December 21st, 2021 What’s Up?
I spent some time on Monday morning with the crane family of four. After lunch, Jim and I drove over to Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland and enjoyed a three mile walk through the Pond Cypress. I brought the 200-600 G lens, the 600mm f/4 GM, and both teleconverters. An Alpha 1 was mounted on each lens. I went light with the no longer available GIT 204 topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini. There were dozens of birds at close range — Common Moorhens, Great and Little Blue Herons, Great and Cattle Egrets, and Anhingas. The wind was from the east by slightly north. The gentle backlight with the sun in the southwest was do-able, but almost every bird was facing into the wind, directly away from us. I created very few images.
The forecast for today, Tuesday 21 December 2021, is for thunderstorms pretty much all day long, with the heaviest rain in the morning. It is not likely that I will get out to do much photography. Maybe …
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than 40 hours to prepare, including the time spent on trying to figure out what is going on at Stick Marsh, and makes 41 consecutive days with a new one.
If, after reading today’s post, you have any ideas as how I might proceed, please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. It would seem that the next likely stuff would be to contact the Orlando Sentinel and perhaps other Florida newspapers. The single question that really needs to be answered is this: Why didn’t FL DEP or the USFWS respond to the e-mailed requests for input from FWC? At the very least, the FWC knew of the rookery as they designated it as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA).
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December 6, 2021. The two rookery islands can be seen directly behind the piles of steel beams that are about 50 yards from the closest point of the rookery islands.
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So What’s Up With Stick Marsh?
First off, let me say that I have no idea if the breeding birds at Stick Marsh will be negatively affected by the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project currently underway at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area. It seems very likely that at least some disturbance will occur. Is there a chance that the entire colony might abandon the site at some point (assuming that they build nests and lay eggs in the first place)? Yes.
In short, I have been trying to learn why it seems that the rookery there was not considered at all during the permitting process. The project is being done under the auspices of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
I learned on Monday morning that Indian River County Stick Marsh was designated as Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) by the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In addition, I learned that Tricolored Heron, like Roseate Spoonbill, is protected as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Tricolored also breed at Stick Marsh. You can learn more here and here.
Ironically, I found this at the first link: Disturbance is a major factor affecting nesting success.
If you would like a copies of the two permits, please shoot me an e-mail with S-96 Permits as the Subject Line.
I sent the e-mail below on Monday morning. It summarizes my concerns and frustrations. At the time of publication, I have heard back only from Greg Workman, Regional Director, FWC. He wrote via e-mail:
I will follow-up with our biologist to see if someone can contact you to assist you with your concerns.
Jerry Lorenz
State Research Director
Everglades Science Center
Audubon Florida
Hi Jerry,
I hope that you are well and safe. Do you know about the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project at Stick Marsh?
I have been trying to gather information on the permitting for this project. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, for the St. Johns River Water Management District has been very helpful. Most others, including folks at Audubon Florida, FWC, FL DEP, and USFWS have been anything but responsive to my queries.
Daniel Shideler of FWC wrote in part, We sent an email out to state agencies on 4/15/21 and then one on 4/28/21, and we did not receive any comments or conditions from Florida Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
A document entitled S-96 Rehab FDP ERP GP makes no mention of any threatened species.
I did find the following in a document entitled S-96 Rehab FDEP 404 GP:
(k) Listed species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or a species proposed for such designation, or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which may affect a listed species or critical habitat, unless the Agency has consulted with, or been provided technical assistance by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service under their respective authorities and appropriate measures to address the effects of the proposed activity have been implemented or are required as a specific condition to the general permit.
As Roseate Spoonbill is protected both by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, and because Stick Marsh is an FWC designated Critical Wildlife Area, I am baffled that FL DEP granted permits for this project and equally baffled that USFWS did not play any role in the permitting.
Considering the timing, the proximity (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is at least the potential for disturbance of the nesting colonies?
Considering the timing, (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the proximity, the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is a possibility that the birds might abandon the site this season? Please see the photos here.
Is there any way to stop this project?
Do you have any idea as to how FL DEP could have issued permits for this project?
Do you have any idea why a USWFS permit was not required for this project?
Do you have any idea why neither FL DEP nor USFWS responded to the e-mails from FWC?
Do you have any idea why I am being stone-walled by most of the folks mentioned above?
Is there any baseline research data on the nesting spoonbills Tricolored Herons at the two tree islands in the St. John’s Water Management Area’s Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir in Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach where hundreds of state-imperiled Roseate Spoonbills and Tricolored Herons join Snowy and Great Egrets to nest from January to July each year?
At this point I am begging you for help. Feel free to call me at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Thanks with love, artie
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Cc: Julie Wraithmell (Audubon Florida); Gretchen Kelly (St. Johns River Water Management District); Daniel Shideler (FL DEP); Annie Dziergowski (USFWS); Mark Smith; Greg Workman (Regional Director, FWC)
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December 6, 2021. There will be lots of pile driving done during this reconstruction project. At the very least, the bird’s flight paths to and from the rookery will be altered.
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Description of the Project
Adapted from e-mailed information kindly provided By Gretchen Kelly of the St. Johns River Water Management District
Good afternoon, Mr. Morris. Thank you for your inquiry. The project you are referencing is the rehabilitation of Structure S-96. This critical flood control structure is over 50 years old and is due for major repairs. The contractor is installing a sheet pile cofferdam (*) on the east and west sides of the structure. The structure will be pumped dry so that repairs can be made to the concrete structure, steel gate, and wingwalls. Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the Environmental Resource Permit and the State 404 Permit. Please see the attached permits. The project complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
Installation of the west cofferdam is currently under way and is located over 100 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. Installation of the west cofferdam is scheduled to be complete by mid-January. The east cofferdam is a couple hundred yards further east of the rookery and is scheduled to be complete by late February. The cofferdams will be removed in May 2022, and the entire project is scheduled to be complete by late July 2022.
You can find additional information using this link to the District’s news release for the project: https://www.sjrwmd.com/2021/10/flood-control-structure-rehabilitation-work-begins-in-november-near-stick-marsh/. Also, for public safety and to facilitate job productivity, public access across the structure is limited. Refer to the recreation announcements section of the District’s website: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/announcements/#T-M-Goodwin.
cofferdam (*): /ˈkôfərˌdam. Noun. A watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit construction work below the waterline.
The general, anticipated sequence of construction is as follows: After completion of the west cofferdam in mid-January, the crane will be used to remove the hydraulic hoists and steel gates from the structure. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure and used to install the east cofferdam, which will be located about 200 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. After the cofferdam is complete, the structure will be pumped dry and kept dry while the contractor preps, patches, and recoats the concrete and exposed steel wingwalls. Additional dirt and rocks will be placed near the bottom of the structure where erosion may be present. The gate will be renovated off-site. The renovated gates and new hoists will be re-installed before removal of the cofferdams (with the crane). Repairs to this critical, federal flood control structure can only be conducted during the dry season and should not be out of operation during hurricane season.
As with any construction project, the schedule is subject to change due to adverse conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
The contractor is and will be using the crane, which is equipped with a vibratory hammer, to drive the steel beams (piles) and steel sheet piles for the cofferdam. The sheet piles are shown in the picture that you included in your 12/6 email. The contractor will use the same crane and vibratory hammer to drive steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges; that will likely be done in late May at the earliest.
We anticipate that the steel piles west of the structure will be gone (in the water) upon completion of the cofferdams. Many have already been used on the west cofferdam, the remaining ones will be used on the east cofferdam. Any new steel piles for the east cofferdam will likely be stored east of the S-96 structure until that cofferdam is complete. Based on my site visit today, the west cofferdam is progressing faster than expected and will likely be complete before the New Year. The steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges (about 10 total), will be delivered and staged somewhere on site at a later date, probably in April or May. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure shortly after completion of the west cofferdam, and before mid-January.
An EIS (Environmental Impact State) was not conducted for the S-96 Rehabilitation Project
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
December 20th, 2021 Understanding Wind and Sky Conditions Question
At 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon, there was some gorgeous color in the western sky but with a brisk wind from the west/southwest, I did not even bother setting up my sunset silhouette stepladder. Why not?
Well Done By Joe Usewicz
From yesterday’s post here:
Differences?
After clicking to see the high-res versions, compare the optimized Bald Eagle image, Image #1, with the raw file, Image #2, and leave a comment detailing the differences that you see. There are at least three or four fairly major ones.
In-the-Field Workshop veteran Joe Usewicz, the only person to respond, wrote:
Hi Artie,
I figured I’d give it a shot.
It looks like you cropped both the left side and right side to remove some branches. Probably had to clean up the lower left with clone stamp. And removed the moss at the top of the photo. Also removed some of the white poop spots.
Let me know what I missed. Now back to the games.
Joe
I responded:
Thanks for leaving a comment, Joe. And well done. Actually, I cropped proportionately from the left, right, and below, using Original Ratio.The rest of your comments are spot-on. Most of the white stuff was poop. One small white feather was eliminated as well. Note: I rarely use the Clone Stamp Tool for image clean-up. As detailed in Digital Basics II, most of that is done with the Patch Tool and with Content-Aware Fill.
with love, artie
What’s Up?
It poured for 30 minutes at 5:00am on Sunday morning. It dawned very foggy so I did not head down to the lake until about eight. There was not much around and I was ready to head home. I took a ride out to the end of the South Peninsula and found an acre of Black Vultures with their wings spread, sunning themselves in sauna-like conditions. I spent an hour with them and made a very few good ones. Aside from a few cranes, sunset was close to a bust.
Today is Monday 20 December. The forecast for this morning is for mostly to partly cloudy with a breeze from the northeast. I will head down to the lake in a bit to check on the eagle nest and see what’s about. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare and makes 40 consecutive days with a new one.
If you are thinking of an R5 after reading today’s blog post, you might wish to visit the Top Ten Reasons to Love the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body and the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens blog post here. As detailed below, using one of my affiliate links to purchase your Canon RF gear earns a nice discount on the BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide.
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 save 3% 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.
Sony Alpha 1 (free card offer!) and Canon EOS R5 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know on Saturday that he has several Sony a1 bodies and several Canon R5 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. If you purchase and R5, 3% of the purchase price will be refunded to your credit card when the body ships. Right now with the Alpha 1, 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! Either way, be sure to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex.
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 wait lists 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 near Denver, CO by Brian Sump. Working off the tilted rear screen, he used the handheld Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera. Exposure determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 1600: 1/6400 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop). AWB early on a then sunny morning.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2021: Brian Sump Photography. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Common Goldeneye — drake floating in early morning light
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Looking at Great Images
Looking at as many good and great images as possible is one of the best ways to improve your own bird photography. I visit BPN often both to learn and to be inspired. Thanks to Brian Sump for allowing me to share his very fine Common Goldeneye images with y’all here on the blog today.
To see more of Brian’s images and to learn more about him — he was a college and an Arena League football star, see the blog post here. If you missed the Morris to Sump video, you just might enjoy it. That Brian has been photographing birds for only a very few years is very hard to believe.
You can see what I, and other folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
High Shutter Speed/High ISO Question
Why do you think that Brian went with such a high shutter speed (1/6400 sec.) and such a high ISO (ISO 1600) in bright sunny conditions? There are three intertwined answers.
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This image was created near Denver, CO by Brian Sump. Working off the tilted rear screen, he used the handheld Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera. Exposure determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 1600: 1/6400 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop). AWB early on a then cloudy-bright morning.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2021: Brian Sump Photography. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Common Goldeneye drake — a running start for take-off
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Extraordinarily Uncommon R5 Goldeneye Images
It is easy to make lots of images of common bird species. Goldeneye is fairly common in Colorado. Creating images that are truly outstanding is a huge challenge. I came across both of today’s featured images in the Avian Forum on BPN.
Amazingly, Brian created this take-off image while working off the tilted rear screen of the R5 with the lens at ground level … Please do not try this at your local lake without parental supervision.
You can see what I, and other folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
If Someone Held a Gun to Your Head …
If someone held a gun to your head and asked, Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest, would you go with Image #1 or with Image #2? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Fernando Ramos
The excellent Canon EOS R5/R6 Camera User’s e-Guide is unlike anything I’ve encountered. Your detailed instruction supported by excellent reasoning is exactly what I needed to help me set-up my Canon EOS R5. Thank you for sharing your expertise with me; as a result, you saved me immeasurable time. Fernando
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Joel Eade
Thank you so much for the R5/R6 guide and I am honored to have had an image included! It is a wonderfully written, extremely comprehensive document that would benefit any R5 user. It is evident that a tremendous amount of time and effort was required to create it. After reading through, I can say it that flows in a logical fashion and that each item is carefully described in a way that is not difficult to follow. I agree with 99% of your set up suggestions 🙂 Joel
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Cover Image courtesy of and Copyright 2021 Brian Sump (Sump scores!)
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The BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5/R6 Camera User’s e-Guide: $75.00
Purchase your RF body and or lenses using either my B&H links or from Bedfords, using the BIRDSASART code at checkout, and enjoy a discount on this great guide. You’ll earn a $1 discount for very $10 you spend.
The guide is 82 pages long: 21,458 words. There are more than 50 DPP 4 Autofocus-depicting screen captures. And a 31 minute 44 second educational video. This guide took three and a half months of hard work and a ton of help from at least seventeen very helpful and generous folks.
The guide covers — in great detail — all Menu Items that are relevant to bird, nature, and wildlife photography. It does not cover video. The section on AF methods and the AF Gallery has been expanded from the R5/R6 AF e-guide. It remains the one of the great strengths of this guide. I share my thoughts on what I am sure is the single best AF Method for photographing birds in flight. As most of you know, the guide includes a simple and easy way to change AF Methods that was introduced to me by Geoff Newhouse. In the AF Gallery you will see exactly how Face Detection plus Tracking AF works. In the Educational R5 Gallery video, I share my favorite R5 images along with dozens of bird photography tips and techniques.
In addition, I teach you how to get the best exposures with your R5. Detailed instructions on using the great In-camera HDR and Multiple Exposure features will be appreciated by creative folks who like to have fun. The three shutter modes are explained in detail as well. Bruce Dudek solved the can’t-get-to-Auto ISO problem that had stumped everyone at Canon. This information is of course shared in the guide. You will learn how to set up your EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) and Screen toggle options. Not to mention that the mysterious performance of the Q Button is revealed and simplified. Brian Sump’s images reveal how well you can do when using the R5 with EF lenses using one of the three Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapters (as Donna did with Image #1 below). You will learn how I use Customize Dials to put either ISO or EC on the Thumb Dial and how to set up and save Custom Shooting Modes (C1-C3) that can remember both your Customize Dial and Customize Button settings! That is something that none of the SONY bodies do. 🙁 Near the end of the guide I share my all-important MY MENU items with you.
Like all BAA educational materials, the R5 guide is written in my informal, easy-to-follow style. I am quite proud of this guide and look forward to hearing your thoughts on our hard work.
You can purchase your copy of the BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide for $75.00 here in the BAA Online Store or by calling Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
December 19th, 2021 Differences?
After clicking to see the high-res versions, compare the optimized image, Image #1, with the raw file, Image #2, and leave a comment detailing the differences that you see. There are at least three or four fairly major ones.
What’s Up?
I had no clue that had I made a nice image of the female eagle on the nest, but when I reviewed my images from Saturday morning, I was in for a nice surprise — today’s featured image. Saturday sunset looked like a cloudy bust, but when I looked down toward the lake at 5:12pm from the pool deck, I saw a bright orange sky. I hustled to the car and hustled down to the lake, only to arrive just as the sun disappeared for good behind a huge dark cloud. I hung around to do some white sky grackle flock blurs, but all in all sunset was a bust.
Today is Sunday 19 December. The forecast for this morning is for mostly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the southwest. I will likely take a spin down to the lake to see what’s up. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than two hours to prepare and makes 39 consecutive days 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I am glad that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to a morning session after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday 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 wait lists 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 18 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:06:55am on a mostly sunny day with a light cloud in front of the sun.
Tracking: Spot S with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly by tracking and nailing the bird’s visible eye. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle on nest
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A Very Nice Surprise
I barely remember making this image …
When I saw the male Bald Eagle fly to the nest carrying a large stick, I followed in my SUV. The male was sitting in filtered light on the large branch to our left of the nest. I made a few images knowing that they would be bad. They were. For several weeks, the only part of the female I saw was the top of her head as she sat low in the nest on her clutch of eggs. When I saw her stand up in the nest in a big pine tree, I swung the lens on the BLUBB, adjusted the exposure, and fired off a few frames. I thought nothing of them. But when I saw them on the laptop I thought that they were pretty cool as the nest was incredibly large and intricate. And the lady was calling.
Most of the time when I create a good image, I know it when I press the shutter button. But not always …
If …
If you own the BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide and would like to learn the location of the eagle nest, please shoot me proof of purchase via e-mail with the words Eagle Nest Location Please as the Subject Line.
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The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
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The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
Purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
- Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
- Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
- The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
- Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
- Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
- Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
- West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite and Purple Gallinule.
- Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
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Image #1A: The active AF point for the Bald Eagle on nest image
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Par for the Course Alpha 1 AF Performance
With relatively static subjects, Bird-Eye/Face Detection AF performance is consistently hard to believe. And this true with the bare lenses as well as with either teleconverter.
In e-mail #25 to the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes, I detailed two amazing AF techniques that I discovered only recently. One of these techniques makes the world’s best AF system for birds in flight even better. The other teaches folks working with lenses with DMF (direct manual focus) to acquire and maintain AF when shooting through reeds!
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that the first e-mail you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience!
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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