Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

I spent some time on Monday morning with the crane family of four. After lunch, Jim and I drove over to Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland and enjoyed a three mile walk through the Pond Cypress. I brought the 200-600 G lens, the 600mm f/4 GM, and both teleconverters. An Alpha 1 was mounted on each lens. I went light with the no longer available GIT 204 topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini. There were dozens of birds at close range — Common Moorhens, Great and Little Blue Herons, Great and Cattle Egrets, and Anhingas. The wind was from the east by slightly north. The gentle backlight with the sun in the southwest was do-able, but almost every bird was facing into the wind, directly away from us. I created very few images.

The forecast for today, Tuesday 21 December 2021, is for thunderstorms pretty much all day long, with the heaviest rain in the morning. It is not likely that I will get out to do much photography. Maybe …

Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than 40 hours to prepare, including the time spent on trying to figure out what is going on at Stick Marsh, and makes 41 consecutive days with a new one.

If, after reading today’s post, you have any ideas as how I might proceed, please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. It would seem that the next likely stuff would be to contact the Orlando Sentinel and perhaps other Florida newspapers. The single question that really needs to be answered is this: Why didn’t FL DEP or the USFWS respond to the e-mailed requests for input from FWC? At the very least, the FWC knew of the rookery as they designated it as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA).

December 6, 2021. The two rookery islands can be seen directly behind the piles of steel beams that are about 50 yards from the closest point of the rookery islands.

So What’s Up With Stick Marsh?

First off, let me say that I have no idea if the breeding birds at Stick Marsh will be negatively affected by the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project currently underway at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area. It seems very likely that at least some disturbance will occur. Is there a chance that the entire colony might abandon the site at some point (assuming that they build nests and lay eggs in the first place)? Yes.

In short, I have been trying to learn why it seems that the rookery there was not considered at all during the permitting process. The project is being done under the auspices of the St. Johns River Water Management District.

I learned on Monday morning that Indian River County Stick Marsh was designated as Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) by the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In addition, I learned that Tricolored Heron, like Roseate Spoonbill, is protected as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Tricolored also breed at Stick Marsh. You can learn more here and here.

Ironically, I found this at the first link: Disturbance is a major factor affecting nesting success.

If you would like a copies of the two permits, please shoot me an e-mail with S-96 Permits as the Subject Line.

I sent the e-mail below on Monday morning. It summarizes my concerns and frustrations. At the time of publication, I have heard back only from Greg Workman, Regional Director, FWC. He wrote via e-mail:

I will follow-up with our biologist to see if someone can contact you to assist you with your concerns.

Jerry Lorenz
State Research Director
Everglades Science Center
Audubon Florida

Hi Jerry,

I hope that you are well and safe. Do you know about the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project at Stick Marsh?

I have been trying to gather information on the permitting for this project. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, for the St. Johns River Water Management District has been very helpful. Most others, including folks at Audubon Florida, FWC, FL DEP, and USFWS have been anything but responsive to my queries.

Daniel Shideler of FWC wrote in part, We sent an email out to state agencies on 4/15/21 and then one on 4/28/21, and we did not receive any comments or conditions from Florida Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

A document entitled S-96 Rehab FDP ERP GP makes no mention of any threatened species.

I did find the following in a document entitled S-96 Rehab FDEP 404 GP:

(k) Listed species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or a species proposed for such designation, or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which may affect a listed species or critical habitat, unless the Agency has consulted with, or been provided technical assistance by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service under their respective authorities and appropriate measures to address the effects of the proposed activity have been implemented or are required as a specific condition to the general permit.

As Roseate Spoonbill is protected both by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, and because Stick Marsh is an FWC designated Critical Wildlife Area, I am baffled that FL DEP granted permits for this project and equally baffled that USFWS did not play any role in the permitting.

Considering the timing, the proximity (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is at least the potential for disturbance of the nesting colonies?

Considering the timing, (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the proximity, the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is a possibility that the birds might abandon the site this season? Please see the photos here.

Is there any way to stop this project?

Do you have any idea as to how FL DEP could have issued permits for this project?

Do you have any idea why a USWFS permit was not required for this project?

Do you have any idea why neither FL DEP nor USFWS responded to the e-mails from FWC?

Do you have any idea why I am being stone-walled by most of the folks mentioned above?

Is there any baseline research data on the nesting spoonbills Tricolored Herons at the two tree islands in the St. John’s Water Management Area’s Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir in Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach where hundreds of state-imperiled Roseate Spoonbills and Tricolored Herons join Snowy and Great Egrets to nest from January to July each year?

At this point I am begging you for help. Feel free to call me at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

Thanks with love, artie

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Cc: Julie Wraithmell (Audubon Florida); Gretchen Kelly (St. Johns River Water Management District); Daniel Shideler (FL DEP); Annie Dziergowski (USFWS); Mark Smith; Greg Workman (Regional Director, FWC)

December 6, 2021. There will be lots of pile driving done during this reconstruction project. At the very least, the bird’s flight paths to and from the rookery will be altered.

Description of the Project

Adapted from e-mailed information kindly provided By Gretchen Kelly of the St. Johns River Water Management District

Good afternoon, Mr. Morris. Thank you for your inquiry. The project you are referencing is the rehabilitation of Structure S-96. This critical flood control structure is over 50 years old and is due for major repairs. The contractor is installing a sheet pile cofferdam (*) on the east and west sides of the structure. The structure will be pumped dry so that repairs can be made to the concrete structure, steel gate, and wingwalls. Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the Environmental Resource Permit and the State 404 Permit. Please see the attached permits. The project complies with the applicable laws and regulations.

Installation of the west cofferdam is currently under way and is located over 100 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. Installation of the west cofferdam is scheduled to be complete by mid-January. The east cofferdam is a couple hundred yards further east of the rookery and is scheduled to be complete by late February. The cofferdams will be removed in May 2022, and the entire project is scheduled to be complete by late July 2022.

You can find additional information using this link to the District’s news release for the project: https://www.sjrwmd.com/2021/10/flood-control-structure-rehabilitation-work-begins-in-november-near-stick-marsh/. Also, for public safety and to facilitate job productivity, public access across the structure is limited. Refer to the recreation announcements section of the District’s website: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/announcements/#T-M-Goodwin.

cofferdam (*): /ˈkôfərˌdam. Noun. A watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit construction work below the waterline.

The general, anticipated sequence of construction is as follows: After completion of the west cofferdam in mid-January, the crane will be used to remove the hydraulic hoists and steel gates from the structure. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure and used to install the east cofferdam, which will be located about 200 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. After the cofferdam is complete, the structure will be pumped dry and kept dry while the contractor preps, patches, and recoats the concrete and exposed steel wingwalls. Additional dirt and rocks will be placed near the bottom of the structure where erosion may be present. The gate will be renovated off-site. The renovated gates and new hoists will be re-installed before removal of the cofferdams (with the crane). Repairs to this critical, federal flood control structure can only be conducted during the dry season and should not be out of operation during hurricane season.

As with any construction project, the schedule is subject to change due to adverse conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

The contractor is and will be using the crane, which is equipped with a vibratory hammer, to drive the steel beams (piles) and steel sheet piles for the cofferdam. The sheet piles are shown in the picture that you included in your 12/6 email. The contractor will use the same crane and vibratory hammer to drive steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges; that will likely be done in late May at the earliest.

We anticipate that the steel piles west of the structure will be gone (in the water) upon completion of the cofferdams. Many have already been used on the west cofferdam, the remaining ones will be used on the east cofferdam. Any new steel piles for the east cofferdam will likely be stored east of the S-96 structure until that cofferdam is complete. Based on my site visit today, the west cofferdam is progressing faster than expected and will likely be complete before the New Year. The steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges (about 10 total), will be delivered and staged somewhere on site at a later date, probably in April or May. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure shortly after completion of the west cofferdam, and before mid-January.

An EIS (Environmental Impact State) was not conducted for the S-96 Rehabilitation Project

Typos

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

Differences?

After clicking to see the high-res versions, compare the optimized image, Image #1, with the raw file, Image #2, and leave a comment detailing the differences that you see. There are at least three or four fairly major ones.

What’s Up?

I had no clue that had I made a nice image of the female eagle on the nest, but when I reviewed my images from Saturday morning, I was in for a nice surprise — today’s featured image. Saturday sunset looked like a cloudy bust, but when I looked down toward the lake at 5:12pm from the pool deck, I saw a bright orange sky. I hustled to the car and hustled down to the lake, only to arrive just as the sun disappeared for good behind a huge dark cloud. I hung around to do some white sky grackle flock blurs, but all in all sunset was a bust.

Today is Sunday 19 December. The forecast for this morning is for mostly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the southwest. I will likely take a spin down to the lake to see what’s up. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than two hours to prepare and makes 39 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions

The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.

I am glad that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to a morning session after X-mas.

Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions

Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.

Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.

Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve

Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.

Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.

Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.

Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!

Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!

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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 December 2021 down by the lake near my home 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, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:06:55am on a mostly sunny day with a light cloud in front of the sun. Tracking: Spot S with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly by tracking and nailing the bird’s visible eye. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle on nest

A Very Nice Surprise

I barely remember making this image …

When I saw the male Bald Eagle fly to the nest carrying a large stick, I followed in my SUV. The male was sitting in filtered light on the large branch to our left of the nest. I made a few images knowing that they would be bad. They were. For several weeks, the only part of the female I saw was the top of her head as she sat low in the nest on her clutch of eggs. When I saw her stand up in the nest in a big pine tree, I swung the lens on the BLUBB, adjusted the exposure, and fired off a few frames. I thought nothing of them. But when I saw them on the laptop I thought that they were pretty cool as the nest was incredibly large and intricate. And the lady was calling.

Most of the time when I create a good image, I know it when I press the shutter button. But not always …

If …

If you own the BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide and would like to learn the location of the eagle nest, please shoot me proof of purchase via e-mail with the words Eagle Nest Location Please as the Subject Line.

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide

126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.

Purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:

• Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
• Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
• The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
• Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
• Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
• Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
• West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite and Purple Gallinule.
• Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.

Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.

You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.

Image #1A: The active AF point for the Bald Eagle on nest image

Par for the Course Alpha 1 AF Performance

With relatively static subjects, Bird-Eye/Face Detection AF performance is consistently hard to believe. And this true with the bare lenses as well as with either teleconverter.

In e-mail #25 to the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes, I detailed two amazing AF techniques that I discovered only recently. One of these techniques makes the world’s best AF system for birds in flight even better. The other teaches folks working with lenses with DMF (direct manual focus) to acquire and maintain AF when shooting through reeds!

SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. The group is now up to an astounding 99 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 the first e-mail you will receive 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!

All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.

Typos

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

Sony FE 100-400mm, F4.5-5.6GM OSS Lens

BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price

Sale Pending

Yours truly, Arthur Morris, is offering a Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6G M OSS lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1297.00. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear lens caps, the lens case, and insured shipping via United Parcel Service Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Use PayPal plus 4% to ensure quick shipping.

Please contact artie via e-mail on try me on my cell at 863-221-2372 (Eastern time zone/early to bed). Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This versatile, mega-close-focusing lens is easily hand holdable by most folks; at 3.08 lbs, it is more than 50% lighter than the 200-600 G lens (4.65 lbs). It is great for bird photography. I use mine often for flight photography, for head shots of silly-tame birds, and for large flowers, butterflies, frogs, and the like. It sells new for $2498.00 so you can save a handsome $1,1000.00 by grabbing my lens today; it is priced to sell!. Do understand that the zoom mechanism on this lens is on the stiff side. artie

What’s Up?

Thursday morning was great. Thursday night was fair despite excellent conditions. The wading birds were starting to fly into the roost with some color in the sky when a cloud spoiled my fun. As there were some nice flocks of Icterids going to roost, I grabbed my brand new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II lens (thanks to Steve Elkins at Bedfords!), mounted the 2X TC and an Alpha 1 and went to work on blurs. I immediately fell in love with the new lens because of the lightning fast and responsive AF (even with the 2X!) and its light weight. I even got a few nice ones despite the lack of sky color. I have a dozen uses in mind for the new lens; #1 is San Diego and #2 is Homer. But before those, I hope to get some chances on dancing cranes courting.

Today is Friday 17 December 2021. The forecast for the morning is perfect: clear skies with a gentle east wind. I will likely head down to the lake for at least a bit. 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 38 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!

Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!

San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!

I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6

Please e-mail for late registration discount info

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please click here for more info and registration details.

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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 26 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens (at 535mm) and the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the wheel; rear dial. ISO 1000: 1/400 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:34:39am on a cloudy morning. Expand Spot M AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well by just catching the inside edge of the bird’s left eye. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican: wanted poster!

Wanted, in San Diego

You. On the San Diego IPT. All are invited to write for late registration discount info.

Depth-of-Field?

Would you have used a smaller aperture for this image? Why? If yes, what aperture would you have used? (Remember: f/6.3 is wide open with the 200-600.)

The Saving the WHITEs (and lots more!) Video image

The Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video

My #1 go-to technique for restoring detail in the WHITEs of an image worked to perfection with today’s feature photograph at 70% Opacity.

My two biggest challenges when optimizing images are getting the BLUEs just right, and restoring detail to the WHITEs and highlights of properly exposed raw files. There are four things that I do to accomplish the latter. All are covered in detail in this 21+ minute video, along with a dirty trick to try if the first four do not work perfectly. Sit with me at my laptop as I teach you how to save the WHITEs. I begin with the raw conversions of two different raw files, today’s featured Snowy Owl image, and Joe Usewicz’s spoonbill image that was featured in the Extraordinary Over-Exposed (?) Spoonbill/Saving the WHITEs Optimization blog post here.

In addition to learning how to save the WHITEs (in both images), you will learn how to expand canvas using the amazingly convenient Content-Aware Crop Tool, to set the White Balance (color temperature), to set the WHITE and BLACK points, see Digital Eye Doctor and RawDigger in action, learn to make a Color Range Selection, and lots more.

To purchase your copy of the Saving the Whites Video (and lots more!) video, you can send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net, call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand, or visit the item in the BAA Online store by clicking here.

Image #1A: The RawDigger screen capture for the Brown Pelican: wanted poster! image

Dead-Solid Perfect!

Images where the G channel gets 2/3rds of the way from the 8000 to the 16000 line are perfect exposures. Images where the G channel gets right up to the line are dead-solid perfect. Thus, eh screen capture above is half-way between perfect and dead-solid perfect. With only 45 OvExp pixels out of 51,000,000, this one is very close to a dead-solid perfect exposure.

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 completely 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 (pink) Adapted Histogram

In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me when I struggled with R5 exposures and when learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.

RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman

The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.

Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We could not figure out why the Max G values varied by camera system. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.

The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.

We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to quickly and easily evaluate your exposures and raw file brightness using an Adapted RawDigger histogram.

The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.

If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

There was not much going on down by the lake on a cloudy dark Tuesday morning. As it was totally cloudy most of the day, I pretty much gave up on sunset, but things cleared nicely at about 4:00pm. There was a nice 15mph breeze from the northeast, perfect for silhouettes. I was up on my ladder by 5:15pm, but very few wading birds flew in while the sun was still up. And things were really bright and difficult without any haze or light clouds on the western horizon. There were large flocks of grackles and blackbirds swirling around after the sun ducked behind the dark cloud right on the horizon so I grabbed the 200-600, stayed late, and created about 300 (hopefully) pleasing blurs. I kept 30 after the first edit …

I finally heard from someone at Audubon Florida on the S-96 Rehabilitation Project at Stick Marsh. I still have a ton of work to do, but I am getting there.

I was thrilled to learn that Bedfords began shipping the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses yesterday. I am looking forward to receiving mine on Thursday. My first opportunity to give it a thorough test will be on the San Diego IPT. Do consider joining me for the fun!

Today is Wednesday 15 December 2021. The forecast is again calling for partly cloudy skies early with a north/northeast breeze so I will be heading down to the lake again this morning. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post was supposed to take less than an hour to prepare. And then I decided to do a video … It wound up taking me well more than three hours to prepare — including the time spent on the image optimization, the screen capture, and the Sunball Flight video. This post makes 36 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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.

The Sunball Flight Shot

Today’s featured image was the best of the 536 images I created at sunset last Monday evening. Capturing images of birds in flight against the ball of the sun is a huge challenge. I prayed for a Great Egret to fly by in front of the sun. And my prayers were answered. In this short video you will learn how to attempt to create sunball flight images, how best to expose for them, and how to evaluate the exposures after the fact. Enjoy.

This image was created on 13 December 2021 down by the lake at my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing two steps up on my Jacksonville IPT stepladder (Werner model S313P-2), I used the super-tall, no-longer available GIT505XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). Multi-metering -0.3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000. 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:29:39pm on a mostly clear evening. Tracking: Center Zone AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version. Image #1: Great Egret flying thru the ball of the setting sun

The Optimized Image

As it says in the video, this image required lots of tender loving care during post processing. This is true of all images with extreme dynamic range. Here we have dark shadows along with a relatively unmuted sun … As seen in the video, RawDigger did a good job of guiding me on the raw conversion (but I was pleasantly surprised when I got the image into Photoshop).
Topaz DeNoise (see below) did an excellent job on the noise in the sky. For the noise in the shadowed water behind the reeds, I selected that area with a Quick Mask, put that on a layer, and pulled the curve up a bit to lighten it. Then I ran Photoshop denoise and followed that up with a Gaussian blur. Next I executed a small crop from the left and below and eliminated the remaining part of the ibis in the LLC with the Patch Tool. But I still was not happy with the reddish section of the bird’s left wing where the bright sun had bled onto it. So I used Subject > Select to select the bird and refined the selection with the Magnetic Lasso Tool. I put that on its own layer and pulled the curve down to further blacken the silhouette. All in all I was quite happy both with the captured image and the post processing.

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)

Everything mentioned above 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: all 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 two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.

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.

Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Egret flying thru the ball of the setting sun image

Topaz DeNoise

Be sure to click on the screen capture to see the complete elimination of noise in the sky in the after image on our right. And note that if anything, the fine details are sharper than in the original.

As regular readers know, I run DeNoise on virtually every image that I process immediately after executing the crop with the Delete Cropped Pixels box checked. For images made in sunny conditions, I used Standard. For images made in low light, I use Low Light. You can check all four methods by using the Comparison View but I rarely do that any more as I am confident as noted above.

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu.

San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!

I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

An $899 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due right after you sign up.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Most of the severe itchiness from the fire ant debacle is gone. The 30 welts remain, all greatly reduced in size. Each pustule has a raised, yellow center. It could have been a lot worse. Several decades ago my friend Carl R Sams put his elbow squarely atop a fire ant nest across from the Venice Rookery while lying on the ground to photograph a Green Heron in a tiny creek. His elbow swelled up to the size of a basketball and he wound up in the hospital. At least that is the story as I remember it …

Carl, and wife Jeannie Stoick, of Stranger in the Woods fame, have a great line of children’s books here. Your grandchildren might very well enjoy one or more of them. Please do not ask me why the Amazong logo-link shows $1.20 …

I watched lots of NFL games on Sunday; there were several barn burners. Can you say 49ers/Bengals, Browns/Ravens, or Tampa Bay/Buffalo?

barn burn·er: /bärn ˈbərnər/

noun: barn burner; plural noun: barn burners; noun: barnburner; plural noun: barnburners. An event, typically a sports contest, that is very exciting or intense. Often high scoring with a dramatic ending.

I did make it down to the lake for sunset 🙂

The forecast for today, Monday 13 December 2021, is for clear skies with a north northeast wind. With near ideal conditions, I will get 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 (including the time spent on the image optimization and screen captures) and makes 34 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 11 December 2021 down by the lake at my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing two steps up on my Jacksonville IPT stepladder (Werner model S313P-2), I used the no-longer available GIT505XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). Multi-metering +2.3 stop. AUTO ISO set ISO 3200. 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:28:32pm on a mostly clear evening. Tracking: Center Zone AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly by just catching the bill tip of the front ibis. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version. Image #1: Wading birds at sunset roost

It’s That Time of Year! I’ll Be Busy at Sunset for the Next Three Months (or more)!

The wading birds began returning to their annual winter evening roost about a week ago. But for San Diego and Homer, I will be heading down to the lake every evening about a half hour before the time of sunset as long as there is a chance for some color in the western sky. I am able to check the sky from my pool deck.

I’ve made things easier by working with my super-tall (no-longer available) GIT505XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod and my Jacksonville IPT stepladder (Werner model S313P-2). This combination makes it a bit easier to get over the reeds as I am about two feet taller than I would be if simply standing on the North Field. A strong wind from the northeast in the evening is perfect as the birds fly higher than thy do when it is fairly still (as it has been the last three nights). In a perfect world, I can enjoy a full half hour or more of exciting flight action. And I have a plan in mind to make may sunset outings even more productive …

Click on the image to view a higher-res version. Image #1A: AF Points for the Wading birds at sunset roost image

Why So Difficult?

Distant birds landing in bullrushes present a huge challenge for any camera’s AF system. Why? The AF system will often grab the reeds. The AF system of the Sony a1 is head and shoulders above the AF system of any camera I have used previously. As there was no wind last night and the birds were coming in very low, I began experimenting with Tracking: Spot S. I have no idea how the a1 succeeded in tracking the tip of the ibises bill as seen in the screen capture above. But I am thrilled that it did.

SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. With another photographer joining yesterday, we are now up to an astounding 99 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 the first e-mail you will receive 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!

All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.

Click on the image to better read the fine print. Image #1C: RawDigger screen capture for the Wading birds at sunset roost image

The RawDigger Screen Capture

As Patrick Sparkman and I point out in the RawDigger e-guide, it is exceedingly rare for the RED channel to be farther to the right than the GREEN channel, even with richly colored sunrise and sunset images. The pink histogram for today’s feature image is one of those rare exceptions. Note that even at +2.3 stops this image was about 1/3 stop too dark. I define such exposures as very good.

RawDigger — not for the faint of heart …

Nothing has ever helped me learn to create consistency excellent or 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 completely bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for many 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 consistently demonstrated that fact. Convincingly.

The RawDigger (pink) Adapted Histogram

In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me when I struggled with R5 exposures and when learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.

RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

Dead-Solid Perfect!

As seen on the cover above, images where the G channel gets 2/3rds of the way from the 8000 to the 16000 line are perfect exposures. Images where the G channel gets right up to the line are dead-solid perfect.

The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman

The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.

Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We could not figure out why the Max G values varied by camera system. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.

The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.

We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to quickly and easily evaluate your exposures and raw file brightness using an Adapted RawDigger histogram.

The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.

If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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

Image Questions

Which of today’s featured images do you like best, the loosely framed image, #1, or the tightly framed image, #2? Please let us know why you made your choice.

Do you prefer the warmer tones in Image #1 or the somewhat cooler tones in Image #2?

What’s Up?

Yesterday, I continued trying to gather additional information regarding the permitting of the rehabilitation of Structure S-96 project at Stick Marsh. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, St. Johns River Water Management District, thoughtfully answered the questions in my most recent e-mail. My first contact was with FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission); they got back to me quickly and gave me wrong information. No one from Florida DEP (Department of Environmental Protection, Audubon Florida, or the USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) has yet responded to my numerous e-mails and/or phone messages.

Considering that Roseate Spoonbill is protected both by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, I continue to be baffled on all accounts. I will share my findings with you here very soon.

Today is Saturday 11 December 2021. I enjoyed a fine morning down by the lake as the fog was not as thick as it had been the past four days. I had a Great Blue Heron on The Perch before the sun broke through and came up with a new technique for using the a1’s tilt screen for shooting verticals from the car. I will share that you with you here soon. And once the sun came out, I had a ton of fun at the vulture tree. 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 32 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 10 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing, I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:01:32am on a foggy bright morning. Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey

Why Not?

As had been the case on Thursday, Friday morning was very, very foggy. I did not head down to the lake until after 8:00am. I started with some foggy tree-scapes. Oh, BTW, the female eagle has been on eggs for more than a week, sitting low in an old Osprey nest. Then I did some foggy vulture flight and — in the process — had a revelation regarding Sony Alpha 1 autofocus with birds in flight. I will be sharing my findings with the group in SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes e-mail #25 this weekend. After the vultures, I headed home. Just before turning right on Park Drive, I considered driving the North Field and checking the marsh. Why not?, I thought.

Just before the canal, I came across a Great Egret with a rodent in its bill. I sensed that the bird would be somewhat accepting of my presence, and I needed to get higher to get over the grasses so I grabbed the naked 600mm f/4, approached slowly, and made more than 70 images, the last at 9:01:32am. Then I decided to add the 2X TC and grab the tripod.

Tracking: Upper Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection in action! Image #1A: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey

Sony a1 Bird-Eye/Face Detection

When I write most days that Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly, the screen capture above shows exactly what I am talking about.

This image was created on 10 December 2021 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates. Standing, I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:03:07am on a foggy bright morning. Tracking: Center Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey (1200mm)

Working at 1200mm

Note that I had no problem hand holding the bare 600mm f/4 GM lens, but when I added the 2X TC, I did not hesitate to get my rig on the tripod ASAP. Understand that errors of equipment shake are multiplied by a factor of four when the focal length is doubled. I made about a dozen images before the bird flew a short distance, landed behind a big bush, and swallowed its prey whole (as herons and egrets always do).

It took me less than two minutes to walk back to my SUV, add the 2X, set up the tripod, mount the rig, and get back in position to photograph. The more familiar you are with your gear, the better your images will be.

Marsh Rice Rat?

Some internet surfing on Saturday morning revealed that the prey item is likely to be Marsh Rice Rat, Oryzomys palustris. If you can confirm or correct that identification, please leave a comment.

Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2A: tight vertical crop of the Great Egret in marsh with rodent prey (1200mm) image

Sony Alpha 1 Image Quality at 1200mm

I am always amazed at how well sharp a1 image files can stand up to very large crops. And that is true of images created at 1200mm. In short: astounding.

SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. With another photographer joining yesterday, we are now up to an astounding 99 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 the first e-mail you will receive 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!

All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.

Typos

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

Your Fave?

Which of today’s five re-featured images do you feel is the strongest? Please leave a comment letting us know why you made your choice.

What’s Up?

My investigation as to what it going on at Stick Marsh with regards to the permitting of the Structure S-96 Rehabilitation project continues. Yesterday I learned that there is no USFWS permit in place. As far as I know, the only permits issued were by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. I will try to find out today if a USFWS permit is/was required to stage a huge construction project within 50 yards of a wading bird rookery where dozens of pairs of spoonbills nest each year. Considering that Roseate Spoonbill is protected both by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, I continue to be baffled.

I did get down to the lake twice yesterday for some photography, first early on a foggy morning, and then again late in the day for a sunset that fizzled. I have been doing my slow, 50 length swims every day. Last week the pool had been down to 80° in the mornings. With the continuing gorgeous weather, I have been enjoying balmy water temps of 86 to 88°.

Today is Thursday 9 December 2021. 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 30 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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 wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager-to-please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 30 November 2021 at Westhampton Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing, I used the (no longer available) Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod / Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/320 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:05am on cold, clear morning . Tracking: Spot S with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly by tracking and nailing the bird’s left eye. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Snowy Owl on dune in early morning light

Image Design Question Answered

In the 2nd Best Snowy Owl Image From My Northeast Trip? blog post here, I wrote:

If you think you know why I placed the owl a lot closer to the center of the frame than I usually do, please leave a comment.

IPT veteran David Pugsley

The vertical grasses to the right add balance to the scene. Also, had you framed to crop them out you’d be left with the large, diagonal grass that, now floating, would need to be cloned out.

Ted Willcox

Showing the grass on the right side balances the image better than cropping it out. Beautiful image!

Kudos to both for their correct responses. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I created the image above to show what I was thinking: I did not want to mess with the grasses inside the quadrilateral, so I carefully placed the owl more in the center of the frame than usual.

The Lesson: rather than simply following a series of rules or preconceived notions when designing an image, you should consider all of the background (and other) elements before you press the shutter button.

Cliff Beittel

Thanks to friend, skilled bird photographer, and decades ago multiple IPT veteran Cliff Beittel who chipped in with this:

Can’t say why you centered the owl, but it looks perfect. In a long ago book, Tim Fitzharris had a photo of an American Bittern showing all sorts of layers of composition: near foreground, middle foreground, in-plane vegetation, near background, distant background, sky, corner anchors, etc., etc. This photo has all of that, and it all frames the bird wonderfully. Love the way the dune rises to our left, the way the owl’s head doesn’t merge with the sky, how the weight of the out-of-focus grasses in front of the bird balance the dune on the left. Sweet.

I wrote back:

Thanks a stack, Cliff. The key was to be able to get halfway up the dune without flushing the bird. From below, the owl was completely blocked; there was no shot from below ….

with love, artie

This image was created on 25 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Standing, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (now replaced by the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 225mm), and the Sony a7R IV (now replaced, for me, by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.( ISO 400. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:42am on a then-sunny morning. Upper Center Zone AF/C produced a razor sharp on the eye image. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Brown Pelican – adult breeding plumage Pacific-race, scissors preening

Depth-of-Field or Not Answer

In yesterday’s Pelican Scissors Preening Photo Tips and Lots More! blog post herehttps://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2021/12/08/pelican-scissors-preening-photo-tips-and-lots-more/, I wrote:

Both images were created at the wide open apertures. Note that in Image #1 the entire bird was sharp at f/2.8. Image #2, however, also created at the wide open aperture, could have used some additional depth-of-Field as the distal portion of the bill and the feathers on the pelican’s body could have been rendered sharper with the use of a smaller aperture, perhaps f/8.

Why the difference?

Though only a single reader responded, he nailed the answer:

Steve

I think the depth of field was shallower in the second image because you were closer to the subject.

The Lesson: depth-of-field increases as the distance to the subject increases. Ad the converse is true as well: depth-of-field decreases as the distance to the subject decreases.

This image was created on 9 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Standing, I used the (no longer available) Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod / Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 400. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/5000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:41pm on clear afternoon. Center Zone AF/C produced a razor sharp on the eye image. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Brown Pelican – dorsal flight view against cliffs

Why Manual Mode?

In the recent Seeing New Situations. Why Manual Mode? More On Saving the WHITEs. An ACR Raw Conversion. And an Innovative New Photoshop Technique blog post here, I wrote:

If I had been photographing incoming birds in the sky while working in an automatic mode like shutter or aperture priority, what would have happened to the pelican in this image? Why? Once you get to the right answer, you will understand why Manual mode is best for 99% of bird photography situations.

IPT veteran and friend David Policansky (AKA Dr. Fish)

Hi, Artie. If you’d been using an automatic mode, the pelican would have been totally blown out (overexposed). Whenever I am photographing birds flying in front of varied backgrounds I use manual mode. The theory is simple: I want the bird — not necessarily the background, to be correctly exposed.

He answered correctly, but did not explain why: influenced by the predominate dark rock background, the in-camera meter would have opened up (increased the exposure).

Click on the image to better read the fine print. Image #3A: Adobe Camera Raw slider settings for the Brown Pelican – dorsal flight view against cliffs image

Raw Conversion Questions

In the same blog post, I wrote:

1- With most images, we move the BLACK slider to the left. Why did I move the BLACK point to +24 with this image?

2- With most images, we move the Shadow slider to the right to open up the shadows. After moving the BLACK point for this image to +24, why did I move the shadow slider to the left, to -20?

Friend and active BPN Avian Forum participant Paul Burdett

1. You moved the black point to the right to +24, as opposed to moving it the left, so as not to cause the darkest areas of the rocks to lose detail. with RawDigger showing the image as 1/3 stop under, they were probably too dark to start with. This may have also helped the bright areas of the bird.

2. You moved the shadow slider to the left, to -20, to increase the contrast between the dark background and the lighter tones of the bird’s wings.

Signed, sealed, delivered, and right on the money. Well done, Paul. Checkout Paul’s very fine Golden-headed Cisticola image here on BPN.

This image was created on 1 December 2021 at Westhampton Beach on Long Island. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). ISO 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:07am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version. Image #4: A new optimized version of the Snowy Owl on clean sand beach image with the shell as it was in the raw file

For Adam

At the Unanimity. And Learning About Snowy Owls … blog post here, blog regular Adam Rubinstein left this comment:

I would like to have seen a cropped, color-corrected version with the shell in place. In some respects, the shell provides a bit of interest and one might look at the image longer or in more detail to discern whether it was prey, a pellet, etc. Alternatively, it might just be a distraction worth cloning out. Snowy Owl’s are remarkable creatures and a delight to behold.

I created the version above for Adam.

This image was created on 1 December 2021 at Westhampton Beach on Long Island. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only). ISO 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:07am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on e the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version. Image #4A: A new optimized version of the Snowy Owl on clean sand beach image with the shell moved to a spot in front of the bird

For Jordan

At the same blog post, Jordan Cait wrote

The shell is a distraction and pulls my eye behind the owl. I would remove it. But if the shell had to be present, it would be better placed in the direction the owl is facing instead of behind it.

This version is for Jordan. It was easy to move the shell using the Patch Tool first set on Destination and then putting it back to Source.

My Explanation

Note that because the shell was several inches in front of the plane of the owl, it was rendered unsharp due a lack of depth of field (as expected at f/8, wide open at 1200mm). Had the shell — it looks like a scallop, been on the exact same plane as the owl, it would have been rendered sharp. In that case I would have either left it or moved it in front of the bird as in Image #4A.

This image was created on 20 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:41am on a rare cloudy morning. Center Group/Shutter Button AF. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #5: Pacific race Brown Pelican sub-adult in flight

My Preference

In the Variety is the Spice of Flight in San Diego! blog post herehttps://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2021/12/03/variety-is-the-spice-of-flight-in-san-diego/, I asked, After clicking on all three of today’s featured images to view the hi-res versions, you are invited to leave a comment letting us know which of the three is your favorite, and why you made your choice.

While I liked all three of the flight images, and all who commented agreed that Image #1, the incoming Ring-necked Duck drake in flight, was their favorite, mine was the Pacific race Brown Pelican sub-adult in flight image above. I love white sky flight. I love the variety of pelican plumages that we get to study in San Diego in January. And I love the young birds with the red and olive bill pouches of the breeding plumage adult birds.

San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!

I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

An $899 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due right after you sign up.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

I thought that I had published yesterday’s blog post before lunch, but learned last evening that I had not. Oops. It was published just after dinner time. I spent lots of time yesterday arranging my travel plans for the Homer IPT. I did make it to Stick Marsh yesterday and was not thrilled with what I saw. I am continuing to investigate the situation and will be sharing what I have about the rehabilitation of Structure S-96 project with you here soon.

Be sure to scroll down all the way to the item on making the raw conversion for today’s featured image. You will learn a bunch whether you convert your raw files in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, or DPP 4 as the sliders are all similar.

Today is Tuesday 7 December (the 80th anniversary of a date which will live in infamy …) 2021. I had planned on getting down to the lake this morning but it was totally foggy until 8:30am. 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 28 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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, and any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the 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 9 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Standing, I used the (no longer available) Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod / Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 400. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/5000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:41pm on clear afternoon. Center Zone AF/C produced a razor sharp on the eye image. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican – dorsal flight view against cliffs

Seeing New Situations

One of the things that I have been proud of for several decades is my ability to spot new situations. For more than a decade, afternoon flight photography at La Jolla was non-existent. But on certain winds, it was there all the time. With some unique backgrounds to boot. I figured things out in 2019 and now we do a session or two at this great new spot on every San Diego IPT. And the best news is that on every outing, and on every IPT, I am always looking for ways to figure out something new.

Why Manual Mode?

If I had been photographing incoming birds in the sky while working in an automatic mode like shutter or aperture priority, what would have happened to the pelican in this image? Why? Once you get to the right answer, you will understand why Manual mode is best for 99% of bird photography situations.

Saving the WHITEs

Check out the animated GIF above and see how nicely detail was restored in the white head feathers. Learn five ways to tackle this common problem in the video immediately below. Today’s featured image required the use of only three of the five techniques.

I forgot to mention yesterday that near the end of the video, I share an innovative technique for fixing an error made early on in the image optimization process (without having to start from scratch!)

The Saving the WHITEs (and lots more!) Video image

The Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video

My two biggest challenges when optimizing images are getting the BLUEs just right, and restoring detail to the WHITEs and highlights of properly exposed raw files. There are four things that I do to accomplish the latter. All are covered in detail in this 21+ minute video, along with a dirty trick to try if the first four do not work perfectly. Sit with me at my laptop as I teach you how to save the WHITEs. I begin with the raw conversions of two different raw files, today’s featured Snowy Owl image, and Joe Usewicz’s spoonbill image that was featured in the Extraordinary Over-Exposed (?) Spoonbill/Saving the WHITEs Optimization blog post here.

In addition to learning how to save the WHITEs (in both images), you will learn how to expand canvas using the amazingly convenient Content-Aware Crop Tool, to set the White Balance (color temperature), to set the WHITE and BLACK points, see Digital Eye Doctor and RawDigger in action, learn to make a Color Range Selection, and lots more.

To purchase your copy of the Saving the Whites Video (and lots more!) video, you can send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net, call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand, or visit the item in the BAA Online store by clicking here.

After clicking on each image, check out the nice detail in the white face of the owl in the optimized version (Image #1), with the virtually absent detail in the face of the owl in the Photo Mechanic screen capture (Image #1A). As I have been saying here often for two decades, properly exposed raw files will often appear washed out with little detail in the highlights …

Click on the image to better read the fine print. Image #1A: Adobe Camera Raw slider settings for the Brown Pelican – dorsal flight view against cliffs image

Raw Conversion Questions

1- With most images, we move the BLACK slider to the left. Why did I move the BLACK point to +24 with this image?

2- With most images, we move the Shadow slider to the right to open up the shadows. After moving the BLACK point for this image to +24, why did I move the shadow slider to the left, to -20?

Note that RawDigger showed that this image was about 1/3 stop under; that is why I moved the Exposure slider to +0.30 as the first step in my workflow. With images like this, with light-toned subjects and dark backgrounds, resist the urge to move the Highlights slider far to the left in an attempt to restore detail to the white head feathers; Doing so would render the (silvery) bird much too dark.

Typos

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

Thinking of the San Diego IPT?

Check out the gallery here.

What’s Up?

Not much. Today is Sunday 5 December 2021 and it is another gorgeous morning here in Central Florida. I have not been down to the lake since I got back from Long Island. I hope to get my swim in before the NFL games start today. I am hoping to get to Stick Marsh tomorrow morning. I filed a complaint with the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) on Saturday. I got a call that same day and was stunned when informed that the dike-re-construction project at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area had been granted a permit by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. It would seem that the wading bird rookery at this site is in extreme jeopardy. I found this on the FWC site: The Roseate Spoonbill is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. I guess it depends on what you mean by “protected.”

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 26 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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, and any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

Please Remember Also

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

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

This image was created on 29 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 400mm) and the Sony a9 (now replaced by the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 2000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:55am on an overcast morning. Center Zone AF/C. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #1: The original for the Brown Pelican — orange variant stretching image

The Best Perspective & More

One of the problems at La Jolla when attempting to photograph pelican behavior is that there are often too many birds in the frame. Setting up for this image, I chose the best perspective, one that allowed me to work in the slot between the pelican feet in the ULC and the cormorant head in the LRC. I zoomed in to 400mm to minimize the two distracting birds in the corners. When working in soft light you have a lot more freedom with regards to light angle than you do on sunny days. Speaking of soft light, do understand that the white feathers of most birds, like the top of the head of the pelican in today’s featured image, will rarely exhibit any fine detail.

This image was created on 29 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 400mm) and the Sony a9 (now replaced by the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 2000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:55am on an overcast morning. Center Zone AF/C. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #1A: The optimized version of the Brown Pelican — orange variant stretching image

Content-Aware Fill Magic

A relatively small crop from all four sides eliminated most but not all of the pelican in the ULC and most but not all of the cormorant’s head in the LRC. I use the Patch Tool (my keyboard shortcut P) to make my selections when using Content-Aware Fill. Next is the default keyboard shortcut for C-A Fill: Shift + Delete. Working in the ULC, this technique removed the remaining toes of the pelican without any problem. In the LRC, I was somewhat amazed that C-A Fill did an almost perfect job of filling in both the pattern of the whitewash on the rock and the water. I did need to do a tiny bit of clean-up near the frame-edge where the rock met the water. I used a small Quick Mask refined by a Regular Layer Mask for that.

Everything above including C-A Fill, using and refining Layer Masks, 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.

San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!

I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

An $899 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due right after you sign up.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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

Got a Minute?

Check out the very fine collection of images here.

Your Fave?

After clicking on all three of today’s featured images to view the hi-res versions, you are invited to leave a comment letting us know which of the three is your favorite, and why you made your choice.

What’s Up?

My flight to Orlando yesterday was blessedly uneventful. It got in 15 minutes early and my bags and Jim were waiting for me when I got to bag claim. 🙂

When I learned of a massive dike re-construction project that is already underway, I had no choice but to cancel the two Stick Marsh IPTs as there is an excellent chance that the rookery will not survive the disturbance … All deposits are being refunded.

Today is Friday 3 December 2021. It is sunny and warm here in Florida, but it has been very cool in the evenings; the pool was down to 80 degrees this morning. It will be good to get back in the water later today. 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 24 consecutive days with a new one.

Please remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. 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, and any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

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

Important Note

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

Please Remember Also

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

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

This image was created on 23 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots). ISO 400: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 3:41pm on a sunny afternoon. Center Group/Shutter Button AF. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #1: Ring-necked Duck drake in flight

Variety is the Spice of Flight in San Diego!

On a typical San Diego IPT, we get to photograph a dozen or more species of birds in flight. Though the Pacific-race Brown Pelicans are the stars of the flight show, there are many other attractive species that will provide ample opportunities to improve your flight photography skills with whatever system you are using being it Canon, Nikon, or Sony.

This image was created on 27 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 244mm) and the Sony a9 (now replaced by the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 3200: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:15am in the shade. Center Zone AF/C. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #2: Brandt’s Cormorant braking to land at cliff nest

Brandt’s Cormorants

Dozens of Brandt’s Cormorants nest on a high cliff just yards below the level of the sidewalk. Photography there offers chances on a variety of interesting behaviors including nest building, gular panting, copulation, and courtship — the latter includes the spectacular drooped wing display. In addition, the birds are often flying in carrying gobs of red seaweed for the nests. Flight opportunities on the occasional cloudy days are spectacular.

As you can see by checking out the EXIF data for today’s images, you do not need a 600mm lens plus teleconverters to enjoy a ton of great flight photography in San Diego. Any intermediate telephoto zoom lens will be more than enough. My plan for this species this yea is to concentrate on flight with the new Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens, often with the 1.4X TC. The new 70-200 is expected to begin shipping on 16 December.

This image was created on 20 January 2019 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 3200: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:41am on a rare cloudy morning. Center Group/Shutter Button AF. Click on the image to enjoy a hi-res version. Image #3: Pacific race Brown Pelican sub-adult in flight

Pelican Flight Photography

As with most flight photography, the more patient you are, the more great images of birds in flight you will make. The problem at La Jolla is the the breeding plumage pelicans with their chocolate brown hind necks, yellow faces, and the fire-engine red and olive-green bill pouches are so gorgeous that they are hard to resist. When the light and the wind are right, the trick is to forego the tight head shots, stand in the right spot with an intermediate telephoto lens, and be a bit patient … That is my plan for 2022. Join me and I can show you exactly where to stand!

San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!

I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. (Or two seconds with SONY zebras…) And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure is one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five three hour morning photo sessions, four one and one-half afternoon photo sessions, four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy day occasions, we may — at my discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

An $899 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due right after you sign up.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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