Red-eye flights are never huge fun, but mine was uneventful. I met multiple IPT participant Randy Strickland in Chicago for our flight to Edinburg, Scotland. Most of the group had arrived early: many multiple IPT veteran Anita North, first-timers Shonagh Adleman and Carsten Anderson (of Danmark), arrived early in Edinburgh. Many multiple IPT veteran David Hollander along with wife Krista flew to London and got in a day early. That left only many multiple IPT veteran Malcolm McKenzie to complete the group. Fortunately, his flight from JFK got in early and after meeting everyone and packing the van, off we went on our way to Cranswick.
We arrived at our hotel at about 4:30 local time and were off to Bempton Cliffs by 5:15pm. The conditions were fantastic. There are two great locations at Bempton and we headed for the one to our right. The forecast was for a cloudy morning so I had the group sleep in; we had breakfast at 6:30am. The action on the cliffs was fast and frantic, again with perfect conditions — cloudy bright with no hint of the sun until 11am. One participant created more than 5,000 images during this single fabulous session, most of them of braking, landing gannets. It was so good that I instructed the group to simply point their lens four feet above and four feet to the right of the nearby point of land and wait for a landing bird to appear in the viewfinder. Nobody had to wait very long.
It is sunny with a hint of clouds as we head back out to Bempton on Friday afternoon. We will have dinner in the hotel pub tonight while rooting on the US Women’s National Team against France in the World Cup.
Coming Soon
I will be announcing the Fort DeSoto Fall Sandbar Secrets IPT soon. Both Bosque IPTs and the San Diego IPT are wide open. Click here to see the IPT listings.
Publication Delay 🙁
Publication of the The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, co-written and co-illustrated by Joe Przybyla and yours truly has been delayed as yours truly screwed up the PDF. Once that is released, the publication of Focus on Frogs – An Illustrated Guide to Great Photography was written and illustrated by Andrew McLachlan and edited for readability by yours truly will follow. Each of these new e-Guides is lavishly illustrated with images that will educate and inspire. Both will sell for $50.00 via electronic download.
FlexShooter Pro Update
We currently have FlexShooter Pro heads in stock here. We are sold out on the newly-arrived FLN-60 BigFeet recently re-designed for the Nikon 600 VR. Click here to access the pretty much complete FL SH Pro story.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve currently has several D850s in stock along with a Nikon 600mm f/4 VR. He is taking pre-orders for the new Nikon 500 P and the Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera body.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on June 27, the first afternoon of the 2019 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT. I used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped-up Nikon D850. AUTO ISO: 1000. Matrix metering 2/3 stop off the 30 degrees up blue sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 7:25pm on a dead clear sunny afternoon.
Center Group (grp) Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the base of the gannet’s far wing.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Northern Gannet, banking — a vertical original!
Maybe One Day I Will Get Smart Enough …
Maybe one day I will get smart enough to leave my Nikon 600 VR at home on long flights when I am headed to photograph relatively tame birds. The 500 PF is that good. It is a dream to handhold. When it is coupled with the D850 — assuming no operator error — I am totally shocked if I create a flight image that is not razor sharp on the bird’s eye. That said I am loaning my favorite Nikon rig to BPN buddy Mikey Poole who is serving as our local guide for the second year running. I will be using my SONY 100-400 GM with both camera bodies on Friday afternoon. Probably along with the 1.4X teleconverter. As he did last year, Mike has been a big help getting us in the right spots along the cliffs. His additional responsibilities include translating Scottish and British English to understandable American English. As Robin Williams said in his classic stand-up golf routine: If you want a linguistic adventure, go drinking with a Scotsman.
Vertical Original Bank Shots
I am pretty sure that in ABP II, I wrote something to this effect: If you are photographing banking birds in flight and you start to clip the wings top or bottom or both when holding the camera horizontally, you might try holding the camera on end to create vertical banking shots. That is exactly what happened to me on Thursday afternoon and exactly what I did. I always use center group AF when attempting vertical original bank shots. Note that I went to f/8 for a bit of extra d-o-f to ensure a sharp head in cases when the bird’s head was not quite on the exact same plane as the back. Today’s featured image is mega-sharp. IAC, it takes a fair amount of practice to master this technique. But as you might agree, images like today’s featured photograph make the effort well worth it.
Bosque del Apache 2019 IPTs
Notice the incredible variety of images that you can learn to make by developing your skills and your creative vision on a BAA IPT.
2019 Bosque del Apache IPTs
Return to Bosque Reduced Rate Scouting IPT #1. NOV 26-28, 2019 — 3 FULL DAYS: $1199.00. Limit: 8. Introductory Meet and greet at 7pm on MON 25 NOV.
Return to Bosque IPT #2. NOV 29 (afternoon session thru DEC 4 (morning session) — 5 DAYS (4 full and two half): $2249.00. Limit: 10/Openings: 9. Introductory Meet and greet at 2:00pm on FRI 29 NOV.
I quit going to Bosque several years ago as conditions had worsened each year for several seasons running. My understanding is that things have improved dramatically in recent years. Photography-wise, I know Bosque better than anyone. Join me to learn how wind and sky conditions influence bird photography, how to create dramatic sunrise and sunset silhouettes, how to be in the right place at the right time, and how to create contest-winning blurs. As usual, you will learn to get the right exposure every time, to use your camera’s AF system to create pleasing, balanced image designs, and to improve your flight photography skills.
We should get to photograph many thousands of Snow Geese, more than a few blast-offs, some Ross’s Geese, and lots of Sandhill Cranes in the water, taking flight and flying. Depending on local conditions we may get to shoot some ducks: point-blank American Wigeon and Wood Duck. With any luck, we might enjoy sunrises and sunsets that leave you in tears. Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world’s premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet. Top-notch Photoshop instruction. Join me to learn to think like a pro and to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather. Every time we make a move, I will let you know why. When you get home, applying what you learned will prove to be invaluable.
I go with one registrant. Lunch is included on all full days of each workshop.
Free Morning Session
Sign up for either IPT and enjoy a free morning session on Friday, 29 NOV.
$500 Multiple IPT Discount
Join me for both IPTs and we will be glad to apply a $500 multiple IPT discount.
To Register
To register, send your non-refundable $500 deposit — check made out to BIRDS AS ART — via US Mail to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Or call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 to put your non-refundable deposit on a credit card. Balances must be paid in full by check no later than three months before the IPT. If you cancel, all but your deposit will be refunded only if the IPT sells out.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I should surely be in the UK by the time that you read this. Photographing gannets at Bempton Cliffs.
Two brand new BAA publications will be released soon. The first will be The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, co-written and co-illustrated by Joe Przybyla and yours truly. Focus on Frogs – An Illustrated Guide to Great Photography was written and illustrated by Andrew McLachlan and edited for readability by yours truly. Each of these new e-Guides is lavishly illustrated with images that will educate and inspire. Both will sell for $50.00 via electronic download.
Coming Soon
I will be announcing the Fort DeSoto Fall Sandbar Secrets IPT soon. Both Bosque IPTs and the San Diego IPT are wide open. Click here to see the IPT listings.
FlexShooter Pro Update
We currently have FlexShooter Pro heads in stock here. We are sold out on the newly-arrived FLN-60 BigFeet recently re-designed for the Nikon 600 VR. Click here to access the pretty much complete FL SH Pro story.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve currently has several D850s in stock along with a Nikon 600mm f/4 VR. He is taking pre-orders for the new Nikon 500 P and the Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera body.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
The Photo Mechanic Screen Capture for Image #1 (below)
Click on the image to see a larger version and read the fine print.
The Photo Mechanic Screen Capture for Image #1 (below)
Thoughts on Cloudy Day Underexposures …
So here we have another well-underexposed image. Why does this happen so often to all of us?
1- We forget that in low light conditions (cloudy, late-in-the-day, etc.), the great majority of photographers fail to add enough light. This is usually done by either by raising the ISO or lowering the shutter speed.
2- To avoid working at a higher ISO with close calls, we subconsciously opt to go with an ISO that is too low.
3- A cloud (momentarily and often temporarily) covers the sun.
4: We accidentally bump the shutter speed wheel.
5: We followed this oft-given advice, When unexpected action occurs, press the shutter button; do not attempt to change any settings …
6- We simply screw up, often by being in too much of a hurry.
The reality is that all of us will — at least on occasion — have to deal with underexposed RAW files. The image above was quickly and easily converted with Capture One Pro-12. You can see exactly what I did in the Two Eagles Capture One & More MP4 Video. See more on that below.
This image was created on June 16, 2019, at Basket Lake Camp near Dryden, Ontario. I used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped-up Nikon D850. AUTO ISO: 1000. Matrix metering plus one off the grey sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode was about 2/3 stop under. AUTO1 WB at 7:20pm on a cloudy-dark afternoon.
Center Group (grp) Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the eagle’s breast, pretty much on the same plane as its eye.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Imge #1: Bald Eagle lifting off with Walleye in talons
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image Optimization for the Cloudy Day Eagle
The Exposure slider at 1.23, the Highlight slider to 19, and the Shadow slider to an almost-insignificant 7 (be careful not to overdo your Shadow adjustments), the White Balance was reduced from 5778 K to 5085 K using click White Balance. This resulted in RGB values of R = 233, G = 234, B = 233, perfect for cloudy day WHITEs. After those adjustments to the RAW file, I did not even need to play with the end-lines in Levels. Not only does C-1 Pro 12 provide higher image quality for your Nikon and SONY images, but the process is also fast and easy to learn. Again, see the item on the Two Eagles Capture One & More MP4 Video below.
This image was created on June 11, 2019, at Basket Lake Camp near Dryden, Ontario. I used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped-up Nikon D850. AUTO ISO: 800. Matrix metering plus 2/3 stop off the low blue sky: 1/5000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode was a perfect exposure. AWB 7:20pm on a cloudy-dark afternoon.
Center Group (grp) Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the base of the near-wing. With the eagle angling somewhat towards us, the array was pretty much on the same plane as the bird’s eye.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Imge #2: Bald Eagle lifting in flight with Walleye in talons
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The Sunny Day Eagle
With a pretty much perfect exposure right out of the box, setting up to optimize the RAW file in C-1 Pro 12 took less than one minute. And crunching the TIFF file took well less than that. Notice that in some sunny day flight situations I have started working at ISO 800 and maximizing the shutter speed, as with image #2.
Your Thoughts?
Which is the stronger image? Why? In what ways is Image #1 better than Image #2? Is Image #2 better in any way than Image #1?
Leaving a comment here is always greatly appreciated by yours truly.
I thought that it would be interesting and educational to do an MP4 video showing the Capture One conversions and the Photoshop optimizations of a cloudy day under-exposed Bald Eagle as compared to a properly exposed sunny day Bald Eagle. In the Two Eagles Capture One & More MP4 Video I have done just that. The topics covered include using Click White Balance to determine a pleasing Color Temperature, adjusting the Highlights and Shadows sliders, setting the Black and White points using the end-lines in Levels, Capture One Noise Reduction, adjusting the other important sliders, converting the image to a TIFF, and bringing the TIFF into Photoshop. Once there we crop the image, level and fill in canvas if needed (as was necessary with the cloudy eagle), do some background and bill cleanup using the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, the Clone Stamp Tool, Content-Aware Fill, and a small Quick Mask modified by a Regular Layer Mask, sharpen selectively with a Contrast Mask, do some Eye Doctor work with Tim Grey Dodge and Burn, flatten and save the master file, and create and sharpen a JPEG. All of that plus lots more in an easy to follow format — you can pause the tape or rewind as needed.
The best news is that this video costs only $5.00, in other words, cheap. You can have a link for this 29-minute video sent to you via e-mail by clicking here. If you enjoy this inexpensive video and would like to learn more about Capture One, check out the Capture One Pro-12 Simplified MP4 Video immediately below. If you are new to Capture One Pro-12, please click here to order. Understand that C-1 Pro 12 is expensive for good reason … Are your photos worth it?
The Capture One Pro-12 Simplified Video
Click here to order.
The Capture One Pro-12 Simplified Video
$15.00 via electronic download
When I first heard about doing RAW conversions in Capture One Pro 12 I purchased the somewhat pricey program and tried to figure it out on my own. I was totally lost. So I did some reading online and was still very confused. Then I consulted Arash Hazeghi’s comprehenisve The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide and while Arash does a great job of covering the fine points, I still had some difficulty getting started. I thought Who needs Sessions and who wants to have to Import images? So I consulted Patrick Sparkman, the BAA technical advisor. Patrick had been using C-1 Pro 12 for a while. We spent a good deal of time on FaceTime simplifying things. That video is a direct result of those conversations.
You can purchase your copy in the BAA Online Store here.
If you are new to Capture One Pro-12, please click here to order. Understand that C-1 Pro 12 is expensive for good reason … Are your photos worth it?
Here are some of the things you will learn in this 33+ minute video as we convert nine different RAW files (eight Nikon and one SONY) from soup to nuts, from Photo Mechanic through the RAW conversion in Capture One to Photoshop:
1-How to quickly and easily find your images while working in a simple file folder format.
2-How to customize your Exposure and Details tabs to streamline your workflow.
3-How to set the White and Black points using Levels.
4-How to adjust set the values for the relevant sliders including Exposure, White Balance, High Dynamic Range (the Highlight and Shadow sliders), and Clarity and Structure.
5-How to work at 100 or 200% and fine tune your settings for Noise Reduction and Sharpness.
6-How to work with the Color Editor
If you are trying to get a handle on how to use this great RAW conversion engine for your Nikon and SONY images, this video is just what you have been looking for. It is meant to serve as an adjunct to Arash’s comprehensive The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide. For Canon shooters, Arash and I both recommend using DPP 4.
Don’t Forget
Do not forget that the Nikon 500 PF and a souped-up Nikon D850 are absolutely deadly for photographing birds in flight. And please do not forget to either use my B&H affiliate links for your purchase or to get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford’s as noted near the beginning of this blog post. Do understand that these lenses are still very difficult to come by; the sooner you place your pre-order the sooner you will have this great lens in your hands.
I am on the way to the airport, Chicago, and Edinburgh, Scotland as I type. No worries, right-hand man Jim Lizenburg is driving. If all goes as planned, I will meet the group and our driver at EDI at 9:15am on Thursday.
I have spent much of the last 24-hours overdosing on America’s/Britain’s Got TalentYouTube videos … Much of that time in tears. If you check out some of the Golden Buzzers here, you too might become addicted.
Though many, many US photo retailers in the U.S., including and especially B&H, are clamoring to add the FlexShooter Pro to their product line, the only place that you can get this amazing head right now is here in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store.
In the Brown Pelican Pan-Blur blog post here, the correct answer to the ISO quiz was indeed IS0 2500. We started at ISO 640 but the image was two full stops underexposed. So raising the ISO two stop like this: 640 > 1250 > 2500 is the ticket.
In the Painted Turtle image design quiz here (where I began the quiz by screwing up left and right), Elinor Osborn came up with the answer I was looking for when she wrote, Reframe to right to get the tip of the left claw from touching the frame?. It was not quite touching the frame edge but it was much too close for comfort. As always, If something is worth including in the frame, be sure to leave a decent border around it.
Flex Shooter PRO Fine Points
Click the Play arrow on the 8-minute video to learn some FlexShooter Pro Fine points. Included are tips on photographing bird nest on high, and on pointing the lens down. The trick for both of those is to place the stem of the black ball in the large notch on the silver ball. You can move the notch around by tightening the Silver Bullet Knob and loosening the black lever. Then we show you how to mount a camera body with a small lens (via a Wimberley P-5 camera body plate) on your FlexShooter Pro. Next, we talk about the fact — and show you — that fore and aft balance with short lenses and intermediate telephotos and telephoto zoom lenses is pretty much a non-issue. With the super-telephotos, however, perfect fore and aft balance is a necessity. We demonstrate this with the SONY 100-400 GM lens/a7R iii combo (mounted on a reversed Wimberley P-10) plate. I recommend the same for folks using the great Canon 100-400 II. Last I share a new technique where I put the notch on my right, flop the macro lens down — again with the stem of the black ball in the notch, and rotate the lens in the tripod collar while using only the black lever to move the lens and to frame the image. Once I have my basic framing complete, I fine-tune things by rotating the lens in the tripod collar while using the in-camera level. Be sure to tighten both the black lever and the tripod collar before making your images. The Sigma 150mm macro is — unfortunately — no longer in production. I use a Wimberley P-20 plate with this lens.
BigFeet Compatibilty Chart
BigFeet
Above, we mentioned the fact that perfect balance when using a super telephoto lens on the FlexShooter Pro is mandatory; it allows you to take full advantage of the amazing spring-loaded counterbalance feature that sets the FL SH Pro head and shoulders above all ball- and gimbal heads. If you are using a super-telephoto lens, it is entirely possible that the plate or low foot you are using now will be long enough to balance your big lens perfectly on your FlexShooter Pro. You may, therefore, wish to order only the FlexShooter at first, test your lens for perfect balance with all your camera body/teleconverter combinations, and then order the BigFoot you need if one or all of your combinations do not balance perfectly with your current setup. Others may wish to avoid the hassle and save on shipping by ordering the correct BigFoot when they order their FlexShooter Pro. By phone, for now, as below.
Please note that we are currently sold out of the FLN-60; we should have them in stock in 2-3 weeks. We hope to have the BigFeet in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store in about one week; until then, phone orders only please: 863-692-0906.
Non-slip Shelf-liner for scratch prevention
Test-driving a FlexShooter Pro
Folks often ask, Can I order aFlexShooter Pro head and return it if I do not like it? I reply, Sure. Simply return the head at your cost in its original new condition and we will refund your purchase less the cost of shipping. Be careful not to scratch the head. We reduce your refund by $50 for each scratch.
You can avoid scratching the base of the head by cutting a small hole (for the mounting bolt) in the center of a 5-inch square of non-slip shelf liner. Be sure to fully open clamp jaws before carefully mounting the plate. As all BigFeet come with safety stop-studs, you will need to place the plate in the jaws from one side to the other rather than sliding it in the long way. You must do that with any plate or low foot with the stop-studs.
For those who like me tend to over-tighten the clamp jaws, a square of non-slip shelf liner can be used to loosen them. I keep a square in my vest, my pocket, and/or my fanny pack so that it is there when I need it.
If you would like a free square of non-slip shelf liner, you can order your FlexShooter Pro head by phone by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 and letting him know that you would like a free non-slip square, or by order your head through the BIRDS AS ART Online Store here and then shooting Jim an e-mail here requesting the same.
Note: I remove the stop studs from my BigFoot because with the amazing counterbalance there is little to no chance of the lens hitting the floor. As I emphasize in all the videos, be sure to confirm visually that the BigFoot or plate is within the tightened clamp jaws before letting go of the lens. The manufacturer recommends that you use the stop-studs. If you opt to remove them as I do, understand that you do so at your own risk. I consider the use of stop studs with a Wimberley head to be mandatory; with a side-mounting gimbal head like the Mongoose M3.6, stop-studs are irrelevant.
More On FlexShooter Pro
If you have been living in a cave for the past few weeks, be sure to check out each of the links below.
For more on the FlexShooter Pro including complete instructions on how to use it, click here.
To learn about working off a FlexShooter on a tripod set up in the vehicle, see the blog post here.
To learn about using your FlexShooter Pro for birds in flight, click here.
See the first FlexShooter Pro how-to video in the blog post 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 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 7)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
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, 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 Bird of Paradise flowers. 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 relocated) 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 the subject of blinkies. 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. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be 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. 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 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 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at 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, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
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.
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
