Which of today’s two featured flight images do you like best? Why? Which background do you like best?
What’s Up?
I headed back to Santee on Saturday morning. Right outside of the park fence, adjacent to my new favorite morning spot, there was a large tree removal operation replete with three very loud wood chippers. The ducks stayed away in droves. I moved a bit to the north and had an OK morning. On Saturday afternoon I tidied up my AirBnB and watched the two NFL playoff games.
Last weekend all five of the teams I was rooting for won. When the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the favored Tennessee Titans with a last second field goal, I was six for six. I was rooting for the San Francisco 49ers to topple the Green Bay Packers who were favored by 5 1/2 points. After the first half, the 49ers chances looked to be somewhere between slim and none as their offense was non-existent. With the help of a blocked field goal, a blocked punt returned for a Niner’s touchdown, and a field goal by Robbie “Good as” Gould with zero time left on the clock, San Fran pulled off a miracle win. Now I am seven for seven thanks to the two underdogs winning.
I am torn between rooting for the Rams or for Tampa Bay in the first game. I will surely be pulling for the KC Chiefs to defeat the Buffalo Bills in the second game. I really like both teams a lot, but have been a huge Patrick Mahomes fan for forever.
I was glad to learn yesterday that John Flynn’s Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens in excellent condition sold for a BAA record-low $4899.00 within hours of being listed.
Today is Sunday 23 January 2022. The forecast is for cool, clear, and sunny with a gentle breeze from the northeast. I will be heading to the cliffs for more pelicans and more. I have a special Sunday plan in mind. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about ninety minutes to prepare and makes 72 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.
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 đŸ™‚
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.
This image was created on 17 January 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 400mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:55:26am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird/Face-Eye Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican — low light flight
Sony 70-200 II for Flight Photography
With large birds like pelicans at relatively close range, I love the new 70-200 for flight photography — usually with either the 1.4X TC or the 2X TC. Much smaller and much lighter than the 200-600, it is a dream to hand hold. And it is faster as well. One and one-third stops faster with the 1.4X TC, and one-third stop faster with the 2X in place.
Image #1A: AF Point for the Brown Pelican — low light flight image
a1/70-200 f/2.8 AF Performance
AF performance with the 70-200 f/2.8GM lens and the a1 is other-worldly, even with the 2X TC in place. Initial focusing acquisition is lightning fast and the Bird/Face-Eye Detection is nothing short of amazing.
Image #1B: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Brown Pelican — low light flight image
How Good is Topaz DeNoise AI?
Be sure to click on the screen capture to see the great job done by DeNoise AI. Viewing at 400%, it is easy to see the complete elimination of the ISO 2000 noise in the dark tones on the pelican’s belly. As regular readers know, I run DeNoise on virtually every image that I process immediately after executing the crop with the Delete Cropped Pixels box checked. For images made in sunny conditions, I used Standard. For images made in low light, I use Low Light. You can check all four methods by using the Comparison View, but I rarely do that anymore as I am confident as noted above.
Great Topaz News!
Be sure to check out the Sharpen AI item below.
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.
This image was created on 20 January 2022 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens(at 255mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:34:04am on a barely sunny morning.
Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican adult in flight on sunny morning
When the Sun Shines
When the sun comes out, I will often go to the 200-600 for birds in flight despite that fact that it is larger and heavier, and thus more difficult to hand hold. Not to mention that it is at least 1/3 stop slower than the 70-200 with either TC. So what not just stay with the 70-200?
Reach. Since the size of the bird in the frame is a factor of the square of the focal length, the 200-600 at the long end is the clear winner. And on sunny days, working with the slightly slower lens is not a problem for folks who can hand hold it successfully. Here is the math comparing the maximum focal lengths of the two rigs: the 70-200 with the 2X TC (i.e., 400mm) and the 200-600 alone (at 600mm). Four squared is 16. Six squared is 36. 36 divided by 16 is 2.25. Thus, the size of the bird in the frame at 600mm will be two and one-quarter times larger than the size of the bird in the frame at 400mm!
Please note that Image #2 was created from a horizontal original. Canvas was added above and below.
The Choice With Other Systems
As all major camera systems offer a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and longer hand holdable lenses, the same considerations discussed above will come into play. One thorn in the side for folks on the dark side is the fact that the Nikon TCE 20, their 2X TC, is a real clunker.
Image #2A: Topaz Sharpen AI on the head and breast of the Brown Pelican adult in flight on sunny morning image
Topaz Sharpen AI
The truth is that I rarely use Topaz Sharpen AI. And I am even not sure why I tried it with Image #2. But was sure am glad that I did as the improvement was monumental. Be sure to click on the screen capture to see that improvement while viewing the high-res version. Note that I increased the magnification to 200%.
Actually, the sharpened selection looked a bit too sharp, so I simply reduced the opacity of the layer to 70%.
Great Topaz News!
Be sure to check out the DeNoise AI item above.
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Please leave a comment and let us know which of today’s three featured images you like best and why you made your choice. Enjoy this weekend’s NFL games. I was sad to learn yesterday of the death of Rock and Roll legend Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf. The song above was his only #1 hit and resurrected his career in the early 1990s after a long drought. I saw him perform live with my late-wife Elaine in Orlando just months before her death from breast cancer in 1994.
What’s Up?
We had a stellar morning at Santee Lakes Preserve on Friday. We got there early and it was very cold. As I had hoped, we enjoyed fire-in-the mist conditions. Then it was on to the ducks. I discovered a great gold water background (with killer blue streaks as the birds disturbed the water) so we sat on that and had fun. We did well on the Wood Ducks. And the Ring-necked Ducks. And we had a gorgeous pair of Gadwall. And amazingly, four Cinnamon Teal! Yikes! I almost forgot the most exciting event. Keep reading to see what happened.
Carolyn and Marni headed home after brunch. Bill Schneider and I returned to La Jolla Cove and did the nesting Brandt’s Cormorants and then some really nice pelican stuff on the cliffs just up the hill. With the pelicans, we worked on shooting through openings in the green leaves of the bushes so that we could add some (suffused) green whenever possible. I kissed Bill and his wife Karen goodbye and then got to bed early. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about ninety minutes to prepare and makes 71 days in a row with a new one.
Inexpensive shared lodging is available for the San Diego Mini IPT (info below). Please contact me via e-mail to inquire about the late-registration discount. So far it is just me.
Today is Saturday 22 January 2022. The forecast for the next two mornings is for clear and sunny with a light NE breeze. I am torn between going back to Santee or heading for the cliffs at La Jolla. Both have been superb recently. I will make up my mind when I walk out the door of my AirBnB.
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.
Canon 600mm f4L IS II lens
John Flynn is offering a Canon 600mm f4L IS II lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $4899.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, 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 John via e-mail or by phone at 1-860-944-7489 EST (CT area code, FL resident).
The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new 600 III going for $12,999 and used version IIs hard to find, you’d do well to grab John’s lens ASAP. artie
Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed quite well. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: American Coots battling
The Battling Begins
When we got seated on the bank of my favorite Santee Lake, I told the group that it was likely that we might get to photograph some serious coot fights. And that is exactly what happened at 9:19am. It seemed as if the fight went on forever. I guess when it comes to bird battles, ones lasting more than two minutes are both very rare and very exciting events.
Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed quite well. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: American Coots battling
My Less Than Ideal Set-up
To take full advantage of the gold and blue backgrounds ,I sat as close to the lake as possible with the tripod flattened. I leveled the silver ball of the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro and worked off the tilted rear monitor. That worked fairly well with the swimming ducks but when the fighting began, it was difficult to see the Zebras through the action even though I did have my reading glasses on. RawDigger showed that the beaks of all of the coots were slightly over-exposed, but with the over-exposures all in the GREEN channel I was able to restore the detail using techniques from the Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video.
When I go back, I will work seated so that I will be in better control of both Zebras and AF.
The Saving the WHITEs (and lots more!) Video image
The Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video
My two biggest challenges when optimizing images are getting the BLUEs just right, and restoring detail to the WHITEs and highlights of properly exposed raw files. There are four things that I do to accomplish the latter. All are covered in detail in this 21+ minute video, along with a dirty trick to try if the first four do not work perfectly. Sit with me at my laptop as I teach you how to save the WHITEs. I begin with the raw conversions of two different raw files, first with the Snowy Owl image featured here, and then with Joe Usewicz’s spoonbill image that was featured in the Extraordinary Over-Exposed (?) Spoonbill/Saving the WHITEs Optimization blog post here.
In addition to learning how to save the WHITEs (in both images), you will learn how to expand canvas using the amazingly convenient Content-Aware Crop Tool, to set the White Balance (color temperature), to set the WHITE and BLACK points, see Digital Eye Doctor and RawDigger in action, learn to make a Color Range Selection, and lots more.
To purchase your copy of the Saving the Whites Video (and lots more!) video, you can send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net, call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand, or visit the item in the BAA Online store by clicking here.
Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed quite well. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #3: American Coots battling
Shutter Speeds for Action
When the battles began, I thought that I had been at 1/1000 sec. When I noticed that I had been at only 1/800 sec., I raised the shutter speed one click to better freeze the action. Most of the several hundred fight images were sharp enough in a really difficult situation for AF. Tracking Zone did just fine as most of the unsharp images were due to motion blur rather than missed focus. I kept only 17, those determined by wing and foot/feet positions, head angle, and the positioning of both combatants.
The Image Optimizations
Aside from restoring detail in all of the well-lit coot bills, I replaced the eye of the “other” coot in each image. Eye Doctor work was done on all three of the photos. Image #2 was cropped slightly while the other two are full frame.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) Mini IPT. Monday 24 January thru the morning session on Wednesday 26 January 2022. Three mornings and two afternoons: $1649.00. Deposit: $499.00. Limit: 6 photographers
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
A $499 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Best would be to call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
The sun finally came out on Thursday morning. Photography was spectacular. We had lots of pelicans including many gorgeous adults, along with lots of head throws. We enjoyed another fine working brunch at Cafe Vahik. We got to Santee Lakes early in the afternoon and photographed drake and hen Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Mallard along with Ruddy Duck and American Coot. We saw but did not photograph Wood Duck and Cinnamon Teal. I have 3409 images to go through from what was a very fine Thursday. Carolyn continues to do great with her new 200-600/a1 rig. She and daughter Marni will be heading home after brunch today. Bill Schneider will be with me all day.
Inexpensive shared lodging is available for the San Diego Mini IPT below. Please contact me via e-mail to inquire about the late-registration discount.
Today is Friday 21 January 2022. The forecast is for sunny all day. We are headed back to Santee Lakes very early in hopes of fire-in-the-mist conditions at sunrise followed by Wood Duck (and more) photography. đŸ™‚ 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 70 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.
Sony a7R IV
BAA Record-low Price
BAA-friend Peter Noyes is offering a Sony A7R IV camera in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $1898.00. The sale includes the camera body, the camera strap, the original Sony NP FZ100 Lithium-Ion Battery, the Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger, the camera manual, a SonyALC-B1 EN Body Cap for E-Mount cameras, the Cable Protector, the USB type C cable, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Peter via e-mail or by phone at (567) 356-0878 (EST).
For the past several years you have seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. Before the a1, I typically used my 7r IV for about 50% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IVA sells new right now for $3498.00 (and the only “improvement”, over the original a7R IV is more resolution in the rear monitor, you can save a cool $1600.00 by grabbing Peter’s a7r IV. Though this 61-MP body is especially attractive to landscape and macro photographers, it is great for birds as well; you can pretty much crop to your heart’s content. For photographing birds in flight, I do not recommend its use with the 200-600 G lens. artie
This image was created on 19 January 2022. Standing at full height, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). IS 400. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:52:04am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: upper center Zone AF-C performed very well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican vertical front-end flight take-off
When Something Unexpected Happens …
I’ve said it here dozens of times, “When something unexpected happens, push the shutter button.”
I was working a pelican on my favorite pedestal rock perch in vertical format with Tracking: upper center Zone AF-C. When the bird leaned forward and took off to the north, I followed my own advice by pressing the shutter button; I created seven images. All were sharp on the bird’s eye, and amazingly, three of them were nicely composed. Whoever head of a vertical front-end flight take-off image? As I had taken a moment to center the bubble on the silver ball of the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, all of the images in the series remained square to the world as I panned right. When it comes to bird photography with the Sony Alpha 1, life is like a box of chocolates …
One Tiny Thing …
Only one tiny thing bugs me about this image and keeps it from being perfect. If you think that you know what it is, please leave a comment. I clipped the tip of the fourth primary feather in this frame, added canvas, and repaired the missing wingtip. Nothing there bugs me. It is something else.
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. Last week, two folks in the group ordered a third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 104 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 all who wish, can request an e-mail that 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! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. I finally finished the consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE and distributed it yesterday. New a1 folks will now receive three e-mails instead of the previous 28! It is a lot easier on me and is an incredible resource for folks new to the a1.
Long-time group member Craig Elson has helped me often and immensely by answering some tough a1 questions, He sent this via e-mail yesterday:
Artie,
Thanks so much for organizing all of these threads together. I can only imagine how helpful this is to someone opening the box on their new a1, much less combined with your CAMSETA2.DAT file. And I think that was the first, and likely the last, time, that I will be referred to as “the estimable!”🙏
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.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) Mini IPT. Monday 24 January thru the morning session on Wednesday 26 January 2022. Three mornings and two afternoons: $1649.00. Deposit: $499.00. Limit: 6 photographers
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
A $499 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Best would be to call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
