January 6th, 2022 Your Call
You are invited to leave a comment letting everyone know which of today’s featured images is your favorite, and why. If you do not like either one, you are invited to say just that and explain why.
What’s Up?
For the past few weeks, I’d seen the potential for creating pleasingly blurred images of Cattle Egrets from the pier as they leave the roost early each morning and fly south over the pier to wherever they are going. My experience so far has been that they leave well before sunrise on clear days. With a big wall of clouds to the east on Wednesday morning, I saw my chance and walked out onto the pier with the hand held 200-600/1.4X TC/a1 rig. Even though this setup is much lighter than the 600mm f/4 lens with just the a1, I have lots of trouble keeping the birds in the center of the frame at 840mm when hand holding. I do much better with the big lens on the tripod, but hand holding is a ton of fun — no large, heavy lens and no relatively heavy tripod …
My timing was excellent. The birds came, in groups of from two to twenty or more, and they kept coming for about 30 minutes. I created 801 blurs and kept 19 after the first edit. After a second pass, I was left with just three others plus today’s two featured images. Five out of 801 is not a very high percentage, but that’s how it goes with blurs. When the sun rose over the cloud bank, I was headed to the vulture trees but was interrupted by the crane family of four feeding atop the knoll just north of the parking circle. I made lots of images, but after reviewing them, felt that I should have done better. The vultures trees were productive for flight photography, and I even made a few good images of the eagle standing up on the nest when a cloud covered the sun for a bit. I finished the morning off with an Anhinga on The Perch. Those images were less than impressive. But all things considered, it was a great morning.
It was a gorgeous sunset and with the wind ‘wrong” from the west northwest, I headed out onto the pier again as the birds landing at the roost would be landing away. Buoyed by my recent success hand holding the 200-600/1.4X TC/a1 rig, I went yet again with that. For the first half hour, I was consistently in the wrong spot as most of the birds flew behind me as they headed for their evening roost. After the sun dipped below the horizon, I got really lucky. I was creating a vertical scenic of the far shoreline and the richly colored sky when a single ibis flew through the frame. After that, I got a few decent frames of the Mottled Ducks blasting off to the northwest, albeit at ISO 8000.
Today is Thursday 6 January 2022. The forecast for this morning is for dead clear with a breeze from the northwest. My plan is to get out very early and try some more Cattle Egret blurs from the pier with the tripod mounted 600mm f/4, the 1.4X TC, and the a1. In these conditions, there is a chance to work against the pink/purple/blue sky to the northwest. 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 including the time spent on the two image optimizations and makes 57 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 is that I am free most days from now until I leave for San Diego on 14 January. The best news is that we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. These sessions 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.
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; crane 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 winds that have an easterly component 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 Duck, 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, lodging 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 waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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Click on the screen capture to see a larger high-res version.
Image #1: The Two Originals
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Image Clean-up and Photography as Art
With Image #2 (on the left, above), I covered the third egret using a series of Quick Masks of the sky, each refined with the help of a regular layer mask. I replaced the eye of the rear bird with the better-defined eye of the front bird. And I cropped from all four sides. With Image #3, I cropped to eliminate a wingtip on each frame edge and one extraneous bird on the right side of the frame. Then, using either the Patch Tool or Content-Aware Fill, I eliminated the three Cattle Egrets (yes, they are not white bats) below the line of birds along with a single, smaller, darker, very blurred bird. Do understand that I would never enter either of these images in a contest where such enhancements are not permitted. Many will argue that these are not natural history images. I would counter by saying that the two Cattle Egrets in Image #2 were really flying by the pier in soft light, and that in Image #3, a flock of Cattle Egrets was leaving the marsh in very low light.
To me, both of today’s featured images are photographs. They surely are not paintings (though the goal when creating pleasing blurs is often to wind up with a painterly or impressionistic result). What do you think?
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This image was 5 January 2022 from the pier near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Multi-metering +2 2/3 stops/AUTO ISO set ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/30 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:21:08 am on a then very cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection worked just fine. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Two Cattle Egrets flight blur
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Understanding Low Light Exposure
Many might find it hard to believe that even though 2 2/3 stops of light were added to the exposure suggested by the camera, RawDigger showed that this image was about 1/3 stop too dark. That is how I live and learn.
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This image was 5 January 2022 from the pier near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Multi-metering +2/3 stop/AUTO ISO set ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/30 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:21:08 am on a then very cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection worked just fine. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: “White bats” in flight over marsh blur
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Exposure Question
Note that in Image #3, I dialed the + compensation from +2 2/3 stops to +2/3, two full stops darker. Why the difference?
A Very Relevant Shutter Priority Mode Question
An e-Mail Exchange with SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group member Wells Jacobson
AM: Hi Wells,
Re:
WJ: A settings question if you please.
AM: 🙂
WJ: I know that you and your not too distant neighbor, Mark Smith, are both enamored with shooting manual and determining exposure with zebras and using the rear dial for ISO.
AM: How’s this for crazy? When I came to Florida in 1994 I lived in Deltona at 1455 Whitewood Drive. I learned recently that at that time, Mark Smith was living I was living exactly two blocks away with his young family!
I am not sure that he uses Zebras …
WJ: Occasionally you show one of your photos shot with Shutter Priority with Auto ISO and I believe exposure comp on the rear wheel, and again use zebras.
AM: Correct, but when I do that I am not relying on Zebras except for the initial Exposure compensation … Late in the day, with the sun usually on the western horizon, it is, however, a lot more complicated than that.
WJ: In practice these two methods seem almost the same and I have trouble trying to figure out when you might choose one over the other. I hope a subtlety is eluding me and I’m not just missing the boat. I would love some clarification and perhaps others might as well.
AM: You are missing the boat. In fact, the boat sank. They are not the same at all. The only time that you want to use Shutter Priority with Auto ISO and EXP COMP on the rear dial is when you have backgrounds that are of a pretty much constant tonality, like a richly colored sky at sunset. Actually, you can do well with Shutter Priority mode in most situations where the background is of a consistent tonality. Doing blurs of flocks of birds in a white sky would be another example.
I use Manual mode for more than 95% of my bird photography and so should you. Why? Because birds move and when the background tonalities change, you are out of business if you are working in an Automatic (exposure) mode …
With love, artie
A Guide to Pleasing Blurs
Learn everything there is to know about creating pleasingly blurred images in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly. This 20,585 word, 271 page PDF is illustrated with 144 different, exciting, and artistic images. The guide covers the basics of creating pleasingly blurred images, the factors that influence the degree of blurring, the use of filters in creating pleasing blurs, and a great variety of both in-the-field and Photoshop techniques that can be used to create pleasingly blurred images.
Artie and Denise teach you many different ways to move your lens during the exposure to create a variety of pleasingly blurred images of flowers and trees and water and landscapes. They will teach you to recognize situations where subject movement can be used to your advantage to create pan blurs, wind blurs, and moving water blurs. They will teach you to create zoom-blurs both in the field and during post-processing. Artie shares the techniques that he has used and developed for making blurred images of flocks of geese in flight at his beloved Bosque del Apache and Denise shares her flower blur magic as well as a variety of creative Photoshop techniques that she has developed.
With the advent of digital capture creating blurred images has become a great and inexpensive way to go out with your camera and have fun. And while many folks think that making successful blurred images is the result of being a sloppy photographer, nothing could be further from the truth. In “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs” Artie and Denise will help you to unleash your creative self.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
January 5th, 2022 Your Favorite?
All are invited to leave a comment letting us know which of today’s six featured images is their favorite and why they made their choice.
What’s Up?
Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake and I had an amazing session with the white pelicans at Lakeland. Shelley has had an a1 for a few months, but never joined the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group 🙁 So we met well before dawn and working with my laptop on the tailgate shelf of my SUV, I loaded my a1 settings (via .DAT file) onto her a1. The word on the street is that the a1 menu is too complex to understand and that it is difficult to learn to use the camera. Once we had my settings on her a1, it took me all of five minutes of instruction to get her ready to go. We concentrated on the AF system (easy-peasy) and on getting the right exposure using Zebras (even easier). Before long we were photographing the American White Pelicans. For whatever reason, the birds were quite Copacetic. We worked them in the shade at first, then in early morning light, and finally in full sun. We worked on choosing the best perspective to get the most pleasing backgrounds, and I double-checked Shelley’s exposures and image designs on the rear monitor of her camera.
Shelly could not believe how amazingly well the Bird Face/Eye Detection AF worked once her Alpha 1 was set up correctly. As for the photography, she said, Artie, this was way beyond anything I could have expected. I leave for San Diego on 14 January. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at Lakeland before then, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The weather is looking best for this coming Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. The details are below.
I was pleased to learn yesterday that three new folks joined the a1 group. Conditions were perfect at sunset but for the most part, the birds were flying in too low.
Today is Wednesday 5 January 2022. The forecast for this morning is for cloudy and still. 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 including the time spent on the six image optimizations and makes 56 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 is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and 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.
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; crane 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.
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This image was created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland, just one hour from my home. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1250. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:44:34am in the shade on a clear morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Small flotilla
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The Flotilla
The yellow reflections are available at this spot before the sun makes its way over the buildings and trees. I would have liked this better without the pelican on the frame edge, but I loved the ducks in the background so I executed a small crop from the left and from below while maintaining the 3X2 proportions. The duck in the center is a drake ring-necked and the two darker ones are likely hens of that species. Though there were lots of Ring-necked Ducks at close range in nice light, the pelican photography was so good that we rarely glanced at them!
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This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:58:57am in the shade on a clear morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: American White Pelican head and shoulders portrait
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Subject in Shade, Background in Sun
I espouse here often on the beauty of images made with the subject in the shade with the background in the sun. Here, after crouching down for the background that I wanted, I went with a ton of Zebras on sunlit water in the background to ensure a perfect exposure for the bird. In such situations, the subjects seem to glow. They are not easy to find, but when you do succeed, be sure to make lots of images.
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This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 575mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/640 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:04:20am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: American White Pelican vertical head and shoulders portrait in early morning light
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Sony 200-600 Hand Held Versatility!
Here again, I got low to introduce some of the red reflections into the top of the frame. The ease of hand holding the 200-600 (with or without the 1.4x TC) makes it a deadly weapon when working large, relatively tame birds. I was able to move quickly and get higher or lower as needed to control the background. If you get too low at this spot, you introduce the very distracting far shoreline into the image …
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This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 602mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1000 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41:59am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: American White Pelican young bird preening
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The Young Birds
The adults far outnumber the young birds at this location. They stand out with their pinker bills. I am not sure as to how to separate birds of the year from the two or three year old birds … In addition to the differences in bill color, the younger birds have grayer feathers about the head and neck. See also Image #6 below.
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This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 694mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:50:00am in full sun.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: American White Pelican adult face portrait
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Consider the Exposure Data
If you look carefully at the exposure data for Images #2-#5, you will see that as the light got stronger, the shutter speeds got higher and the ISOs got lower. With Image #5, made in full sun, I was able to stop down 1/3 stop for a slight boost in depth of field. I worked on the BLUEs in Images #4 & #5 during the raw conversion in ACR. I moved the BLUE Luminance slider to the right to get the BLUEs just right.
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This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:52:51 in the shade of a tree on a clear morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: American White Pelican — feather detail on back of juvenile
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Just Peachy
Birds of the year of this species feature brown streaks on the back when they first arrive at Fort DeSoto. I have never seen that in Lakeland. But some of the younger birds have swatches of peach on their backs. I could not resist trying to create some feather pattern images when I saw this bird in the shade.
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. This week, two folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 102 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! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
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. Special thanks to Jordan Cait who has been doing an awesome job of proofreading the blog recently and getting in touch via e-mail.
January 4th, 2022 A Tough One …
Which of today’s featured images is the strongest. Please leave a comment letting us know which image you like best and why you made your choice.
What’s Up?
Monday morning was cold and cloudy with a stiff NW wind. I took a nice walk with the Sony 70-200 II, the 1.4x TC, and the a1. No good pix. When the sun rose above the big cloud to the east at 8:00am, I headed home. Monday sunset was not much better as it was dead clear with a north wind. Most of the birds were flying too high or too low. Right at sunset, I had one good chance when a single White Ibis flew slowly into the wind right through the richest color.
I usually swim 44 to 60 lengths of the pool. Though it was a bit chilly midday on Monday, the pool was a very pleasant 89° (thanks to the heater/chiller). Not sure why, but the water felt so good and I was so relaxed that I swam an easy mile — 88 lengths. Tomorrow is supposed to be 15° cooler! Maybe I will take the day off …
Today is Tuesday 4 January 2022. I am looking forward to working with multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake early today in Lakeland for a Your Pick In-the-Field session. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland in the next ten days or so, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The details are below.
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. This post makes 55 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.
Price Drop
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Price Reduced on 1/4/22
BAA Record-low Price for Near-mint
Blog regular Elinor Osborn is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM in like-new condition (except for “On/OFF” written on the lens foot) for a BAA record low $1396.00 (was $1425.00).. The sale includes the original box, the Lens Case LZ1326, the Lens Hood ET-83D, the lens strap, the instruction sheet and booklet, the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping via FedEx to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until I receive a bank (cashier’s) check and confirm its validity via a phone call to the issuing bank.
Please contact Elinor via e-mail or by phone at 1-802 586-9994 (Eastern time)
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is fabulous with an R5! The lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save some hard cash by grabbing Elinor’s copy now. artie
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and 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.
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; crane 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 waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 16 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 346mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2 1/3 stops; AUTO ISO set ISO 200: 1/25 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:38:38pm just after sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Icterid blur
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In the New Kid on the Block: Versatile, & Deadlier Than Ever blog post here, I asked, Does anything about Image #2 (now above) bug you? One thing about it bugs me. What is it?
Neil Hickman
December 18, 2021 at 7:46pm ·
Could it be the one colour boring background? I think the cyan colour is fine for close to the horizon, but a few wispy clouds could have made a more interesting background.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
December 21, 2021 at 8:27am
Hi Neil,
I do not mind solid sky backgrounds. And yes, a few puffy clouds would have been nice. But what bugs me is the color of the sky; it is too CYAN and not BLUE enough. I worked on the sky color but could not come up with anything that made me happy. I far prefer the BLUE sky in Image #3. with love, artie
BTW, my favorite of the four images in that post was Image #1: Icterid blur. My second fave was Image #3: Turkey Vulture braking to land.
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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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My Favorite Goldeneye
In the Extraordinarily Uncommon R5 Goldeneye Images. And, if someone held a gun to your head … blog post here, I wrote, 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.
I chose the portrait (above), over the action shot. While I love the raised foot and the splashes in Image #2, the sun on the bird in Image #1 is to die for. It lit up the colors of the bird and the background beautifully. In addition, Brian Sump did a superb job with the processing so that both the whites and the dark tones revealed lots of detail. If I could say that one of those images were mine, I’d go with the sunlit portrait in an instant.
Note: I am against gun violence.
You can see what folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
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This image was created on 22 December 2021 down at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL Standing at full height, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 204/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini-mounted 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 125. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/20,000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 1 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23:47 am on a then very sunny morning.
Focusing information will the revealed in a future blog post soon. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1A: Yes, a preening Anhinga
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Mega-blasting Silhouette Lessons
In the What Gives? ISO 125: 1/20,000 second at f/8! blog post here, I wrote:
If you think that you can explain the exposure data — ISO 125: 1/20,000 second at f/8, please leave a comment. What was the background? What was the lighting?
Jake Kneale left a comment that hit the nail on the head:
My guess is a preening anhinga against the specular highlights of water in full sun
Yes, I was shooting into the blasting highlights of the full sun on the water. On a clear day, when the sun is in the frame, if you avoid over-exposing the sun, the rest of the image will be black. Period. Beware, however, of trying to include the un-muted sun in the frame as you risk eye damage. There is a way to do it without endangering your vision, but it is quite tricky.
If you want to try this, see the section on Photographing the Bright Sun in The Art of Bird Photography II (on CD). An electronic download is available here. If you are really serious about attempting this difficult shot without hurting yourself, you need to look carefully at a 5-stop, or better yet, a 10-stop ND filter that fits the drop-in filter drawer of your super-telephoto lens.
This last bit of advice is super-important: when shooting into the blasting highlights of the sun, you must focus manually. All AF systems are blinded by the brightness of the scene. If you camera offers a Focus Peaking feature, use it in these situations.
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This image was created on 12 January 2020 at San Diego, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the Sony a9 ii(now replaced, for me, by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:15:10am on a mostly sunny morning.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #2: American Coot in holiday reflections
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Image #2 for Me
In the Happy Holidays! Christmas Coots Times Two blog post here, I wrote:
I feel that one of today’s featured images is by far the stronger of the two. Which one is it? And why?
Like many who left a comment, I feel that Image #2 is by far the better image. Several folks explained why they made the same choice:
Mo
#2 is much better. I like the position of the coot in the frame, the background color is better, & the tilted head position gives the image more interest.
Chris Davidson
Mo, summed up my thoughts perfectly! The curious pose is wonderful, and the lighter and brighter colors really amp up those glorious red and green reflections in the water. I agree. low is not always the way to go. A BIRDS AS ART holiday classic IMO!
Are the folks who preferred Image #1 wrong? Not at all. Judging art is 100% subjective and 100% personal. It’s that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” thing.
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This image was created on 24 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my stepladder, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +1.7 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 1600. 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:36:44pm right after sunset on a clear afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed well enough. As this is a healthy crop and two birds were removed from the frame, let’s call this one a photo illustration. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #2: Cattle Egret landing at evening roost
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Loving the Action Shot
In the Late Afternoon Sunset Quickies blog post here, my favorite was Image #2: Cattle Egret landing at evening roost. I definitely like both images, but the richer colors, the inclusion of the far shoreline, and the dramatic flight pose were the deciding factors.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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