Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

Despite perfect conditions on Lake Kissimmee, Clemens Van der Werf had to work very hard to make a few good images. Why? Sun yields harsh shadows and almost all the birds that landed were on very cluttered perches. Such is bird photography. Be sure to click on today’s image to enjoy a high-res version and note the work that I did on the dark shadows.

Today is Friday 3 June 2022. The forecast for this morning is again calling for mostly sunny skies with a breeze from the ENE. We will be heading very early to Lake Blue Cypress with Clemens’ boat in tow. 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 and makes eighty days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! Shoot me an e-mail for Jackson IPT#1 late registration details.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $749.00 (was $799.00) and now includes the shipping to lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.

Wanted to Buy

If you have any Canon Series III teleconverters (the 1.4X III or the 2X III) that you’d like to get rid of, please shoot me an e-mail if you are interested in turning them into cash. I have an interested buyer.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

And Please Remember

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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

Please Remember Also

Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 2 June 2022 aboard Clemens Van der Werf’s flat boat on Lake Kissimmee. While seated, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:57:12am on sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Snail Kite male with meat extracted from snail

Snail-Mail by Air-male

The male Snail Kite was headed to its fledged and flying chick with a small meal. Photographing dark gray birds in flight on sunny days will often produce images with dark underwing shadows. I worked hard (but not too long) to open up the underwings. I used the Shadow slider (judiciously) during the raw conversion, and Tim Gray Dodge and Burn once I had the .TIF file in Photoshop. Conversely, I selected the brightest portions of the snail and ran a Linear Burn on that.

Do you like today’s featured image? Why or why not?

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II). You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.

Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

You can learn how and why I converted all my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.

You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

What’s Up?

Tuesday morning was on the slow side. Yesterday’s flapping Osprey was flying. It looked as if it were enjoying it. Conditions were again perfect, and I got some good ones of the bird landing. For the first time, I worked with the handheld 400mm f/2.8 with the 1.4X TC. That gives you a 560mm f/4 lens and is 1 1/3 stops faster than the 200-600. But you cannot, of course, zoom in or out. It was, however, sunny. That as compared to Monday morning’s cloudy-bright skies. Photographing flight with blue skies and sun is far more difficult because of shadows, most of this on the underwings. I made some nice flight images of a fly-by Black-bellied Whistling Duck. Earlier, I had two perched in the Vulture Tree but they did not cooperate. All in all, it was the slowest morning in several weeks.

Only Bob Eastman offered a title for yesterday’s Osprey image. He wrote, “I’m telling Mom!” That put a smile on my face.

Today is Wednesday 1 June 2022. The forecast for this morning is again for mostly sunny skies with a breeze from the ENE. I will be heading down to the lake early. 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 and makes seventy-eight days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! Shoot me an e-mail for Jackson IPT#1 late registration details.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $749.00 (was $799.00) and the new low price now includes shipping to lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.

Wanted to Buy

If you have any Canon Series III teleconverters (the 1.4X III or the 2X III) that you’d like to get rid or, please shoot me an e-mail if you are interested in turning them into cash. I have an interested buyer.

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens

Brand New in the Unopened Box
Sale Pending Instantly

Yours truly is offering a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens in new condition in the unopened box for $2599.00. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it 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 artie via e-mail.

I used this lens for four months. Well, not this exact one. 🙂 I sold that one long ago. I loved it. It is extremely versatile. Topaz DeNoise AI makes the f/7.1 aperture a non-issue. It accepts the RF Extender 1.4X (teleconverter) (when you are zoomed out to 300mm or more). It sells new for $2899.00 but is out of stock almost everywhere. Grab this one, get it very soon, and put $300 in your pocket. artie

Covering a variety of telephoto focal lengths, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM spans a short- to super-telephoto range within a sleek and portable form factor. The modest maximum aperture enables a relatively portable design that is well-suited to handheld, walkaround use and optical image stabilization also helps to steady photos and videos by up to five stops when working in difficult lighting conditions. This lens is also characterized by its advanced optical design, which includes a series of Super UD and UD elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the zoom range for a degree of clarity and color accuracy.

Balancing the distinguished optical assets is the Dual Nano USM focus system, which delivers fast, nearly silent autofocus performance with full-time manual focus override. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself and the rotating zoom ring also feature torque adjustment for fine-tuning the feel of the lens. Additionally, this 100-500mm is weather-sealed and has a fluorine coating to protect the front and rear elements. B&H & Canon

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

And Please Remember

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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

Please Remember Also

Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 18 May 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 214mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/500 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:05:22am on a clear morning. RawDigger showed the exposure was perfect. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Killdeer on protected nest

Finding the Nest

I stumbled on the nest in the North Field on 12 May when two adult cranes stumbled upon it. An adult killdeer flew off a short distance, landed, and performed a nest distraction display. I knew the general area of the nest, but since they are so well camouflaged, I did not approach in fear of stepping on the eggs. I observed carefully from a distance for several days and finally was able to spot the bird on the nest. I walked up to it and saw two eggs in what was not much of a nest, just a small circular depression in the sandy soil. I marked it with a piece of palm tree bark. I realized that there was a risk that the folks who mow the North Field regularly might accidentally destroy the nest, so I returned the next morning with four garden stakes, some yellow ribbon, and a hammer.

I made an image with my cell phone and sent an e-mail to the ILE office explaining what I had done (and why). I received a nice note from the Jon Harris, the Director of Highway and Grounds for ILE.

This image was created on 30 May 2022 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my SUV, I used the BLUBB supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/400 sec. at f/11. (stopped down two stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:47:50am on a cloudy-bright morning. RawDigger showed the exposure was dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Killdeer brooding one chick on the nest with the other chick standing nearby.

The Blessed Event

When I checked the nest on Sunday morning, an adult sat peacefully on two eggs. On Monday morning, there was no adult on the nest. I walked up and saw a single tiny chick in the nest. I quickly exited stage left. When I returned an hour later, one adult was brooding two chicks. I was glad to see that both eggs had hatched successfully. I stayed for ten minutes and made about 100 images, 42 of those with one chick visible somewhere in the frame. Image #2 was the best by far. It was a miracle that the face of the chick was not blocked by grasses.

DOF Question

Why did I stop down to f/11? Did it work?

Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune.

I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job.

Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch.

We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT

• 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.
• 2-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.
• 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.
• 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight.
• 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
• 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
• 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
• 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
• 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
• 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
• 13- You will learn to see and understand the light.
• 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
• 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

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

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

Your Fave?

Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Why?

What’s Up?

On Sunday morning I spent some quality time with the two-large-colt crane family at the end of the South Field. The end of session magic returned to some degree when I was able to get on sun angle on a sipping Osprey in blue water just south of the pier. After that, I returned to the South Field to create Image #2.

I was glad to learn that the sale of most of Sandra Calderbank’s used Canon gear that was listed in yesterday’s blog post became pending within hours of being listed.

Today is Monday 30 May 2022. The forecast for this morning is for mostly sunny skies with a gentle breeze from the SSE. I will be heading down to the lake early. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes seventy-six days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $749.00 (was $799.00) and now includes the shipping to lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.

Wanted to Buy

If you have an old tripod that is sitting around gathering dust, or any Canon series III teleconverters, the 1.4X III or the 2X III, please shoot me an e-mail if you are interested in turning them into cash. I have an interested buyer.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune.

I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job.

Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch.

We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT

• 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.
• 2-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.
• 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.
• 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight.
• 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
• 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
• 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
• 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
• 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
• 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
• 13- You will learn to see and understand the light.
• 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
• 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

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.

This image was created on 29 May 2022 down by the lake at ILE. Standing in the North Field, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/1000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:39:12am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane in wildflowers

Sandhill Crane in Wildflowers

Tickseed — I am not sure of the species — grows prolifically at Indian Lake Estates, but I have never seen so many in blossom at once in any of the large fields down by the lake. Foxglove — again, I am not sure of the species — grows as a tall, stringy plant along the edges of the marsh. When I saw the purple flowers interspersed with the tickseed blossoms, I took a closer look. The shape of the flowers indicated a foxglove species, but as these were growing close to the ground, I believe that it is a different species.

The trick to making a decent image in this situation was to make the image when the crane was parallel to the back of the camera. The bird did not spend much time doing that, so I was glad to get this one.

Image Design Question

Tracking AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled allows the photographer to place the subject anywhere in the frame. The Canon R and the R5 and the Nikon Z9 can do the same thing. That, boys and girls, eliminates what used to be the primary reason for using back button focus …

That said, why did I place the crane in the upper left part of the frame rather than in the more traditional lower left? There are two distinct reasons.

This image was created on the morning of 29 May 2022 in the North Field. I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless camera body. ISO 800. 1/80 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:31:23 in the shade (see below) on a breezy, sunny morning. Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY Camera Users Guide and the Sony Alpha 1 Group e-mails. Picked and Plamped — see below for details. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, high-resolution version. Image #2: foxglove blossom (species?)

Why Picked and Plamped?

Many folks would say that it is always wrong to pick a wildflower and create a set-up with the blossom held in place with a Plamp. That is certainly true in parks and refuges where picking even a single blossom is prohibited. But when working on your own property or in public areas that are mown regularly, picking and Plamping one flower of hundreds or thousands is a far better approach than walking through and stomping or sitting down and destroying dozens if not hundreds of plants.

I positioned my vehicle west to east to block the north wind. Then I positioned the tripod with the Plamped foxglove flower. Next I set up a second tripod for the Canon 180 macro. The last step was to jury-rig a long-sleeved shirt to block the wind and ensure that the blossom was completely shaded. Focusing manually with focus peaking is the way to go with macro.

Subject in Shade, Background in Sun

Whether photographing birds or flowers, I love to find or to create situations where the subject is in the shade, and the background is lit by the sun. That is easy to do with picked and plamped wildflowers. With birds? Not so much. But once you are aware of the concept you can be on the lookout for birds in the shade with the backgrounds in the sun. Remember that in these situations, you will need to add lots of light to the metered exposure to prevent under-exposing the subject.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

What’s Up?

It actually was partly cloudy at ILE on Friday morning. I’ve been checking on the Killdeer nest every day and am happy to report that there is always one adult bird sitting peacefully on the two eggs. There was so much action in the North Field that I did not head south until 8:15am. The tom Wild Turkey was displaying again. I spent some time with the not-such-a-baby anymore single crane colt and had an Osprey on a dead cabbage palm stump dining on an almost-whole fish.

Today is Saturday 22 May 2022. In total disbelief, I just finished watching the Miami Heat defeat the younger, stronger, Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference playoff series. The Celtics had totally destroyed the Heat in Games five and six. Miami’s superstar, Jimmy Butler, has been hobbled by an injured right knee. And Tyler Herro, NBA sixth man of the year, missed his third game in a row with a strained groin. Game 7 will be on Sunday night. The winner of Game 7 will face the Golden State Warriors for the championship.

The forecast for this morning is for partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms beginning around 8am. I will surely be heading down to the lake early. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to to prepare and makes seventy-four days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

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. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.

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.

New Listings

Canon EF 400mm DO II IS Lens with Extras!

Sale Possibly Pending

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon 400 mm DO II IS lens in like-new condition for $4498.00. The sale includes a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, an AquaTech soft lens cap, a LensCoat, the lens trunk, the lens strap, the rear cap, the original tripod foot, 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

I owned and used and loved the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) big gun on several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer lens for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. And it will rock with an R5 or an R3 and both TCs. artie

Canon 100-400L IS II Lens with Extras

BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price (with the replacement foot)
Sale Pending

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon 100-400L IS II lens in like new condition for a BAA record low of $1298.00. The sale includes the soft case, the original product box and everything that came in it, a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, a LensCoat, the original tripod foot, 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

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! This lens sells new for $2399.00 and is out of stock in many places. artie

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 II L IS Lens

BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Sale Pending within two hours of listing

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 II L IS lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00. The sale includes the original product box, front and rear caps, soft 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

First off, note as the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens does not accept a teleconverter, Canon mirrorless folks are much better off the an EF 70-200 and an adapter.

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. Lenses in this class 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 RF Extender 1.4X (teleconverter)

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon RF Extender 1.4X (teleconverter) in like-new condition for $399.00. The sale includes the soft case, original product box, front and rear caps 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

The RF 1.4X extender sells new for $499.00. Grab Sandra’s rarely used copy and put $100.00 in your pocket. artie

Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Sale Pending

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOSR in like-new condition for $159.20. The sale includes the soft case, original product box, front and rear caps 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

This adapter lets you use a Canon mirrorless body on your EF lenses. This sophisticated adapter incorporates a customizable Control Ring, the same as that on native RF-mount lenses, for intuitively adjusting exposure settings, such as ISO, aperture, and exposure compensation. artie

Price Drop

Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a great extra!

Price Reduced $100.00 28 May 2021

IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in like-new condition with only 4504 shutter actuations for a very low $549.00 (was $649.00) . The sale includes one battery and the charger, the strap, the original product box, and everything that came in it, a Really Right Stuff Modular Sliding L-Plate (RTS B702-L Set — a $150.00 value), 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828-412-1047 Eastern time zone.

If you are looking to get started with a Canon dSLR, Sandy’s 7DII is for you. Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. The 7D Mark II is one of the greatest-ever values in a digital camera body. artie

This image was created on 27 May 2022 down by the lake at ILE. Standing in the North Field, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be about 1/3 stop under. AWB at 7:36:27am on a cloudy-bright morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Wild Turkey tame displaying

Image Design Question

Would you have removed the two, tiny, yellow tickseed blossoms right on the frame-edge in the lower left corner? Why or why not?

Depth of Field Question

How is it possible that the entire turkey is covered by the depth of field at f//2.8? Scroll down for the answer.

Handholding The Sony 400mm f/2.8 Lens (AKA Fat Boy)

I am becoming more enamored with the Sony 400mm f/2.8 lens (AKA Fat Boy) every time I use it. With the lens being so back heavy, it is relatively easy to handhold considering that it weighs 6.864 lbs. (6 lbs.13.8 oz.) with the hood on and the original lens foot replaced with the CRX-5 Ultra Low Foot. After nearly 39 years of bird photography, I learned something new this morning when I put Fat Boy on the kitchen scale. The published weight of a super-telephoto lens, 6.4 pounds in the case of The Sony 400 f/2.8, does not include the weight of the hood. Who’d a thunk it?

In any case, at 6.864 lbs., the 400 f/2.8 weighs only 1.848 pounds more than The Sony 200-600 with the hood on and the original foot removed to save weight while handholding. The latter weighs in at 5.016 lbs.

The Speed Advantage

Until I began working with Fat Boy just a few days ago, I had not realized how huge an advantage the f/2.8 speed would be it. Across the board, it allows for the use of crazy-high shutter speeds and saves on ISO. The higher shutter speeds are great for handholding. There will be lots more on this great lens coming soon. Please remember, however, that for me, Fat Boy is an auxiliary lens, undoubtedly somewhat of an extravagant purchase.

PhotoPills Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator screen capture for today’s featured image

PhotoPills Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator

The entire turkey is covered by the depth of field at f//2.8 because I was far from a large subject using a relatively short focal length (as compared to 600 or 840mm). The PhotoPills Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator screen capture above shows that the total DOF is 1.17 feet. Though the turkey is a very large bird, 1.17 feet was just about enough to cover the entire bird. If you wanted to be picky, you could note that the range of sharp focus barely falls off on the tips of the feathers on the far side of the bird’s spread tail.

Note that stopping down to f/4 would have increased the total DOF to 1.65 feet. Note also that choosing any full frame camera body will yield correct results. Also, I learned the exact distance to the subject in A7INFO.

The Lesson

If the entire bird looks sharp in the viewfinder, it will be sharp in the final image. There is no need to stop down.

Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune.

I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job.

Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch.

We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT

• 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.
• 2-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.
• 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.
• 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight.
• 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
• 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
• 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
• 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
• 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
• 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
• 13- You will learn to see and understand the light.
• 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
• 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

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

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

What’s Up?

It was gorgeous again on Wednesday morning at ILE. And as has been the pattern recently, things began slowly, and I was ready to head home early. Then I saw another black Volkswagen in the North Field. Again, it turned out to be a displaying Wild Turkey tom (and two hens with about twenty poults). What began as a slow morning turned into a 1949-image photo session.

Steve Elkins asked me to let everyone know that Bedfords has the Canon MC20 Maintenance Cartridge in stock for $14.99 each. This hard-to-get part is vital for operating the popular Prograf 1000 printer. Limit four per customer.

Today is Thursday 26 May 2022. The Lakeland forecast is for cloudy. Jim and I will be headed early to Circle Bar B to see what’s about. (The 400 f/2.8 will not be making the trip …) I had planned to continue on to Lakeland to pay off the lease on my SUV. The guy at the car dealership had told me on Monday that I could come by “any time” to make the payment and asked that I let him know in advance. I texted him early yesterday asking if he would be in between 10 and 11am today and letting him know that “the money was in the bank.” He wrote back, “I will be in.” Then, late in the day, he texted me and said that several folks who need to administer the payment were on vacation. So much for “come in anytime.”

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 and makes seventy-two days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

And Please Remember

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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

Please Remember Also

Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 24 May 2022 down by the lake at ILE. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/5000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 7:55:09am on sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane calling

The First Session

On a whim, I unboxed the 400mm f/2.8 GM lens on Tuesday morning and threw it in the back of my SUV on some pillows. I figured that I would only use it when I was out of my vehicle. That changed soon when I found a way to place both the 600 f/4 GM and the 400 f/2.8 GM on the front passenger seat. The cranes at ILE are so tame that when they are standing in one place preening you can slowly drive right up to them.

Please remember that as I own the 600 f/4 that the 400 f/2.8 was an extravagant purchase. I did not think that I would find a lot of opportunities to use it at ILE, but it is likely that I was wrong. That said, traveling by air with both big lenses will be close to impossible.

I love the silky-smooth backgrounds and the razor-thin depth of field. Though the 400 is only a few ounces lighter than the 600, it is much easier to handhold because it is shorter with the weight concentrated at the rear of the lens. And I underestimated the value of the super-fast f/2.8 aperture … There are dozens more things that I love about the 400/2.8 that I will be writing extensively about the 400 f/2.8 in future blog posts.

Thinking of a nickname for the 400 2.8, I may go with “Fat Boy”, a blend of the nicknames for the two different types of atomic bombs produced by the Manhattan Project near the end of WW II. They were code-named Fat Man and Little Boy. Fat Man, which was dropped on Nagasaki, was the more complex of the two was a bulbous 10-foot-long bomb. (Learn more in the interesting article here.)

This image was also created on 24 May 2022 down by the lake at ILE. Standing on a slope near a canal, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/2000 sec. at f/3.2. (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:04:59am on mostly sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Limpkin fledgling with adult

Lots of Limpkin Families

There are several Limpkin families in the marsh this year. I photographed some large fledged chicks by the pier about a week ago. The chick in this image was the smallest of four accompanied by two adults. I got down by the canal and positioned myself so that they would be coming toward me at eye level. I clipped the feet of the larger chicks as they ran by me to catch up with the adults; I was fortunate to get this one completely in the frame. As autofocus needs light to see, the wider the maximum aperture, the faster the speed of initial focusing acquisition. Needless to say, AF with the 400 f/2.8 is lightning fast and very accurate.

Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune.

I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job.

Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch.

We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT

• 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better.
• 2-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.
• 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it.
• 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight.
• 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer.
• 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂
• 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations.
• 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior.
• 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective.
• 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds.
• 13- You will learn to see and understand the light.
• 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations.
• 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event.

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

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

What’s Up?

Monday morning under hazy skies was pretty much of a same-old same-old day. I photographed the small crane colt family, the large crane colts family, my first-ever ILE Mallard, and the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in the lake just south of the pier. Today is Tuesday 24 May 2022 and the forecast again is for partly cloudy with a SE breeze and a hazy sun. I just may take my new Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens out of the shipping box and out of the lens trunk and put it in the back of my SUV where I can grab it for hand holding … Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the creating the video) and makes seventy-four days in a row with a new one.

Be sure to click on the words “Watch on YouTube (in white letters) in the lower left corner of the screen to view the video larger. As a late-registration enticement for the three Jacksonville IPTs, I will include the ride with me for free for the first two folks to sign up for each workshop. Please get in touch via e-mail with any questions.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Flight Photography at Jacksonville Till You Can’t Lift Your Lens!

Join me on the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park to learn about photographing terns in flight. 8,000 pairs of Royal Terns nest there and there are birds in the air all the time, often carrying all kinds of fish and crabs for their young. Learn about how the relationship between the wind and the sun impacts flight photography and about the best gear for shooting birds in flight. Note that all the images in the video were created with the Sony a1 (and a variety of lenses). Join me on a workshop at Jacksonville this summer. See the details below.

Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 24th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | Leave a comment May 23rd, 2022 1/80 second Flight -- What Was I Thinking? 12 comments What’s Up? Sunday morning dawned hazy, and the sun was in and out between 7 and 8am. I did a little of this and a little of that and was about to head home. I decided to check the area just to the south of the pier one last time. Looking under the pier to the other side I saw a Great Blue Heron in the marsh with what looked like a large fish in its bill. I quickly drove to the north side of the pier. Once I got in position, I saw that the prey was a large marsh rat. I made some very nice images at 1200mm with the big lens supported by the BLUBB. The bird moved away from the pier to the north, so I parked, set up the tripod, move slowly to my right, and made some more good images at 1200mm. Photos soon. My new Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens was delivered on Sunday by 2nd Day Air Fed Ex. As always, Bedfords did a perfect job with any order and the shipping. I believe that the second 400/2.8 sold to a BIRDS AS ART disciple. The lens sits in the unopened box on my dining room floor. I do not foresee using it a lot at ILE and it would not do well with the 600 f/4 on the front passenger seat of my SUV … I will be doing a blog post on the whys and wherefores of my newest lens fairly soon. Today is Monday 23 May 2022. I just looked out the pool deck door to check the weather — it looks clear and still with a big of haze in the air. It is supposed to cloud up quickly. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took three hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimization and creating the screen captures) and makes seventy-three days in a row with a new one. Be sure to read and view all the way down as there is a ton to learn below. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Wanting a Sony 600mm GM lens or a Nikon Z9? If you want to get your hands on a Sony 600mm f/4 GM, get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedfords ASAP as below. Both a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lenses sold quickly. The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … This image was created on 28 June 2021 at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville. I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/80 second at f/6.3 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:40:19am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be 1/3 stop too dark. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: the Photo Mechanic screen capture for the Royal Tern in flight with baby Blue Crab for young image The Photo Mechanic Screen Capture First off, note the shutter speed: 1/80 second. Next, note that the histogram seems to show that the raw file is properly exposed to the right. RawDigger, however, showed that I could have used more than one-half stop of additional light to be dead-solid perfect. What Was I Thinking? Why a shutter speed of 1/80 second for flight? The classic blur speeds for photographing single birds in flight are from 1/15 to 1/50 sec. On very rare occasion, you can get the eye or eyes sharp at those speeds. You increase your chances of getting a sharp eye by increasing the shutter speed to somewhere between 1/60 and 1/125 second while producing nicely blurred wingtips if the bird is flapping. Higher shutter speeds in the range of 1/160 to 1/500 sec. can also pull that off. Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod I learned recently that the MAC Group quit making the great Induro tripods because of increasingly high trade tariffs imposed on goods made in China (where the tripods were being made). I have been using the 304L as my workhorse tripod for more than a decade. The 304 L is perfect for folks under 6′ 1″ tall using big glass. I used mine in and around saltwater with impunity. Though it is sturdy and rigid and can support any large super-telephoto rig, it weighs only 4 lbs 10.7 oz. It costs many hundreds of dollars less than the overpriced, overdone, clunky Really Wrong stuff tripod. The 304L meshes perfectly with the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro that I love and use every day. And please do not insult this great head by mentioning the worthless and now obsolete RWS BH-55 bullheads in the same sentence … Amazingly, we have two brand (and only two) new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $799.00 each plus the shipping. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Image #1A: this is the color corrected, converted, and cropped .TIF file for the Royal Tern in flight with baby Blue Crab for young image The Converted .TIF File First, note the single large dust spot under the bend of the left wing of the sharp bird. I realize that some might like this image best with the second bird in the background, but with the wingtips of the bird in the background cut off, my choice was to eliminate it. This image was created on 28 June 2021 at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville. I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/80 second at f/6.3 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:40:19am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be 1/3 stop too dark. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1B: the master file (optimized version) of the Royal Tern in flight with baby Blue Crab for young image The Optimized Version The bird in the background was removed using a series of Quick Masks refined with Regular Layer Masks. The fact that the wings of the subject bird were blurred made working along the edge of those wings a bit easier than if they had been sharp. There is lots of time for Photoshop lessons on the Jacksonville IPTs. Your Call? Would you have liked this image better with the second bird? Why or why not? The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II). You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II. The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle. Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each. You can learn how and why I converted all my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Be sure to click on the cropped image to view the amazing sharpness and enjoy the high-res version. Image #1C: a tight unsharpened crop of the Royal Tern in flight with baby Blue Crab for young image Seemingly Not Possible … The trick to getting the eye perfectly sharp at relatively slow shutter speeds is to pan perfectly along with the bird in flight. Though the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro is great for panning smoothly, I do not always pull this off every time … For me, the sharpness of the tern’s eye at 1/80 sec. is nothing short of astounding. Image #1D: an A7INFO screen capture for the Royal Tern in flight with baby Blue Crab for young image Amazing Bird-Face/Eye Detection AF Click on the screen capture above to see the location of the active AF point. Not bad … Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points! The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free) The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide 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. By early April, the group was up to an astounding 115 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive four e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will see new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1. All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store. Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 23rd, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 12 comments May 22nd, 2022 Day of Pure Joy. Gatorland Saved the Best for Last ... Killed Em with The Sony 70-200 II, 2X, Alpha 1 Handheld! 4 comments Which of Today’s Three Featured Images is Your Favorite? Why? What’s Up? It all began with a great night of sleep on Friday. I was to be very early and woke to the alarm at 4:30am to pack the car and make my tea for the road. I met Vince Delack at Gatorland at 6:50am. He was personable and eager to learn. He worked mostly with the handheld Canon 100-400 II and an R5. At my urging, he is in the process of retiring his 7D Mark II. He was a quick study. I showed him how to evaluate the histogram after making a test exposure. He quickly began making perfect exposures. We worked on AF stuff, and he quickly had that down pat. He shot on his own for a while and when I reviewed his images, there were lots of mis-framed photos and terribly busy backgrounds. I urged him to work at the long end to reduce clutter. I explained to him that folks who are new to bird photography first need to learn to make the easy shots, to grab the low-hanging fruit. Pick a good situation with a bird just sitting there, set a good exposure, frame the image perfectly, and make it sharp. Bingo. That simple advice improved his images 1,000 percent. Or more. Conditions for photography were perfect. The forecast thunderstorms did not materialize so we enjoyed lovely cloudy bright light until after 10am when a hazy sun broke through. There were lots of silly tame Tricolored Heron fledglings and the large, readily accessible Great Egret chicks had not left the nest yet. Just as we left, three of the five large chicks surprised me by flying across the gator moat. We had a few decent chances with the Snowy Egret chicks, and one good Snowy Egret feeding in the clear. I was on the road by 10:30 and home at noon. I downloaded my images while watching the Golden State Warriors game on TiVo. They come back from 19 points down to defeat the Dallas Mavericks. I enjoy watching Golden State’s amazing skills and teamwork. Steph Curry, wildly acknowledged as the best shooter ever to play the game, will often take your breath away with his long three pointers, his slashing drives to the basket, and his other-worldly passes to teammates. I created 1496 images, keep 114 after the first edit, and had 19 photos that really made me happy. Three of those are shared with you here today with more to come. I was so juiced by the Gatorland session, my images, and the Warriors win that I never napped. I had a great swim and did 20 minutes of rope flow in the driveway. Then I stayed up to watch the end of the PGA golf tournament (also on TiVo). Today is Sunday 22 May 2022. The forecast for ILE is for cloudy with a gentle SE breeze. I will be heading down to the lake to see what I see. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes seventy-two days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Wanting a Sony 600mm GM lens or a Nikon Z9? If you want to get your hands on a Sony 600mm f/4 GM, get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedfords ASAP as below. other a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lenses sold quickly. The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … This image was created on 21 May 2022 at Gatorland in Kissimmee, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 242mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/250 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:53:36am on a totally overcast but somewhat bright morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Tricolored Herons — large chicks cuddling in nest A Basic (and Obvious) Bird Photography Tip … If you see several photographers posting their lenses in the same direction and looking through their viewfinders, it might behoove you to see what they are up to. And that is true whether you are on the beach, in the woods, or at a rookery. You must, however, approach slowly as if you scare their subject away, you will have lots of explain to do. As we approached the two cuddling tricolored babies, the other three photographers walked away. That made things easy for Vince and me. Working at f/7.1 provided almost enough depth of field to cover the tips of the two bills. As I zoomed in, the depth of field suffered much more. Lesson Zooming out and working wider always provided additional depth of field. Compositional Tip In situations where you are torn between creating vertical images or horizontal images, a square crop will often win the day. This image was created on 21 May 2022 at Gatorland in Kissimmee, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 400mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:59:44am when the day had gotten a lot brighter. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Great Egret preening uropygial gland The Uropygial Gland The uropygial gland is an exocrine gland located above the tail of birds that produces a diverse range of biochemicals. It has been hypothesized to be involved in chemical protection, waterproofing and maintenance of plumage brightness. From the article here. Normal Anatomy and Function of the Uropygial Gland The uropygial gland is a bi-lobed gland found at the tail base of most psittacine birds. It drains into a single papilla at the base of the tail. Normally, the gland is easily expressed and secretes a clear, oily fluid. This gland is absent in Amazon parrots, some pigeons, and doves. The uropygial gland produces a sebaceous material containing vitamin D precursors, which are converted to the active form of vitamin D3 when exposed to ultraviolet light. During preening, the active form of vitamin D3 is ingested. Exposure to unfiltered ultraviolet light is necessary for this metabolic process to take place. Material produced by the uropygial gland is very important for waterproofing feathers. The above from the Science Direct website here. Note that the previously sited study questions the always assumed waterproofing theory … Why Wide Open? That is a good question. The feathers around the uropygial gland and the barely visible bill tip of this preening juvenile bird were not sharp due to insufficient depth of field. I was at 1/1000 second because the bird next to this one kept stabbing at a branch with its bill. When the bird in Image #2 struck the attractive pose, I made a series of images without stopping down. In a perfect world, for this specific image, working at 1/250 second at f/11 would have been a better option. Lesson Many of the nests at Gatorland are so close to the boardwalk that stopping down for additional depth of field is often a consideration. As I said to Vince, “You only want to stop down if you can verbalize a reason for needing more depth-of-field.” This image was created on 21 May 2022 at Gatorland in Kissimmee, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 346mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1250: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:09:45am when the day had gotten a lot brighter. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Great Egret chick feeding mayhem More Mayhem When we met in the parking lot, I explained the whole chick feeding operation to Vince: 1- The adult bird lands near or on the nest, stands tall, and stretches its neck toward the sky. This to encourage the chicks to beg. 2- The moment the adult lands, the chicks go crazy squawking and trying to reach the adult’s bill. 3- The adult, now stimulated to regurgitate the fish or fishes, lowers it head. 4- One of the chicks grabs the adult’s bill and yanks on it for all its worth; this stimulates the adult to regurgitate a fish or two. While this is going on, the other chicks try to get in on the action. This process is often repeated two or three times before the adult flies off to catch some more fish (or other prey). Note: when the chicks are small, the adult waits for a significant period of time so that the fish becomes partially digested. Small bits of fish usually wind up on the floor of the nest where they are snatched up by the hungry nestlings. As he had never seen a wading bird chick feeding, Vince was thrilled to witness several on Saturday morning. Because of the frantic and frenzied action, making a good image in these situations is always a challenge. Amazingly, the a1 AF system barely missed the visible eye of the adult. Vince e-mailed this (in part) last night: I am so happy to have made contact and arranged to meet with you! I thoroughly enjoyed your guidance, consultation, and encouragement!! We were truly blessed with great light, and abundant subject matter, quite close at-hand. He could not believe that so few folks took advantage of the Gatorland sessions this year … Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points! The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free) The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide 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. By early April, the group was up to an astounding 115 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive four e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will see new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1. All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store. Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 22nd, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 4 comments May 21st, 2022 Too Much Fun in the Rain on a Dark Day ... 2 comments What’s Up? It was cloudy and dark and threatening when I headed down to the lake at 7:10am on Friday morning. It did not threaten for long. It poured. There was thunder and lightning off and on for about 40 minutes. And torrential rain. And some strong wind gusts. Even though I had the the open driver’s side window facing away from the wind, the inside of my car and all my gear got soaked — the wind direction changed several times! Anyhoo, I had an absolute ball and tried lots of new things. Starting work early, and continuing for most of the rest of the day, I optimized 19 new images on Friday, most from Jacksonville as I get ready to do the YouTube Jax flight video sometime soon. As a late registration enticement for the three IPTs, I will include the ride with me for free for the first two folks to sign up for each workshop. Please get in touch via e-mail with any questions. Today is Saturday 21 May 2022. The forecast for Kissimmee is for scattered thunderstorms. That sounds familiar … I am meeting newbie Vince Delack for an In-the-Field session at Gatorland. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes seventy-one days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Wanting a Sony Super-telephoto Lens or a Nikon Z9? If you want to get your hands on a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM or a Sony 600mm f/4 GM, get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedfords ASAP as below. The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … And Please Remember 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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation. Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases. Money Saving Reminder Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please. Important Note As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂 Please Remember Also Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit. Gear Questions and Advice Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. This image was created on 20 May 2022 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 129mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 8000. 1/125 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:48:58am during a thunderstorm. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane adult and two large colts taking shelter from the storm Taking Shelter From the Storm The large colt crane family was smarter than I was, but we all got soaked. The second adult was just out of frame left. At 1/60 second, the raindrops become long streaks and are not very evident. When I have some light, I like the look of the streaks created by shutter speeds ranging from 1/320 to 1/800 sec. The distance to the subject and the severity of the rain also come into play. This tree is in the South Field, not far from the eagle nest tree. This image was created on 20 May 2022 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 25600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/60 sec. at f/5.6. (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:51:27am during a thunderstorm. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane colt enjoying the rainstorm Drinking Raindrops? This is the large colt with the duller cap. I went to the big lens with a TC (and ISO 25600) in an effort to make an nice image of this bird attempting to drink the raindrops. Either that or it was really enjoying its shower. It kept pointing its bill up and moving his head from side to side, seemingly enraptured. I did some video of this behavior and never saw him try to drink, but the bird sure did blink a lot! The Lesson Do not fear very high ISOs. When the choice is between having a decent chance to make a sharp image at a very high ISO or having no chance to make a sharp image, the former is always the best choice. Always. It’s digital. If the image quality is so bad that you have no use for the image, delete it. This image was created on 20 May 2022 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 188mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 6400. 1/125 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:03:03am at the tail end of the storm. Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Sandhill Crane large colt with bright cap in the rain My Favorite Colt With its brighter cap, this is my favorite of the two large colts. It was still raining when I made this image, but it was not raining as hard nor was it anywhere near as windy as it was when I created Image #1. There is not much depth of field at f/2.8 … Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 21st, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 2 comments May 20th, 2022 Nature Photography IS like a Box of Chocolates ... 11 comments What Word? What word or phrase would you use to describe today’s featured image? Great News from Bedfords Steve Elkins of Bedfords texted me on Thursday with great news. He has a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and a Sony 600mm f/4 GM lens in stock. Remember to use the BIRDS AS ART code at check-out to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second day air shipping. It has been nearly impossible to get your hands on either of these lenses for the past two years. For those looking for a Sony 400 f/2.8 there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that I just bought the one in stock. The good news is that Steve is getting another one next week. Have at it. If you are seriously interested in either lens, it would best to e-mail Steve at selkins@bedfords.com or text him at 1-479-381-2592. What’s Up? The great morning photo sessions continued at ILE on Thursday. Sunrise was foggy. I tried some Osprey foggy-sun ball silhouettes without much success. Then I did the small crane colt and the large crane colt family. Once again, I was ready to head home early, but decided to check by the pier one last time. There were ten Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in still blue water. I worked them from the car at 1200mm with the BLUBB for a while and did OK. I decided to try to get out of the car slowly and set up a tripod. Only one bird flew off. I had a ton of fun for the next hour both at 1200 and 840mm. Today is Friday 20 May 2022. The forecast for this morning is for cloudy with a SW breeze. I will be heading down to the lake early. 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 and makes seventy days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! Nikon D5 Professional dSLR Price Reduced $200.00 on 20 May 2022 BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Sigmon Whitener is offering a Nikon D5 (Dual XQD/CF Express Type B) in like-new condition with 55,000 actuations for a BAA record-low $2596.95 (was $2796.95). The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it including the strap, one battery, the dual battery charger, the manual (Sp and En), the USB connecting cord, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Although the D5 has a 20MP sensor, the frame rate and AF tracking are the best (IMO) you can get in a DSLR. Some of my best BIF shots were made with this camera. It’s also great for any type of sports photography. And the low light performance is best of any camera I have owned. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Please contact Sigmon via e-mail or by phone at 1-818-239-2403 (Pacific time). The D5 was buy first Nikon camera body. After using it for ten minutes on flying pelicans in San Diego I sold all of my Canon gear. The AF system is indeed superb. artie BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. This image was created on 18 May 2022 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1250: 1/800 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:25:36am in the shade of mat torso on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) Nature Photography IS like a Box of Chocolates You never know what you are gonna get … Please take a moment to enlarge the image above. For the past 24 hours, I have returned to study it many times. I can barely quit looking at it. What amazes me is that some of the turtle’s features seem almost human. I guess it’s those lips! When I decided to check out the North Field on Wednesday morning, I would never have expected to find a totally tame female Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox). I’ve driven that mowed field many hundreds of times and had never seen a turtle of any kind on the grassy expanse. When I first saw a brown form in the grass at a distance, I was puzzled. I thought that it might have been a dead vulture. As I approached and saw the shape and that pug nose, I knew exactly what it was. The turtle’s size — the shell was at least 20″ long, indicated that it was a female. Males never grow larger than a foot. There was no sign that she had dug a nest nearby. I parked a ways away and grabbed the 70-200 II with the 1.4X in place. The turtle was totally placid as I approached. As the sun was not doing me any favors, I shaded the head and the front of the carapace by squeezing my legs together. I made some images while pointing the lens down, standing almost directly above the turtle. As expected, those images were not very intimate. Still, the turtle showed no sign of being upset so as slowly as I could, I got down on the ground. She pulled her head into her shell for about ten seconds and then stuck it back out and began looking around. I forgot to switch the Subject from Bird to Animal, but Eye Tracking performed perfectly. In ten minutes, I took lots of images. I kept only two of those that were made when I was standing, the rest of the keepers were made while I was seated. Today’s featured image was one of the last that I made. It was chosen from four wonderful images that were virtually identical. Do you like the narrow depth of field? Why or why not? Would you have tried to shoot this at f/16? Why or why not? Typos With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 20th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 11 comments May 19th, 2022 Cute & Beautiful: Photographing Chicks in Jacksonville, FL 2 comments This Just In! Steve Elkins of Bedfords texted me with great news. He has a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and a Sony 600mm f/4 GM lens in stock. Remember to use the BIRDS AS ART code at check-outland get 3% back on your credit card and free second day air shipping. Hurry. For those looking for The Sony 400 f/2.8 there is good new and bad news. The bad news is that I just bought the one in stock. The good news is that Steve is getting another one next week. Have at it. If you are seriously interested in either lens it would best to e-mail Steve at selkins@bedfords.com or text him at 1-479-381-2592. What’s Up? On Wednesday I enjoyed yet another beautiful and interesting morning. I marked the Killdeer nest to protect it from the ruthless mowers and e-mailed the folks at ILE to let them know. There was another big mayfly hatch. Even the Mottled Ducks were partaking! I made some nice images of the rapidly growing baby crane, a Cattle Egret atop a bush catching mayflies, and the duck pair catching mayflies. I had another good chance on one of the fledged and flying Killdeer in the small field to the south of the pier. Then, the Limpkin family showed up next to the pier again so I spent some quality time with them. Then, I decided to make one last swing around the North Field. I saw a brown form in the grass at a distance and was unsure of what it was. As I got closer, I identified it easily; it is quite a distinctive creature. I spent ten intimate minutes with it before it headed slowly back to the marsh. I made some wonderful images and will share my favorite with you here tomorrow. Today is Thursday 19 May 2022. The forecast for this morning at ILE is again calling for sunny and still (with a light breeze from the SW developing by 9am). I will be heading down to the lake early again. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about three hours to prepare and makes sixty-nine days in a row with a new one. Enjoy today’s new YouTube video. As a late registration enticement, I will include the ride with me for free for the first two folks to sign up for each Jacksonville IPT. Please get in touch via e-mail with any questions. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Wanting a Nikon Z9? The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … And Please Remember 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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation. Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases. Money Saving Reminder Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please. Important Note As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂 Please Remember Also Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit. Gear Questions and Advice Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Cute & Beautiful: Photographing Chicks in Jacksonville, FL There is an amazing beach near Jacksonville, FL where 8,000 pairs of Royal Terns and 12,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls (along with a few other species) breed each year. As this video shows, photographing the chicks is relatively easy in the summer. And there is tons of great flight photography as well. Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 19th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 2 comments May 18th, 2022 Can You Explain Any of These? 23 comments What’s Up? The weather was gorgeous again on Tuesday morning. I spent an hour photographing various Sandhill Cranes. I began with a sleeping adult crane and experimented (successfully) with depth-of-field. I will share two of the sleeping bird series with you here at some point. After its nap, it began to preen so I kept on shooting. I saw the large colt crane family (once again a family of four) fly across the canal from the North Field to the North Peninsula. It was the first time that I had seen the two colts fly though I suspect they have been flying for several weeks. I made a few frames of one of the colts lying on the grass for a rest. Today is Wednesday 18 May 2022. The forecast for ILE for this morning is calling for sunny skies with a very soft breeze from the NNW. I will be heading down to the lake early as usual. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 45 minutes to prepare and makes sixty-eight days in a row with a new one. It is not likely that anyone can explain any of these. If, however, you are personally aware of a situation in photography that leaves you scratching your head, please do share by leaving a comment. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! Wanted to Buy If you have a Canon 400mm f/5.6 L Lens sitting on a shelf, have not used it for years, and would like to get a decent price for it, please contact me via e-mail. I have an interested buyer. BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Can You Explain Any of These? The MAC Group and Induro Tripods #1: When Gitzo went down the tubes several years ago, I looked for a relatively inexpensive, sturdy, well-made line of tripods that would stand up to abuse from sand and salt water. I was thrilled to find Induro. I tried to become a dealer but was inexplicably black balled by the owner of seven (I think) camera stores in the Northeast. I own several GIT 304Ls, a 404XL, a 505XL, and one GIT 204L. I promoted the brand and sold many through Outdoor Photo Gear and B&H. The Induro legs met all my requirements. Not only did they cost a fraction of the ridiculously heavy, over-priced Really Wrong Stuff tripods, but they were also lighter and performed better. Induro was manufactured under the auspices of The MAC Group, the boys and girls who refused to make me a dealer as I built the Induro brand name in the US. I’d say that well more than half of the serious photographers I’ve run across in the last few years are using Induro tripods. I learned recently that the MAC group, in its’ infinite wisdom, has stopped making all Induro tripods and has no plans to re-created them under another brand of theirs. Can you explain that? Think Tank Urban Disguise Laptop Bags #2: I purchased a Think Tank Urban Disguise laptop bag probably twenty years ago. They offered several different models. Mine is the Urban Disguise Classic 60. It is large and roomy and super-sturdy with excellent construction. Over the decades it has gotten me out of many a travel jam. I thought about replacing it even though it still functions perfectly. I learned that Think Tank quit making them five years ago. Can you explain that? The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens and TCs … #3: This one may very well take the cake. On the February 2022 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs, BPN friend Kevin Hice told me that the new Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens did not accept either of the RF teleconverters, the Canon Extender RF 1.4x or the Canon Extender RF 2x. That is impossible, I said. That destroys the versatility of the world’s most popular mid-range telephoto zoom lens. I simply did not believe him. Until he took out his new lens and the two TCs. Neither one would fit into the back of the lens (even when it was zoomed out). I was incredulous. I called my good friend from Canon EoL days, top tech-rep Rudy Winston. He stated that the Canon engineers in Japan opted to design the lens that way! Can you explain that? ps: Amazingly, Canon is attempting to keep that a secret; there is no mention of this problem in the product information. I did, however, find this review on B&H: Not compatible with extenders By Rkthunder: Totally surprised this lens is not compatible with either the 1.4 or 2X RF extenders. Those worked with the RF 100-500mm, which I returned because it was not a high-quality lens. Very disappointed in the RF series so far. Homer 2022 Bald Eagle Highlights and Handholding Compositional Tips by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART Enjoy and be inspired by just a few Homer Bald Eagle highlight images. Hand holding intermediate telephoto lens will always yield slightly different compositions. Learn more about that topic in this short (3:14) video. All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK 2023 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs IPT #1: MON 20 FEB 2023 through the full day on FRI 24 FEB 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers IPT #2: SAT 25 FEB 2023 through the full day on THURS 2 MAR 2023. Six full days/24 hours on the boat: $6600.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 4. IPT #3: FRI 3 MAR 2023 through the full day on TUES 7 MAR 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers. Save $1,000.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $1500.00 by doing all three. These trips feature non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls. In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require a ton of good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes. If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot. We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound. Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader, who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want. You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes. You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode. Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight images from tens of thousands of images. You will enjoy working with the two best and most creative boat captains on their sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck crafts. The second and third IPTs are the only Bald Eagle workshops that feature an incredibly helpful first mate. Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader. Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions. All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK What’s Included One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants. What’s Not Included Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate. Please Note On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips, or 24 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour. Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. Deposit Information A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above. In Closing I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the three trips is to sign up for all of them. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, two, or all three trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. Typos With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 18th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 23 comments May 17th, 2022 Digital Spoonbill Painting ... And New Saving the Whites and Eye Doctor Techniques 3 comments What’s Up? The forecast for Monday morning had been for clear skies with a breeze from the west, bad for bird photography. The reality was that it was totally sunny at 7:00am with no wind at all. By 7:15, a breeze from the south/southeast had developed — excellent for bird photography. I spent most of an hour trying to get in position to make some good images of a of three large almost-flying Limpkin chicks. They did not make it easy for me as they foraged first on one side of the pier and then on the other. I surprised myself by creating a small number of very nice images. Kudos to the New York Rangers who came from a three games to one deficit to eliminate Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in overtime of Game 7. And good riddance to the Phoenix Suns, the alleged “best team in the NBA.” The Suns were vanquished by the Dallas Mavericks who also overcame a three games to one deficit and prevailed in Game 7. The Mavs were led by the incomparable Slovenian, Luka Dončić. Did I mention that the final score was 123-90? The truth is that it was not really that close! Two things on today’s content: 1- Even if you do not like blurs, the Photoshop techniques detailed below will enable you to improve your photography. 2- Digital Basics II will teach you how to use the Photoshop Tools efficiently and outline the techniques that I have used and developed over the past two decades. As I did twice below with today’s featured image, there will be many times when you solve image optimization problems by coming up with new ways to use the tools, by inventing new techniques. DB II will teach you the basics so that you are well-equipped to bring your Photoshop game to new levels. Today is Tuesday 17 May 2022. The forecast for ILE for this morning is calling for sunny skies with a soft breeze from the NNW. I will be heading down to the lake early as usual. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes sixty-seven days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. This image was created on 5 May 2022 at Stick Marsh in Fellsmere, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 422mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 50: 1/30 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:02:35am in the shade of a shelter on a clear morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be a bit beyond perfect, i.e., the brightest WHITEs were over-exposed. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: the original for the Roseate Spoonbill incoming blur image What are the Big Problems With This Image? 1- The WHITEs on the upper back of the spoonbill are seriously over-exposed. 2- The extra bird and the black squiggles in the lower left corner are distracting at best. 3- I don’t care for the pink blur above the inner portion of the far wing. 4- The vegetation and the the rock jetty make for a butt-ugly background. 5- The eye of the incoming bird could be a lot sharper. I did, however, love the framing and the degree of blurring and decided to address each of the problems above in Photoshop. The raw file was converted twice. See below for a description of what I did to create the digital painting below. This image was created on 5 May 2022 at Stick Marsh in Fellsmere, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 422mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 50: 1/30 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:02:35am iii the shade of a shelter on a clear morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be a bit beyond perfect. i.e., the brightest WHITEs were over-exposed. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1A: the digital creation: Roseate Spoonbill incoming blur Creating the Digital Painting 1- With the WHITEs on the upper back of the spoonbill seriously over-exposed (to the tune of 50,000 OvExp pixels), I used a new technique that I have been working on to restore detail to the over-exposed highlights. It worked to perfection. Folks who own the Saving the Whites Video are invited to send proof of purchase via e-mail to receive a short tutorial via e-mail detailing this new technique. 2- To begin, the lower left corner was cleaned up with a small crop from the left and from below. Then I used the Clone Stamp Tool (a rarity for me) at 10% Hardness. Lastly, the look of this area was improved when I ran a 65-pixel Gaussian blur on the whole image as detailed below. 3- I eliminated the pink blur above the inner portion of the far wing using the Patch Tool and then cleaned up the edge up with the Clone Stamp Tool (sized to 400 px) set at 50% Hardness. 4- To begin the cleanup of the vegetation and the rock jetty background, I used the Patch Tool, Content-Aware Fill, and again, the Clone Stamp Tool at 10% Hardness. Next, I applied a 65-pixel Gaussian Blur to the whole image, added a Hide-All (Black or Inverse) Layer Mask, and painted in the effect with a white brush — shortcut B, D. Lastly, I made sure to eliminate any spill-over blur from the bird by hitting X and painting the edges of the bird with a small, relatively hard (50%), black brush — shortcut B, D, X. 5- I tried a brand-new Eye Doctor technique: I painted a Quick Mask of a spoonbill eye from a sharp image, moved it into place on the blurred image, and simply reduced the Opacity of the eye layer to 50%. It worked like the proverbial charm. The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II). You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II. The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) The techniques mentioned above (except for the two new ones) and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle. Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each. You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Typos With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 17th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 3 comments May 16th, 2022 Catching Up in Reverse: Part 1. Like Rodney Dangerfield, I sometimes get no respect ... And Linear Perspective 3 comments Your Favorite? Which of today’s three featured images is your favorite? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice. Or not. 🙂 What’s Up? I finally found the Killdeer nest on Sunday morning. I will be going down with Jim later today to put up a string fence around it to protect it from the big mowers. I saw the two young Killdeer babies that I had photographed as chicks on 24 April near the base of the pier; both are now flying. How fast they grow. I photographed the growing baby crane in the North Field, did some adult crane sky-scapes, and a pair of Mottled Ducks. The results were iffy at best, but I had fun. Today is Monday 16 May. The forecast for this morning is for clear with a breeze from the west. Though this is the kiss of death forecast for bird photography, I will head down to the lake early just because (I love birds and photography). You know the life is like a box of chocolates thing … Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes sixty-six days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. Wanting a Nikon Z9? The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … And Please Remember 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 earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation. Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases. Money Saving Reminder Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please. Important Note As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂 Please Remember Also Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit. Gear Questions and Advice Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. This image was created on 8 May 2022 at Gatorland in Kissimmee, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 400mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 5000: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:22:45am in the shade on a sunny morning. Tracking: Spot/S with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Snowy Egret feeding chick Why 1/1000 Second In the ISO 5000. Last Two Chances for Gatorland I-T-F Sessions blog post here, I asked: Why did I choose such a high shutter speed? No-one left a comment. I chose a high shutter speed to try and freeze the action when the chick is going crazy yanking on the adult’s bill. In low light situations, this will always result in the use of high ISOs. This image was created on 9 May 2022 on the South Peninsula down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebras technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. The exposure was dead solid perfect when evaluated in RawDigger. AWB at 7:43:49 am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Upper Left Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Cattle Egret holding mayfly in bill tip Joe Przybyla Nailed It In the 1200mm Cow Egret & Mayfly Gems! blog post here, I wrote, Which of today’s two very excellent images do you like best. I think that that is a tough call. If you leave a comment, please be sure to let us know why you made your choice. BPN/Avian Forum-friend Joe Przybyla nailed it when he posted this comment (in part): Hey Artie, I really like both, but I think the Mayfly perfectly positioned in the second take it over the top. I agree but only 100 percent. This is an unsharpened 100% crop of the Cattle Egret holding mayfly in bill tip image Rodney Dangerfield Sometimes I feel like Rodney Dangerfield, I don’t get no respect. A here un-named reader left this comment: Lack of sharpness in both images; their feathers have no detail, a monitor issue? Processing? File size, too big for the number of pixels. Umm .. Lack of sharpness? No detail? Really? You can visit the original post to check out my reply. This image was created on 10 May 2022 at Stick Marsh, Fellsmere, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 64: 1/8 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:56:26am on a clear morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Spot S and then locked focus by pressing and holding the AF-ON button. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Cabbage Palm stand: vertical pan blur Go Figure In the Some Days are Diamonds, & Some Days Nothing is Flying blog post here, two ladies who usually do not like or who hate blurs, liked the Cabbage Palm stand: vertical pan blur image. I loved it. Linear Perspective One of the reasons is that I loved the image is because I had pointed my lens to the left. This resulted in the trees on the right side of the frame appearing taller than the trees on the left side of the frame. Without realizing it, I used one point linear perspective to add depth to the image. “It seems that things that are further away appear smaller than those that are closer to us.” The quote above is from Types of Perspective in Art, an excellent and informative blog post by Tom, of TomoStudio. You can read the article here. While visiting the website, I came across a neat article entitled 100 Cool, Easy, Fun & Cute Things to Draw. It might be great for you, for your kids, or for your grandkids. You can find it here. Typos With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 16th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | 3 comments May 15th, 2022 Impossible Image Made Possible by Sony, RawDigger, an Apple MacBook Pro M1, Topaz DeNoise AI, Topaz Sharpen AI, and Some Good Thinking and Execution No comments What’s Up? There were lots of fledged Tricolored Herons chicks at Gatorland on Saturday morning. The most cooperative ones were at a nest in the sun so there were lots of harsh shadows to deal with. The Great Egret chicks (in three nests) that I have been photographing for two months are getting as big as the adults (though a few have perished). Anyhoo, I was fortunate that the nest was shaded when an adult came in with a belly full of fish. Can you say, Mayhem? I took a day off from bursts and swimming yesterday but did try something new: flow rope practice, a fun, simple mobility exercise program that promotes rhythm, timing, and coordination between the left and right brain. It is a fun way to exercise and improve mobility and joint health. And with sufficient practice, it can also be a tool to release stress and anxiety. Not that any of us need that. 🙂 I did watch lots of NHL playoff hockey on TiVo. I was glad to learn yesterday that San Diego IPT veteran Carolyn Johnson signed up for the first Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Today is Sunday 15 May 2022. It was another gorgeous morning here and I spent an interesting hour down by the lake and will share the details here with you tomorrow. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes sixty-five days in a row with a new one. Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip Options The new laptop is amazing. Topaz DeNoise takes only a few seconds and Sharpen AI not much longer. I am using the totally souped up 16.2″ MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip (Late 2021, Space Gray): Apple M1 Max 10-Core Chip (Processor), 64GB Unified RAM (Memory, 8TB SSD (Storage), and the 32-Core GPU (Graphics configuration). Really serious photo folks can save $1200 by dropping down to the totally souped up 4TB SSD model, this one: Apple 16.2″ MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip (Late 2021, Space Gray) Those who do not keep their images on their laptops would save another $600.00 and do quite well with the totally souped up 2TB model, the Apple 16.2″ MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip (Late 2021, Space Gray). All three of these amazingly fast machines feature the Apple M1 Max 10-Core Chip (Processor), 64GB of Unified RAM (Memory), and the 32-Core GPU (Graphics configuration). Ordering yours from B&H using the links above is the best option — Apple is often slower than slow. Using the BAA B&H link would be greatly appreciated by yours truly. BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS) Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study. You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store for $69.00. Or Call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. The Nikon Z9 Guide for Wildlife Photographers The Nikon Z9 Guide for Wildlife Photographers/by Warren Hatch Editorial Consultant: Arthur Morris In this downloadable e-book (you will receive a link by e-mail), you’ll learn everything a wildlife photographer needs to know about the Nikon Z9. The Z9 is one of the most complex camera bodies ever made. In this guide, the brilliant Warren Hatch will teach you exactly how to set up your Z9 for bird, wildlife, and nature photography. The camera offers hundreds of settings and options. Selecting the right combination of these is essential if you wish to effectively use the Z9 in the field. This 83-page guide, created in the tradition of the many mega-successful BIRDS AS ART Camera User’s Guides, includes: 1- Extensive information on the autofocus system and the optimal settings for the various shooting situations that wildlife photographers encounter including and especially for birds in flight. 2- The camera controls – what they do and how to customize them for your shooting style and varying conditions. 3- Configuring the camera so that you never need to take your eye from the viewfinder when the action unfolds. 5- Insights and details on using legacy F-mount lenses on the Z-9. 6- Practical advice about the camera batteries and chargers. 7- How to take advantage of the new capabilities introduced with firmware v2.00. 8- The AF-area Modes you should use and those you should avoid. Learn more about the guide here. Order yours here in the BAA Online Store for $69.00. Or Call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Wanting a Nikon Z9? The best way to get your hands on a Z9 is to join NPS (Nikon Professional Services) and then send your member number to Steve Elkins at Bedford via e-mail. Nikon insists that Z9s (and other hard to get stuff) go to NPS members. You can get one from B&H, but they have a huge wait list … he This image was created on 14 May 2022 at Gatorland Kissimmee, FL. 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. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 4000: 1/1250 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:02:35am iii the shade of a shelter on a clear morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect (see below). Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird/Eye-Face Detection enabled. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Great Egret: large chick getting fed Why the 200-600? I had three rigs available: the 600 f/4, the 70-200 f/2.8 II with the 2X, and the 200-600. The nest is right next to the boardwalk; the 600 f/4 could not have focused that close. I could have gotten close enough to fill the frame as above with the 70-200 f/2.8 with the 2X but went with the 200-600 even though that combo was 1/3 stop slower: f/6.3 as compared to f/5.6. Why? 600mm provides a narrower angle of view than 400mm and helps to eliminate distracting elements in the background. The green icon shows the AF point that was active at the moment of exposure. It just missed the eye while tracking the chick’s face. Image #1A: A7INFO screen capture for the Great Egret: large chick getting fed image Surely You Jest … OK. The AF system missed the eye by just a bit. But that is to be expected when photographing frantic action. The adult bird stands tall with its bill out of reach of the chicks. One chick will jump up, grab the adult’s bill, and yank down on it. All hell breaks loose as the other chick or chicks in the nest try to get in on the action. If anyone using a mirrorless camera body with eye detection tell you that their camera will track the eye perfectly no matter how frenzied the action, ask them to send you ten consecutively numbered raw files and to copy me. The AF eye-tracking performance of the a1 and the sharpness of today’s featured image both astounded me. That in an almost impossible situation. Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points! The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free) The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide 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. By early April, the group was up to an astounding 115 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive four e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will see new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1. All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store. Image #1B: RawDigger screen capture for the Great Egret: large chick getting fed image Ho Hum, Another Perfect Exposure What can I say? The combination of Zebras live in the viewfinder (with your camera set up properly) and post-capture study of the raw files in RawDigger makes it pretty much child’s play to come up with perfect exposure after perfect exposure. It would be impossible to overstate how much I have learned by studying RawDigger and how much better my exposures have become since I started with the program almost two years ago. The G channel for today’s featured is 2/3rds of the way from the 8000 line to the 16000 line. In other words, the raw file brightness is perfect. RawDigger — not for the faint of heart … Nothing has ever helped me learn to create perfect exposures to the degree that RawDigger has. I think that many folks are reluctant to learn that most of their images are underexposed by one or more full stops and that highlight warnings in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and your in-camera histogram are bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for several years … Once you get over that feeling, RawDigger can become your very best exposure friend no matter what system you are using. On the recent IPTs and In-the-Field sessions, we have demonstrated that fact. Convincingly. The RawDigger Adapted (pink) 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 as I have struggled with R5 exposures and 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 puzzled as to why the Max G values for different cameras were different. 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 evaluate your exposures and the raw file brightness quickly and easily the 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. Be sure to click on the JPEG to view the high-res file and note the incredible sharpening of the large chick’s eye (on our right). Image #1C: Topaz Sharpen AI Before & After screen capture for the large chick’s eye from the Great Egret: large chick getting fed image Topaz Sharpen AI Be sure to click on the screen capture to see the increase in sharpness (at 200%) in the After image on our right. That without any degradation of image quality. As regular readers know, I run DeNoise AI on every image that I process immediately after executing the crop. For images made in sunny conditions, I used Standard. For images made in low light, I use Low Light. In the very recent blog post here, you saw the incredible results on an ISO 5000 Gatorland image. You can check all four methods by using the Comparison View, but I rarely do that anymore as I am confident as noted above. I never use Sharpen AI on the whole image. I always sharpen small parts of the image selectively as I did with today’s featured image. I selected the large chick’s eye, the fish, and the face of the adult with a Quick Mask. Unlike previous version of Sharpen AI, the latest version of Sharpen AI — with both Auto icons selected (the yellow buttons with the lightning bolt symbol to out left) sets never selects Motion Blur. It always sets Standard and selects Lens Blur even when motion blur is evident. The results with either one are superb so who’s to argue? 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 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. Click on the composite image to enjoy the incredible quality of the hi-res JPEG. Clockwise from upper left clockwise and back around to the center: Royal Tern in flight with squid for chick; Royal Tern chick on beach; Royal Tern in flight with shrimp for young; Royal Tern chick — double overhead wing stretch; Royal Tern landing with greenback for chick; Royal Tern in flight with juvenile mahi mahi for chick; Brown Pelican — large chick preening; Laughing Gull in fresh juvenal plumage; Royal Tern chick begging; Many Royal Terns with many chicks on face of dune. Jacksonville IPT: #1: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of 16 June thru the morning of MON 20 June 2022: $2,099.00. (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #2: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 1 JULY thru the morning of TUES 5 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers) Jacksonville IPT #3: 4 FULL DAYS — the afternoon of FRI 15 JULY thru the morning of TUES 19 July 2022: $2099.00 (Limit 6 photographers/Openings: 5) Ride with me: add $200.00. I do not like to disappoint: each trip will run with one participant. If necessary. I first visited the breeding bird colony at Jacksonville in late June 2021. I was astounded. There were many thousands of pairs of Royal Terns nesting along with about 10,000 pairs of Laughing Gulls. In addition to the royals, there were some Sandwich Terns nesting. And there are several dozen pairs of Brown Pelicans nesting on the ground. Flight photography was non-stop astounding. And photographing the tern chicks was relatively easy. Folks could do the whole trip with the Sony 200-600, the Canon 100-500 RF, or the Nikon 500 PF or 200-500 VR. With a TC in your pocket for use on sunny days. Most of the action is within 100 yards of where we park (on the beach). As with all bird photography, there are times when a super-telephoto lens with either TC is the best tool for the job. Morning sessions will average about three hours, afternoon sessions about 1 1/2 hours. On cloudy mornings with favorable winds, we may opt to stay out for one long session and skip the afternoon, especially when the afternoon forecast is poor. Lunch is included on the first three days of the IPT and will be served at my AirBnB. After the first lunch there will be an introductory program. On days two and three we will do image review and Photoshop after lunch. We will be based somewhere west and a bit north of Jacksonville where there are many AirBnB possibilities. The deposit is $599.00. 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 Jacksonville IPT 1- First and foremast you will learn to become a better flight photographer. Much better. 2-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. 3- You will learn to work in Manual exposure mode even if you fear it. 4- You will learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography, especially the photography of birds in flight. 5- You will learn several pro secrets (for each system) that will help you to become a better flight photographer. 6- You will learn to zoom out in advance (because the birds are so close!) 🙂 7- You will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them. 8- You will learn to spot the good and the great situations. 9- You will learn to understand and predict bird behavior. 10- You will learn to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. 11- You will learn to choose the best perspective. 12- You will learn to see and control your backgrounds. 13- You will learn to see and understand the light. 14- You will learn to see and create pleasing blurs in pre-dawn situations. 15- You will learn to be ready for the most likely event. 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 With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. May 15th, 2022 | Category: 2022 | Leave a comment « Newer Entries     Older Entries »

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