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
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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.
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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.
