handling my gear as a result of fatigue. I was exceedingly lucky to be the closest one to this bird when it began calling. When another eagle flew by below, the calling bird raised its wings briefly in defense of its perch. Lucky me.
Note: I can say with complete confidence and accuracy that I have trashed more than 15,000 sharp, pleasing to the eye, perfect Bald Eagle flight images from our first four days of shooting. With the science-fiction-like accuracy of the AF systems of today’s top mirrorless camera bodies, the standards as to what makes a great flight image have been raised. The factors involved include flight pose, wing position, lighting, and background & environment. Amazingly, sharpness is a given. For me, the a- ii stands well above all others.
This image was created on 17 February 2025 at Kachemak Bay, AK on the first 2025 Homer IPT. Working from the boat, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1000. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 11:13:07am on a cloudy-bright day.
Tracking Spot XS/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper high resolution version
Image #4: Bald Eagle adult on colorful rock
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Day 4
When I first saw this eagle on this amazingly colored rock, it was partially obscured by another large rock. I had our captain/guide reposition the boat so that all had a clear view of the rock. Fortunately, the eagle answered my prayer and stayed put. Though RawDigger showed a dead solid perfect exposure for this raw file, it is the huge, amazing dynamic range of the sensors of today’s aforementioned top mirrorless camera bodies that allow us to open up the dark tones after having preserved the detail in the adult eagle’s white heads.
With many of the IPT students (and the leader as well, on rare occssaion), under-exposing their raw files, many of our image optimization videos cover in detail the best methods for opening up under-exposed dark tones while minimizing noise. Note: as always, the best first step to controlling noise is to learn to expose well to the right.
If you can identify the type of rock, please leave a comment.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which two images of today’s six featured images do you like best? Why?
In a Previous Blog Post
Thanks to the many who left comments at The Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM Lens & DeSoto’s North Beach blog post here. Several folks liked the scratching GBH best, but the practically monotoned Snowy Plover image, #1, was the clear favorite. It is strange how such a simple image with worm hill curves and light tans, grays, and beiges can be so successful.
What’s Up?
With an unexpected inch of fresh snow, the first Homer group has been 100% blessed. The light reflects off the snow and illuminates the undersides of the eagle’s wings perfectly. In addition we’ve had clouds and relatively warm temperates with little wind. In short, pretty close to perfect. And we’ve ended each sailing with a harbor session photographing Harbor Seal (of course), Sea Otter, Common Goldeneye, Common Loon, Short-billed Gull
Today is Sunday 16 February. We are meeting the captain at 9:30am. Whatever you do, I hope that you have as much fun as we do.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Pine Grosbeak, bright male on Mountain Ash berry cluster
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Pine Grosbeaks
The Pine Grosbeaks were not as plentiful at the Anchor Point feeders as they had been in previous years; and the males were scarce. We learned on our first morning that they came in quite early so on Day 2 we arrived 30 minutes earlier than we had on Thursday and were blessed early on by the presence of this handsome male and several females — one below.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Pine Grosbeak, female on Mountain Ash berry cluster
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Shutter Speeds
Those who viewed the epic and comprehensive Shutter Speeds for Bird Photography YouTube video (5,600+ views) here, know that when mild action might be expected, you are a lot better off at 1/800 or 1/1000 second than you are at 1/500. On day one, I lost some nice images at 1/400 and 1/500 sec. to motion blur. Those latter shutter speeds (and even slower ones down to /60 sec.) are perfectly fine if the birds are perfectly still (as with Image #1, above).
So, on Day 2, I promised myself to work just a bit faster. 1/800 sec was just fast enough to yield a sharp face and eye when the lady grosbeak violently ripped a berry from the cluster and sent the frost flying.
Shutter Speeds for Bird Photography
Learn about choosing a suitable shutter speed for all types of bird photography — for static subjects, for flight, and for various types of action. Not to mention for creating the pleasingly blurred images that I love. There is so much info in this 46 minutes video that serious bird photographers will wish to bookmark it for study.
Learn more and see my expanded summary in the blog post here.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #3: Gray Jay taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Learning More About Making Pre-Capture Miracles
I made some progress on Day 1, but on Day 2 things really jelled. Understanding that at age 78, with my reflexes and reaction time totally shot, that with Pre-Capture set to one second with the a-1 ii I could press the shutter button after the bird took flight and still create some very special images. That of course, provided that you had the shutter button half-pressed (as discussed here recently).
To reiterate, while I strive to press the shutter button just as the bird leaves the perch, doing so is not 100% necessary. As above, you can press the shutter button after the bird leaves the perch and still come up smelling like roses.
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii two days ago. Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture will surely prove to be a plus while in my option, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention at Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for. And don’t forget the Pre-Capture feature!
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, are neither huge nor eye-opening. The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a very tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii).
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #4: Boreal Chickadee taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Using Crazy High ISOs
To utilize super fast shutter speeds like 1/4000, 1/5000, and even higher when attempting to photograph songbirds in flight in low light, the use of very high ISOs is mandatory. That said, most of today’s flight and action shots were somewhat under-exposed. My double noise reduction techniques detailed in Digital Basics II and the Digital Basics III Video Series yielded clean smooth noise-free backgrounds with today’s images.
Note: here again, the shutter button was not fully depressed until after the bird took flight. This image was 100% possible for me only because of Pre-Capture.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and began working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can order the first five videos in Volume I — 15 detailed image optimizations that cover a wide variety of challenges, by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #5: Pine Siskin, bright male on Mountain Ash berry cluster
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Square Crops
As with Image #1, above, and as seen here often recently, square crops often work exceedingly well. While I am not a fan of the horizontal gray area in the background in front of the bird’s feet, the square crop reduced its impact on the image as compared to the original 3X2 capture.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #6: Black-capped Chickadee taking flight
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Faster and Whiter!
The Black-capped Chickadees are absolute speedsters as compared to the Boreals. And the brighter white feathers require 1/3 stop less light than the other species. I accomplished that by raising the shutter speed click. The key to getting an action shot of a black-capped is to get on them quickly and acquire focus ASAP. You usually do not have to wait long for this jittery species to take flight.
Note: this is another Pre-Capture miracle; I did not press the shutter button until after the bird took flight.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Helen Hays and her ubiquitous smile in the doorway of the Banding Room on GGI wearing a flowered hat designed to keep the sharp beaks of the protective Common Terns from opening up her scalp. August 3, 2014.
Helen Hays
I was saddened to learn yesterday of the recent death of legendary ornithologist Helen Hays, in a nursing home in Scarsdale, NY, of dementia, at age 94. Helen was the founder and director of the Great Gull Island (GGI) Project for 50 years. The Great Gull Island Project is a monitoring study of Common and Roseate Terns nesting on Great Gull Island, a tiny islet in Long Island Sound off Orient Point on the North Fork of Long Island. Additionally, GGI connects with scientists in Brazil, Argentina, and the Azores, where many of the banded birds from Great Gull Island spend their winters. Over the years, Helen and her team relied on hundreds of volunteers who visited the island each summer to help gather data on the birds and to improve and maintain the site. Those volunteers including my older daughter Jennifer and my son-in-law Erik Egensteiner, who met on GGI in May 1990. As you might suspect, Jen and Erik’s marriage was not the only one born on GGI. Many GGI volunteers went onto to become noted ornithologists.
Wanting to do something more substantial than the above, I spent an hour this morning doing an online search to find some of the stuff I had written about this amazing woman and GGI but came up empty. In addition, I did an article for Birder’s World several decades ago about Helen entitled “One Good Tern Lady.” It is in my office somewhere on a floppy disc. If I find what I am looking for in the next month, I will do a follow-up. The word I used most while describing Helen is badger (as a noun). That’s how tough she was. I visited GGI about eight times over the years. I once asked Helen how many times she had stooped over to grab an eggs or a chick from a ground nest. With her ever-present smile, she said, Millions, I guess.” I’ll close here by saying that Helen was always very nice to me. And everyone else as well.
Learn more in the NY Times obituary here. Though there are some factual errors, it will give you a glimpse into her amazing life and accomplishments.
I was thrilled to find this at the last moment; you can see and hear Helen talking about the project in a program she did at a Long Island Natural History Conference in 2016 here (on YouTube).
What’s Up?
Our two songbirds session went well despite slow starts each morning. The Pine Grosbeaks and Boreal Chickadees were the stars of the show. On Wednesday, I did something that I thought might never do, fill a Delkin 480GB card! I made more than 15,000 images including a very few good ones. And I enjoy learning more about Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii. I will be sharing the best images with you here soon.
Today is Friday 14 February. At 10:00 Alaska time, we will set sail on our first eagle boat ride. We are praying that the light snow in the 10-day forecast turns into a blizzard. Whatever the heck you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
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.
High Capacity Delkin CF Express Type A 4.0 Memory Cards
At present, there is no longer a need to change a memory card in the field. Both the new Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards have more than enough storage for 99.9% of field applications. Using these new cards, I have never hit the buffer with my a-1 ii despite hammering the shutter button on occasion. Regular readers know that I have been depending on Delkin cards for just about a quarter century. In that time I have never lost a single image due to card failure. I’ve put my Delkin cards in the washing machine and dryer and — after two days, retrieved one from a bag of barbecued spare-rib fat and bones. I got the images off those cards without a problem. Most amazingly, after dropping a card in the parking lot at Nickerson Beach IPT, participant Carlotta Grenier found the card near the ladies’ room four days later after it had been run over by numerous vehicles. After consulting with Delkin, I ripped the mangled cover off the card, put it into the Delkin card reader, and got to enjoy each and every image. I sent the card back to Delkin and they kindly sent me a brand new one. Please do not try that with Sony or San Disk or any of the many cheaper off brand cards.
At a recent dinner in San Diego, Delkin founder, president, and CEO Martin Wood told how his folks were able to recover the data from an industrial card that survived a military jet fighter crash that burned for more than two hours at 2000° F.
The specs for both the Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards are identical:
Max Read Speed: 1830 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 1710 MB/s
Min Sustained Write Speed: 500 MB/s
Records Raw 8K, 6K, and 4K Video
Records High Bitrates and Frame Rates
Records Raw Photos and Rapid Bursts
To help facilitate card usage in almost any environment and keeping your content safe, Delkin has built its BLACK Series with a rugged design that is water and shock proof and is resistant to temperature extremes. In order to further enhance reliability and functionality, the BLACK Series is serialized and protected by a limited lifetime warranty and a 48-hour replacement guarantee upon registration with Delkin.
I have never bought the story that putting all your eggs in one basket is a big mistake. Having to use multiple cards during a single shooting session greatly increases the chances of losing one or more.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
If You Are Really a Birder, or Know One a Real One, You Will Laugh Your Ass Off
In the last blog post I mentioned how much I enjoyed the writing of my friend Julian Hough. Every time we chat, I begin by spelling his first name one letter at a time with a British accent: Haych, Oh, You, Gee, Haych. Below, with permission, is the tongue-in-cheek article he posted on his blog (Naturescape Images/The Anglo-American Birding of Julian Hough)here in 2021. He did the writing posing as his son Alex.
Observations of Life by Alex Hough (allegedly). May 31, 2021
While my Dad was away, I thought I’d hijack his blog this month to offer some of my thoughts.
2020 was a year that COVID-19 wreaked havoc on all our freedoms.
Everyone has been confronted with difficult times, but as a teenager the stress of lock-downs came at a time when I was already trying to cope with something that’s affected me all my life. As an adolescent, I thought my DAd’s mood swings and irrational behavior resulted from a neurological mis-wiring of sorts, or maybe “being on the spectrum”, or perhaps even a kind of generalized seasonal disorder. Dealing with it left me overwhelmed with anxiety, frustration and despair. Over the years it became clear that my issues were the result of something worse. Much worse.
You see, my dad is a birder. He watches birds. Who knew that was a thing? It’s an obsession but it looks like an addiction. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the toll it takes on those closest to him. He’s had this horrible affliction for as long as I can remember and apparently there is no cure. From the outside, you’d never know he has a terrible disease based on his physical appearance. Aside from making soft grunts every time he moves a little too quickly, he has a full head of hair; exercises regularly; and looks generally healthy (well, as much as a 50-something desperately trying to pass for 40 again can look healthy). People who know my Dad ask me what it’s like to have such a “charming and fun father”. If people only knew the degree of mental suffering that lay beneath that self-appointed façade. He tells me that many of his close friends have the disease too. Many of them occasionally visit our house and knowing that now helps explain a lot about his friends. I think that knowing there are other people suffering the same malaise makes him feel less alone.
There are times when my Dad is a functioning member of society, but seasonal fluctuations in behavior, particularly in the first two weeks of May, or from mid-August to early November, make living with him particularly intolerable. Siblings, parents, partners and friends of birders all know what it’s like to live with them during these tough times. I try to be understanding and patient. I really do. My Dad is wonderful and caring, but he just gets so self-absorbed. It’s hard to connect with him sometimes. When he’s going through seasonal withdrawal symptoms, he paces around the room and just stares out the window, mumbling despondently to himself about, “Where are all the cold-fronts?” or “Will it ever go Northwest?”
After all these years I can often predict when he is about to have a full-blown meltdown. The trigger is multiple phone messages usually in short succession. He disassociates from reality and his eyes glaze over while he reads the incoming texts. I don’t know where he goes in that moment. It then abruptly shifts into frenetic running around the house, interspersed with a lot of Tourette’s-like outbursts. He doesn’t usually swear in front of me, but when he does I know it’s a big deal.
“Where the @!!*##$$! are my @!!*##$$! keys?”, is quickly followed by the always predictable yelling of, “Alex, get your shoes on! Turn that computer off! Get in the car. Now! What are you doing? I asked you to do ONE thing! For the love of God, why are your shoes still not on? COME ONNN! We have to go. NOW!”
In those moments, he turns from being the most attentive and loving father to an impatient, maniacal asshole. I start to get anxious. I try to escape to my room to play Minecraft before he can force me into the car to drive hours to some shithole sewage pond to look for a “Mega” or a “Crippler”. I have no clue what those are, or what it all means. It’s like he’s suddenly talking in tongues.
Kidnapped for a twitch to see a Gyrfalcon (for the third time!) and made to hold up the book to feign interest.
I just want a normal Dad like my friends have: a Dad that wants to push me on the swings; a Dad that will chase me around at Tag; a Dad that wants to take me to the park to bond with me (and not just because the park is next to a good gull spot). I remember walks where I would run around, playfully kicking up fall leaves into the air while he often seemed uninterested and distracted. With his head tilted skyward, he would ask in a quizzical manner, “Alex, Do You hear that?“
Sometimes I want to scream, “No! No, Dad, I don’t hear that {F@!!*##$$! } Blackpoll Warbler”. I say the word “F@!!*#$$!” in my head, because he doesn’t like me swearing. I know F@!!#$$! is a bad word, but he is F!!*##$$! making me say it. I don’t like to go outside. I don’t want to look at gulls. I don’t want to walk down the beach for owls. I don’t care about the best way to tell “long-billed” juvenile Semipalmated from a Western Sandpiper. I just don’t. I love you Dad. I just don’t understand you.
Seagulls suck! A trip to a local park magically coincided with the presence of a Ketchup Gull, or whatever it was called, some seagull from Asia that looked like all the rest. While there is presently no cure for what my dad has, and I know he can’t control himself, it makes me angry when he loses sight of what’s important in the world. I wish he would love me as much as he loves birds. But I know that will never happen.
I know there are other kids out there suffering with parents like mine. My heart goes out to them and those selfless people that choose to live with these tortured souls that suffer with this lifelong addiction.
As a young child, I had no choice. No way out. But now, as a teenager, it’s time to stand up for myself. It’s time to set some boundaries. I will no longer be tricked into going out with him for “just a little while”. I can stay home alone now. I offer this letter as hope to others. Just know you are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to stand strong and take your life back.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Multiple IPT veterans Steve and Elisabeth Shore joined Anita North and me on Tuesday for the drive from Anchorage down to Homer, AK. We arrived at Land’s End Resort on the Homer Spit at 3:30pm and checked into our rooms. We did a bit of shopping after dinner.
Today is Wednesday 12 February 2025. The four of us will be doing two days of songbird photography at a private home in Anchor Point. The first 2025 Homner IPT begins on Friday. If you are in Anchorage or will be in Homer between now and 23 February and would like to join us on the boat for a session or two with the eagles, please get in touch ASAP via e-mail or by text to 863-221-2372.
North Beach at Fort DeSoto Park (south of St. Petersburg and Tierra Verde, FL) has been closed since Milton, the second major 2024 hurricane, destroyed much of the park’s infrastructure. It is slated to be re-opening soon and I hope to visit this spring. The first four of today’s featured images were created on its wild beaches and sandbars. Also of note in each of today’s images is the sharpness and versatility of the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens either bare or with either teleconverter. I cannot understand why nobody has grabbed Robert Hollyer’s practically new used copy (below).
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.
High Capacity Delkin CF Express Type A 4.0 Memory Cards
At present, there is no longer a need to change a memory card in the field. Both the new Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards have more than enough storage for 99.9% of field applications. Using these new cards, I have never hit the buffer with my a-1 ii despite hammering the shutter button on occasion. Regular readers know that I have been depending on Delkin cards for just about a quarter century. In that time I have never lost a single image due to card failure. I’ve put my Delkin cards in the washing machine and dryer and — after two days, retrieved one from a bag of barbecued spare-rib fat and bones. I got the images off those cards without a problem. Most amazingly, after dropping a card in the parking lot at Nickerson Beach IPT, participant Carlotta Grenier found the card near the ladies’ room four days later after it had been run over by numerous vehicles. After consulting with Delkin, I ripped the mangled cover off the card, put it into the Delkin card reader, and got to enjoy each and every image. I sent the card back to Delkin and they kindly sent me a brand new one. Please do not try that with Sony or San Disk or any of the many cheaper off brand cards.
At a recent dinner in San Diego, Delkin founder, president, and CEO Martin Wood told how his folks were able to recover the data from an industrial card that survived a military jet fighter crash that burned for more than two hours at 2000° F.
The specs for both the Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards are identical:
Max Read Speed: 1830 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 1710 MB/s
Min Sustained Write Speed: 500 MB/s
Records Raw 8K, 6K, and 4K Video
Records High Bitrates and Frame Rates
Records Raw Photos and Rapid Bursts
To help facilitate card usage in almost any environment and keeping your content safe, Delkin has built its BLACK Series with a rugged design that is water and shock proof and is resistant to temperature extremes. In order to further enhance reliability and functionality, the BLACK Series is serialized and protected by a limited lifetime warranty and a 48-hour replacement guarantee upon registration with Delkin.
I have never bought the story that putting all your eggs in one basket is a big mistake. Having to use multiple cards during a single shooting session greatly increases the chances of losing one or more.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
Price reduced a shocking $600.00 on 13 July 2024 Price reduced a shocking $400.00 on 0 February 2025
Used Gear Page veteran Robert Hollyer is offering a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in Like-New condition for a BAA record low $8998.00! (was $9,998.00). The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the lens hood, the lens strap, that hard case & strap, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bob via e-mail or by phone at 1-206-359-0018 PST.
I purchased my Sony 400mm f/2.8 two years ago to complement my 600mm f/4. Robert is selling his because he rarely uses it, opting instead for the 600mm f/4! It is far easier for me to handhold the 4 ounces lighter, much smaller, and better balanced 400 f/2.8 than it is to handhold the 600mm f/4. The 400 kills for flight with or without the 1.4X teleconverter. This lens sells new right now for $11,998.00 at B&H and there is a used copy in 9+ condition selling for $10,197.95. Save a handsome $3,000.00 by grabbing Robert’s might-as-well-be-new 400mm GM lens. With either TC, the versatility is amazing and remember, you can’t beat the f/2.8 bokeh! artie
This image was created on 16 November 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on damp sand, I used the foot-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 600: 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:10:17am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Snowy plover (probably worn first winter plumage) on lugworm burrow mounds
A Snowy Dreamy Plover
I have very little if any memory of creating this image. Recently, a dear friend from the Cape May, NJ days, Julian Hough, an expat Brit, asked me if I had this exact shot — non breeding, not an adult. He needed it for an article he is doing on Kentish and Snowy Plovers for his local Connecticut bird club journal. I found several old ones that fit the bill but was not happy with the quality. Then, I found this one. we were both thrilled.
If you enjoy really good writing, check out Julian’s blog here. He calls it Naturescape Images/The Anglo-American Birding of Julian Hough. The guest post, allegedly written by his son Alex, is a hoot. He does not post often but his writing is superb and I enjoy hearing what he has to say whenever I visit.
As for the photo, I love the soft light, the gentle curves of the worm hills, and the matching color of the subject and the background.
This image was created on 15 April 2024 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on dry sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:22:49am on a hazy, partly sunny morning.
Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Royal Tern breeding plumage in flight
The Knee-pod Rest Position
When hand holding super-telephoto lenses for flight photography, sitting can be a great option. By resting your left forearm atop your left knee, you only need to raise your big lens a few inches to get the viewfinder to your eye. Not having to raise the big lens from your side greatly reduces potential fatigue,
This image was created on 15 April 2024 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on damp sand, I used the foot-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:15:53am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Red Knot molting into breeding plumage — preening neck
Wintering Red Knots
Some North American populations of this species winter as far south as southern Argentina while some birds remain along the Gulf coast’s of North America. In some years, flocks of as many as two hundred can be fond at Fort De Soto Park from November through early spring. In late April and early May, some individuals are molting into their handsome breeding finery with brick red breasts and spangled silver and black upperparts. They breed only above the Arctic Circle, most often on Banks, Victoria, and Baffin Islands in northern Canada.
This image was created on 16 April 2024 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on damp sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:19:47am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Sandwich Tern in breeding plumage — head portrait — unusually long bill
Stopping Down at Close Range
When working close to the Minimum Focusing Distance (MFD) of a lens, consider going to a smaller aperture to so that you have enough depth-of-field to cover the subject. Remember that at a given aperture, depth-of-field increases quickly as the distance to the subject increases.
Bill and Cap Clean-up
The more you use the Remove Tool, the more adept you become and the better your results will be. It can be used to erase or eliminate, to add, to blend, and to paint. Used properly, it is magical when used to refine edges. The more I experiment with it, the more I am amazed. Its introduction has been a life saver for me.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and began working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.
You can order the first five videos in Volume I — 15 detailed image optimizations that cover a wide variety of challenges, by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
This image was created on 1 May 2024 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on dry sand, I used the toe-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down 2 stops!) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:19:06am on cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage
Full Breeding Plumage
Several species of shorebirds including but not limited to Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, and the aforementioned Red Knot complete molting by late April or May and on occasion, can be found and photographed at Fort DeSoto. For me, each find is a treasure. A RUTU this richly colored is almost surely a male.
Do not ask me why I stopped down two stops for this one. That said, this image is incredibly sharp at 800mm with the 2X TC in place.
This image was created on 1 May 2024 at Fort DeSoto Park. Seated on dry sand, I used the toe-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). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 2 stops!) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:50:14am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: Great Blue Heron scratching
Shooting Up
There are several locations at Fort DeSoto where you can get right below the birds and shoot up at a variety of herons and egrets. Several types of images can be made when you find the right bird in the right spot. Stopping down is generally a good plan though in this instance with a side view of a scratching great blue, it was not entirely necessary.
I love all the angled lines in this one.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s five featured Vasili Chernishof Canon EOS R1 images do you like best? Why? (Be sure to click on each image to view the larger, sharper high res version.)
What’s Up?
With the handwriting on the wall and the Eagles up 17-0 in the second quarter, I opted to hit the sack at 7:30pm. Somewhat miraculously, I slept through to the alarm at 2:45am.
Today is Monday 10 February 2025. Bob Eastman and I were headed to the airport by 3:20am After dropping me off at Alaska Airlines, Bob heads for Paducah, KY and expects to be at his place in Reedsburg, WI by Wednesday afternoon (barring the severe snow and ice storms in the forecast), The temp should be about 5° F when he gets home. As for the Chiefs, things only got worse as the Eagles put a 40-22 beating on my favorite team. Bob arrived in Florida near the end of October and as regular readers know, we had a blast since then. Thanks for everything, Bob, and safe travels on your long journey home. Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Image #1: Brown Pelican Pacific race breeding plumage in flat flight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Vasili and the Canon EOS R1
Vasili showed up in San Diego looking to put his brand new Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless camera
to the test. And that is what he did to the tune of between 80 and 100,000 images in a single week. I took a peek at most of those images and was thoroughly impressed by both the speed and especially the accuracy of the Bird Eye tracking and the rich natural colors of the raw files. In today’s blog post, I share five of his best images; I believe that each was improved by my pano crop. As I did, Vasili used his tripod-mounted RF 600mm f/4 lens only sparingly on the trip, often, again as I did, often with the (RF) 1.4X Extender.
The last time I photographed with him he was using a ridiculous Gitzo tripod head that severely hampered him. After quite a bit of badgering by yours truly he finally purchased a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro from the BIRDS S ART Online Store. He loves it as it allows him to work efficiently with his 600mm f/4 that he can hand hold only for brief moments. Shooting flight with the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro is a dream: smooth effortless panning without any ballhead flop.
This image was created on 22 January 2025 on a San Diego In-the-Field session by multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof. Standing at full height, he used the hand held Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens (at 170mm) and the remarkable Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000: 1/4000 sec at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:46:26am on a cloudy morning.
Image #2: Brandt’s Cormorant incoming flight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS R1 Impressive Autofocus
As I have said here quite a bit recently, I was very impressed by the R1’s AF system. With this image, the bird’s face and eyes were incredibly sharp despite the fact that the top of the bird’s head was barely in the frame. A significant amount of canvas was added above and to each side to create the panoramic format.
The 100-300mm f/2.8 Canon Lens
Vasili loves his Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens and used it either alone or with one of the two Canon TCs for much of his San Diego photography. Weighing in at a hefty 5.7 pounds, the lens is quite heavy for most folks and is only minimally lighter than the Canon 600mm f/4. Add another 1/2 or 3/4 pound with one of the relatively gargantuan Canon teleconverters and you are lugging around quite a load. With its smaller physical size, however, Vasili was easily able to hand hold it for long shooting sessions.
Bob Eastman and I are very happy with our Sony 200-600s.
This image was created on 23 January 2025 on a San Diego In-the-Field session by multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof. Kneeling on damp sand, he used the hand held Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 420mm) and the remarkable Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless Camera. ISO 160: 1/1000 sec at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:15:31am on a cloudy morning.
Image #3: Sanderling
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Spotlighting
Chances of creating spotlit images in nature photography are rare. (Several folks liked the spotlit preening Western Gull in the last blog post.) Vasili caught this first winter Sanderling running across the black sand at Coronado Beach just as the sun poked briefly between two distant condos and lit up the small shorebird. The spotlighting is quite dramatic and I love the reflection of the sunlight off the bird’s belly onto the sand. The choice of a pano crop here was quite obvious.
Image #4: Cinnamon Teal drake in flight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Ducks in Flight
Again, like yours truly, Vasili was challenged as to what lens to use for the ducks in flight at Santee as you never knew how close or how far away they would be landing, In this case, the 600 and the RF 1.4X TC was the winning combination. The teal are small, fast, and erratic fliers. Kudos to Vasili for nailing this one.
This image was created on 24 January 2025 on a San Diego In-the-Field session by multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof. Seated on a dirt bank, he used the hand held Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 2x, (at 483mm) and the remarkable Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2500: 1/4000 sec at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 3:20:22pm on a sunny afternoon.
Image #5: Lesser Scaup hen skidding to a landing
Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Vasili Chernishof
Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Landing Skid
For this one, Vasili went with his hand hold-able (for him) 200-600 rig. The splashdown pattern made the pano crop an obvious choice.
Vasili Chernishoff, unsolicited via e-mail
I wanted to thank you again for such a fantastic learning experience; The San Diego trip exceeded my expectations, and I truly appreciate everything I gained from the workshop. I’m already looking forward to several more in Florida! Vasili
Vasili will be joining me again at Stick Marsh in late March and then again at Jacksonville — end of June through early July. I look forward to continuing to guide him on his bird photography journey. And like I am, he is looking forward to the Ospreys at Sebastian Inlet next fall.
Thanks for Vasili for allowing me to share his wonderful images with you here on the blog. More soon.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s four featured images do you find most interesting? Why?
Please Note
As only two folks left comments at the last blog post, I responded to them here.
What They Said About San Diego
Colleen O’Connor, the Irish Lass, unsolicited via e-mail
Artie–Thank you for … everything you taught me. It was the single most impactful learning experience in my life. I hope to join another IPT in 2025 to reinforce and build upon what I learned in San Diego. All the Best — Colleen
ps: Wow! The optimization videos are terrific; thank you for taking the time to do them. So much learning to be had. I’ve looked at two and am very excited.
Warren Robb, USN retired fighter pilot, via blog comment
Observing and photographing the amazing pelicans at La Jolla was great fun and a personally rewarding experience. Your expert guidance on first “seeing the shot” and then on the mechanics of capturing a sharp, properly exposed, well designed image with the right gear was invaluable. Thank you Artie for another great IPT. Warren
Adrian Whitchelo-Scott, unsolicited via e-mail
Good morning Artie, A huge thank you for an outstanding IPT. I learned a great deal from your wisdom and knowledge, from exposure to choosing the ideal shutter speed and so much more. Kindly extend a thank you to Bob for taking on the task of driving us around and lots more. I hope to participate in another IPT in the future. In the meantime, I will be watching my sun angle! Be well, (Yo) Adrian
Vasili Chernishoff, unsolicited via e-mail
I wanted to thank you again for such a fantastic learning experience; The San Diego trip exceeded my expectations, and I truly appreciate everything I gained from the workshop. I’m already looking forward to several more in Florida! Vasili
What’s Up?
Note: three of the six San Diego participants have already signed up for another IPT! If you would like to learn about changing your life by joining me in San Diego for the 2026 San Diego AirBnB IPT experience, please get in touch via e-mail or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. No rental vehicle needed!
On Friday, Bob Eastman and I headed early to Lakeland. With overcast and fog, our first stop was Circle B Bar Preserve. We walked three miles and created only a few hopelessly bad images. Next stop was Lake Morton. The American White Pelicans were finally in. We also had a male Redhead and lot of flying Double-crested Cormorants. We stopped in Winter Haven so that Bob could pick up 10 pounds of fresh tuna from Fish Store Mike to freeze and bring back to Wisconsin after he drops me at the airport early on Monday morning for my flights to Anchorage. He should be home by Wednesday.
On Saturday evening, we drove around for about 30 minutes with nothing to shoot. That despite the fact that a lovely orange-red sunset was shaping up. Then, for no reason at all, I picked a spot and said, “This should do it.” In the last five minutes before the sun disappeared the following showed up:
1- A Bald Eagle harassed an Osprey and eventually wound up with the fish. All of that occurred in the color.
2- A large flock of Cattle Egrets that had been flying as it usually does just above the surface of the lake, made a u-turn, then made another u-turn and flew through the color and right in front of the sun.
3- Then, a Great Blue Heron flew through the brightest color and passed right in front of the sun.
After 42 years of bird photography, I have an uncanny knack for putting folks in the right spot at the right time.
It is very early on Saturday 8 February 2025. Though I have been thinking a lot about packing, I have yet to put a single thing into either of my checked bags. So, I have lots to do on Saturday. After, of course, we get back from a short morning photo session down by the lake. Whatever you opt to do, we hope that you too choose to have a great day.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
Should You Upgrade to or Purchase a Sony a-1 ii?
I ordered my second a-1 ii two days ago. Every day that I use mine, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways. Pre-capture will surely prove to be a plus while in my option, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. Not to mention at Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for. And don’t forget the Pre-Capture feature!
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, are neither huge nor eye-opening. The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
With the price of a new a-1 having recently dropped $1500.00 to $4,998.00, the decision for new Sony buyers is a very tough one. The a-1 ii sells new for $6,498.00. And the price of used a-1 bodies will continue to drop (but surely not as much as I had thought before using the a-1 ii).
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $227.43. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail.
Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #1: California Sealion riding wave
I’ve spent hours trying to create images like this. Without very much success at all. On Tuesday the 14th, I tried for two minutes, using the technique that I had taught to the those in the group who wanted to try: Shutter Priority mode + 1v stop with AUTO ISO. I know that I nailed this one right off the bat so I went back to concentrating on birds.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #2: Western Gull preening primary feathers
The Spotlit Effect
With the sun making its way through a group of tall palm trees and spotlighting a single adult Western Gull on a nice pedestal perch, going vertical was the obvious choice. Exposing for the whites was easy using Zebra technology and left the dark rocks close to black. The preening pose was the cherry on top.
Focused on the horizon and then turned AF off. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #3 The Green Flash
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Green Flash
Google AI Overview
The green flash is a brief, green flash of light that occurs at sunrise or sunset when the sun is disappearing or rising above the horizon. It’s a meteorological optical phenomenon that happens when sunlight disperses through the atmosphere, similar to a prism. The sun’s light disperses through the atmosphere as it sets or rises and the atmosphere acts as a prism, allowing only green, blue, or violet light to reach the viewer’s eye. The green flash is a result of the light reacting with the sky at the right angle. Green flashes are more common over water sunsets because the water heats the air, creating greater thermal contrast. They can be seen regularly on the Pacific horizon.
Key West, FL is supposed to be a great place to see the green flash. If you are not too drunk. I’ve never been. I have tried without success to photograph the green flash on the west coast of Florida as the sun sets over the Gulf. Image #3, over the Pacific, is my most successful attempt ever.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.
Image #4: Royal Tern braking to land
Higher Standards for Flight Photography
With the speed and accuracy of Bird Face-Eye tracking on the latest mirrorless camera bodies surpassing anything we ever dreamed of, the bar keeps being raised higher and higher. I created many, many thousands of images of Royal Terns in flight. All but a small handful were razor sharp on the bird’s eye or eyes. I kept less than 1% of them. Why so few keepers and so many in the trash bin?
1- Poor, uneven backgrounds.
2- Harsh shadows.
3- Less than perfect and/or uninspiring flight poses and wing positions.
4- Less than perfect subject to film plane orientation.
5- Off angled or uneven lighting.
6- Underwing shadows.
7- Distracting birds in the background.
8- Clipped wings or poor framing.
I had many keepers with pure white breaking wave backdrops. The background for Image #4 was the dark, almost black face of a cresting wave.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
High Capacity Delkin CF Express Type A 4.0 Memory Cards
At present, there is no longer a need to change a memory card in the field. Both the new Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards have more than enough storage for 99.9% of field applications. Using these new cards, I have never hit the buffer with my a-1 ii despite hammering the shutter button on occasion. Regular readers know that I have been depending on Delkin cards for just about a quarter century. In that time I have never lost a single image due to card failure. I’ve put my Delkin cards in the washing machine and dryer and — after two days, recovered one from a bag of barbecued spare-rib fat and bones. I got the images off those cards without a problem. Most amazingly, after dropping a card in the parking lot at Nickerson Beach IPT, participant Carlotta Grenier found the card near the ladies’ room four days later after it had been run over by numerous vehicles. After consulting with Delkin, I ripped the mangled cover off the card, put it into the Delkin card reader, and got to enjoy each and every image. I sent the card back to Delkin and they kindly sent me a brand new one. Please do not try that with Sony or San Disk or any of the many cheaper off brand cards.
At a recent dinner in San Diego, Delkin founder, president, and CEO Martin Wood told how his folks were able to recover the data from an industrial card that survived a military jet fighter crash that burned for more than two hours at 2000° F.
The specs for both the Delkin 480GB and 960GB cards are identical:
Max Read Speed: 1830 MB/s
Max Write Speed: 1710 MB/s
Min Sustained Write Speed: 500 MB/s
Records Raw 8K, 6K, and 4K Video
Records High Bitrates and Frame Rates
Records Raw Photos and Rapid Bursts
To help facilitate card usage in almost any environment and keeping your content safe, Delkin has built its BLACK Series with a rugged design that is water and shock proof and is resistant to temperature extremes. In order to further enhance reliability and functionality, the BLACK Series is serialized and protected by a limited lifetime warranty and a 48-hour replacement guarantee upon registration with Delkin.
I have never bought the story that putting all your eggs in one basket is a big mistake. Having to use multiple cards during a single shooting session greatly increases the chances of losing one or more.
With the heavy fog (as predicted), I was not excited about heading down to the lake on Tuesday morning. But boy, I was glad that we went out. Bob and I made some excellent images and I learned some new stuff about exposure and on optimizing foggy morning images. Though the weather was much better on Wednesday morning, we did not do quite as well. Strange both mornings was a young Black Skimmer, only the second one I’ve seen at ILE in 25 years. It did not look to be too well on Tuesday but had a lot more life in it on Wednesday.
I’ve been getting a lot more work done on my 2024 taxes. I was glad to learn that the newer of my two Sony a-1 bodies sold the first day it was listed. The market for used copies of this great camera body is, as expected, holding up well. I am keeping the older one for now as a back-up for the Homer trip. I am not sure when I will receive my second a-1 ii. If you order an a- ii be sure absolutely sure to use one of my links to get the three set-up e-mails for free. Otherwise you will either need to go it alone or send a PayPal for $227.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net.
Bob is dropping me off at the Orlando Airport early next Monday and then beginning his drive back to a very cold Wisconsin.
On Wednesday evening we enjoyed a nice sunset with the skimmer and a White Ibis available for silhouettes. None were inspiring.
Today is Thursday 6 February. Though I have a ton of organizing and packing to do, we will surely head down to the lake for a short morning session. Whatever you opt to do today, we hope that you have a great day and that you too choose to be happy.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
In the Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, Four Very Special San Diego Not Flying Duck Images. Part Ihere, my very favorite image was the Northern Shoveler drake. Why? A good photo of this species in soft light had been eluding me for several decades. In addition, I loved the swirly water. Thanks to Dr. Fish for suggesting that I lighten that one. And to Anthony Ardito for suggesting that I lighten the Wood Duck drake head portrait.
For me, the other three images were tied for 2nd place as each was very strong.
These four raw files (each exposed well to the right), were created on 4 February 2025 down by the lake near my home at ILE while working from the front seat of my SUV with my BLUBB-supported super-telephoto rig.
Photo Mechanic screen capture of four foggy morning photos
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Exposing Way to the Right
Note that all of today’s featured images were created at either +2 or +2.3 stops (once again in Shutter Priority mode with EC on the thumb Wheel and AUTO ISO). Why? With the uniformly light-toned backgrounds, working in Shutter Priority as above allowed me to quickly and efficiently set my shutter speed, add a ton of light, and concentrate on making sharp images.
The key to getting the color right in each image was the final step: running a layer of Average Blur Color Balance as detailed in Digital Basics II. I should do a short video on this one …
This image was created on 4 February 2025 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 640. 1/125sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. Amazingly, RawDigger showed even +2.3 stops was not enough; the exposure here was a full /3 sto short of perfect. AWB at 7:45:46am on a very foggy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Mottled Duck and grasses on foggy morning
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
The Image Clean-Up
By clicking on the Photo Mechanic composite screen capture above to enlarge it, you can see that I did some neat clean-up work on the grasses, especially the clump below the bill. All done with the Remove Tool as detailed in the Digital Basics III Video Series. The pleasingly arranged grasses that I opted to leave create a peaceful easy mood.
Not to mention that the contrast and color are improved 1000% from the raw file.
This image was also created on Tuesday 4 February 2025 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Again, working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.0 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 400. 1/125sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:50:06am on a very foggy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Black Skimmer in worn first winter plumage
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
It’s Better Side …
On Tuesday morning, this young skimmer’s right eye was cloudy and barely open. Thus, I waited for the look-back pose to create a pleasing image. As mentioned above, the bird looked much better on Wednesday. But the left side of its face was still its best side.
This image was also created on 4 February 2025 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Again, working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 400. 1/125 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. Even though this one was created at +2.3 stops, RawDigger showed that it was a full half stop too dark. AWB at 7:51:45am on a very foggy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #3: Mottled Duck pair, male with yellow bill on our left
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Double Miracle!
Like today’s first two images, this one was created at the wide open aperture to save on ISO. As the ducks were swimming (albeit slowly), the sharpness of this image involved two miracles:
1- There is almost no motion blur on the heads — both eyes are sharp.
2- The two ducks were exactly on the same plane; both eyes are razor sharp.
Do remember that if you are using a long lens on a beanbag, you must remember to turn off Direct Manual Focus (DMF) to avoid throwing off the focus accuracy. With Sony, the switch is conveniently on the barrel of the GM lenses. G lenses (like the 200-600), do not offer this feature. With Canon, I believe that you need to turn DMF on and off via the menu. I am not sure with Nikon.
It is always good to be lucky but folks who do things gooder always tend to be luckier. Gooder is a Bob Eastman-ism for correctly or better.
This image was also created on 4 February 2025 down by the lake near my home at ILE. Again, working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2.0 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1250. 1/125 sec. at f/8 (stopped down two stops) in Shutter Priority mode. Again, RawDigger showed that the exposure was a full /3 stop short of perfect. AWB at 7:57:17am on a very foggy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #4: Killdeer preening tail feathers
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Two For the Price of One
While photographing the young skimmer, I noticed a preening Killdeer perhaps five yards further up the shoreline. Good photographers keep their eyes moving at all times in search of something better 🙂
I am not sure how or why I wound up at f/8 here as stopping down two full stops cost me both shutter speed and ISO. I did eventually make a few frames of the skimmer sleeping at 1200mm at f/8 and then at f/16 to be used in a future blog post on stopping down for bird photography. That inspired by a question left in a comment by Thomas Redd at the Los Tres Amigos Do a Tiny, Feisty Colorful Jewel blog post here.
Image #4A: Square crop of the Killdeer preening tail feathers image
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Your Call?
Which version of the preening Killdeer do you prefer, Image #4 at 3X2, of #4A, the square crop of the same photo. Why?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Your challenge today is a tough one as each of today’s featured images is quite strong. Once again, I ask you to judge them by placing the strongest image first and your least favorite last. Your comment might look like this: 2, 3, 1, 4. Feel free to justify one or more of your choices. I will share my rankings with you here in the next blog post.
Sony Alpha 1 (a-1) Mirrorless Camera Body
Your truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART Is offering his rarely used backup Sony a-1 (ILCE-1) mirrorless camera body in excellent plus plus condition for a ridiculously low $3,498.00. This body has been updated to Firmware 3.00 that reportedly improves Bird Face-Eye tracking to levels attained by the a1-ii. The camera has my current a-1 set-up on it. The sale includes the current Buttons and Dials Guide and the Info Sheet, the original product box, one battery, the charger, the camera strap, 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 artie via e-mail or y text to 863-221-2372.
I have used Sony a-1 bodies as my workhorse cameras for more than three years. They produce stunning 51MP files with vivid natural colors. The AF system is science-fiction-like. They are rugged and dependable and 30 frames per second is nothing to sneeze at. With a brand new A-1 ii going for $6498.00, you can save an even $3000.00 by grabbing my nearly as good as new copy ASAP Right now, B&H is offering a used a-1 in 9+ condition for $4,097.00.
artie
What’s Up?
As expected (by me, at least), our direct flight from San Diego to Orlando was blessedly uneventful. After being in the air for only a shade over four hours to fly across the country. Due to horrendous traffic on I4, it took us well more than two hours to get back to my home at Indian Lake Estates. Just for the record books, the flight covered 2431 miles in about 250 minutes, about 9 miles/minute or 540 mph. The car ride covered 77 miles in about 140 minutes, .55 miles/minute or about 33mph. All distances as the crow files. Go figure.
Monday morning dawned completely foggy so Bob Eastman and I went more than two full days without making a single bird photograph. Practically unthinkable. I was glad to learn that Dane Johnson sold his second a-1 body (in recent weeks) for $3550.00.
Today is Tuesday 4 February 2025. The forecast for the next three mornings at least is for fog, fog, and more fog. Big time bummer. I have lots of work to do getting ready to fly to Anchorage, AK next Monday for the 2025 Homer IPTs. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you have a great day and choose to be happy.
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.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
In the Last Blog Post
As was clearly stated in the last blog post here, Bob Eastman’s spectacular top shot of a leaving the scene male Cinnamon Teal was the strongest image. By far. I did forget to mention that another factor that often comes into play with Bob’s great success is that he is always more shutter button aggressive than I am.
Anyhoo, asked to pick the second best photo, several were mentioned; #2, the landing-in-soft-light Mallard drake, #5, the hen Lesser Scaup touching down, and #6, the braking Gadwall hen each garnered two votes. Image #4, the landing hen teal got a single vote.
My favorite was #5, the hen Gadwall on final approach because of the sharpness, the super-soft background, and the elegant braking pose. Thanks to all who commented.
This image was created on 10 January at Santee Lakes Regional Preserve on the Expanded San Diego 2025 IPT. Seated on a dirt bank, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 478mm) and the and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +0.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 3:46:47pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #1: Gadwall drake — front end vertical portrait
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Duck Too Close — What to Do?
If a duck is so close to you that it does not fit into the frame, simply turn your camera body on end and go for a front-end vertical portrait. In general, the lower you can get, the better. At Santee, the problem is that it is usually impossible or at least very difficult to get close to water level as the banks around the lakes are raised at least a foot or two.
This image was created on 12 January at Santee Lakes Regional Preserve on the Expanded San Diego 2025 IPT. Seated on a dirt bank, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the Sony a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:12:59am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #2: Northern Shoveler drake floating
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Getting Lucky on a Usually Shy Species
There are lots of Northern Shovelers at Santee Lakes Regional Preserve. They are exceedingly difficult to photograph. As many as several hundred are seen regularly surface feeding in large swirling groups of many dozens in the vicinity of aeration outflows in the middle of the first two lakes. They are not at all interested in tossed scratch, a supplemental treat for ducks made from a mix of grains and seeds. If you spot a handsome male swimming by the near bank and attempt to get into position, it will immediately turn tail and swim directly away from you until it reaches the other side of the lake. As the males are a high contrast subject, photographing them in anything but sweet light is a hopeless endeavor.
Several of us were sitting by the Wood Duck Oak Tree early one morning when a gorgeous male shoveler floated right by us at fairly close range. Because it was angled slightly away from me the rear half of the duck was in the shade. As Anita North taught me last week, I used a Linear Gradient in Adobe Camera Raw and subtracted the background. I’ve been struggling to learn to use a Linear Gradient for more than two decades and I am thrilled to have it down now. It will be one of the new techniques featured in Volume II of the Digital Basics III series that should be available in mid-April 2025.
Image #2A: Northern Shoveler drake floating (lighter)
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
A Lighter Version for Dr. Fish
Perhaps I have been in a dark zone …
This image was created on 24 January at Santee Lakes Regional Preserve on an Expanded San Diego 2025 IPT. Seated on the dirt bank, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering -0.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 3:22:34pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly.
Image #3: Wood Duck drake head portrait
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Road As Background
At times, several of the duck species that come to the scratch climb up out of the lake onto the bank or the road to forage for dropped tidbits of grain and seed. The drake woodie paused on the asphalt road for several seconds and gave me time to adjust the exposure compensation to avoid blowing the white patches. Making images that show the purple cheek patch requires exposing well to the right along with a healthy dose of reflectance luck.
Speaking of Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation (EC) and AUTO ISO
As we saw in the previous blog post here, using shutter priority for ducks in flight often leads to spotty, inaccurate results for a variety of reasons. (Remember that for the same reasons, similar results come with Manual mode.) When doing swimming ducks or posing waterfowl, however, you generally have a bit more time, and you know which species you will be photographing at a given moment, and have a pretty good idea as to the tonality of the background. Thus, it is easy to pick your shutter speed, use Zebras to dial in the correct EC, and create consistently good or excellent exposures.
Image #3A: Wood Duck drake head portrait
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Lighter, for Anthony
After Anthony Ardito left the comment below, I realized that he had a good point. So, I brought the image back into Photoshop and pulled up the curve. What do you think?
Anthony Ardito: February 4, 2025 at 9:45am
Yes #3 is quite stunning with the head peaking in from the left frame. That composition makes it really stand out! And I know you say exposure was dead on, but I think it would look even better brightened up just a tad.
My response
Thanks, Anthony. Do understand that exposure and presentation brightness are unrelated.
Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #4: Ring-necked Duck hen sipping
Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Why 1200mm for Swimming Ducks?
Even when sitting, the pleasing reflections of live or dead vegetation are often confined to the far side of the pond. I go to 1200mm and try to be patient enough to wait for some ducks to swim through the pretty colors. Windless conditions are of course best as choppy water breaks up the reflections. A second benefit of working with super-long focal lengths is that your angle of declination is reduced. With more distant subjects, it often appears that you are photographing from a very low perspective.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
