While working on this blog post, I got a text from Steve Elkins letting me know that Bedfords has a good number of SONY Alpha 1 bodies in stock right now. Order yours, save 3% by using the BIRDS AS ART discount code at checkout, enjoy free second day air Fed-Ex, and earn free entry into the BIRDS AS ART Sony Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes Group. As part of the attraction, the first e-mail that you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! 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.
What’s Up?
Today is Sunday 21 November 2021. I’ve been at this morning’s road-kill cafe since 8am. It is now just after 10:00am. I had a bit of action early on but had to move the bait. The four Turkey Vultures left and have not returned. I will give it another half hour as conditions are perfect: there is a decent wind from the northeast and the skies are cloudy-bright. As is usual on Sundays at this season, I will be watching lots of today’s NFL games, both live and on TIVO.
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. 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, and 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 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.
Road-kill Cafe Flight Photography Video
Click the Play arrow to learn a ton about photographing birds in flight. I talk at length about wind and light direction and head position. As regular readers know, I spend lots of time photographing vultures in flight at road-kill cafes that I set up down by the lake near my home. You will see lots of examples of recent work. I will share my three favorites in a blog here post soon. All are invited to leave a comment letting us know your three favorites — you can use the file numbers like this: _A1B4554 — to indicate your three top picks.
Typos
In all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
While working on this blog post, I got a text from Steve Elkins letting me know that Bedfords has a good number of SONY Alpha 1 bodies in stock right now. Order yours, save 3% by using the BIRDS AS ART discount code at checkout, enjoy free second day air Fed-Ex, and earn free entry into the BIRDS AS ART Sony Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes Group. As part of the attraction, the first e-mail that you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings and explicit directions on how to Save my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience!
What’s Up?
With my SUV back and a variably cloudy morning with a northeast wind, I am once again down at today’s (very stinky) road-kill cafe. It is 8:15am on Saturday 20 November 2021. If I were a betting man, I’d wager that the vultures will come if I am patient enough.
I published this post at 9:10am. So far, one vulture flew over the bait and then flew off. An immature male Northern Harrier flew by twice over the marsh, but I was in the car. A snipe just flew in front of my windshield. And then harrier did the same and is circling over the bait. Since I’ve been sitting in the car it has rained and the sun has been in and out. But still no vultures, no eagle, and no caracaras. I will give it till ten o’clock.
If you are impressed by today’s amazing image optimization, be sure to scroll down to the Spoonbill Saving the WHITEs Video Offer below. Consider also signing up for one or both of the Stick Marsh IPTs. Details below.
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.
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. 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, and 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 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.
This image was created 24 March 2020 by In-the-Field Workshop (ITF-W) participant and IPT veteran Joe Usewicz. He used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED lens and the Nikon D7500 dSLR camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by histogram and blinkies evaluation: 1/3200 sec. at f/ (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:11am on pretty-sunny morning.
Group AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see the hi res version.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Joe Usewicz
Image #1: Incoming Roseate Spoonbill(s)
Post IPT and ITF-W Image Critiques
Folks who attended either BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours or In-the-Field Workshops are invited to send JPEGs of their best optimized images for a short critique. Joe Usewicz attended a Stick Marsh ITF-W early last spring. Image #1 was one of the ten that he sent. Here is my critique:
The subject is sharp, and I like the inclusion of the 2nd bird and the green vegetation at the top. The green strip could use some clean-up work along with a Gaussian Blur to soften things up. The whites on the neck look either too hot or over-exposed …
Joe wrote back:
The photo of the two birds in flight was a real hot mess. But I liked the bird in the background so much that I gave it a try. I’ll give it another shot. As a side note, I continue to work on the blurs you taught me to do iii the early morning (and in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs. I’ve gotten some good results so far.
I responded:
If you like, send me the raw file via a large file sending service.
He did. I wanted to check in RawDigger to see if the raw was really over-exposed …
Image #1A: The RawDigger screen capture for Joe Usewicz’s Incoming Roseate Spoonbill(s) image
The RawDigger Screen Capture
The RawDigger screen capture for Joe’s spoonbill image showed that it was not over-exposed. In the three color channels there were zero OvExp pixels. And note that the end of the GREEN histogram lies past the 8000 2/3 line but does not reach the 16000 line. In other words, this is a dead-solid perfect exposure.
The RawDigger (pink) Adapted Histogram
In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me when I struggled with R5 exposures and when learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.
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.
Click on the image to better read the fine print.
Image #1B: The Photo Mechanic screen capture for Joe Usewicz’s Incoming Roseate Spoonbill(s) image
The Photo Mechanic Screen Capture
I included this to show the original full frame image capture. Compare this one with my final optimized version below by scrolling down.
This image was created 24 March 2020 by In-the-Field Workshop (ITF-W) participant and IPT veteran Joe Usewicz. He used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED lens and the Nikon D7500 dSLR camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by histogram and blinkies evaluation: 1/3200 sec. at f/ (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:11am on pretty-sunny morning.
Group AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see the hi res version.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Joe Usewicz. Complete Image Optimization by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Image #1C: Incoming Roseate Spoonbill(s)
The Image Optimization/Saving the WHITEs
The raw conversion in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)
Topaz DeNoise AI on Standard/AUTO
Content-Aware Crop to expand canvas (miraculous!)
Background clean-up and smoothing with Gaussian Blur and an Inverse (Black, or Hide-all) Layer Mask
Eye Doctor work; darkened the pupil with Tim Grey Dodge and Burn
Saving the WHITEs
Selected the brightest WHITEs using Image > Color Range
Feathered and save the selection as WHITEs
Put the selection on its own layer and applied a Linear Burn at reduced Opacity
Turned off that Layer with the Eyeball
Loaded the selection, put it on its own layer, and ran Color Efex Pro’s Detail Extractor, again at reduced Opacity
Combined the two save the whites layers and refined those as needed with a Regular Layer Mask
I was still not happy with the amount of detail in the WHITEs, so I resorted to some rarely used techniques to bring back the detail
Spoonbill Saving the WHITEs Video Offer
If you would like a video of the complete image optimization, please send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words Spoonbill Saving the Whites Video somewhere in the Paypal e-mail.
Nearly everything above is detailed in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. And you can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
Via e-mail from Morris Herstein
I never thought that I could make in-flight photos of birds successfully. That goal was accomplished during the recent workshop at Stick Marsh only because I listened to your advice and instructions. For the first time I realized how important sun angle was, teachings that you had been communicated for a long time. The result of two days shooting produced the most satisfying images of Roseate Spoonbills I ever could have imagined.
Stay well and safe. Thank you. Morris
Via e-mail from Joe Usewicz
Wow. So many photos to go through. Stick Marsh was a great learning experience. Positioning. Wind impact. Landing zones. Working on backgrounds. I clipped too many incredible reflections. Great fun. Just amazing opportunities.
Warmest Regards, Joe
Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Coming soon: An instructional video: Your JPEGs Do Not Have to Suck.
Clockwise from upper left back around to the center: spoonbill with mangrove background; spoonbill head and shoulders portrait; spoonbill braking to land; spoonbill dramatic landing pose; adult Black-crowned Night-Heron; spoonbill with nesting material; Great Egret returning to nest; incoming spoonbill; and Limpkin landing.
Stick Marsh IPT: #1: WED 9 March thru the morning of SUN 13 March 2022: $2,499.00. (Limit 6 photographers)
Stick Marsh IPT #2: MON 14 March thru the morning of FRI 18 March 2022: $2499.00 (Limit 6 photographers)
Do both IPTs back to back and enjoy a $300 discount: protect your travel and time investments against bad weather by signing up for both IPTs for $4698.00.
Stick Marsh, where the living is easy. Photograph incoming Roseate Spoonbills in flight at point blank range with intermediate telephoto zoom lenses. This year I will be trying the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, often with the 1.4X TC. Longer lenses either on a tripod or hand held are best for the green background stuff. There will be endless flight photography opportunities with a variety of species; in addition to the spoonbills, we should have some excellent chances on Limpkin, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Double-created Cormorant, Anhinga, Black and Turkey Vultures, and more. Folks with 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses will have lots of opportunities to hone their skills working on a tripod or hand holding.
There will be five morning photo sessions averaging four hours. We start in the pre-dawn. The first four morning sessions will be followed by a working brunch. The cost of brunch is included. There will be two after-brunch photo-sessions on sunny days (averaging about an hour) to try for bathing spoonbills, usually centered around 1:30pm. There will be one after-brunch photo critique session (probably on DAY 3). And there will be one Image Processing session after brunch.
We will be based in or near Vero Beach. The deposit is $799.00. Call Jim at the office any weekday at 863-692-0906 to pay by credit card. Balances must be paid by check.
What You Will Learn on a Stick Marsh IPT
1- You will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button..
2- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you are scared of it.
3- You will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
4- You will learn the pro secrets that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
5- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
6- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
7- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
8- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
9- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
10- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
11- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
12- You will learn to see and understand the light.
12- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
12- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event at all times.
And the best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.
Typos
In all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s featured images is your favorite? All are invited to leave a comment and to let us know why they made their choice. Yesterday, I agreed with BAA-friend Bob Eastman with regards to leaving or evicting the bit of wing in the upper right corner. You can see his comment by scrolling down here.
Sweet Home, Alabama!
If you like music at all — Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Alicia Keys, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Clarence Carter, The Allman Brothers Band, and many more — this YouTube movie is a must-see. It started playing automatically in the background yesterday after a short Youtube video that I had been watching ended; completely captivated by the sound, and then by the story, I watched the whole thing straight through.
Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama has helped create some of the most important and resonant songs of all time. Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations. He is responsible for creating the “Muscle Shoals sound” and The Swampers, the house band at FAME Studios that eventually left to start its own successful studio known as Muscle Shoals Sound. Gregg Allman and others bear witness to Muscle Shoals’ magnetism, mystery and why it remains influential today.
What’s Up?
On Thursday, while sitting in my SUV in a light drizzle near the most recent version of my road-kill cafe, more than 50 vultures visited. The problem was that just as the birds began to fly in, the wind switched from East to North by slightly west. Bummer.
Today is Friday 19 November 2021. The forecast for this morning is for cloudy with a nice northeast breeze. I’d be down at the lake again, but for the fact that my SUV is in the shop for the 30,000 mile service. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post, again starring the Sony a7r IV, took about 90 minutes to prepare.
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. 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, and 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.
Wanted to Buy
If you have any of the following items that you would like to sell, please get in touch via e-mail. If you are not familiar with the Items for Sale terms, please click here before responding.
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens (in excellent or better condition)
Canon or Sigma 15-75mm lens (in excellent or better condition)
Canon EF Extender 2X (in excellent or better condition)
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price is $1000 (or less for a $50 flat-fee). If you are interested, please scroll down here to read the terms. Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
If you would like to learn about selling your used gear on the BAA Used Gear Page, click here.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see the spectacular hi res version.
Image #1: Unsharpened tight crop of Image #3 showing the amazing detail in a sharp a7r IV file: Pacific Race Brown Pelican — pre-breeding plumage
New Listings
SONY a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body (with the great extras!)
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a7r IV Mirrorless digital camera body in excellent plus condition for the BAA record low price (with the extras) of $2298.00. The sale includes a Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip (a $398.00 value), a Really Right Stuff L-Plate Set with Grip for Sony a7R IV (a $205 value), the original box, one battery — the original, the front body cap, the strap, 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
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 IV with the extras sells new right now for $4101.00, you can save a cool $1803.00 by grabbing Mansoor’s a7r IV ASAP. Though this 61-MP body is especially attractive to landscape and macro photographers, it is great for birds as well as you can pretty much crop to your heart’s content. artie
Canon EOS 5DSR with Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Sale Pending first day of listing
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon EOS 5DSR in excellent condition for a BAA record low (with the grip) $798.00. The sale includes the Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip (a $269.00 value), the original box, the front body cap, 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
Though it is well-noted as a superb camera for landscapes and macro, I used this fine, 50.3 MP body to make lots of great bird photographs when I shot Canon. The 5DS R currently sells new for $1499.00 and is back-ordered in many places. Grab Mansoor’s 5DS R with the grip and save a bundle. artie
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens in like-new condition for a very low $899.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens cap, the rear cap, the lens pouch, 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
Balancing a versatile wide-angle field of view with advanced perspective and focus control, the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is a Canon L-series tilt-shift lens well-suited to architecture, interior, and landscape photography. Up to +/- 8.5° of tilt is possible, for focus control, and +/- 12mm of shift, to adjust perspective and composition. The tilt-shift mechanism can be rotated +/- 90° for applying movements in any direction, and a tilt-locking mechanism can be used while shooting for greater stability.
Complementing the operation of the lens, this L-series prime is also distinguished by its optical design that features four of Ultra-Low Dispersion elements to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations as well as one aspherical element to minimize spherical aberrations and distortion. Individual elements also feature a Subwavelength Coating to suppress flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color neutrality. Canon & B&H
I used this lens a few times for photographing large fields of flowers with everything in focus. As it sells now for $1,899.00 you can save a cool one grand! artie
Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM Zoom Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM Zoom Lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $747.00. The sale includes the original box, the tripod ring, the front lens cap, the rear cap, the lens case, 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes especially with fall color peaking in many areas. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on feeding sprees right next to the road. They are easily hand holdable by just about everyone. artie
ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see the blog post here.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Sale Pending first day of listing
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $1397.00. The sale includes the original box, the tripod ring, the front lens cap, the rear cap, the lens case, 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific 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 a very nice $1102.00 by grabbing Mansoor’s copy now. artie
Canon Speedlight 600EX-RT
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering four Canon Speedlight 600EX-RT units in mint condition for $169.00 each; buy one or all. The sale includes the protective case 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
Complete with built-in radio transmission wireless functionality, the Speedlite 600EX-RT sits at the top of Canon’s on-camera E-TTL/ E-TTL II compatible flash lineup with a powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm. This two-way 2.4 GHz radio system provides added reliability and a range up to 98.4′ among up to 5 groups with a total of 15 individual Speedlites. This system also does not need direct line-of-site like traditional optical-based transmission and will work through obstacles. Canon & B&H
These sells new for $449.00 each. If you are looking for a Canon hummingbird flash set-up grab all four of these great flashes and the transmitter below and you will be good to go. artie
Canon Speedlight transmitter ST-E3-RT
Used Gear Page regular and BAA-friend Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon Speedlight Transmitter ST-E3-RT for a very low $269.00. The sale includes the protective case 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 Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
This unit has an operating range of 98.4 feet, a dot matrix LCD panel, and backlit controls for easy visibility in low light. The transmitter can control up to 15 individual flashes or five groups, simplifying management of complex lighting setups. Support is provided for E-TTL II Flash, Manual Flash, Stroboscopic, and Auto External Flash metering. Eight custom functions and three personal functions further expand the customization options available. Canon & B&H
Morning Light and Distant Pacific-BLUE Backgrounds
Images like this are a dime a dozen at La Jolla. With lots of tame pelicans, the sun coming over the hills to the east, and the backgrounds of distant Pacific-BLUE, it is an ideal photographic situation. With the typical morning breeze from the southeast, there are often lots of great flight photography situations with short to intermediate telephoto zoom lenses.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see the spectacular hi res version.
Image #3: Pacific Race Brown Pelican — pre-breeding plumage — carpet neck & bill detail”
Brown Pelican Ages and Plumages
I am always fascinated by the variety of Brown Pelican plumages in Southern California. The breeding plumage birds with their bright fire-engine red and olive-green bill pouches and their rich chocolate-brown hind necks are probably the most glamourous. But the pre-breeding birds that exhibit their carpet-like hind necks are quite handsome on their own. Some non-breeding adults have white crowns and brown hind-necks while others have white heads and white hind-necks. That many of the birds are in various stages of molt adds interest. The color of the upper part of the bill pouch can vary from fire-engine red to orange to yellow with every shade in between. If you own any super-telephoto lens you owe it to yourself to visit this location at least once.
San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!
I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.
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!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6
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.
An $899 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due right after you sign up.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
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.
