June 6th, 2021 What’s Up?
Clemens Van der Werf and I went down to the lake early. It dawned totally foggy, but the sun broke through quickly. The stilt nest with four eggs was predated. There were raccoon tracks in the mud. You could see from the South Peninsula that one of the adults was always sitting on that nest. The pretty nest with two eggs has survived so far despite some fairly heavy rains. And despite the fact that there is rarely an adult sitting on that nest. Go figure. All of the crane families are doing quite well. We photographed the two now pretty large colts early, and then found and photographed the two now pretty large chicks. Clemens headed home at about 9:30am. We had two good two days photography. I will be sharing some more of Clemens fabulous R5 images with y’all here soon.
Have I mentioned that summer has come to Central Florida with a vengeance — hazy, hot, and humid is now the norm. I have been checking the new The Perch once or twice a day when I have been home. So far, the only birds to land on it have been Boat-tailed Grackles. I do, however, have faith.
Today is Sunday 6 June 2021. The forecast for ILE is for partly cloudy with a very light breeze from the east-southeast. I will be headed down to the lake early. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took about an hour to prepare, and makes 162 consecutive days with a new one. 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 and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you 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. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
Estero Lagoon Least Terns?
If you have been photographing the Least Tern colony at Estero Lagoon and would like to share info with me, please LMK via e-mail.
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This image was created on 3 June 2021 at a fabulous rookery in north Tampa. Standing at full height, I used the Induro GIT 304L/ Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/640 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:03pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure performed almost perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Tricolored Heron — fledged chick just of the nest — begging
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The Keep-out Fence and the Rocks
At the south end of this small rookery, there are some rocks and a fence that extends into the water to keep folks out of the abutting neighbor’s backyard. On my last visit, as many as three fledgling Tricolored Herons stood on the fence for much of the afternoon. They had all disappeared when this fresher bird, looking as if it had just left the nest, landed on a rock right in front of me and began begging to be fed. I acquired focus and made about four images in less than a second knowing that the bird was not gonna stay long. It did not. You can see the full frame original in the AF point screen capture below. I am happy with the crop. In addition, there was a small white patch of over-exposed feathers as I followed my own oft-given advice: push the button now so that you do not miss the shot. See more on that in the RawDigger screen capture below.
As for me, I am glad that I pushed the shutter button pretty much instantly! And I wound up getting my best stuff ever on a just fledged Little Blue Heron that landed on the same rock and posed for me for ten minutes. You will meet that handsome bird here at some point.
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Click on the screen capture to see a larger version.
Image #1A: AF point for the Tricolored Heron — fledged chick just of the nest — begging image
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Almost Perfect
The a1’s AF system missed the eye by just a bit, the image was incredibly sharp right out of camera. See the next screen capture for proof. Folks who join the SONY a1 Info and Updates group receive a link to the great free plug-in that allows you to see the artie AF point or points after the fact from the raw (.ARW) files.
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Click on the screen capture to see a larger version.
Image #1B: An unsharpened tight crop of the face of the Tricolored Heron — fledged chick just of the nest — begging image
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Incredible Image Quality
Sharp 51 MP a1 image files will take your breath away when viewed at high magnification. If you are so impressed by the Image Quality here that you decide to purchase an a1 (they are still hard to come by), be sure to use one of my two affiliate links — B&H, or Bedfords to save 3%. Either way, you earn a free pass into the SONY a1 Info and Updates group …
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Click on the screen capture to see a larger version.
Image #1C: RawDigger screen capture for the Tricolored Heron — fledged chick just of the nest — begging image
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An Easy Save
Note the pink over-exposure warning — 2000 OvExp pixels only in the G channel, on the white feathers of the flank just above the base of the folded near-wing. Normally OvExp pixels in a single channel can easily be resolved during the Raw conversion. In this case, the WHITEs still looked a bit hot, so I painted a Quick Mask of an area of white feathers that had detail, placed the selection on its own layer, moved it over the hot spot, painted it completely away, and then — working large, painted the patch in with a soft brush.
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Click on the screen capture to see a larger version.
Image #1D: Topaz DeNoise screen capture for the Tricolored Heron — fledged chick just of the nest — begging image
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Topaz DeNoise AI
A New Trick…
As with almost every image I process, this image was run through Topaz DeNoise AI as the first step after being converted. I used DeNoise, now called Standard, with a twist. Checking the Comparison View, I liked Standard a bit better than Low Light. Just for the heck of it, I reduced the Auto setting for Remove Noise from 8 to 2. As you can see, the noise was completely eliminated.
Compare this screen capture with Image #1B and note that I eliminated the single white feather on the fledgling’s forehead using the Patch Tool and Content Aware Fill. All as detailed (plus tons more) in the hugely popular Digital Basics II.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
June 5th, 2021 Which is the Stronger Image?
All are invited to leave a comment and to let us know which of today’s two featured images they think is the strongest, and why they made their choice.
What’s Up?
The thunderstorms at DeSoto on Friday morning –scattered or otherwise — never materialized. There was no feeding spree in the washover pool, in fact, there were very few birds at all in the pool other than some Willets. Clemens spent the morning on his belly at 1200mm working a Snowy Plover chick. I started with a backlit Great Egret in sparkly golden water and then practiced my flight photography skills on some Laughing Gulls along the dunes. It was a hazy/lazy day and I did not feel like getting wet and sandy. I did walk out into the lagoon and made a few snaps of a bathing Red Knot and then checked Hidden Lagoon on the way back to the car. I ran into a Whimbrel on the beach and made some nice ground-level images. Then I did the same with a Loggerhead Shrike on a limestone road. All in all, it was a decent morning. Especially considering the dire forecast. In general, I tend to ignore der forecasts. If they are accurate, you can always hang out in your vehicle for a bit. If you stay home, you may very well miss some good stuff.
I finished editing three sessions of images and found (and processed) some excitingly good photos that I will be sharing with you here soon. I was please to learn that Geri George sold all three of her Used Gear items within one hour of being posted.
Today is Saturday 5 June 2021. The forecast for ILE this morning is for partly cloudy skies and a gentle southeast breeze. Clemens and I will be heading down to the lake soon to check things out. He is heading home to Fort Lauderdale after brunch.Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took about an hour to prepare, and makes 161 consecutive days with a new one. 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 and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you 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. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
Estero Lagoon Least Terns?
If you have been photographing the Least Tern colony at Estero Lagoon and would like to share info with me, please LMK via e-mail.
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.
Low Osprey Nests
There are some low Osprey nests on Lake Blue Cypress. For Image #1, I went with 1200mm on the 404L tripod. The 304L was at home getting cleaned up by Jim. Clemens maneuvers the boat skillfully and quietly with the trolling motor. Neither the adults, nor the very two big chicks, paid us any mind. I glanced at some of Clemens’s images on his laptop and saw that hey are even more powerful than mine. Why? At 6′ 6″ tall, he was standing on the boat’s rear platform and was much more on the bird’s eye level than I was.
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Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Osprey — grown chick in nest image
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Topaz DeNoise AI
As with almost every image I process, this image was run through Topaz DeNoise AI as the first step after being converted. I use DeNoise, now called Standard, for all images made in sunny conditions. I usually go with Low Light for images made in low light; makes sense, no?
Great Topaz News!
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.
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This image was also created on 3 June 2021 at Lake Blue Cypress aboard Clemens Van der Werf’s flat boat. While standing, I used the Induro GIT 404L/ Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (stopped down two stops)in Manual mode. AWB at 8:16a when a faint cloud slid in front of the sun.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and again, performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Osprey large chick in nest
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Going Wide 🙂
After creating a few hundred head portraits of the two chicks, I realized that I wanted to create an image that showed the complete necklace of the young female. To accomplish that, I simply removed the TC and stopped down to f/8 for more depth-of-field. Note that I added 1/3-stop more light than in Image #1, that in response to the faint cloud. Zebras make life so, so easy.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
June 4th, 2021 What’s Up
On Thursday morning, the forecast for Lake Blue Cypress was for a light southeasterly breeze — very good for flight photography. It turned out to be a light southwest breeze — terrible for flight photography with the birds turning away from us and the light to land. We did find some handsome large chicks in fairly low nests and did well with them.
Then it was home for brunch. Just before 2pm we were off to the North Tampa Rookery. It was hotter than Hades and the air was very still. At times it was sweltering. I did lots of close work on fledgling Tricolored and Little Blue Herons. Around 5:00pm we had some nice light and a huge black cloud in the east as our background. But very few Wood Storks flew where we wanted them too and the wind was often in our face. All in all, it could not have been a bad or boring day: I had 2950 images to go through! (6:15am update: 176 very nice keepers after the first edit. Life is good.)
We had a quick dinner at Chipotle Grill and then headed to our favorite AirBnB for Thursday night. We will photograph at DeSoto this morning (despite the somewhat dire forecast — scattered thunderstorms), We will be heading back to ILE at about eleven. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took about ninety minutes to prepare, and makes 160 consecutive days with a new one. 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 and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you 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. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
Wanted to Buy
If you have a Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens sitting on a shelf and would like to sell it for a fair price, please get in touch via e-mail as I have a seriously interested buyer.
Huguenot Memorial Park and/or Jacksonville Nesting Beaches Info Requested
If you photograph regularly at Huguenot Memorial Park and/or any of the other of the publicly accessible beaches north of Jacksonville that have nesting Laughing Gull, Royal and Sandwich Terns, and possibly Brown Pelican, please get in touch via e-mail or call or text me at 863-221-2372.
Sony a9 ii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Sony a9 ii mirrorless digital camera body in near-mint condition (with a very low shutter count of 2340) for $2998.00. There is a single, almost microscopic scratch on the rear monitor. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it, along with insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your new camera will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
As things turned out, the a9 and then the a9 ii turned out to be life-changers for me. From the moment I tracked that first incoming Brandt’s Cormorant, I knew that SONY a9 series bodies featured the world’ best AF. I upgraded to the a9 ii as soon as it was released for the slightly larger body size. At one point I owned two a9 ii bodies. A new a9 ii sells for $4,498.00 so you can save a very nice $1500.00 by grabbing Larry’s a9 ii ASAP. Not to mention that the new Sony A1 sells for $6498.00 … artie
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.
1/500 Second???
I came across this image in the ILE JULY 2020 folder while looking for an a9 ii image to go with Larry Master’s used a9 ii body. After processing the image, I grabbed the EXIF from Photo Mechanic and was shocked to see that the shutter speed was only 1/500 sec. Upon close examination, today’s featured image showed a bit of motion blur. That we cleaned up nicely by Topaz Sharpen AI.
So how did I wind up at 1/500 second? Looking at the aperture — f/7.1, tells me that I was photographing a bird on the ground, probably an adult crane. When the Osprey came along I followed my own oft-given advice: when something unexpected happens, push the shutter button first first and ask questions later. In other words, do not try to change any of your settings because if you do, you will almost always wind up with nothing. Stick with what you have and sometimes you will get lucky.
Shutter Speeds for Flight
With film I occasionally went with 1/500 sec. for flight photography because we were really hurting for ISO … Fuji Velvia pushed one stop does not get you much shutter speed! Once I switched to digital (in late 2000), I’d go with 1/1600 sec. But as file sizes increased, I began relying on 1/2000 sec. as a minimum shutter speed for shooting birds in flight. For the past year I have been going more with 1/2500 second, and most recently — if the sun is out — with 1/3200 sec. In low light, Topaz DeNoise is so effective that you can often get away with working at ISOs in the 3200-8000 range.
After being sure that you have a fast-enough-shutter speed, the second big factor when shooting flight is your ability to pan smoothly with the subject (while keeping the bird int he center of the frame). I am usually not very good at that, but did OK with today’s Osprey. The more perfectly the pan the slower the shutter speed you can get away with.
Viveza
I used Viveza to lighten the underwing shadows and improve the sky color. I will be working on the tutorial video after mid-month.
Topaz Sharpen AI
As with almost every image I process, this image was run through Topaz DeNoise AI as the first step after being converted. I use DeNoise (now called Standard) for all images made in sunny conditions, and usually go with Low Light for images made in low light; makes sense, no? Noting a bit of motion blur with the Osprey image, I selected the head using the Quick Selection Tool, placed it on a Layer, and ran Topaz Sharpen AI on Stabilize.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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