Today is Sunday 12 December 2021. I was up and out early. I was working the edge of the lake, walking around in about a foot of water. I felt a few insects biting my legs, but ignored them until I couldn’t. When I got back to my SUV I realized that I was being attacked by fire ants. So I quickly took of my slacks and began rubbing the attackers off my lower legs with my hands. Soon I had my socks and surf booties off. I headed home, itching like crazy, took two Benadryl, and then a hot shower. At that point, I had about three dozen large welts, most only my lower legs. Along with a few on my thighs, one on my left butt-cheek, and several on my right hand and forearm. The latter bites probably because of my efforts to get the ants off of my bare legs. I applied some Exinol that I had in a bathroom drawer and that helped a lot.
All in a morning’s work for a nature photographer. 🙂
If you are hoping to receive a Sony a1 as a holiday gift, be sure to scroll all the way down to the Sony a1 Bird-Eye/Face Detection item. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than four hours to prepare (including the time spent on the new YouTube video), and makes 33 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.
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.
Image #1: 600 f/f GM lens and a1 body on pillow in SUV
Oops, I Forgot My Blubb
While driving slowly along the lakefront on the North Field on Saturday morning past, I noted a handsome Great Blue Heron sitting on The Perch II. Having left my BLUBB in the garage, I set a pillow on the window frame to support my big lens rig. I began working with the a1’s rear screen with my lens supported on the pillow. There are many lessons to be learned from this I-Phone screen capture. Be sure to watch the video to learn those.
Verticals Using the Titled Rear Screen …
The rear screen on the Sony a1 is designed to tilt up when working with horizontals. I started with the rear screen on this foggy morning working in horizontal format. Then I realized that by moving the car farther from The Perch, and going to vertical, I would be able to create vertical images with a strip of green marsh grasses and bullrushes at the bottom of the frame. I could not raise the window to get my eye to the viewfinder because I was working on a pillow; it would not have been any where near as stable as if I had been using the BLUBB.
So I sat low in my seat and worked on the tilted rear screen while doing verticals even though that is not what you are supposed to be doing; the reason screen is to be used when working horizontally. But in this situation, I quickly realized that it was the best solution.
The fact that the rear screen of the a1 tilts only horizontally is one of the big negatives this great camera body. In most (but not all) vertical situations it is impossible to use the titled screen. I pride myself in being able to invent stuff in short order, in the field, on a regular basis. Being able to quickly solve sticky logistical/practical problems will enable you to create better images consistently.
This image was created on 11 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Working off a pillow placed on the window frame of my SUV (I left my BLUBB in the garage …), I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000 for this, the third in an auto-bracketed series. Multi metering +2.7 stops; the base exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:17:22am on a foggy-bright morning.
Tracking: Upper Right Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Great Blue Heron on The Perch in the fog
The Optimized Version
Notice that from the dull, washed out, seemingly over-exposed raw file, you wind up with a lovely pretty much noise-free image with vibrant colors that still maintains a foggy morning look. As I have been saying here for years, most of your raw files should look dull and dreary both on the back of your camera and when first viewed on your computer.
Why Expose to the Right
As regular readers know, I try to push my exposures as far to the right as possible without over-exposing the highlights. Why? To minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
Why Bracket?
Most folks routinely under-expose virtually all of their images. That is true especially when doing white birds in low light, when creating silhouettes against brightly colored skies, when working on cloudy days, and when working in foggy conditions as with today’s featured image. Only RawDigger can teach you to get things right. So when I began studying RawDigger, I began to bracket in 1/3 stops when photographing static subjects. When you evaluate the raw files in RawDigger, you cannot help but to learn a ton.
When Not to Auto-Bracket With Birds?
You never want to auto-bracket when photographing birds in flight or in action. Why? It is virtually guaranteed that the image with the worst exposure will be the one with the best pose or the best wing position. In addition, with most systems, you must release the shutter button after each three frame sequence is completed.
When to Auto-Bracket With Birds?
So when is it OK to auto-bracket when photographing birds?
#1- When working in low light as detailed in #2.
#2- When working with less-than-action-stopping shutter speeds with relatively high ISOs. For example, in today’s situation, I was at 1/500 sec., fast enough to make sharp images off the silly pillow. And I was already at a high ISO — 2000. But 1/500 sec. is generally not fast enough to make sharp images of a bird in flight (or a bird taking off…)
#3: When you are learning RawDigger, or when you want to learn to (properly) mega-expose to the right.
Note that there are different ways to set up auto-bracketing with different camera systems and even with different bodies. Th a1 is as convenient as it gets. I simply spin the dial on the top left from H+ to BRK (bracket). I have the camera set up to bracket in 1/3-stop increment: the base exposure, 1/3 darker, and 1/3 lighter. In the video you will see that the brightest exposure was the best. It was +2.7 stops off the image as framed. When was the last time that you made an image at +2.7?
Also of note is the fact that with the a1 most folks will wind up shooting far fewer exposures of static subjects. Why? Instead of 30 fps with compressed raw shooting, you will be limited to 3-frame bursts!
RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman
The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.
Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We could not figure out why the Max G values varied by camera system. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.
The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to quickly and easily evaluate your exposures and raw file brightness using an Adapted RawDigger histogram.
The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.
If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.
This image was created on 11 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Working off a pillow placed on the window frame of my SUV (I left my BLUBB in the garage …), I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000 for this, the third in an auto-bracketed series. Multi metering +2.7 stops; the base exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:17:22am on a foggy-bright morning.
Tracking: Upper Right Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2A: The AF point for the Great Blue Heron on The Perch in the fog image
Sony a1 Bird-Eye/Face Detection
When I write most days that Tracking: this or that AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly, the screen capture above, again shows exactly what I am talking about.
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. With another photographer joining yesterday, we are 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.
Which of today’s featured images do you like best, the loosely framed image, #1, or the tightly framed image, #2? Please let us know why you made your choice.
Do you prefer the warmer tones in Image #1 or the somewhat cooler tones in Image #2?
What’s Up?
Yesterday, I continued trying to gather additional information regarding the permitting of the rehabilitation of Structure S-96 project at Stick Marsh. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, St. Johns River Water Management District, thoughtfully answered the questions in my most recent e-mail. My first contact was with FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission); they got back to me quickly and gave me wrong information. No one from Florida DEP (Department of Environmental Protection, Audubon Florida, or the USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) has yet responded to my numerous e-mails and/or phone messages.
Considering that 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, I continue to be baffled on all accounts. I will share my findings with you here very soon.
Today is Saturday 11 December 2021. I enjoyed a fine morning down by the lake as the fog was not as thick as it had been the past four days. I had a Great Blue Heron on The Perch before the sun broke through and came up with a new technique for using the a1’s tilt screen for shooting verticals from the car. I will share that you with you here soon. And once the sun came out, I had a ton of fun at the vulture tree. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes 32 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.
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.
This image was created on 10 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing, I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:01:32am on a foggy bright morning.
Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey
Why Not?
As had been the case on Thursday, Friday morning was very, very foggy. I did not head down to the lake until after 8:00am. I started with some foggy tree-scapes. Oh, BTW, the female eagle has been on eggs for more than a week, sitting low in an old Osprey nest. Then I did some foggy vulture flight and — in the process — had a revelation regarding Sony Alpha 1 autofocus with birds in flight. I will be sharing my findings with the group in SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes e-mail #25 this weekend. After the vultures, I headed home. Just before turning right on Park Drive, I considered driving the North Field and checking the marsh. Why not?, I thought.
Just before the canal, I came across a Great Egret with a rodent in its bill. I sensed that the bird would be somewhat accepting of my presence, and I needed to get higher to get over the grasses so I grabbed the naked 600mm f/4, approached slowly, and made more than 70 images, the last at 9:01:32am. Then I decided to add the 2X TC and grab the tripod.
Tracking: Upper Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection in action!
Image #1A: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey
Sony a1 Bird-Eye/Face Detection
When I write most days that Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly, the screen capture above shows exactly what I am talking about.
This image was created on 10 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing, I used the hand held 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 by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:03:07am on a foggy bright morning.
Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey (1200mm)
Working at 1200mm
Note that I had no problem hand holding the bare 600mm f/4 GM lens, but when I added the 2X TC, I did not hesitate to get my rig on the tripod ASAP. Understand that errors of equipment shake are multiplied by a factor of four when the focal length is doubled. I made about a dozen images before the bird flew a short distance, landed behind a big bush, and swallowed its prey whole (as herons and egrets always do).
It took me less than two minutes to walk back to my SUV, add the 2X, set up the tripod, mount the rig, and get back in position to photograph. The more familiar you are with your gear, the better your images will be.
Marsh Rice Rat?
Some internet surfing on Saturday morning revealed that the prey item is likely to be Marsh Rice Rat, Oryzomys palustris. If you can confirm or correct that identification, please leave a comment.
Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2A: tight vertical crop of the Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey (1200mm) image
Sony Alpha 1 Image Quality at 1200mm
I am always amazed at how well sharp a1 image files can stand up to very large crops. And that is true of images created at 1200mm. In short: astounding.
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. With another photographer joining yesterday, we are 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.
The single slot on the 2nd Homer IPT has been filled by BAA-friend, multiple IPT veteran Mukesh Patel, who did the eagles with me in 2020. If you would like information on the 2023 or the 2024 Homer Bald Eagles IPTs, please shoot me an e-mail. There will be a 5-day and a 6-day IPT each year; the dates for both those trips will be announced soon.
What’s Up?
I spent many hours yesterday trying to gather additional information regarding the permitting of the rehabilitation of Structure S-96 project at Stick Marsh. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, St. Johns River Water Management District, has been most kind in answering many of my questions sent in several e-mails. My first contact was with FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission); they got back to me quickly and gave me wrong information. Nobody from Florida DEP (Department of Environmental Protection, Audubon Florida, or the USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) has responded to my numerous e-mails and/or phone messages. I will continue my efforts today.
Considering that 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, I continue to be baffled on all accounts. I hope to be able to share my findings with you here very soon.
Today is Friday 10 December 2021. I will head down to the lake again this morning. (Thursday morning and evening were photographic busts.) But at least I am trying. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes 31 consecutive days with a new one.
This could be you!
Homer Bald Eagle IPT Opening: This Could Be You!
The first call wins!
Due to a cancellation, there is one opening on the second Homer IPT. Both IPTs had been sold out pretty much from the get-go. If you have been dreaming of getting up to Homer for the best-in-the-world Bald Eagle photography trip, read all the details below and then call Jim at the office ASAP this morning at 863-692-0906 to leave your deposit. After that, or if Jim does not pick up the phone, call me on my cell at 863-221-2372. If I do not pick up, shoot me a text to secure this last spot. This trip has the best leader with more than 15 Homer trips under his belt, the best, most creative and most knowledgeable boat captain, and a mate to help us with all of our needs. Please read everything below carefully. A 70-200 lens is invaluable on this trip, and you could pretty much do the whole trip with any 100-400 lens, the Canon RF 100-500, or the Sony 200-600 G lens. See you in Homer!
All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
2022 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs
IPT #2: SAT 26 FEB 2022 through the full day on WED 2 MAR 2022. Five full days: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1
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 trips 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.
An incredibly helpful professional first mate.
Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.
Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image critiquing sessions.
All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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 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 24 hours for the first trip, or 20 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.
Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer.
Deposit Information
A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check made out to BIRDS AS ART and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Your balance, due 60 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above.
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.
