February 9th, 2022 What’s Up?
On Tuesday morning I did well setting up the new computer once Apple Care Senior Advisor Andrew got me logged into my iCloud account. My Keychain and my e-mail settings came along with that. I have PhotoShop and Photo Mechanic up and running and Jen worked on Word and Excel for Mac in the afternoon. I have seen the recovered images and have backed up the recovery hard drive, but have yet to copy the recovered data to the new machine.
I was glad to learn of the pending sale of all three of Sandra Calderbank’s three listed Canon items on the first day of listing.
Scroll down to read the recent Stick Marsh e-mail conversation I had with Alexander Kropp, NE Region Wildlife Diversity Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). I was glad to learn that my efforts led to some positive changes.
Today is Wednesday 9 February 2022. Again, the forecast does not matter as I have too much work to do. Today I will be working on installing my Topaz stuff and some additional Apps including RawDigger, DPP 4, Sony Imaging Edge Desktop, Sony Catalyst Browse, Capture One, A7INFO, and others. We have super-slow internet here at ILE; right now that is the best option … Updating the operating system for the new laptop took more than four hours. Downloading and installing Photoshop took more than three. Office for Mac more than two.
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 8 weeks (the Stick Marsh stuff …) and 90 minutes to prepare and makes 88 days in a row with a new one.
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
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Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG.
Clockwise from upper left back around to the center: spoonbill with mangrove background; spoonbill head and shoulders portrait; spoonbill braking to land; spoonbill dramatic landing pose; adult Black-crowned Night-Heron; spoonbill with nesting material; Great Egret returning to nest; incoming spoonbill; and Limpkin landing.
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Stick Marsh IPT: #1: WED 9 March thru the morning of SUN 13 March 2022: $2,299.00. (Limit 6 photographers)
Stick Marsh IPT #2: MON 14 March thru the morning of FRI 18 March 2022: $2299.00 (Limit 6 photographers)
Do both IPTs back to back and enjoy a $200 discount: protect your travel and time investments against bad weather by signing up for both IPTs for $4398.00.
Stick Marsh, where the living is easy. Photograph incoming Roseate Spoonbills in flight at point blank range with intermediate telephoto zoom lenses. This year I will be trying the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, often with the 1.4X TC. Longer lenses either on a tripod or hand held are best for the green background stuff. There will be endless flight photography opportunities with a variety of species; in addition to the spoonbills, we should have some excellent chances on Limpkin, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Double-created Cormorant, Anhinga, Black and Turkey Vultures, and more. Folks with 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses will have lots of opportunities to hone their skills whether they are working on a tripod or hand holding.
There will be five morning photo sessions averaging four hours. We start in the pre-dawn. The first four morning sessions will be followed by a working brunch. The cost of brunch is included. There will be two after-brunch photo-sessions on sunny days (averaging about an hour) to try for bathing spoonbills, usually centered around 1:30pm. There will be one after-brunch photo critique session (probably on DAY 3). And there will be one Image Processing session after brunch.
We will be based in or near Vero Beach. There are AirBnB possibilities for folks who register early. The deposit is $599.00. Call Jim at the office any weekday at 863-692-0906 to pay by credit card. Balances must be paid by check.
What You Will Learn on a Stick Marsh IPT
- 1- You will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button..
- 2- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you are scared of it.
- 3- You will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
- 4- You will learn the pro secrets that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
- 5- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
- 6- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
- 7- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
- 8- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
- 9- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
- 10- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
- 11- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
- 12- You will learn to see and understand the light.
- 12- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
- 12- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event at all times.
And the best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.
Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
BAA-friend Mark Berney is offering a Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens (original DO lens) in near-mint condition for $1,499.00 (via cashiers check only). The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it including the 400B case (AKA the lens trunk), the leather front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, a LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your items will not ship until the check is good to go.
Please contact Mark via e-mail.
I used and loved both the original 400 DO and the version II. I never really saw many differences in the image files … Both versions are very sharp and relatively small and light and do very with either the 1.4X or the 2X tele-converter. Most folks can hand hold a 400 DO without a problem. Grabbing Mark’s lens would be a great and inexpensive way for folks (especially R5/R6 users) to get into super-telephoto photography. As the version II sells for $6899.00, you can save a fortune by getting in touch with Mark ASAP. artie
Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens & Canon 1.4x EF Extender II
BAA-friend Mark Berney is offering a Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens and a Canon 1.4x EF Extender II (both in excellent condition for) for a silly low $449.00 (via cashiers check only). The sale includes the original product boxes and everything that came in them along with insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your items will not ship until the check is good to go.
Please contact Mark via e-mail.
The versatile 70-200mm f/4 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes. I owned and used this lens when I shot Canon to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are relatively fast and sharp and have 1000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on feeding sprees right next to the road. Lenses in this class are easily hand holdable by just about everyone and do well with the 1.4X TC. artie
ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see the blog post here.
Sony a9 Mirrorless Camera Body
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Used Gear regular and BAA-friend Anthony Ardito is offering a SONY a9 mirrorless camera body and the SONY VG-C3EM vertical grip (a $398.00 value) in like-new condition for a BAA Record-low $2,049.00. The sale includes the grip, the original boxes and everything that came in it and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony e-mail.
The a9, the original AF king, offers superb autofocus that absolutely kills for bird photography; virtually every image is sharp on the eye. Many feel that the AF system on the a9 ii is no better. As the a9 ii sells new for $4498.00 you can save an incredible $2651.00 by grabbing Anthnoy’s a9 right now! artie
SONY FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Anthony Ardito is offering a SONY FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,347.00. the original box and everything that came in it and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony e-mail.
The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1,000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on single birds from huge feeding sprees right next to the road.
This super-fast lens weighs only 3.26 pounds and is easily hand holdable by just about everyone. As it sells new right now for $2,298.00, you can save a cool $800.00 by grabbing Anthony’s lens ASAP. artie
ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see below, and also see the images in the blog post here. artie
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 2 February 2022 at Stick Marsh. Standing at full height for flight photography I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1000. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:55:23am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill landing atop colony with one foot raised
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An e-Mail Conversation with Alexander Kropp, NE Region Wildlife Diversity Biologist, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
AM: Hi Alex,
Thanks for getting back to me. I was beginning to lose faith in humanity 🙂
AK: Sorry for the late response.
AM: Me too. I had serious laptop problems that are now resolved.
AK: I’m catching up on some older e-mails since the holidays. Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss further.
AM: Thanks for that.
AK: I was contacted by Audubon FL (through their communication with you) about this issue just prior to the holidays, so thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.
AM: That is good to know as Florida Audubon ignored all but one of my many e-mails and all of my phone messages …
AK: In response, just before the holidays, I organized a meeting with our FWC CWA biologist, FWC Avian Conservation biologist, and SJRWMD engineers working on the S-96 project. The two key protections afforded to wading birds at this site are: 1) protections associated with Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs), and 2) protections given to state-threatened wading birds.
In this case, the boundaries of the CWA are well outside the zone of this project, so we determined no CWA entry permit was necessary for work at S-96. Since the CWA harbors threatened wading birds, protections associated with Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for Threatened wading birds also need to be considered. In most cases, these guidelines assume “take” (harm or harassment) of wading birds is avoided when construction activities are at least 330 feet away from active nesting areas. We determined that all S-96 construction areas were just outside the 330 ft. buffer listed in guidelines. However, portions of the west staging area (where materials are stored) were determined to be within 330 ft.
AM: I would agree that there was lots of big stuff stored “within 330 feet.”
AK: SJRWMD staff sent us a proposal over the holidays for reducing disturbance at the project site by reducing the size of the western staging area. After reviewing their proposal, we believe it is sufficient to avoid “take” of threatened wading birds nesting at Stick Marsh CWA. Therefore, at this time, we are not recommending they apply for an incidental take permit.
AM: That was a good idea. I visited on 2 February and noted the nice new orange plastic fencing to keep the workers from parking at the bottom of the slope closest to the colony.
Here is some good news from a recent blog post:
Stick Marsh was better than expected. Just before sunrise there were about 20 Roseate Spoonbills on the North Rookery Island. Most of those birds flew off at about 7:15am. Soon thereafter, there were spoonies flying in and out until about 8:15am. The birds were displaying, courting, and pulling leaves (but not sticks or branches). They seemed not to be disturbed at all by the big construction project. All in all, I would say that things are looking good for a successful breeding season.
So thanks for that 🙂
AK: Having said this, we are continuing to monitor the site and are encouraging SJRWMD staff and others to report any signs that “take” is occurring as a result of project activities. For example, if nesting birds are observed repeatedly flushing from the CWA in response to project activities, additional actions will be necessary to either reduce disturbance or mitigate for take via an FWC incidental take permit.
AM: Right now, as noted above, things are looking good.
AK: Feel free to call me at the number below if you have additional questions or concerns. Thank you again for bringing this issue to our attention.
AM: YAW and thanks again.
With love, artie
ps: If you ever need any bird photographs for educational purposes, LMK and I would be glad to send some along gratis.
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This image was created on 2 February 2022 at Stick Marsh. Standing at full hight for flight photography I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1250. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:42:41am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Roseate Spoonbill landing at colony
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Glad to Have Made an Impact
I was glad to see that some substantive changes were made and that some eyes were opened as a result of my sticking my nose into the S-96 project. It did, however, take quite a while. I was buoyed by what I observed on my 2 February visit. The spoonbills are are actually early and again, things are looking good for a successful breeding season.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
February 8th, 2022 Wanted to Buy
If you have a Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with Extender 1.4x lens in excellent or better condition sitting on a shelf gathering dust and would like to unload it for a fair price, please contact me via e-mail. I have a reliable buyer.
What’s Up?
Well, after being in data recovery mode for more than a week, and in FedEx hell since last Friday, the second package finally arrived yesterday. You can read the whole (and somewhat continuing) story below.
I was glad to learn that Ellen Mack’s 7D Mark II sold instantly.
Today is Tuesday 8 February 2022. The forecast for this morning does not matter because I am far too busy (as below) to even think about heading down to the lake. This blog post took a week and a half to live out and several hours to write. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes 87 days in a row with a new one.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.
Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in like-new condition with only 4250 shutter actuations for a very low $599.00. The sale includes one battery and the charger, the strap, the original product box and everything that came in it, a Really Right Stuff Modular Sliding L-Plate (RTS B702-L Set — about a $150.00 value), 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is one of the greatest-ever values in a digital camera body. artie
Canon 70-200mm IS L II Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon 70-200 IS L II lens in like-new condition for a BAA record low $746.00. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, a Really Right Stuff Quick Release plate (about a $75 value), 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.
The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes especially with fall color peaking in many areas. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on feeding sprees right next to the road. Lenses in this class are easily hand holdable by just about everyone. artie
ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see the blog post here.
Canon 100-400mm IS L II Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Currently Back-ordered at B&H
IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon 100-400L IS II lens in like new condition for a BAA record-low $1296.00. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, a Really Right Stuff Quick Release plate (about a $75 value), 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is fabulous with an R5! The lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save a very nice $1103.00 by grabbing Sandy’s copy right now. artie
The Whole Gory Story With a _ _ _ _ _ Ending
The evening before I left San Diego in mid-January, I ran a Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) back-up. Though that was my only backup, I felt safe and secure (as I had been feeling for several years). That turned out to be a big mistake in thinking.
Here is how things developed beginning last Saturday, January 29th. I was working on my MacBook Pro consolidating folders in Photo Mechanic. Things were going a bit slow, so I decided to reboot, something I rarely do. I try to avoid rebooting (and updating), always figuring, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Anyhoo, when the machine rebooted, my Digital Photographs folder, my Downloaded Images sub-folder, and many, many dozens of additional sub-folders had disappeared, seemingly into thin air. I rebooted again hoping that the images would come back, but they did not. Next, I checked Finder and got the really bad news: the folders were gone. The strangest thing is that Storage was showing 2.11TB used, 1.89TB free. That seemed to indicate that the photos were still on the drive. Somewhere.
Next I spent two hours on the phone with Apple. I got connected to a senior advisor and he could not find the images either. During that phone call, I got sort of frantic and plugged in my very recent and only Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) back-up. That turned out to be the kiss of death because CCC was programmed to “run when attached.” So it quickly copied the seemingly wrecked drive (with the 1.7 TB of “missing” photos) and wrote over my backup. Nice. It took me a while to realize the impact of what I had done. And as I got more and more frantic, I force ejected the backup drive several times. I would learn later that I wrecked all the files on that 4-TB Solid State Drive. This is what I got from Apple: We are never ever responsible for lost data. Period. It is your responsibility to create current multiple backups.
Apple recommended two data recovery services. For no particular reason, I called DriveSavers Data Recovery. After speaking to two nice and seemingly competent folks, I received a pre-paid Fed-Ex overnight label, prepared the package (with both the laptop and the backup drive), and headed into town to tender the package at the Lake Wales Fed Ex depot only to find out that it is closed on Saturday. The package was picked up on Monday and delivered to Novato, CA the next day. I called them at 5pm on Tuesday and learned that there was a chance for data recovery. They were pretty sure they would be able to save the approximately 136,478 or so images, but that there was a chance that I would get a backup drive with only images arranged by date (rather than in the original folders …) That would be OK, but would have been a nightmare that required several months of work to rearrange them as well as I could. When I spoke to them again on Wednesday, I learned that it seemed that the folders (and images) disappeared because of a “logic board error.” I gave them approval for expedited service.
Realizing that Apple would never have my laptop “fixed” any time soon, and certainly not before I leave for Homer on 15 February, I decided to order the new computer that I had been looking at for months.
With 11 minutes to spare so that I could get overnight Fed Ex shipping to arrive on Friday, I ordered a totally souped up 16.2″ MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip (Late 2021, Space Gray): Apple M1 Max 10-Core Chip (Processor), 64GB Unified RAM (Memory), 8TB SSD (Storage), and the 32-Core GPU (Graphics configuration).
(Note: “souped up” is correct. From Rob Bignell’s website here:
Souped up is the correct spelling (and gets more search engine hits than suped up, at that). The term souped up predates the invention of superchargers (for cars) and initially referred to any horse that had been injected with something to increase its speed. In fact, any concoction that packed a lot of power – including nitroglycerine – was called a “soup.”
Anyhoo, that turned out to be a nightmare on its own. With lots of bad weather in the northeast, I did not get the computer on Friday. But I did get an e-mail from B&H stating that the parcel was now slated for “Saturday delivery.” Great. I checked the tracking number all day on Saturday and it kept saying, “Out for Delivery.” Fantastic. If both packages arrived as they were supposed to, on Saturday, I would at least have Sunday to start setting up the new laptop. I sat by the door all day, even skipping my swim. That parcel did not arrive on Saturday.
Back to the Data Recovery
I spoke to DriveSavers on Thursday and got what turned out to be great news. They were able to recover all of my images “In Structure.” That meant that all of my file folders and image names were recovered exactly as I had last seen them. Intact. Whew. And all of that for only $4490.00! In any case, I was thrilled but was still anxious to actually see the images on a hard drive, and then to see them in Photo Mechanic on the new machine.
I hope that you did not think at this point that it would be smooth sailing from here. I paid extra for Priority FedEx “Hold at FedEx Ship Center for pickup” (on Friday morning). Tracking showed that this package too was seriously delayed; but it showed, “will arrive today.” So at 5pm I confidently drove to town to pick up the package only to learn that it was still in Greensboro, NC.
So I called DriveSavers and had them call FedEx to do a trace (re-routing) of the package and make it for Saturday Delivery to my home. They did. The tracking for that package showed “Delayed until Monday 7 February.” At 6:30pm on Saturday, a very nice lady FedEx driver rang my doorbell and handed me a large parcel that I assumed was the new computer. Imagine my surprise when I opened the package and found my old laptop with the recovery disk. The parcel that was “delayed until Monday” arrived on Saturday, but the package that was “on the truck for Saturday delivery” did not arrive that day …
DriveSavers had told me in no uncertain terms that I should not plug the drive with the data recovery on it into the (possibly corrupt) old MacBook Pro. So I would not be able to plug in the drive to see if the photos were really there until I got the new machine set up.
The FedEx Nightmare Continues
The lady at the FedEx Ship Center had told me on Friday afternoon that if the parcels from DriveSavers did not show up on Saturday “I could come back to the FedEx place at 8:55am and grab it off the truck.” Well, they could, not me. So I sent Jim with a note and my driver’s license to finally grab the new laptop. He called me at 9:08am and told me that the truck had left and that we would get the delivery that morning “before noon.” Then I saw an e-mail notice from FedEx stating that delivery had been attempted at 7:36am that morning and that we could have it delivered on Wednesday or drive to town again that afternoon to get it. There was no call tag on my front door, and, the e-mail also said “Will be delivered between 9am and noon. Whoever heard of Fed-Ex coming at 7:36am. I had been in the back office and did not hear the doorbell, and Jim had been in the shower.
So I called FedEx and got to talk to a human (a near-impossibility, BTW), got to speak to the Case Manager, and told him that he needed to call the Ship Center and tell them to call the driver and tell him to deliver the package. I waited while he made that contact — sorry Mr. Morris, they hung up on me six times. Finally, he came back on the line and said, It will be delivered before noon.” Jim called me while I was at the eye doctor (“Your eyes look like the eyes of a 40-year old non-diabetic” thank you very much) and told me that the new computer had been delivered at 11:30am. Hooray.
When I finally got home at about 1:30pm, I plugged in the new machine and began to set it up. I always have problem with technology, often feeling that I am somehow electronically jinxed. I got to about the fifth set-up screen where it said, “Sign In with Apple ID.” I typed in my Apple ID, turned to the Keychain on the old machine that was running right beside it, and then carefully typed in my password. Your password is incorrect. So I typed it again and again and again and again. After about 36 tries, I called Apple Care for help. After thirty minutes he was baffled — “I’ve never seen anything like this.” So we gave up and decided to update the operating system. With our super-slow internet, that took several hours. At one point it looked as if the download had failed, stuck at “10 minutes remaining.” Then a screen popped up that said “Restart.” The took 15 minutes. Amazingly, when the machine restarted, it showed that macOS Monterey V12.2 had been successfully installed.
Overnight, using the new machine, as suggested by DriveSavers, I made a back up copy of the recovery drive. Today I will try to straighten out the Apple ID problem and get at least PhotoShop and Photo Mechanic up and running. And try to get e-mail up on the new machine. There is a catch-22 situation in that I want to AirDrop my Keychain from the old machine to the new machine so that I can log into my Adobe and Camera Bits (Photo Mechanic) accounts but I cannot do that because I need to be signed in to Apple ID /i-cloud. For me, setting up a new laptop is always a huge challenge … Heck, I just tried to log into my Adobe account, carefully and correctly typed my password (as viewed in Keychain on the old machine), but again it came up as “That’s an incorrect password. Try again.” As I said, I get the feeling that I am technologically and electronically jinxed …
Resetting the Passwords
Many may be wondering why I do not simply reset the passwords. Remember, I do not have e-mail set up on the new machine because I cannot sign in to I-cloud. In addition, I am worried that if I change the password on the new machine I may be locked out of a given App on the old machine …
The Story With a Happy Ending
Though it cost me nearly $12,000.00, I now have all of my folders and images intact and backed up. I am thrilled. First off, almost $7,000.00 of that was for the new computer that I was probably gonna get anyway. Soon, hopefully today, I will be able to view the recovered images in Photo Mechanic on the new laptop.
Fortunately, for me, the money does not bother me one bit. I really could care less. Ironically, it did not make any financial sense at all to go to the expense of recovering the images. Why? My raw files are basically worthless; we rarely sell an image anymore (though we did make a nice sale at the end of last year to National Geographic Books). The blog, which you are reading right now, drives the business. All I need for that is JPEGs. And nearly all of my best images would have been available as large JPEGs as they are stored online in Word Press.
So why was I so anxious to get the images back? The main reason was personal satisfaction. If I did not recover the images, there would be many great photos and many great trips that I would miss re-living and enjoying. I have dozens of really special images that I can now look forward to sharing with you on the blog. And I will be able to create slide-show sized images of the last year or two of new photos for use in future Keynote presentations.
All I need to do in the next few days is get the new machine up and running with all of my Apps functioning.
This Just In
9:24am
I had the pleasure of spending 45 minutes with an Apple Care Senior Advisor Andrew. The guys was incredibly knowledgeable and amazingly helpful. He helped me change my iCloud password on the new machine, the old machine, and my iPhone. My samandmayas e-mail is up and running on the new machine and I am importing mailboxes as we speak. And Photoshop is being installed right now!
Other MacBook Pros with M1 Chip & Retina Display Options
You do not need to spend $7K to enjoy the new super-fast M1 chip technology. There are 13.3, 14.2, and 16.2 sizes. There are two colors: Space Gray and Silver. And each can be configured as you wish as far as RAM (Memory), Storage, and Graphics configuration. To explore the many less expensive options, please start by clicking here, and then do a search for “MacBook Pro M1.”
As always, using my affiliate links will not cost you one penny and is a great way to thank BAA for the information and stories that you read here on the blog every day.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
February 7th, 2022 What’s Up?
A single photographer needs to leave Homer early (due to new, even more restrictive travel rules for Canadian citizens). This opens up two (or possibly three) pro-rated (with a late-registration discount) days aboard my 2022 eagle boat. This would seem to be a great opportunity for folks living in Anchorage or elsewhere in Alaska, or for folks who will be visiting the region soon. Please contact me via e-mail to staffbaa@att.net or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. See below for details.
I visited the eagle family on a dreary Sunday morning. I did not do any photography at the nest, but I did take a very few while sky Osprey flight images with the hand held 600 f/4. The rest of the day was spent catching up on samandmayasgrandpa@att.net e-mails. After my swim and an early dinner, I really enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics.
Today is Monday 7 February 2022. The forecast for the morning is for cool and mostly cloudy with a breeze from the northeast. In bird photography terms, that means not too good. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes 86 days in a row with a new one.
Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.
Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Ellen Mack is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent condition for $549.00. The sale includes the BG-E16 Battery Grip ($120 value), the original product box with the CDs, the front body cap, the battery charger, one LP-E6N battery, the manual, the camera strap, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears or next day if payment is via PayPal.
Please contact Ellen via e-mail or by phone at 1-707-292-0393 (Pacific time zone). zone).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR (with extras!)
Price Reduced $100.00 on 6 February 2022
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
BAA-friend and BPN member Ravi Hirekatur is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent condition for $497.00 (was $597.00). The shutter count is 167,000; the body was recently cleaned and checked via Canon’s 18 point service and has not been used since. The 7D II is rated for 200,000 shutter actuations. The extras include the Battery Grip BG-E16 (a roughly $130.00 value), the Kirk L clamp BL-7DIIG (a roughly $80.00 value), and the Canon Remote Release Canon RS-80N3 (a roughly $50.00 value). The sale also includes the original product box, the front body cap, the battery charger, a total of two well-used Canon batteries LP-E6N, the manual, the camera connecting cord, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 (Central time).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know recently that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
Brand New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 13 January 2022 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing as tall as possible just outside my SUV, I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1250. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:45:49am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle adult feeding week-old chick (full frame at 1200mm)
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Aging Eagle Chicks
The photo above appeared on the blog on 14 January 2022. My best guess, based on the behavior of the adult and the lack of the egg tooth, is that the egg hatched on or about 7 January (2022 of course).
In doing research for this blog post, I learned that Bald Eagles lay from one to three eggs, with two being the average clutch size. The clutch is incubated for 35 days after the last egg is laid. The young grow quickly and leave the nest anywhere from eight to 14 weeks after hatching. Most can fly at 10 to 12 weeks.
I came across an amazing story that detailed (with photos!) how a Red-tailed Hawk chick wound up in a Bald Eagle nest in British Columbia’s Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary and was raised till fledging by the adult eagles! Read the whole story here.
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This image was created on 4 February 2022 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing as tall as possible just outside my SUV, I used the no-longer available GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 500. The exposure was determined perfectly by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:35:57am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle — month-old chick in nest
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My, How Fast They Grow!
I’ve never seen the splotchy plumage of a young Bald Eagle. How would you describe the bird? Doofy? Disheveled?
Based on the estimate of the date of hatching, the eaglet in Image #2 is just about four weeks old. I was amazed at how fast it had grown in the three weeks since I created Image #1. For the past few days, I’ve watched it raise one wing at a time while resting at the bottom of the nest. In a few weeks, it will be standing on the edge of the nest flapping both wings to strengthen the wing muscles. As I get back from Homer late on 4 March, right at eight weeks, I may miss some or all of that.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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Pro-rated/Late Registration Discounted DAYs on the Second 2022 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT
IPT #2: SAT 26 & SUN 27 FEB 2022: $900.00 per day (reduced from $1,100/day). (Friday 25 FEB is possible offering the chance for a 3-DAY IPT) This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
Also featured are a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and SONY. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic image designs, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will actually learn to be a better photographer.
The best and most creative boat captain.
A sturdy, spacious, sea worthy, open-deck craft.
The only Bald Eagle workshop with an incredibly helpful, full time, professional first mate.
Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image critiquing sessions.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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What’s Included
One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.
What’s Not Included
Your airfare (if necessary) to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.
Please Note
On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 8 hours for two pro-rated days or 12 hours for three pro-rated days, you will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.
Deposit Information
Payment in full is due now via credit card or by personal check made out to BIRDS AS ART and sent to us via US mail.
In Closing
I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the two trips is to sign up for both. If you have any questions or are good to go for one or for both trips, please get in touch via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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