The weather on Wednesday morning was perfect for bird photography — sunny and clear with a decent east wind. The bird photography, however, was fair at best.
I spent four hours online and on the phone today before finally ordering a roof-top cargo box for the upcoming cross-country drive in my new SUV. Am I switching back to Canon? Who knows? Right now, I doubt it. But anything is possible.
My B&H Loaner Order!
This Week’s Sign that the Apocalypse May be Upon Us …
As a B&H affiliate, I am entitled to some very generous loaner gear opportunities. I am not sure when this will ship but I am curious and will be uniquely qualified to compare with Nikon and SONY. I am hoping to get this set-up in time to try it out at DeSoto as I will be there three times before the big road trip. Questions and comments welcome. For more on the R5 and the RF lenses see The skinny on everything that you wanted to know about Canon Mirrorless but were afraid to ask … blog post here.
Photographing Incoming Brandt’s Cormorants: As Tough As It Gets …
Photographing incoming Brandt’s Cormorants as they return to their nests is as tough as it gets. Try as I might, I had maybe one semi-sharp image in this situation over many years with various Canon bodies and lenses, that in many hundreds of attempts. I did, however, have many that were razor sharp on the feet. With both the D5 and the D850, I would usually get two or three fairly sharp images out of ten. From that moment on I knew that the a9 was the AF King.
A Bargain-priced Mint SONY a9 Mirrorless Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran Morris Herstein is offering a Sony a9 in mint condition (with about 900 actuations) for the bargain price of $2498.00. The sale includes the strap, the front body cap, the battery and charger, 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.
I was sold on SONY five minutes after trying my SONY a9 on the Brandt’s Cormorants at La Jolla, CA. The AF system is identical to the AF system on the more expensive a9 ii which costs $4,498.00. The a9 ii body is about 1/8 inch thicker than the a9 ii. If you do not have large hands or if you like the feel of a smaller body, you will want to get in touch with Morris ASAP. The a9 sells for $3,498.00 so you can save a very handsome $1,000 on this great body. artie
Bosque del Apache 2019 IPT
Notice the incredible variety of images that you can learn to make by developing your skills and your creative vision on a BAA IPT.
Bosque del Apache NWR 2020 IPT
NOV 18 (afternoon session) thru the morning session on November 23, 2020. 5 DAYS. Four full and two half days. $1999.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6.
Extra Day Options: Please e-mail to learn about the before or after In-the-Field Day options.
The very best news is that the 2020 Festival of the Cranes has been canceled so we will be able to visit on what are usually the perfect dates!
I quit going to Bosque several years ago as conditions had worsened each year for several seasons running. In 2018, things had improved dramatically and in 2019 the photography was great. Simply put, I know Bosque better than anyone. Join me to learn how wind and sky conditions influence bird photography, how to create dramatic sunrise and sunset silhouettes, how to be in the right place at the right time, and how to create contest-winning blurs. As usual, you will learn to get the right exposure every time, to use your camera’s AF system to create pleasing, balanced image designs, and to improve your flight photography skills.
We should get to photograph many thousands of Snow Geese, more than a few blastoffs, some Ross’s Geese, and lots of Sandhill Cranes in the water, taking flight and flying. Depending on local conditions we may get to shoot some ducks: point-blank American Wigeon and Wood Duck. With any luck, we might enjoy sunrises and sunsets that leave you in tears. Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world’s premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet. Top-notch Photoshop instruction. Join me to learn to think like a pro and to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather. Every time we make a move, I will let you know why. When you get home, applying what you learned will prove to be invaluable.
Lunch is included.
To Register
To register, send your $500 deposit — check made out to BIRDS AS ART — via US Mail to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Or call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 to put your non-refundable deposit on a credit card. Balances must be paid in full by check no later than two months before the IPT. If you cancel, all but your deposit will be refunded only if the IPT sells out.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Monday morning started off very slowly, but I wound up with two excellent chances, one with an adult crane holding a white feather that it had just preened and the other with a pink-capped juvenile crane. My right shoulder is feeling much better after an ART treatment by chiropractor TJ McKeon in Lake Wales on Friday and two days of rest. I had been simply pushing too hard with 72 lengths every day. I’ve dropped back to 60 lengths (88 to a mile) and am enjoying my swims a lot more. When I was about twelve, my late Mom used to say, “This child does not know the meaning of the word moderation.” Not a lot has changed there.
I continue to be blessed by the dependable cranes and vultures (and herons) here at ILE. And for that, I am thankful.
The forecast for today — Tuesday 8 SEPTEMBER 2020 — is par for the course: early sun turning cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms and a high of 87 degrees. I will be headed down for yet another morning photo session at about 7:30am.
I was glad to learn yesterday that IPT veteran Mark Overgaard sold a fifth Canon lens from his September 4th blog post listings: the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $549.00.
Having priced Mark’s lenses a bit more aggressively than in the past few months, these sales are another strong indication that the used gear prices of Canon lenses are strengthening a bit. That most likely because of the raving reviews of the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). Learn all about this great new body in the Canon Comeback Fueled By Mirrorless Bodies & Lenses. The skinny on everything that you wanted to know about Canon Mirrorless but were afraid to ask … blog post here. As always, if you purchase any new gear, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to get your stuff faster and save a few bucks as well.
Please Remember
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and will be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
The BAA Used Gear Page
Right now, the Used Gear page is red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Past Sales list at the bottom of the page.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
112 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase of more than $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
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. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 6 September 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my new SUV I used the Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4.5 in Manual mode was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger. AWB at 7:42am on a then cloudy morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Photo Mechanic screen capture for today’s featured image: Great Blue Heron with snake
Not Quite Prepared, But Lucky! The Bobcat story all over again …
Early on Sunday morning, I walked out to the pool deck to get a look at the eastern sky. There was a pretty large foggy cloud that would obscure the sunrise for a bit. So I did a bit more work on my laptop (where I spend a good part of my life) and did not head west towards the lake until 7:45am. I was headed for the South Field. There are five canals on the left of Park Ave, four on the right. There are usually not many birds hanging around near the canals. I happened to glance to my left as I rolled past Avocado Drive. I hit the brakes when I saw a Great Blue Heron subduing a small snake.
The tripod was not set up in the car. My a9 ii was not turned on. I had no idea if one of the teleconverters was mounted. I knew that I had to act quickly so I backed up, drove across the median, and positioned the X5 so as to yield a light-toned water background. If I had move the car either up or back a bit, the background would have changed to a dark reflection the vegetation lining the canal on both sides. I did not get too close and risk flushing the bird.
The 600mm f/4 GM rested on a pillow in front of the passenger seat and the 200-600G was lying on it. Each had an a9 ii with a clean card mounted on it. I grabbed the big rig both for the reach and the speed and placed the barrel on the lowered window. Working with an f/4 lens in the low light was a much better choice than working at f/6.3 as it would save me three or four clicks of ISO. I noted that the aperture was a perfect f/4.5 so I knew that there was no teleconverter mounted. That was lucky and good. First, I chose my shutter speed: 1/500 sec. would likely allow me to create a sharp image without having the lens on the tripod. With the left-over ISO of 400, the image was way-dark (as I expected). So, as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (with one Video), I raised the ISO using the rear control dial until I had extensive Zebras on the light-toned water. I knew that that would give me a good exposure on the subject. ISO 2000 was perfect.
I turned the rig to vertical and instantly knew that framing would be difficult. I was too close to include the whole bird in the frame but not close enough for a head, shoulders, and snake portrait. That said, the crop tool would be my friend, so I did not worry about clipping the bird’s feet. I ripped off more than 47 frames in less than three seconds. Then, noting that the sunlight hitting both of the bird’s ankles was getting stronger, I moved the car well back and left to get on light angle as the sun topped the foggy cloud. When I stopped, the heron was licking its chops. It had swallowed the snake.
This image was created on 6 September 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my new SUV I used the Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4.5 in Manual mode was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger. AWB at 7:42am on a then cloudy morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Great Blue Heron with snake — the optimized image
The Editing and Cropping Decisions
I opened the first image in the series in RawDigger (from Capture One-20) and as expected, noted a perfect exposure. Picking my keepers from the series in Capture One was based on small differences in head angle and the position of the snake. Even in the five keepers, the great blue’s head was angled ever-so-slightly away from me. I realized that as I worked, but did not want to move forward and give up the light-toned water background. The snake had not been wriggling a whole lot. Only the last few images had the feet included in the frame with a nice strip of grass at the bottom but with the crop that I had in mind, that was irrelevant.
I was thinking of some sort of boxy crop for this one but eventually decided to stick with 2:3. I did that by picking Original Ratio from the Crop Tool drop-down menu. You can note my preferred crop by comparing the optimized image with the complete RAW file as seen in the screen capture that opened this blog post.
Note also that I used the Patch Tool and Content-Aware Fill to eliminate the distracting light tone angled grass stem lower right center. That and
tons more (with the exception of Capture One RAW Conversions) — 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.
The Lesson
The more familiar you are with your gear, especially with the camera controls, the faster you can get into action when you are extremely pressed for time. The trick is not only to get some shots off, but to be able to create sharp images with a reasonably good (or perfect as here) exposure.
Do note that one of the huge advantages of the SONY pro bodies over the Canon EOS R5 & 6 is that you have Zebras in the Finder when shooting stills (as most of us do). With the R5 & 6 Zebras are available only when shooting video.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
On Saturday morning I photographed the young Great Egret featured in today’s blog post, several Wild Turkeys, and a single Turkey Vulture. Most of the birds at 1200mm with high ISOs on a very cloudy morning. I finished up with some flower center abstracts made at 2.1X magnification with the Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens for Sony E.
If you would like to learn from today’s blog post, be sure to check out the two-frame juvenile Great Egret comparison Photo Mechanic composite just below before scrolling down.
I was glad to learn yesterday of the sale of five of Mark Overgaard’s Canon lenses all within the first two days of listing:
IPT veteran Mark Overgaard sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for $1349.00, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for $799.00, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens in excellent plus condition for $549.00 and a Canon EF 400mm f/4L DO IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record low $3049.00 all withing the first two days of being listed in early SEPT 2020.
Having priced Mark’s lenses a bit more aggressively than in the past few months, these sales are another strong indication that the used gear prices of Canon lenses are strengthening a bit. That most likely because of the raving reviews of the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). Learn all about this great new body in the Canon Comeback Fueled By Mirrorless Bodies & Lenses. The skinny on everything that you wanted to know about Canon Mirrorless but were afraid to ask … blog post here. As always, if you purchase any new gear, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to get your stuff faster and save a few bucks as well.
I also learned of these two recent sales:
Dennis Bartsch sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for $2399.00 in mid-August 2020.
Jim Babbitt sold his Canon 500 mm f/4L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $5125.00 (was listed for $5248.00) the first day it was listed in late August 2020.
Right now, the Used Gear page is red-hot!
The forecast for today — Sunday 6 SEPTEMBER 2020 — is par for the course: early sun turning cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms and a high of 88 degrees. I will be headed down for yet another morning photo session before 7:30am.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Past Sales list at the bottom of the page.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Please Remember
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and will be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly as is usual.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Great Egret juvenile/two-frame comparison
Learning by Comparing Two Similar Images
The image on the left was created at 7:32:46am. After backing up my SUV and maneuvering it forward to get a bit closer (while staying roughly parallel to the subject), the image on our right was created just 51 seconds later at 7:33:37am. What can I say? I drive too fast …
In any case, click on the composite to enlarge it and — before scrolling down to see my favorite — decide which image you like best. Feel free to post a comment especially if you disagree with my choice. And as always, let us know why you think I was wrong.
The Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro
The more I use the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, the more I love it. Simply clamping and unclamping the jaws is considerably faster and easier than tightening or loosening the knob on the FlexShooter Pro. The frustrating days of struggling to loosen the knob after over-tightening it are gone. I still use the FlexShooter Pro for my macro work. Why? When I point the lens down at a flower or a bug, it is easier to move the lens plate forward and back as a focusing rail with the original model than with the Levered-Clamp model.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
109 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase of more than $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
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. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly as is usual.
Great Egret juvenile hunting in marsh optimized
My Favorite of the Two
Though the subject is larger in the frame in _A9B6463, and though that frame offers a slightly better view of the egret’s head, I prefer _A9B6457 for several reasons.
1- I like the wider view that included just a smidgeon of the lake at the top of the frame. It gives the bird more room in the frame.
2- I love that the small whitish flower below and in front of the bird is better positioned in the first image. In the second image, it is too close to the left frame-edge.
I liked the background Bokeh and background detail more in the first image. But not by a huge margin.
Image Optimization Quiz for Eagle-eyed Readers
After enlarging the composite, compare the RAW file for _A9B6457 with the optimized version just above. If you see some of the things that I did during the post-processing to improve the image, leave a comment describing the changes. There are only two or three changes of note and they are small.
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs
IPT #1: SAT 20 FEB 2021 through the full day on THURS 25 FEB, 2021. Six full days: $5499.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
IPT #2: SAT 27 FEB 2021 through the full day on WED 3 MAR 2021. Five full days: $4599.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 4
Please note the slightly revised dates for IPT #2 above.
From Homer, Alaska
We will do two 2-hour or one 4-hour boat trip to Kachemak Bay each day (weather permitting). Our schedule will be flexible and driven by the wind and sky conditions. We will have numerous and varied mind-boggling opportunities to photograph Bald Eagle, a hugely popular species. We will be feeding the eagles to attract them into photographic range. The trip is costly because chartering the boat is expensive, the fish are very expensive at $1.25/pound (all on me), the cost of breakfasts and one sit-down meal/day are included, hotel to dock transfers are included, as is lodging (double-occupancy). The cost of a single supplement is $90.00/night
We will do lots of flight photography from the boat and on land until you can no longer lift your lens. We will get off the boat on various islands to photograph the birds both perched and in flight. This species takes five years to reach maturity; we will get to photograph birds of all age-classes from juvenile plumage to full adults with their gleaming white heads (and everything in between). There will be numerous informal Image Editing, Photoshop, and Image Review sessions throughout each trip. As I am conversant in Canon, Nikon, and SONY I can help you better understand your gear no matter what you are shooting.
Going up earlier than all other tours this year proved to be fantastic with tons of snow on the ground to light up the eagle’s underwings. You will usually not enjoy those conditions on the March tours (unless you are very lucky). In addition, the eagles are more ravenous early in the season. In FEB 2020 we often had 30-40 or more eagles in the air around the boat with as many as 75 perched in trees or resting on the black sand beaches. Folks who want to do some photography locally during downtime may wish to rent a vehicle.
All images copyright 2020: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Click on the card to enjoy a larger version
Homer 2020 IPT Images
It is best to register right now to save your spot. Register for both trips and apply a $300 discount.
A $2000 credit card deposit is required to hold your spot. Call Jim ASAP at the office weekdays at 863-692-0906 to leave your deposit. Your balance will be payable only by check no later than November 31, 2020. If you fail to pay your balance, your spot will be forfeited to someone on the waiting list and you will lose your deposit. If you plan on joining me, please e-mail immediately or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372 with any questions or to let me know of your plans. First come, first served.
Not included: your round-trip airfare from home to Homer, AK through Anchorage and back. Your second sit-down meal each day. Alcoholic beverages at our sit-down meal.
All images copyright 2020: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART except for Sea Otter with pup which is courtesy of and copyright 2020: Anita North
Click on the card to enjoy a larger version
Homer 2020 IPT Images
On the Homer IPTs you will learn:
1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
11- More than you could ever imagine.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
