On Saturday morning I put out some fish carcasses on the South Peninsula to get the local birds re-accustomed to the location. Then I drove off to do some flowers and by the time I returned there were about twenty Turkey Vultures, a juvie Bald Eagle, and an adult Crested Caracara. Surprisingly, there were no Black Vultures. I did not make any photographs at the Road Kill Cafe, but I will be back tomorrow morning with a vengeance.
Much of what I have learned about Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI was learned by watching Alan’s various videos and webinars and I am looking forward to his next presentation on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 (8 PM Eastern, 7 PM Central, 6 PM Mountain & 5 PM Pacific time).
To learn more about Alan’s videos and e-books, please click here. See especially The Guide to Songbird Setup Photography.
Today is Sunday 17 October 2021. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization and the tight crop.
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.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases when you purchase from Amazon using any of the links on the blog. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Audubon’s Oriole, Hidalgo Co, TX. Nikon D3 (Replaced by the D4), 600mm lens, ISO 800, f/7 at 1/1250 sec. Image courtesy of and copyright Alan Murphy.
Alan Murphy
If you are seriously into bird photography, the name Alan Murphy will be quite familiar to you. Simply put, his images are spectacular. The Audubon’s Oriole image above is one of my very favorite Alan Murphy images.
The idea for Alan Murphy’s first eBook, “The Guide to Songbird Set-up Photography,” popped into my head not ten minutes into the great program he did for the Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island group way back in 2009! I let him know my thoughts right after the conclusion of that program and thus, the songbird set-up guide was born. When we first teamed up to tackle that project, he shared the following story with me:
“Twenty years ago when I first became interested in bird photography, I purchased a copy of the original ‘The Art of Bird Photography.’ I was confused about several topics, including and especially the use of extension tubes. So I got Arthur Morris on the phone. Though he did not know me from Adam, he generously shared 30 minutes of his time with me and answered all of my questions. That is why, to this day, I go out of my way to be help other photographers.”
As I had zero memory of that phone call; I felt that it was most kind of Alan to share the story with me.
In his first eBook, Alan shared many long-held secrets that were carefully developed over time. It was a spectacular start and has helped thousands of folks—including me—to improve their craft and create stronger images. As you read through or watch all of Alan’s educational materials, the words amazing, simple, brilliant, clever, innovative, and practical will come to mind frequently. You will constantly find yourself saying aloud, “Why didn’t I think of that?” I will be using tips and ideas from all of Alan’s e-Books and videos when I finally set up my ILE backyard for bird photography.
To learn more about Alan’s videos and e-books, click here.
Alan Murphy’s Using Topaz Software in Your Workflow Webinar
FOCUSED WILD PHOTO ADVENTURES
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 (8 PM Eastern, 7 PM Central, 6 PM Mountain & 5 PM Pacific time)
Replays available for one week
FOCUSED WILD PHOTO ADVENTURES welcomes back Alan Murphy to demonstrate how he uses Topaz plugins in his workflow! At the conclusion of the talk, he will take questions from the audience. Questions about the webinars can be directed to Amy via e-mail
Alan will show you how he uses both Topaz DeNoise AI & Sharpen AI in his processing workflow. The webinar will include:
• At what stage in the processing he uses each software.
• The best settings for each and how to determine them.
• How to set the preferences for each product to get best performance.
• How to use the mask feature to selectively make adjustments.
• Common mistakes that people make.
• An overview on Topaz Gigapixel.
This Zoom webinar will be recorded and be available online for 7 days after the live event.
PLUS time for Q&A!
Great Topaz News!
If you are new to Topaz …
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.
The first video in the series will cover topics which include:
How to look for, find and choose the right perch.
What perches do not work and why.
How to match the perch for a particular species.
How to present a perch to the scene
How to trim a perch to look fantastic
How to support the perch
How many perches do you set up
Working with mounds, stumps and elevated perches
How to choose a good background
How to deal with background challenges
How to break up a flat background so it’s mottled
How to find and use gradient backgrounds
How far should the background be from the perch
Should you wear camo
Working from a blind
How to set up your lens and tripod for blind work
The correct tightness of your lens support
Is concealment important
Plus, many tips for being a better bird photographer
This Hi Definition MP4 video can be either downloaded to your dropbox, computer, tablet, mobile device, or can be streamed.
This second video in the series is now available and covers topics that include:
How to prepare your backyard for photography
How to work with backyard feeders
What feeders work best for bird photography
How to get birds from your feeders onto perches
How to set up a water drip
How to work with berry perches
How to make and use home made suet
How to bring in woodpeckers
What food works best for what species
How to set up perches around feeders
Photo blinds for the backyard
The video can be downloaded to your Mac or PC, streamed to your favorite device, or saved to your Dropbox Account.
This third video in the series is now available and covers topics that include:
How to do ambient light Hummingbird photography
How to setup for multi-flash Hummingbird photography
How to photograph songbirds in flight using a tiny feeder
How to setup and use a PhotoTrap trigger system
How to make and use a decoy owl for photographing Raptors in flight
What gear and settings work best
Blind construction and camo for flight photography
Flight photography techniques that will help you succeed
The video can be downloaded to your Mac or PC, streamed to your favorite device, or saved to your Dropbox Account.
I just got off the phone with Steve Elkins and learned that Bedfords currently has several SONY a1 bodies in stock and ready to ship.
What’s Up?
I drove down to the lake for a peek on Thursday morning, but there was not much going on. I was glad to learn yesterday that three new folks who ordered recently from Bedfords had their Sony Alpha 1 bodies delivered and joined the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to see the Beyond-the-Beyond Flight Bird-Eye/Face Detection AF item.
Today is Friday 15 October 2021. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization and the tight crop.
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.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases when you purchase from Amazon using any of the links on the blog. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember
With income from IPTs now close to zero, 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 save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — 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.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free second-day 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 use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. 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 a9 ii, 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.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs (remember those?) 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.
I created this image on 10 October 2021 down by the lakeshore near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. With my legs spread wide to get lower, 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: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that this image exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:09am on clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Upper Zone/AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to view a hi-res version.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane adult in early morning light with a tiny scorpion on bill
Prepared Correctly By Luck I/The Expected
For this image, the 200-600 was the perfect lens choice. If I had been working with the 600mm f/4 on a tripod (with or without the TC), getting right on sun angle and getting low would have been much more difficult (if not impossible).
Why Low?
Considering the fact that that I was precisely on sun angle, can you figure out why I needed to crouch down to get low for Image #1?
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed beyond perfectly (see the AF point screen capture below) and produced a sharp-where-it-needed-to-be image.
Image 2: Black-bellied Whistling Duck in flight
Prepared Correctly By Luck II/The Unexpected
There was a butt-ugly Anhinga on the new The Perch, its spread tail completely covered with whitewash. Almost inexplicably, I grabbed the 600 f/4 with the 1.4X TC from the rear compartment, put it on the tripod, and approached slowly. Out of the corner of my left eye, I saw a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks flying toward me over the lake. I swung the lens to the left, acquired focus, panned smoothly with the birds, and fired off a burst of about fifty images. I kept five.
Image 2A: The original for the Black-bellied Whistling Duck in flight image
The Original
With the two ducks on different planes, there was no way to render them both birds sharp due to the shallow depth of field. Even at a distance. And that would have been just as true had I stopped down to f/8. I was happy that the a1 grabbed focus on the front bird. In the Sony Alpha 1 Info and Updates group, I have made suggestions on what to do when the AF system grabs the wrong subject. In any case, I ran Topaz DeNoise, leveled the horizon, executed a fairly large crop, eliminated what was left of the second bird, and cleaned up the out–of-focus house on the far shoreline.
The incredible image quality of sharp Alpha 1 image files allows for substantial cropping.
Image 2A: The original for the Black-bellied Whistling Duck in flight image
Beyond the Beyond Flight Bird-Eye/Face Detection AF
Whether you use the Sony Alpha 1 or the Canon R5 do not expect the science-fiction like AF performance seen in the screen capture above. The AF system gets it perfect on occasion, but surely not more than half the time. The good news with both of the afore-mentioned bodies is that even when the AF point is elsewhere on the subject, or even on the sky, that the images are either razor sharp or acceptably sharp. In such cases, I believe that the eye is being tracked, but the that system that records the AF position simply cannot keep up.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. With two folks joining yesterday, we are now up to an astounding 83 lucky and blessed photographers! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. More recently, we have been in contact with folks at SONY sharing our thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with the EVF blackout problem.
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 after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
The last two days I did my 1/2-mile swim by the light of a half moon. On Wednesday evening, the moon was bright enough to create caustics. That leads us to the JP Sears video below. Please take it for what it’s worth. I am sure that opinions will vary.
Note: Caustics describes the patterns of light and color that occur when light rays are reflected or refracted from a surface. In bird photography, they are often seen as ripples of light washing across the body of a bird in the water that is photographed in early morning light.
JP Sears
JP Sears is a YouTuber, comedian, emotional healing coach, author, speaker, world traveler, and curious student of life. His work empowers people to live more meaningful lives. He is very active with his online videos where he encourages healing and growth through his humorous and entertainingly informative videos, which have accumulated over 300 million views.
You can learn more about JP and his work here and on his YouTube channel here.
An e-Mail From Multiple IPT veteran Joe Barranco
Thank you, Artie, for the recent DeSoto IPT (#2). It was great while I got a chance to photograph and not miss a whole day due to my car’s mechanical problems. Your method of placing the lens on one ankle and shooting just above ground level with the flip screen up is genius. It is a great technique that I will use many times in the future. Watching some of the bathing birds and hearing your comments letting us know that they will fly up after the bath got me some great shots. I learn something new from you every time I take one of your IPTs. Good luck, great seeing you again. Joe
Note: Joe’s Lexus would not start on the morning of Day 2 🙁 He kept getting cryptic messages about not enough braking power but it turned out that he needed a new battery …
If You Are On The Fence About Joining the Third DeSoto IPT …
Click the play button above.
YouTube Channel Subscription
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.
Fort DeSoto in fall is rife with tame birds. All of the images in this card were created at Fort DeSoto in either late September or very early October. I hope that you can join me there this fall. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Caspian Tern, Great Egret, Sandwich Tern with fish, Willet, Black-bellied Plover threat display, Snowy Egret, 2-year old Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron.
The Remaining Fall 2021 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour
Fall 2021 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3
3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 19 October through the morning session on Friday 22 October. $1999.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings 4.
Fort DeSoto in Fall
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds and terns in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, night-herons, and gulls that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. And we will get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.
On this IPT, all 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.. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). 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 and whenever you photograph.
There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.
These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not likely to happen). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB information.
A $500 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check after you register. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.
Up Early, Stay Out Late!
Obviously folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. The length of cloudy morning sessions will often be extended. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases when you purchase from Amazon using any of the links on the blog. Thanks, BTW 🙂
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
