January 27th, 2019 Stuff
When we arrived at Lake Hodges on Friday morning, it was 38 degrees … As the grebes rarely if ever dance when it is cold, Ken Cook and Anita North decided to go for duck’s instead. In the afternoon Patrick Sparkman and I decided to try an old favorite afternoon pelican spot. We did quite well.
I was glad to learn that John M Wright sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent to near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $6,950.00, his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of 1,299.00, a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $599.00, his Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $499.00, and a Canon Extender (teleconverter) EF 2X III in near-mint condition for $265.00, all within days of their being listed. The sale of his 1.4X III TC is pending. John has several other fairly priced Canon items — including several great camera bodies — still available. Scroll down to check them out.
First Day With SONY
On Saturday I worked all day with the Sony gear, the amazing Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera, the
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens, and both the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter. The very first image that I made was a keeper! In short, I was so impressed with the SONY stuff that I am 99.99% sure that I will at least be adding the gear above to my kit. The decision as to whether or not to keep some of my Nikon gear or make a complete switch to SONY is one that will be made at some point in the future. I have tons to share with you on the SONY gear and will be doing that here on the blog for at least the next week or two or more. Please remember that at this point I have used the SONY stuff for only one day. And that I had a ton of help from Patrick Sparkman.
IPT Updates
Unsolicited via e-mail from multiple IPT veteran Donna Bourdon
Thank you Artie for another amazing trip! The setting and the access to such spectacular wildlife was more than we could have hoped for. And you, yourself are remarkable. I am always touched by your selflessness in sharing your professional talent and knowledge. Not many working pros would be willing to share their intellectual property as you do. And the group experience was such fun. It was good to make new friends and enjoy food, fun and fellowship together! I hope to meet up with everyone again soon for another “over the top” adventure. with love, Donna
Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan
Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen
I have room for two folks on the spoonbill boat and still need three or four folks for the Galapagos trip. If you would like to explore the possibilities, please get in touch via e-mail; no reasonable offer will be refused.
- The 2019 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — FEB 16 thru 19, 2019: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
- The New, Expanded 2019 UK Puffins, Gannets, & Red Kites IPT. Thursday June 27 (from EDI) through Tuesday, July 9, 2019 (on the ground; fly home on Wednesday July 10.): $9,999. Limit 10 photographers/Openings: 9. This trip needs four to run. Co-leader: Peter Kes.
- The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience. July 23 to August 6, 2019 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,499. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 4.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Recent Sales
John M Wright sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent to near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $6,950.00, his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of 1,299.00, a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $599.00, his Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $499.00, and a Canon Extender (teleconverter) EF 2X III in near-mint condition for $265.00, all within days of their being listed. The sale of his 1.4X III TC is pending.
Ramona Boone sold her Canon 600mm IS II in like-new condition for $7,699.00 (was $8,699.00) while I was in the Falklands
Brooke Miller sold her Canon 5D Mark IV for $2,249.00, her Canon Extender EF 1.4X III and Extender EF 2X III for $299.00 each, her Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens in near-mint condition for $599.00, and her Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM in excellent plus condition for $7398.00.
The Rest of John M Wright’s Canon Fire Sale Items
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS Lens
John M Wright is also offering a Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $488.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the soft pouch, and insured UPS ground shipping the within USA. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail.
If you are a landscape photographer looking to save weight this is the lens you are looking for. It sells new at B&H for $899.00. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Lens
John M Wright is also offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS lens in near mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $488.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the soft pouch, and insured UPS ground shipping within the USA. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail.
I love this lightweight intermediate telephoto lens for photographing tame birds in flight at close range. I always had one on the gannet boat trips. It is also great for landscapes and Urbex photography. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV dSLR
John M Wright is also offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR body in near-mint condition with 28,567 shutter actuations for $1999.00. The sale includes the original box, the front cap, one battery and the charger, the strap, and insured UPS ground shipping within the USA. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail.
The 5D IV is my all-time favorite Canon dSLR. I used two as my workhorse bodies while my 1DX and my 1DX II largely sat on a shelf in the garage … artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark III dSLR
John M Wright is also offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR body in excellent condition with 54,914 shutter actuations for the BAA record-low price of $949.00. The sale includes the front cap, one battery and charger, the strap, and insured UPS ground shipping within the USA. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail.
I owned and used this superb, full frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. John’s body can be yours for a bargain price. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
John M Wright is also offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR body in excellent plus condition with 17,778 shutter actuations for $799.00. The sale includes the front cap, one battery and charger, the strap, and insured UPS ground shipping within the USA. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until we both committed to using full frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. With a new one going for $1,099.95 you can save more than $300 by grabbing John’s camera body now … Not convinced? Do a search for “Cadieux” in the little white box at the top right of each blog post … Dan’s images, all made with the 7D Mark II, will amaze you.artie
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.
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This image was created on the day after the San Diego IPT ended, January 26, 2019. I used the hand Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens, the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and my souped up Nikon D850. ISO 7200. Matrix metering -1/3 stop as framed: 1/1250 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. NATURAL AUTO WB at 8:34am on a clear day.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +2. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Center Group (grp) AF point/Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the duck’s purple cheek patch, pretty much on the same plane as the eye.
Wood Duck drake — head portrait
Click on the image to see a larger version.
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The Situation
Wood Ducks love scratch (poultry feed of mixed grains and cracked corn). Please note: not only is feeding the ducks allowed at my favorite duck ponds but the camp store sells scratch at a buck a bag. In any case, I was sitting at the edge of the fourth lake surrounded by a zillion coots. A male Wood Duck joined them on the edge of the bank. One by one the coots dropped over the edge back into the pond. The drake woodie stayed. I added the 1.4X teleconverter to the 500 PF, moved slightly to my right to get a bit more on sun angle, and made a series of images as the duck continued to stay still and pose. Then I moved slowly to my right to get closer and more on sun angle. The duck stayed put. I made another 20 or so images before the very cooperative duck went for a swim. Today’s featured image was one of the smaller-in-the-frame photos from the first series. The images from the second series were too stuffed into the frame. In short, I was the lucky duck.
Two AF Questions
Why didn’t I frame the image with the center Group array right on the duck’s eye?
Why didn’t I simply choose the upper center array?
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From left to to right clockwise back to the center: Brown Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill downstroke, Brown Pelican sunrise silhouette, Double-crested Cormorant pre-dawn blur, Roseate Spoonbill flapping after bath, Brown Pelican taking flight, Roseate Spoonbill taking flight, Reddish Egret white morph breeding plumage in flight, and Reddish Egret dark morph breeding plumage in flight.
All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks on the February 2018 trip.
You can click on each card to enjoy a larger version.
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2019 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — FEB 16 thru 19, 2019: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
3 1/2 days on the boat including four morning photo sessions and three afternoon sessions via customized pontoon boat.
Price per day Reduced from the 2018 rates! Please e-mail for details on IPT veteran and couples’ discounts. Pro-rated options may be available …
We will be leaving the dock very early for the morning sessions (weather permitting) in hopes of photographing the pre-dawn American Crow and White Ibis blast-offs. All sessions are planned for the Alafia Banks Roseate Spoonbill Rookery. We might consider other options in the unlikely event of horrific weather. There will be lots of opportunities for flight photography of several species including and especially Roseate Spoonbill. Also likely for flight photography are nesting Brown Pelican, both morphs of Reddish Egret, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White and Glossy Ibises, and Double Crested Cormorant. We should have some good chances with birds carrying nesting material. This IPT includes all boat and guide fees, in the field instruction, chest waders (feel free to bring your own of course to assure a perfect fit), and three working lunches on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For the most part we will be standing in mid-calf to knee high water behind our tripods. We help you get in and out of the boat with your gear. This is likely not the best trip for folks with mobility or balance problems. Note however that some folks opt to stay on the boat to photograph. They usually have lots of chances for flight photography of spoonbills and other species but are almost always pretty far away from the spoonbills that land.
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All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks
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The Timing and Tides are Perfect!
I recently saw a similar trip advertised two months too late for breeding plumage spoonbills … The 2019 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT represents an incredible opportunity to photograph Florida’s most wanted species. I do hope that you can join us. There will be a meet and greet at 7:00pm sharp on the evening of Friday February 15, 2019. All of the images on the card were made on the Hooptie Duex during the last two weeks of February, prime time for the spoonies in mega-breeding plumage. Many folks have written expressing interest so please do not tarry.
Please e-mail to hold your spot. Then you may either secure your spot by calling Jim or Jennifer at the office at 863-692-0906 and leaving the $500 deposit on credit card or sending your check for payment in full to us as follows with the check made out to:
BIRDS AS ART and sent here via US mail:
BIRDS AS ART
PO BOX 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855
If you call to leave your deposit you will be asked to mail your check for the balance asap.
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Images courtesy of our guide; copyright 2017 Captain James Shadle (aka Froggie). All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.
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Everybody Loves Spoonbills!
Roseate Spoonbill is one of if not the most sought after avian photographic subjects in Florida. They are generally hard to find and somewhat difficult to approach. They are relatively easy to find at Alafia Banks—heck, you can’t miss seeing them, but even there they can on some days be somewhat difficult to approach. On some days we may be able to get ridiculously close to them. The huge incentive to get out to Alafia Banks in mid-February is the chance to photograph this species at the height of its spectacular breeding plumage…. with long telephoto lenses. A 500 or 600 with a 1.4X TC is perfect for this trip.
Mornings to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and Brown Pelicans (with lots of flight photography often with the birds likely carrying nesting material), Double-crested Cormorants, ibises (both Glossy and White) in breeding plumage. Some of the White Ibises may be sporting their spectacular, distended, red, naked (un-feathered) throat pouches—typically larger in the females. In addition we may get to photograph egrets including Great and Reddish, both in full breeding plumage, shorebirds, and more. There will be lots of flight photography opportunities. Afternoon trips will most likely be back to Alafia Banks for the spoonbills with an option to visit a more sheltered inland rookery location for a variety of nesting birds. In the event of horrific weather artie will either take the group to Fort DeSoto or will conduct an extensive image review/Photoshop session. This IPT includes lunches on the full days with small group image sharing and review and some over-the-shoulder Photoshop instruction.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
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 New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
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. Tanks a stack.
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 :).
January 25th, 2019 Stuff
We got kicked off the cliffs at 7:30am just when things were getting good when a team from the city came to spray the cliffs with soap to reduce the smell of the pelican roosting cliff … I mentioned to the biologist that since the pelicans leave the cliffs between 10 and 11 am every day in winter that they might schedule the spraying for after 11am. She said, “My boss makes the schedule.” I believe that all of the above is per the order of the San Diego City Council to placate the residents of La Jolla who do not like the alleged smell. To me, the cliffs smelled exactly the same before and after the spraying 🙂 I will say, however, that the sea lion spot stinks really badly.
Anyhoo, we headed down the hill, worked the Brandt’s Cormorants for a while, and then headed down the coast to the low cliffs where we again found the tame Black Oystercatcher and a nice variety of gulls including Heerman’s and California. Then I kissed everyone goodbye 🙂 Ken Cook is joining me early this morning, Friday, January 25, to try for the dancing grebes …
The Higher Answer
In the Two What’s blog post here, the Pacific race Brown Pelican — dorsal view in pre-dawn light image was created with AUTO ISO at 10,000. Please note that I neglected to mention that I was in Shutter Priority mode (S with Nikon, Tv in Canon); the caption has been corrected. Blog regular Guido Bee nailed the ISO question when he wrote: A guess on the ISO, given pre-dawn; I’d go with around 10K, maybe a bit more. Just a guess. Nice shot, regardless. Well done Guido. Guy, right?
IPT Updates
I have room for two folks on the spoonbill boat and still need three or four folks for the Galapagos trip. If you would like to explore the possibilities, please get in touch via e-mail. No reasonable offers will be refused.
- The 2019 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — FEB 16 thru 19, 2019: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
- The New, Expanded 2019 UK Puffins, Gannets, & Red Kites IPT. Thursday June 27 (from EDI) through Tuesday, July 9, 2019 (on the ground; fly home on Wednesday July 10.): $9,999. Limit 10 photographers/Openings: 9. This trip needs four to run. Co-leader: Peter Kes.
- The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience. July 23 to August 6, 2019 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,499. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 4.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
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.
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This image was created on the fourth morning of the San Diego IPT, January 24, 2019. I used the hand Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 180mm) and my souped up Nikon D850. ISO 7200. Matrix metering +1 2/3 stops as framed: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.3 in Shutter Priority mode (S with Nikon, Tv in Canon). NATURAL AUTO WB at 7.19am in pre-dawn light (it takes a while for the sun to get over the big hill in La Jolla).
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Center Group (grp) AF point/Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered to the left of the pelican’s neck; the rightmost point of the array was on the center of the pelican’s bill. Not ideal, but with Group the eye is razor sharp.
Pacific race Brown Pelican — incoming in pre-dawn light/strong
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High
I find that working in TV mode with Auto ISO and the correct exposure compensation (EC) in pre-dawn and dusk light saves a ton of time as compared to working in Manual mode. It allows you to go from creating pleasing blurs at shutter speeds in the 1/4 to 1/60 second range to sharp with shutter speeds in the 1/500 at a minimum to the 1/2000 second range by turning a single dial. I wind up teaching this technique on virtually all IPTs. Whether you are in Manual Mode os an automatic mode like S, you always need to set the correct EC … Shutter Priority mode simply allows you to work much faster. When the sun comes over the hill I turn off AUTO ISO, set the ISO to 400, and get to work with the sweet light.
On Getting Over a Fear of High ISOs …
More and more with both my D850s and my D5 I have been using and loving the higher ISO, those typically ranging from ISO 3200 to as high as ISO 10,000 and even higher on occasion. What has brought about this change? #1 would simply be trying the higher ISO. #2 is the amazing NeatImage (NI) noise reduction software. For both the ISO 7000 image in today’s blog post and the ISO 10,000 image mentioned above, I ran quick and dirty noise reduction on a Layer with varying Y values. With today’s image, I added a Regular Layer Mask and painted away the NR on the bird’s face only at 50%. To learn the quick and dirty noise NI reduction techniques see Digital Basics II here. To learn the much more sophisticated NI NR techniques that allow you to apply more NR to the backgrounds and less NR to the subject, see the two Professional Post Processing Guides here.
Important note: the original Professional Photographers’ Guide to Post Processing was based on NeatImage v7.6. Late in 2016, NeatImage released a new version, v8.2, that is a bit more complicated than v7.6. I continue to use v7.6 which is simpler and easier to use. Arash switched to the newer version, v8.2, and we worked together to create a second guide based on v8.2. As far as the quality of the results, v7.6 and v8.2 are indistinguishable.
New purchasers need to decide if they want to purchase the Pro Version of NeatImage v7.6 or the Pro Version of NeatImage v8.2. Once you have decided, click here to purchase the The Professional Post Processing Guide Based on NeatImage v7.6. Or click here to purchase the The Professional Post Processing Guide Based on NeatImage v8.2
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This image was created on the third morning of the San Diego IPT, January 23, 2019. I used the hand Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 180mm) and my souped up Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about zero as framed: 1/4000 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual Mode. NATURAL AUTO WB at 9:40am on a dead-clear day.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Center Group (grp) AF point/Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure. The rightmost and bottom AF points just caught the base of the near wing yet the image is sharp on the eye.
Western Gull (baited) starting to dive
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The Low ISO
Once the sun is out at full strength, there is generally only one ISO for me: ISO 400. Even when using the 500 PF with the 1.4X teleconverter I have more than enough light to work at f/9 with fast enough shutter speeds to create sharp images. It is only very, very, very rarely that I will switch to ISO 200 or 100 or lower when the sun is out. I see no difference in the noise at ISO 400, ISO 200, and ISO 100 …
A Really Bright Exposure
Regular readers know that my suggested starting point for bright WHITE/ISO 400 images made in full sun is 1/2500 second at f/8 (which is the same as 1/3200 second at f/7.1 or 1/4000 second at f//6.3). The exposure for today’s Western Gull image was 1/4000 sec. at f/7.1, one-third stop (one click) darker than the suggest book value. Why? With the super-bright California light I was getting significant blinkies on the bird’s breast at 1/3200 second at f/7.1.
Your Favorite
Which of todays’ featured images is your favorite? Please let us know why. Folks have been very lazy recently 🙂
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Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.
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The 2019 Fort DeSoto Spring IPT/THURS 18 APRIL through the morning session on SUNDAY APRIL 21, 2019: 3 1/2 DAYS: $1549. Limit 8/Openings: 5. Meet and greet at 7PM on the evening of WED 17 APRIL.
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for a great variety of migrant shorebirds, gulls, terns, and passerines in Spring. Many of the gulls and terns will be courting and copulating. There the migrants join hundreds of Florida resident egrets, herons, night-herons, and pelicans on the T-shaped peninsula. We should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher almost guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and many of those will be in their spectacular breeding plumages. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a strong possibility. We may get to see and photograph the amazing heron/egret hybrid that has been present for three years. And we should enjoy some great Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two. Yikes, I almost forgot to mention that nearly all of the birds are ridiculously tame!
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Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.
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Just some of the stuff you will learn …
On the IPT you will learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
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Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.
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What we do
There will be seven shooting sessions in all: four 3+ hours morning session and three 2 1/2 hour afternoon sessions. There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (lunch is included) on each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.
The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with the hotel/lodging information.
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You got it, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.
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Signing Up
A $500 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check after you register. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with eight folks so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please remember that the meet and greet will take place on the evening of WED 17 APRIL. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.
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Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.
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Early and Late
Getting up early and staying out late is pretty much a staple on all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours; on this particular trip we will get lots of sleep as the days are short. Being in the field well before the sun comes up and staying out until sunset will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers arrive.
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To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
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.
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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 :).
January 24th, 2019 What’s Up
Though there was somewhat of a dearth of pelicans on Wednesday morning, the dozen or so that were present were in gorgeous breeding plumage and with fewer birds, it was easier to isolate them. Then we headed down the coast to do some gull flight photography and lucked out by finding a tame Black Oystercatcher. Then we had a truly great afternoon with the ducks at my very favorite waterfowl lake.
If you cannot make a San Diego IPT, you can learn all the locations in the San Diego Site Guide. Learn more and/or purchase here.
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Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.
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white
The 2019 Fort DeSoto Spring IPT/THURS 18 APRIL through the morning session on SUNDAY APRIL 21, 2019: 3 1/2 DAYS: $1549. Limit 8/Openings: 4. Meet and greet at 7PM on the evening of WED 17 APRIL.
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for a great variety of migrant shorebirds, gulls, terns, and passerines in Spring. Many of the gulls and terns will be courting and copulating. There the migrants join hundreds of Florida resident egrets, herons, night-herons, and pelicans on the T-shaped peninsula. We should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher almost guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and many of those will be in their spectacular breeding plumages. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a strong possibility. We may get to see and photograph the amazing heron/egret hybrid that has been present for three years. And we should enjoy some great Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two. Yikes, I almost forgot to mention that nearly all of the birds are ridiculously tame!
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Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.
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Just some of the stuff you will learn …
On the IPT you will learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
|
|
|
Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.
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What we do
There will be seven shooting sessions in all: four 3+ hours morning session and three 2 1/2 hour afternoon sessions. There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (lunch is included) on each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.
The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with the hotel/lodging information.
|
|
|
You got it, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.
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Signing Up
A $500 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check after you register. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with eight folks so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please remember that the meet and greet will take place on the evening of WED 17 APRIL. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.
|
|
|
Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.
|
Early and Late
Getting up early and staying out late is pretty much a staple on all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours; on this particular trip we will get lots of sleep as the days are short. Being in the field well before the sun comes up and staying out until sunset will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers arrive.
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