Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Today’s Featured Image

You can learn an absolute ton by carefully perusing my comments on the creation and processing of today’s featured image. Join us on the Sebastian Osprey Adventure for lots more of the same and a ton of great photography. Details at the bottom of this post.

What’s Up?

Since Helene passed, the mornings have been mostly cloudy with a wind from the south or southwest. Not great. I have been down to the lake every morning and most days, have come up with a decent image or two. Most recently, I’ve had two young Great Egrets threatening each other by sky pointing on the South Peninsula. I’ve seen the eagles at both nest trees. It is looking as if they will re-use last year’s nest as I’ve twice seen them adding sticks to that nest. The good news is that that nest is much more photogenic than it was last year as lots of branches came down in various wind storms. I am really hoping that I am around when the large chick or chicks begin flapping — (they fledged two last year) in the nest to strengthen their wings. Perhaps in late January (after San Diego) or early February (before Homer).

Several folks have signed up for the Sebastian Inlet Osprey Adventures, three for the as yet not formally announced San Diego IPT, and two for the as yet not formally announced Stick Marsh Roseate Spoonbill experience. If you would like to get in on the fun, learning, and amazing photography, shoot me an e-mail.

In the “It’s a Bummer” category, I learned yesterday that the home of Chip, my friend and accountant in Clearwater, was totally flooded by the storm surge in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Clean-up and repairs have already begun.

Today is Wednesday 2 October 2024. Can you believe how time flies by? The forecast is for partly cloudy with a slight breeze from the north/northeast — better than most. Whatever the heck you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

Need a New Laptop?

Need a new laptop for photography? Consider the Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M3 Max, Space Black).

Key Features

Apple M3 Max 16-Core Chip
128GB Unified RAM | 8TB SSD
16″ 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
40-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
Backlit Magic Keyboard
Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
macOS

In other words, the bomb. Looking to spend a bit less? Click here and search for Apple MacBook Pro M3. Feel free to e-mail or call (863-221-23720 for laptop advice.

Why Not Buy Your MacBook Pro From Apple?

If you purchase a laptop from Apple and have a problem right off the bat they will fix it for you in a few days or a week after you send it to them. They will not replace it. If you purchase a laptop from B&H and have a problem right out of the box, they will send you a new one no questions asked.

Save 15%!

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.

Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com

B&H

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Bedfords Amazing 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, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. 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 is the Photo Mechanic screen Capture for today’s featured image. Image #1: Osprey with fresh caught Yellowfin Menhaden

The Lying Histogram

If you believed the histogram here, with all of the data left of center, you would think that this images is severely under-exposed. On the other hand, RawDigger showed more than a thousand severely over-exposed pixels in the specular highlights of the fish’s yellow tail. Had I believed the lying histogram and added light in the field, the image would have been far beyond saving.

Note that on sunny days you try your best to get right on sun angle but that you never know exactly where or when an Osprey will emerge with a fish. With today’s featured image, the sun was from over my left shoulder rather than right over the top of my head. As a result of being a bit off sun angle, the left side of the bird’s head was in shade. Check out Image #1C (below) to see how I dealt with that problem.

In-the-Field Tip: when photographing Ospreys diving for fish on a sunny day, set your exposure at least 1/3-stop darker than you normally would so that you do not toast the flashing silver on the fish as the Osprey pulls it out of the water. Doing just that with today’s feather image saved the day.

a-1 Crop-Ability

With a sharp Sony Alpha 1 raw file and the nice reflection of the fish below the bird, the decision to go with a vertical crop here was an easy one. I was not, however, thrilled with the overall color. Keep reading to see how I handled that.

Image #1A: Tight crop of the fish from the unprocessed raw file (as presented in Photo Mechanic)

Pretty Big Problems

In this tight crop, you can see that there are serious over-exposure problems at the base of the tail of the fish and with the specular highlights there and about the head of the fish as well. First, I reduced the luminance of the YELLOWs using a new trick that I developed myself using Point Color in Adobe Camera Raw; I will be sharing that tip in the first video of Volume II of the Digital Basics III Video Series (coming later this month). Next I used the amazing Remove Tool, my new J shortcut, to eliminate the glaring, over exposed highlights. I did that on a new layer and then reduced the opacity of that layer reveal just a hint of the original highlights. Again, check out Image #1C below to see the great (if not amazing) results.

This image was created on 27 October 2023 at Sebastian Inlet, north of Vero Beach, FL. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/3200 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:29:59am on sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1B: The Optimized version: Osprey with fresh caught Yellowfin Menhaden

The Optimized Version

I was thrilled with the master .TIF file. I cooled the image down by lowering the color temperature from 6100 to 5400 during the raw conversion (but was still not thrilled with the overall color). I eliminated the over-exposed highlights. I lightened the shaded side of the Osprey’s face using Tim Grey Dodge and Burn. I cleaned up some of the crud in the water. Last I used my Image> Auto Tone/Auto Contrast/Auto Color trick and was finally happy with the color of the image.

Image #1C: Square crop of Osprey face and fish from the optimized version (1B)

Damn, That’s Good!

Notice:

1- The incredible image quality of a sharp a-1 raw file.
2- The dark shadow on the left side of the Osprey’s face has been eliminated.
3- The 80% elimination of the harshest specular highlights, most especially on the tail of the fish.
4- The totally natural colors.

Pupil Question

Why is the pupil of the bird’s left eye (on our right) noticeably larger than the other pupil?

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

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

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. 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.

Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.

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: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

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

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

The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.

As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.

You can save $26 by ordering the first five videos in Volume I by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Do not click on the composite image; simply scroll down for the best viewing. While Sebastian Inlet is justifiably famous around the world for the Ospreys diving for saltwater fish each fall, there are a variety of desirable avian subjects there as well in October and November. Keep reading if you would like to join me on what will surely be a memorable photographic and learning experience.

Pick Your Own Dates Short-notice Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More BAA Personalized Instructional Workshops

Ridiculously Inexpensive!

Dates: October 29 (arrive on the afternoon of Monday the 28th) thru the morning session on Saturday 22 November

As BIRDS AS ART lost more than $100,000 in tax year 2023, I am moving forward looking more at sharing expenses than at making money. Simply put, for more reasons than I will list here, sharing an AirBnB or VRBO place maximizes learning while reducing your overall travel costs.

Consider joining me at Sebastian Inlet this fall for some great bird photography and a ton of learning. Life is short; what are you waiting for? While a 600mm f/4 lens is ideal, you could do the whole trip with a variety of other lenses including a 500mm f/4, a 400mm f/2.8, a 400mm DO, a 200-600, a 100-500, a 300mm f/2.8 with TCs, or one of the great new Nikon Z telephoto or telephoto zoom lenses.

Bob Eastman is driving from Wisconsin and doing all 26 days, from 28 OCT thru the morning session on 22 NOV, prime time for Ospreys diving and catching a variety of saltwater fish. There are four bedrooms in this great AirBnB property that is just 22 minutes from the south jetty at the State Park, 24 minutes from the northwest pool where the Ospreys spent a lot of time last year. Please note that NOV 21-22 are sold out.

Hopefully, those who come would stay for a week or ten days (or all 26 days!) to maximize the opportunities. Fewer days would work also. Fly to Melbourne (MEL) or Orlando (MCO) and rent a car. Local folks who would like to arrange a morning or two of In-the-Field Instruction during October should get in touch via e-mail.

Here, if you stay in the AirBnB with me, are the ridiculous low rates for the in-the-field sessions (that include the daily Image Review and Photoshop sessions.

$250 for a morning session

$150 for an afternoon session.

Brunch and dinners at the AirBnB will cost you $20/day.

If you are interested, let me know your preferred dates via e-mail and I will get back to you with the per/night price for the lodging.

There is no need to travel an hour by car to get to Sebastian Inlet from Vero Beach.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s three featured images is the strongest? Do let us know why you made your choice. I have a clear winner that I will share with you in the next post.

Bird Photographers.Net Sold

You can read the entire thread here. A nice discussion on nitpicking developed when I responded to Dan’s comment.

Bird Photographers.Net was conceived in my living room at Indian Lake Estates, FL sometime in mid 2007. James Shadle (AKA Captain Froggie) was there along with probably four or five other others, one recently deceased. I put up all the start-up money and have kept the site going till now. Jim Neiger was there as well. James, Jim, and I are still friends though we don’t see each other much anymore, we talk once in a while.

The first post was on 27 December 2007.

Scrolling through the first few weeks of posts from 17 years ago, I came across many familiar names. Many friends, some clients, too many now dead, many who went on to succeed professionally — too many in fact to name. Special thanks to Dan Cadieux for his BPN help in recent years, to all the members over the years, and especially, to all the moderators. Without them, no forum would ever amount to anything. I’d be remiss not to mention Avian Moderator Arash Hazeghi; he too has been a good friend for many years and we have done more than a few guides together. Both Dan and Arash developed into incredibly talented photographers as a result of the countless hours they spent on BPN.

I could not find my first post or my first comment, but I went on to write 32,593 of those. As many of you know, I have basically been an absentee owner for the most part for several years. As I am sure that the active folks have figured out by now that BPN changed owners very recently. When Group Builder offered to purchase BPN, I jumped at the chance. I believe the forum is in excellent hands now as they are a group of nice, competent folks.

I will still be around on occasion.

Much love, artie
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

PS: The baby Tricolored Heron was photographed at Gatorland in 2017 with a 105mm with the Canon 100-400 lens and the EOS 5D Mark IV.

Reply by Daniel Cadieux

Hey Artie, you gave it a great run! BPN has been such a great help now for 16 years (!!). I too have made many friends, and it was a pleasure to help you out behind the scenes for the last few years.

I still remember a critique I did on one of your images very, very early on (January 2008 or so). It was a Brown Pelican. There was a colored stripe in the background that I thought distracting so I gently but honestly pointed it out. I got teased quite a bit by some friends up here saying to me “Who are you to critique Arthur Morris’ image and point out what you think is a flaw lol”. Well, two months later I was asked if I was interested in becoming a moderator. Ha! Who had the last laugh eh!:)

Glad to see the site will keep on going….but it is the founders that you speak of that gave it its charm and “raison d’être”. Here’s to the next chapter…

Dan

What’s Up?

Today is Friday 27 September.

After traveling up the west coast of Florida yesterday afternoon and doing quite a bit of damage, Tropical Storm Helene — after becoming a category 3 hurricane, is tracking inland over the Southeastern USA this morning with life-threatening flash flooding, potential record river flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Special prayers go out to Pat Fishburne of Ft. Myers, and to my accountant Chip, who evacuated his home in Clearwater on Wednesday evening.

We had some wind here at ILE and short bursts of heavy rain at times but I am as yet not aware of any local damage.

The forecast for this morning is for cloudy and dark with showers and a SW wind. Though not good, I will head down to the lakefront to see what’s up

Wherever you are I hope that you are well and safe.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

This image was created on 16 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV and resting the lens hood on the door frame, I used Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:47:41am on a sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Black Vulture ruffling after bath/eye replaced

The Eye Replacement

The only two folks — Pat Fishburne and David Peake, of New Zealand — who commented on the last blog post felt that the image would have been much better had the eye been replaced. Image #1 is for them.

Replacing the eye was much more difficult than I thought it would be. First I grabbed the eye from Image #1 in the last post here. As the eye was quite contorted as the bird raised its head and ruffled, that did not work at all. After struggling with it for 15 minutes, I simply deleted the layer and went back to the drawing board. I grabbed the eye from a frame that was created in the same second, 14 frames after the original. In that source frame, the nictitating membrane was only 1/4 closed. After placing and warping the replacement eye, I had to use the clone stamp to reconstruct the forward quarter of the iris. In addition, I darkened and enlarged the pupil. Working very large, I realized that I should have cleaned up the really distracting specular highlights on the head. So I did, and I was happy with the new version.

This image was created on 26 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at the parking circle by the base of the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 12500. 1/250 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:14:16am on a dark, stormy morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane adult doing nothing

A Dark and Stormy Morning

With the storm passing well to the west of ILE, Thursday dawned dark and dreary. The forecast called for strong SW winds. Had those materialized, they would have been the kiss of death for bird photography. But, when I got down to the lake, the wind was shifting east/southeast so all was not lost. With pretty much no light, grabbing the 300mm f/2.8 and working wide open without a teleconverter was the obvious choice. I was glad to find a pair of cranes feeding just below the hill to the north of the parking circle at the base of the pier. Note the relatively low shutter speed, the soft, lovely f/2.8 background bokeh, and the fact that the entire crane is more than sharp enough even though the image was created at the wide open aperture.

Though Image #2 is surely not a Wow! image, my point (again), is that you cannot make any photographs while sitting a storm out in your living room.

This image was also created on 26 September 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on the “beach” left of the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 3200. 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 9:01:58am on a dark, stormy morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Turkey Vulture adult in flight — incoming

Universal Advice for Better Flight Photography

Pan faster!

The square crop here was necessary because I did not pan fast enough to keep the bird back in the frame. Note that with a relatively slow flying bird on a windy morning, I skimped a bit on shutter speed to save a bit on ISO. (I now prefer and recommend 1/3200 or 1/4000 second for flight photography).

Head Replacement

In the original frame here, the bird’s head was turned away and its nictitating membrane covered the eye. I grabbed the head of the same bird from the previous frame. Replacing the head using a warped Quick Mask refined by a regular Layer Mask took perhaps two minutes.

The Torrential Rain Came

The water in the upper part of the frame (the lake) in Image #3 reflected the dark, indigo blue-black storm clouds above. It was quite obvious that it was going to rain very hard very soon. Rather than head home, I hung around for the brief but torrential rains. With the wind howling from the southeast, I was looking for some cranes just northwest of the roadways. In such conditions, you can angle your car perpendicular to the direction of the wind and photograph out of the driver’s side window with impunity. As you and your gear will be in the lee, neither will get wet. The goal: create some nice rain-streaked images by working at intermediate shutter speeds in the range of from 1/60 to 1/640 second. The length of the streaks will vary depending not only on the shutter speed but on how hard it is raining and the distance to the subject (among others). Darker backgrounds are better than light backgrounds else the rain streaks may not be visible.

The only problem was that the only pair of cranes I found were feeding on a lawn on the wrong side of the road.

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

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

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. 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.

Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.

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: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

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

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

The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.

As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.

You can order the five videos in Volume I by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Typos

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

Great News

Once I get my taxes to my accountant, I will be announcing several trips. Note that there is still a single opening on the first Homer Bald Eagle IPT. Click here for details.

Wanted to Buy

If you have a Canon EF 180mm Lens sitting on a shelf doing nothing and would like to get a good price for it, please get in touch via e-mail.

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images is your favorite? Why? I have a very clear winner that I will share with you in the next post.

My Calls

Thanks to those who chimed in with their three (or five!) top images in the last post. The winner was the iPhone clouds pano. I liked that one and the flower as well, but my top tree were all birds, here in no particular order:

Image #9: Great Egret juvenile with bill open.
Image #3: Least Sandpiper adult in basic (winter) plumage.
Image #5: White-winged Dove on sand beach!

Right on their heels were Image #4: Sandhill Crane adult calling and Image #10: Stretched wing of Anhinga.

What’s Up?

First off, thanks to Marc Wortsman and Robert Sabine (both of Long Island, NY) for their generous BAA Blog Thank You Gifts.

As noted in the Indian Lake Estates Late Summer Potpourri blog post here, I’ve been enjoying some unexpected fabulous bird photography recently at ILE. In that post, I did not even mention the fabulous morning that I had with bathing Black Vultures on Monday past, 16 September. Three days later, on Thursday the 19th, I had a handsome young Great Egret preening for an hour on The Perch II, finally got some sweet stuff on the young Tricolored Heron that had been avoiding me for two weeks, and was blessed by a bathing Great Blue Heron. Though I fanned on two of the three best chances, it was still a fantastic morning.

Yesterday, on Friday morning, despite seemingly perfect conditions — clear with a NE breeze, I had a comparatively lousy morning. But still was able to create today’s two featured images.

Today is Saturday 21 September 2021. I’ve just about finished my 2023 taxes and am awaiting the return of Chip the accountant from vacation. He should be back in Clearwater any minute. It is dead clear with a gentle breeze from the north so I will, of course, be heading down to the lake at about 7:15am. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

Need a New Laptop?

Need a new laptop for photography? Consider the Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M3 Max, Space Black).

Key Features

Apple M3 Max 16-Core Chip
128GB Unified RAM | 8TB SSD
16″ 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
40-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
Backlit Magic Keyboard
Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
macOS

In other words, the bomb. Looking to spend a bit less? Click here and search for Apple MacBook Pro M3. Feel free to e-mail or call (863-221-23720 for laptop advice.

Why Not Buy Your MacBook Pro From Apple?

If you purchase a laptop from Apple and have a problem right off the bat they will fix it for you in a few days or a week after you send it to them. They will not replace it. If you purchase a laptop from B&H and have a problem right out of the box, they will send you a new one no questions asked.

Save 15%!

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.

Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com

B&H

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Bedfords Amazing 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, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

This image was created on 20 September 2024 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 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1000. 1/500 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one full stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning. Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle perched above old nest tree

Hopeful…

Recently, I’d seen a single eagle once at last year’s (lousy for bird photography) eagle nest, and twice seen a single bird at the old nest tree (above, and great for bird photography). One afternoon I had the two adults on the ground near last year’s nest. But, as usual, they were impossible to approach successfully in my vehicle. I love the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest hole and the inclusion of the pine needles in Image #1. And the early light.

Image #1 Lessons

When Using Your Car as a Blind

1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back. I am not sure if it would have been possible to have had the woodpecker nest hole perfectly illuminated (without even the tiny shadow).

2- When working a subject well above you, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of inclination, the degree to which you need to point the lens up to get on the subject.

3- Toward that same end, roll the driver’s side window with the BLUBB up as high as possible while still allowing you to get the lens on it.

4- If you have a subject that is not going anywhere, try experimenting with apertures smaller than wide open and see if you can learn anything.

5- In the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:

a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.

This image was also created on 20 September 2024 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 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 3200. 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:02:16am on sunny morning. Tracking: (upper left) Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Black-bellied Whistling Duck after bath

Image #2 Lessons

When Using Your Car as a Blind

1- When you are a good distance from the subject, it is easy to get right on sun angle by moving the car slightly forward or back.

2- When working a subject on the ground, it is almost always best to stay well back and get to your maximum focal length, 1200mm in this case. That to reduce the angle of declination, the degree to which you need to point the lens down to get on the subject.

3- Toward that same end, be sure to roll the driver’s side window down all the way so that the BLUBB rests on the door frame. Simply put, you want to be as low as possible assuming that you could not get out of the vehicle without flushing the bird.

4- Again, in the it-almost-goes-without-saying category:

a- If your long telephoto lens has a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) switch, be sure that it is set to OFF so that you do not accidentally wreck the focus.
b- Turn off the engine.

Typos

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

Pat Fishburne

Pat visited ILE in June for a day of private Sony instruction. She used both my a1 and my a9 iii and decided to go with the a9 iii because of the better autofocus system and the smaller file sizes. You can read the whole story and see two of the great images she made with the 300mm f/2.8/2X TC/a9 iii rig hand held in the

Hard to Believe. A New Record: 86 Years Young!

blog post here.. More proof that you are never too old to switch to Sony.

Your Call?

All are invited to pick their three favorite Pat Fishburne Nickerson Beach images and list them with the best one first. Again, this will be a tough chore. Kind folks will let us know why they made their choices. (Note: all of the image optimizations were done by yours truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

a9 iii E-mail Set-up and Info Guide

a9 iii E-mail Set-up and Info Guide

For those who think that my comments on the a9 iii are pure hype, know that I recently sold the second of my three a1 bodies.

If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up), a Buttons and Dials Guide, and an a9 iii Info Sheet.

For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your a copy here for $209.93. Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.

The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide

Impressed by my (or Pat’s) Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.

If not, you can purchase a copy here for $209.93. Yes, it never hurts to use my links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail before you make a major purchase, I can often save you some money.

What’s Up?

The thumb incision is healed perfectly and the tenderness on the inside of my right ring finger is decreasing slowly but steadily. I’ve been back in the pool the last two days. And I’ve made great progress on my 2023 tax return.

I’ve been photographing a variety of subjects every morning down by the lake with varying degrees of success. I continue to work with my new a-1 body, the one with Firmware 2.01. I’ve learned a ton and will soon be moving to 2.02. The a-1 group will be hearing from me within the next two weeks as preparing three new .DAT file and the Buttons and Dials/My Menu guides will take lots of time and effort.

In the Rating Three Pretty-Close-to-Perfect Images blog post here, Images #1 and #2 tied for first while Image #3, though technically perfect was my third and last choice.

Today is Sunday 15 September 2024 and yes, I will be heading down to the lake soon to see what I see and learn what I can learn. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a Thank You gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

This image was created on 2 August 2024 by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing at full height she used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (zoomed out to 140mm), and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 5000: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:28:38pm on a very cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot (moved to the lower center) AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Bird-scape: Black Skimmers and Common Terns on the beach Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Learned on the First Afternoon

1- When creating bird-scapes, you always want to focus on the closest bird.

2- When working with very small in the frame subject’s, it is better to move the AF point to the bottom of the frame than to begin with the point in the center and rely on the tracking to hold.

3- She learned to watch the edges when creating bird-scapes.

This image was created on 3 August 2024 by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand, she used the knee-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (zoomed out to 140mm), and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:39:37am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Black Skimmer chick about one week old Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Learned on the First Morning

1- When you know that you are going to need to crop, use the center AF point as it is generally just a bit more consistent than if you had moved it out of the middle.

2- Sharp a9 iii images can stand up to healthy crops a lot better than most folks assume.

3- It always pays to keep your eye on the head angle.

This image was also created on 5 August by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand using the knee–pod technique, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/1600 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 7:09:42pm on a typical — some clouds on the western horizon — late afternoon at Nickerson. Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Black Skimmer adult standing in colony Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Learned on the Second Afternoon

1- Working in Manual mode is best for 90% of bird photography as the background tonalities change as you recompose.

2- Tracking: Zone AF-C is generally best when photographing birds on the ground as it will grab the eye and enable you to recompose while sticking on the eye.

This image was created on 5 August 2024 by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Again seated on dry sand, she used the knee-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Multi-metering +2 stops in Shutter Priority mode. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:01:40am early on a very hazy morning. Tracking: (lower right) Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Adult and young Great Black-backed Gull at sunrise Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Taught artie on the Third Morning

1- I learned that on muted sunrises (and sunsets) that you do not have to get super low at 600mm to include the sun in the frame!

What Pat Learned on the Third Morning

1- In extreme low light conditions with uniformly light toned backgrounds and predawn or cloudy conditions, Shutter Priority with AUTO ISO and Exposure Compensation can be best.

2- Adding two stops of light in such conditions will almost always get you into the ballpark.

3- You can move the Zone AF brackets around the frame (using the Joystick) to render your AF system more efficient.

This image was also created on 5 August 2024 by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Again seated on dry sand, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (zoomed out to 140mm), and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Multi-metering +1 stop in Shutter Priority mode. AUTO ISO set ISO 320: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:16:55am on a hazy morning. Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Black Skimmer backlit in flight against colorful sunrise Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Else Pat Learned on the Third Morning

1- If you are working in Shutter Priority Mode at +2 EC in low light, and the muted sun lights up the sky as it rises, lower the EC to +1 so that you will not overexpose the brightest areas of the sky.

2- A west wind in the morning will be poor for traditional flight photography once the sun breaks through the haze, but it is perfect for creating flight silhouettes if you get some early sky color.

This image was also created on 5 August 2024 by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (zoomed out to 140mm), and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:39:37am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Common Tern — adult with Atlantic Silversides (spearing) fish for chick Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What artie Learned on the Third Morning

1- He learned that he is right when he says, “Relative beginners using today’s great mirrorless gear with their cameras set up properly and just a bit of instruction can — on occasion, make better photos than the seasoned professional sitting right next to them.” Well done, Pat!

What Pat Learned on the Third Morning

1- That using Tracking Zone with the brackets in the center and the bird on the ground can be used to create perfectly designed images by acquiring focus and then re-composing by moving the lens if and as needed. (Note that there is four times as much room from the tip of the bill to the frame edge than there is from the tip of the tail to the frame edge — The Mike DeRosa Rule).

This image was also created on 5 August by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand using the knee–pod technique, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 3200: 1/800 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 7:28:04pm on a typical — some clouds on the western horizon — late afternoon at Nickerson. Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #7: American Oystercatcher juvenile preening Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Learned on the Fourth Afternoon

1- Proper head angle is dependent on the pose. (Ten degrees towards is perfect for this image.)

2- If you’ve got a good horse ride it. (On each IPT, we spent many hours photographing the un-banded family of four.)

This image was also created on 5 August by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 3200: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one stop in error) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:55:59pm on a typical — some clouds on the western horizon — late afternoon at Nickerson. Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #8: Common Tern — adult with fish for chick on snow fence at sunset Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Else Pat Learned on the Fourth Afternoon

1- That she did not need to be right next to me to create excellent images. (She wandered off by herself to look for a tern on the snow fence, found just what she was looking for, and created a wonderful image all on her own. She was justifiably very proud of herself. As was I of her.)

2- That as long as you employ good sharpness techniques you do not always need to be at 1/2000 or 1/1000 sec. in order to create sharp images.

This image was created on 6 August by 86-year old Pat Fishburne on the second Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing at full height, she used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 3200: 1/3200 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 7:47:16am on a cloudy morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #9: Black Skimmer — adult in flight with fish for chick Image courtesy of and copyright Patricia Fishburne

What Pat Learned on the Fourth Morning

1- In cloudy conditions you do not have to worry about sun angle as long as there are no shadows. The important thing is to keep the wind somewhere behind you so that the birds are at least angling toward you.

2- In white sky conditions you must expose far to the right to avoid underexposing the subject. especially those with some dark or black feathers.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

I did get down to the lake on Sunday morning past and had some good chances on a fresh juvenile Least Sandpiper (!), a Killdeer, a very tame young Limpkin preening, two Sandhill Cranes, and both Black and Turkey Vultures. Monday morning dawned dark and cloudy so I did not head down to the lake until well after 9:30am when things began to brighten up a bit. The lakeshore was dead. As I was getting out of my car for what turned out to be a 1.5 mile shirt/off sun walk, I noticed a Great Blue Heron in the marsh just north of the pier. So, I got back into the car and drove onto the grass to get closer to the bird. As it has been raining a ton here, I left some nasty tire tracks on the grassy field and was lucky not to get stuck.

I checked the old eagle nest several times on both mornings but never saw the previously reported birds either on the nest or anywhere else.

In the recent Two Wins for Shutter Priority Mode! blog post here, Maggi Fuller, who never likes any blurred images kindly noted that “Image 2 is of course for me, the best of the two, amazingly sharp and perfect head angle… It’s a nice shot of an Oystercatcher, but really, no “wow” factor for her … Just a nice image..”

David Policansky also preferred Image 2, but agreed with Maggi Fuller that it had no wow factor. He added that he did not think that the slightly blurred body in Image 2 added anything. For me, the wow factor with Image #2 had to do with the fact (as noted by Maggi) that the head of the bathing bird was amazingly sharp at 1/30 second. For me that’s a huge wow! How many sharp images ave you made at 1/30 second when working at 600mm? The answer for me is “very few in 41 years.”

Like today’s featured images, many of the images on the BAA blog do lack the wow factor. Again, as with today’s images, many or most of those are posted for educational purposes. As for oystercatcher images, I (and Monte Brown as well — tanks, Monte), liked Image #1 — the pleasing somewhat angelic blur — best. The point of the post was that working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO can be an effective choice when working with backgrounds of uniform tonality (especially in the low light of pre-dawn).

As to the water color question, Anthony Ardito wrote: I like the water the way it looks in real life, so dull and grey, lol! I was not sure if he was being facetious or not. Monte Brown would have liked to have seen “a touch more blue in the water.” I did actually try to make the water a bit bluer during the image optimization because many folks here on the blog do not like white water or white skies on cloudy days. I was not thrilled with the resulting color of the Atlantic and would have preferred whiter water so that the images would have showed a bit more contrast …

Here are some thoughts on becoming a better bird photographer. The first step is to learn to create sharp, properly exposed images of easy subjects doing nothing but nicely positioned in the frame. Until you can do that consistently, it is best to put thoughts of great flight and action shots on the back burner. With today’s amazing mirrorless gear, those will come quickly enough.

Kudos to eagle-eyed Joel Eade for his insightful comment on the juvie Osprey reflection image in the Questions, Comments, Suspicions? blog post here. We will exploring lots more on reflections in a future blog post.

I did get back to work on my 2023 tax return yesterday and got lots done. Today is Tuesday 10 September 2024. It is dark, dreary and humid outside but I will head down to the lake for a bit at some point to continue evaluating Sony a-1 Firmware Update 2.01. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a Thank You gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

This image was created on 9 September down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800. 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 10:22:25am on a cloudy, very bright morning. Upper Center Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Great Blue Heron in marsh at f/8– head and neck portrait

1200mm at f/8

I could have lived with the background here but for the single, too-close-to-the-bird and thus distracting to me, out-of-focus blade of vegetation lower right. The rest of the background is, as expected, beautifully de-focused.

This image was created on 9 September down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800. 1/500 sec. at f1 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 10:23:01am on a cloudy, very bright morning. Upper Center Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Great Blue Heron in marsh at f/11 — head and neck portrait

1200mm at f/11

For years here on the blog I have professed my love of working wide open with long focal lengths because stopping down even only one stop “will bring up unwanted background detail.” When viewing Image #1 and #2 separately it is not easy to see that unwanted background detail was brought up by stopping down one stop from f/8 to f/11. That is why I created the animated GIF immediately below.

As for the bird’s pose, I like Image #2 a lot better than Image #1 as the head is slighlty cocked down and the head is turned a bit toward the viewer.

The Animated GIF

Viewing the animated GIF makes it a lot easier to see both the increased (and unwanted) background detail and the better head angle in Image #2. The extra stop of depth-of-field at f/11 did help to keep the bill tip sharp in Image #2.

This image was created on 9 September down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800. 1/1000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 10:22:25am on a cloudy, very bright morning. Upper Center Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Cleaned up version of the Great Blue Heron in marsh at f/8 — head and neck portrait image

The f/8 Capture Cleaned Up

I used my usual cadre of Photoshop Tools and techniques for the clean up work: the Remove Tool, the Patch Tool, the Clone Stamp, a Gaussian Blur on the background (in conjunction with a Hide-all, Inverse, or Black Layer Mask, and a series of small Quick Masks each refined by the addition of a Regular Layer Mask.

This image was created on 9 September down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800. 1/500 sec. at f1 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 10:23:01am on a cloudy, very bright morning. Upper Center Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Cleaned up version of the Great Blue Heron in marsh at f/11 — head and neck portrait image

The f/11 Capture Cleaned Up/Your Calls?

Removing the white feather on the bill in each image was time consuming as I needed to work large and slowly. Do you prefer one bill over the other? Why?

Which of the two cleaned up version is your favorite, Image #1 created at f/8, or Image #2 created at f/11? Please be so kind as to let us know why you made your choice.

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

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

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. 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.

Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.

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: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

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

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

The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized more than a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.

As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.

You can save $26 by ordering the first five videos in Volume I by clicking here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? Please be so kind as to leave a comment and let us know why you liked the one you like best.

Need a New Laptop?

Need a new laptop for photography? Consider the Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M3 Max, Space Black).

Key Features

Apple M3 Max 16-Core Chip
128GB Unified RAM | 8TB SSD
16″ 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
40-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
Backlit Magic Keyboard
Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
macOS

In other words, the bomb. Looking to spend a bit less? Click here and search for Apple MacBook Pro M3. Feel free to e-mail or call (863-221-23720 for laptop advice.

Why Not Buy Your MacBook Pro From Apple?

If you purchase a laptop from Apple and have a problem right off the bat they will fix it for you in a few days or a week after you send it to them. They will not replace it. If you purchase a laptop from B&H and have a problem right out of the box, they will send you a new one no questions asked.

What’s Up?

My trip home was blessedly uneventful. I managed a bit of sleep on the southbound Auto Train and got lots of work done. By doing three second edits, I cleared .19 TB of space on my laptop. I like to have at least 5TB of space on the solid state drive in the laptop so that I will not have any problems when backing up to my 4TB SSDs. The work I did on the train got me here: 5.02 TB available of 8 TB.

I was glad to hear that Greg Clarkson sold his Sony 90mm Macro lens for the asking price the first day it was listed. If you are interested in his pretty much new Sony 200-600 G Lens, check out his listing on the Used Gear page here.

Today is Friday 6 September and it feels good to be home. Bird photography at Indian Lake Estates on muggy August days is usually not very good so I will be staying in this morning. I have lots to do in the next few weeks, most importantly, is finishing my 2023 tax return. I have been working on a mega-YouTube video: Shutter Speeds for Bird Photography. Stay tuned. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have fun and to enjoy life.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a Thank You gift here.

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR Camera Body

Used Gear page veteran Ralph Fletcher is offering a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR Camera in near-excellent condition (would be excellent plus but for some chipped paint on the bottom of the camera body) for $999.00. The sale includes the original box, the front lens cap, the battery and the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Ralph via at e-mail or by phone at 1-603-969-5776 (eastern time zone).

The 1DX Mark II is a rugged, fast Canon professional digital camera body. It features an excellent AF system and high quality image files with great dynamic range. When he used Canon, it was the first choice of Arash Hazeghi, the world’s premier photographer of birds in flight. Two 1DX II served as my workhorse bodies for several years. And I loved them. artie

Save 15%!

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.

Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com

B&H

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Bedfords Amazing 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, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. 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 17 August 2024 on a Nickerson Beach (extended) IPT. Seated on damp sand I used the lowered Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the rear wheel. Multi metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 500: 1/30 second at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority Mode. AWB at 6:18:07am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: American Oystercatcher juvenile flapping after bath

Two Wins for Shutter Priority Mode

In the recent Two Sony a-1 Black-bellied Action Images here, I wrote, in part:

There are times, however, when working in situations where the tonality of the background is relatively consistent that working in Shutter Priority mode offers some huge advantages. At the beach, before the sun comes up, the sky, the water, and the beach are all of about the same tonality, each much lighter than a middle tone. As the possibility of creating some nice pleasing blurs exists, I will set up the camera as follows: AUTO ISO, Exposure Compensation (EC) on the thumb dial, and Shutter Priority. Then I’ll usually set the EC to +2 1/3 stops and the shutter speed to 1/15 sec., the classic blur speed.

The camera sets the ISO and the well-to-the-right exposures are excellent. And, I can quickly and easily change the shutter speed during a blastoff to try for a different effect. If a nice bird lands right in front of me, I can quickly dial the shutter speed up to 1/60 or 1/125 sec. and begin making sharp images almost instantly (without having to change both the shutter speed and the ISO as I would have had to do if I had been working in Manual mode). Note: By using Zebra technology, I can always tweak the EC as needed.

Win #1

With a single bird fairly close, a shutter speed of 1/30 sec., and the bird flapping after a bath, I created an image with precisely the degree of wing blur that I was looking for, the angelic look. And I judged the eye just sharp enough so that I did not have to mess with it.

This image was created on 17 August 2024 on a Nickerson Beach (extended) IPT. Seated on damp sand I used the lowered Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the rear wheel. Multi metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1000: 1/30 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Shutter Priority Mode. AWB at 6:19:39am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: American Oystercatcher juvenile pausing for an instant mid-bath

Win #2

As noted in the previous blog post quoted above, you can often create something sharp by increasing the shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/125 sec. Image #2 was one of a fairly long series of images, all at 1/30 sec. At that shutter speed, I absolutely got lucky by creating a single sharp-on-the-eye photo. Click on the image and you can see the sharp eye and lots of motion blur elsewhere on the bird. At the instant I hit the shutter button, the bird’s head, by chance, was perfectly still while the wings and the waves were moving.

Why Did I Add the 1.4X TC?

I wanted to get closer, but as I was shooting with two other photographers and did not want to risk disturbing the un-banded family of four, I opted to add the 1.4X TC. Because I was working in Shutter Priority mode, I did not have to change a single setting. If I had been in manual mode, I would have had to change the ISO.

Note that with practice, you can add a TC to a tripod mounted telephoto lens in less than 30 seconds.

Water Color Question

Do you like the grayish-blue water in both images? Or would you have preferred the water either darker and bluer or lighter and whiter?

Typos

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

Working a Subject

Photographing a species and then checking it off your list is not something that I strive to do. The idea is to create interesting images. Though each of today’s photos is of the same subject, juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs, each is distinctly different. There are a variety of behaviors, poses, habitats, and image formats and designs.

Your Call?

Which of today’s seven featured images is the strongest? Please be so kind as to leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.

Please note that there are several additional questions below; each is designed to make you think and hopefully, to help you become a better bird photographer.

What’s Up?

With high tide at 7:20am and cloudy skies and a southeast wind forecast for Friday past, I set my alarm for 5:15am and arrived at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge just after 6:15am. I had planned on visiting the East Pond on the Combo IPT on the previous set of morning high tides but things were so good at Nickerson Beach that Geri and I never made it.

As I walked out onto the pond, I was delighted to note the low water level. Kudos to the refuge management for getting the gate valve at the north end of the pond repaired and keeping the water down despite lots of recent rain. What struck me the most, were the huge stands of blossoming saltmarsh fleabane (Pluchea odorata) that covered acres and acres of shoreline. On 46 years of previous visits, you might see a few plants blossoming at the end of August.

I was feeling quite nostalgic as I traversed the pond. Forty-eight years ago, on my first visit to the East Pond, I saw a Marbled Godwit that wound up changing the remainder of my adult life. I thought of the late Thomas H. Davis Jr, all 145 pounds, 6′ 9″ of him. He taught me to identify and age the shorebirds that visit the pond every season. I thought of my late wife Elaine picking up a dying Forster’s Tern and comforting it. Memories of rare birds and two Jewish high holiday screw-ups flooded my mind and left me feeling quite emotional at times.

I was glad to see lots of shorebirds on the pond. I began on the South Flats and made my way up to the Raunt stopping several times to photograph. I left quite satisfied at about 11:00am. I hit the sack early on Saturday night and woke completely refreshed at 4:45am. I had not planned on returning to the pond but figured what the heck. After making some raspberry tea, I headed back to the East pond leaving at 5:45am.

With the wind having switched to the southwest, I was not feeling stoked. The morning began slowly but then things got better and better. I had lots of birds posing on the weathered boards at the Raunt and right before I headed home at 11:30am, I got my best ever, heck, probably my first ever, images of a Sora, a small usually secretive rail.

Today is Monday September 2, 2024. With a cold northwest wind in the forecast, I opted to stay home and begin packing up for my trip home. I see Dr. Pop tomorrow to have the seven stitches removed from the back of my right thumb. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you choose to have fun.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

This image was created on 31 August 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:12:30am on a very cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage lying flat in the water

Behavior Question

Why is this bird lying flat in the water?

This image was created on 31 August 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass I used the heel-pod technique to get as low as possible with the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/640 second at f/5.6 (stopped down one full stop for depth of field) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:15:27am on a very cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage standing

Image Optimization Question

Images #1 and #2 are of the same bird photographed in the same light just minutes apart. For the first image, I desaturated it completely but for the yellow on the bill that was then juiced up. The color in the second image is much more accurate. Which version do you prefer?

Because of the answer to the behavior question above, this bird posed quite close to me long enough for me to remove the 1.4X TC, take the right off the tripod, and make several images. I will share my choice in the next blog post.

This image was created on 31 August 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:05:57am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage on weathered timber with sedge

The Raunt

About 1/4 of the way up the eastern shore of the East Pond (heading north, toward the city), you will come across the remains of a circa 1950s baymen’s community.

Many lengths of weathered timber can be found in the area. Most are covered with algae and some have a variety of wetlands vegetation growing on them. These old rotting beams and planks make ideal perches for the visiting shorebirds because you get to see their feet (usually unseen in an inch or two of brackish water).

This image was created on 31 August 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted 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: 1/500 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. AWB at 10:03:17am on a very cloudy morning. Focus was acquired via Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C. Then I turned the AF switch to M (Manual Focus) and made sure not to touch the focusing ring. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #4: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage resting in front of a stand of saltmarsh fleabane

High Level Focusing Technique Question

Why did I focus first and then move the autofocus switch to OFF? Clue: I would not have had to do this if I had been using the a9 iii rather than the a-1.

This image was created on 1 September 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. AWB at 10:04:13am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #5: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage swimming

Swimming Shorebirds

Only a few species of shorebirds swim. Among those are all of the Tringas (including both our yellowlegs), Stilt Sandpiper, all of the avocets including our American Avocet, and somewhat surprisingly, Red Knot and Dunlin.

This image was created on 1 September 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my lowered Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. AWB at 10:08:02am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image 6: Lesser Yellowlegs — worn juvenal plumage on weathered timber

Sometimes Praying Helps

The yellowlegs in Image #6 was fishing well within range of my 840mm rig. I talked softly to it, “Up on the log, please.” I prayed a bit. Then my prayers were answered.

This image was created on 1 September 2024 at the East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY. Seated on damp grass and mud behind my lowered Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 4000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 11:09:21am on then very cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #7: Lesser Yellowlegs — juvenal plumage preening in front of saltmarsh fleabane

Sora Distraction

For two days, folk had been telling me about a Sora in a small pond on the South Flats. I had looked for it several times without success. I checked the location one last time before heading home on Sunday but did not see the bird. Thanks to the Asian woman who pointed it out to me. Typically, the Sora was playing hide and seek in the reeds that fringed the pond. When it hid, I photographed the preening Lesser Yellowlegs.

Note that this individual is in the freshest juvenal plumage of the lot with the upperparts’ feathers looking more black and white than brownish and white.

Image Question

Would you delete this image because the bird’s face is hidden? Why or why not?

Typos

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

What are They Thinking?

After reading the article below, please take a moment to sign and share the petition below. I did, and it only took a minute as most of the work has been done for you.

https://floridawildlifefederation.org/action-state-parks…/

In addition, call the Governor’s office at 1-850-717-9337. Press option 1 and voice your dispaproval of all plans to develop Florida State Parks.

It is hard to comprehend that these plans were announced by the Department of Environmental Protection. What’s in a name anyway? Governor Ron DeSantis wholeheartedly backs the plans.

I first learned of this important issue on William Steele’s Facebook page. The first round of scheduled meetings has been postponed. You can find lots more important information here.

Florida Is Trying to Ram Development of State Parks, “Skirting the Legal Process”

Posted August 21 2024

By Jason Cochran (from the Frommer’s Website here.)

Floridians are sounding a red alert after the state unexpectedly revealed its intent to allow rapid development at nine of Florida’s nature reserves, sidestepping the usual process that allows for public participation.

“This appears to be something that has been planned in secret, and it doesn’t appear to have involved the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who are volunteers in the parks, the citizen support organizations, or the many people who have been involved in helping to create and develop Florida’s award-winning park system,” said Eric Draper, who served as the director of Florida’s state parks between 2017 and 2021, in the Tampa Bay Times.

On Aug. 19, Florida’s current Department of Environmental Protection announced plans to carve out major sections of nine state parks for several construction projects. Many of the areas are on pristine land that has never before been built upon.

One proposal obtained by citizen watchdogs called for the bulldozing of a section of John Dickinson State Park, north of Jupiter, to be replaced by two 18-hole golf courses, another 9-hole golf course, and a clubhouse. The development would destroy protected Atlantic coastal scrub habitat and a heritage observation tower at Hobe Mountain, pictured above.

“I’m not sure who is feeling a desperate lack of golf courses in southeast Florida, but what I can tell you is we are feeling a desperate lack of native scrub habitat,” Julie Brashears Wraithmell, executive director of Audubon Florida, told the Palm Beach Post. “Putting in a golf course on top of habitat is not what state parks are meant to be.”

Plans for construction at all nine state parks were announced simultaneously, and, contrary to the legal protocol, the state gave members of the public just 8 days to research the impact to the natural habitat, study potential conflicts, and catch corruption in government contracting before public comment is solicited.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, other projects suddenly threatening Florida’s nature reserves include a new 350-room lodge at Anastasia State Park near St. Augustine and another 350-room lodge at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park near Panama City Beach.

Sections of Hillsborough River State Park near Tampa are slated to be cleared for a “disc golf course” and paved over for pickleball courts. New space for “glamping” was announced for Oleta River State Park, a rare green space in the urban Miami Beach area.

Most of the state parks already have amenities for recreation and overnight visitors. The Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society, for instance, says that location already has a 106-site family campground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a canoe launch.

In interviews, the Tampa Bay Times found that even officials who run the state parks had not been informed of the construction plans. Meanwhile, the state’s newly filed land planning documents claim the changes have been in the works, including through “field meetings,” since 2022.

The public comment process is happening in a manner that will severely limit citizen input. The Florida government is scheduling eight different public comment meetings to be held on a single day—Tuesday, Aug. 27—spread across various locations spanning a whopping 620 miles across the state.

That far-flung simultaneous scheduling, which comes just 6 work days after the plans were announced, will make it impossible for citizens to attend more than one hearing or to comment on the scheme as a whole.

“This seems like a process that is deliberately intended to avoid public participation. The whole spirit of the law is to encourage public participation,” Draper told the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis—famous for loving golf (he even owns a $28,000 golf simulator, courtesy of a political donor) and his administration have named the state park destruction plans the “Great Outdoors Initiative.”

The Tampa Bay Times has spent this week pressing Gov. DeSantis’ office and the state’s environmental agency to answer questions about the surprise development scheme, but so far, DeSantis and company have stonewalled journalists.

This isn’t the first time the DeSantis government has gone around state residents to force its commercial will upon vacation-related destinations. In 2021, after a majority of Key West voters approved a legal referendum to limit the number of cruise passengers permitted to disembark in the town, the DeSantis administration and the Republican-dominated state legislature simply passed a new law to reverse the result of the public vote.

This also isn’t the first time Florida’s ruling elites have tried to convert the state’s nature reserves into cash cows catering to personal leisure interests. In 2011, the Florida legislature attempted to pass a law to allow celebrity golfer Jack Nicklaus to build golf courses in state parks. That plot was withdrawn after public outcry.

It should go without saying that nature reserves have a deep value to our society and our heritage (not to mention the Earth), and citizens should always have an extensive opportunity to examine and approve any construction plans that affect public lands.

The DeSantis government, hiding behind closed doors and trying to splinter any opposition by scheduling distant in-person public hearings swiftly and simultaneously, is trying to force irreversible destruction and commercial exploitation on Florida’s dwindling and threatened ecosystem, and the public deserves better.

Nature reserves are not a partisan issue, and any changes to them must be conducted in the sunshine. The so-called Sunshine State is now depriving Americans of both political parties of the right to appropriately scrutinize and evaluate any changes to our public lands.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

My surgery went well. I am healing nicely at younger daughter Alissa’s home in Ronkonkoma in Suffolk County, Long Island. The best news is that the tingling pain that came and went in the first four fingers of my right hand is pretty much gone. And, I have not had to take any oxycodone. If all continues to go well as we expect, I will have my stitches taken out on 3 September, drive to Lorton, VA on the 4th, and be headed south on the Auto Train that same evening. I should be back home at ILE just after lunch on the 5th.

Today is Friday 23 August 2024. After publishing the new YouTube video and this post, I will begin work on an article for the new Bird Watcher’s Digest (BWD) Magazine; the working title is Shifting Sands; Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto County Park. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too choose to have a great day.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

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

Supporting My Efforts Here

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.

In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear.

Save 15%!

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.

Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com

B&H

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

Bedfords Simplified

Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

Bedfords Amazing 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, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. 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 Second Edit — Two Afternoons of Young Skimmers Skimming

On my recent month-long Nickerson Beach (Lido Beach, Long Island, NY) visit, we had two excellent afternoons with decent light and the wind from the WSW. Those conditions had the young Black Skimmers practicing skimming mostly right at us. Sit beside me as I select my second edit keepers as I explain the various factors that helped me decide to tag or delete each image. I kept 27 out of 48 (21 deleted) from the first session and 22 out of 41 (19 deleted) from the afternoon of 11 August. If you like flight photography, you will learn a ton.

The 89 first round keepers had previously been selected from two afternoon folders totaling more than 5,000 images. Do understand that each of the 40 images deleted after the second round of editing (Untagged > Command A — select all, > Command Delete in Photo Mechanic), and another 2000 or so deleted after the first edit, would have thrilled me as recently as five years ago. Why? Flight photography technology has improved drastically with the advent of high end mirrorless camera bodies. Right now, the science-fiction-like autofocus that I had dreamed of for so long is pretty much a reality.

On the first afternoon I used the a1. The next day, I went with the a9 iii. Below are my three favorites from the 49 keepers. I find it a bit strange that all were made at 420mm (300mm f/2.8 + 1.4X TC) rather than at 600mm (300mm f/2.8 + 2X TC).

This image was created on 10 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 4000. 1/3200 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:28:14pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. Zone AF-C AF with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Black Skimmer juvenile flying with seaweed

Practice Skimming

Though I have been watching young Black Skimmers skim near the shore at Nickerson Beach in August for more than two decades, I have never once seen one catch a fish. They will often pick up bits of grass, seaweed, or small sticks while skimming, but never a fish. They will skim in shallow puddles, and even skim the sand on occasion. It seems obvious to me that they are simply practicing skimming. Most will likely catch their first fish either on very calm mornings or by visiting and fishing nearby sheltered bays.

This image was created on 11 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:20:02pm on a barely sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. Zone AF-C AF with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Black Skimmer juvenile practice skimming with bill in foamy water

A9 iii AF

With most of the a9 iii images, as expected, Bird Face-Eye AF grabbed and tracked the young skimmer’s eye more consistently than the a1 did. Nonetheless, all of the a1 keepers were sharp on the eye despite the fact that with some of the images, a7 INFO showed the AF point on the bird’s wing or on the background. A possible explanation is that the recording of the active AF point or points on the a1 is not quite fast enough to keep up with the AF technology, not as fast as the recording capabilities of the a9 iii. Sharp a1 images will always offer superior quality when compared to sharp a9 iii images, and the a9 iii will always offer those shooting at 60 or 120 fps more wing positions and flight poses. Take your pick.

This image was also created on 11 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand, I again used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 6400. 1/3200 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:32:14pm on then cloudy afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect. Zone AF-C AF with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Black Skimmer juvenile practice skimming leaving wake

Your Call?

Which of today’s three featured images is your favorite? Why?

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which, if any, of today’s three featured images do you like? Why did you make your choice. If none of them, why?

What’s Up?

I’ve been busier than the proverbial one armed paper hanger. Today is Sunday 18 August. On Monday morning, I head out to eastern Long Island for pre-surgical testing and medical clearance. This coming Wednesday — assuming no unexpected problems, I will have carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist. I have had sporadic numbness and tingling in my right hand for several years that has gotten worse over time, sometimes to the point of pain. The numbness often makes sleep difficult. It goes from the inside of my right ring finger to the inside of the right thumb, classic median nerve/carpal tunnel symptoms. More than a few times recently, I could not feel the shutter button at all and had to press it with my right pointer finger. And typing has been and is a challenge. Right now the hand is numb pretty much 24/7. The surgery will be done at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY by the word’s greatest hand surgeon, Dr. Steven Puopolo.

I have tried Vitamin B6 and all kinds of massage and stretching without success. While I am hoping that the surgery brings relief, there are of course, no guarantees.

I am far behind on e-mails so if you have been waiting to hear from me, please continue to be patient. With lots of rain in the forecast, I should get to some of them today.

On Friday evening, we were greeted by two evening high tide overflow pools at Nickerson. There were quite a few large gulls bathing and we had some fun with them. We were excited on Saturday morning to see if the pools had persisted. They had, and with the early morning high tide, they had gotten larger. Things started off slowly but by moving the group often as the pools first got deeper and then began to shrink, we enjoyed a ton of flight and bathing action for many hours, finally leaving the beach at about 11am as the sun broke through the heavy cloud cover. The 15 mph wind from the southeast had been perfect. Using my a9 iii for the first time in a while, I created more than 16,000 images. Anke made more than 8,000, and Geri about 5,500. With the extreme low light conditions, we were all using very high ISOs most of the time. My keeper rate for the first edit was a shade less than 2%, about twice what I had expected.

By the time we left, the pools had shrunk to relatively small puddles.

We were curious to see what the conditions would be like on Saturday evening, wondering if there would be any pools left at all. As we walked over the wooden walkway to the beach, we were stunned to see that the entire beach was flooded, almost from the parking lot to the berm. It was an amazing sight. With little light, I experimented first with ridiculously high ISOs, as high as 40,000 (at f/2.8!) but then went to blurs. There were lots of skimmers skimming and huge tern blastoffs.

This image was created on 17 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY on the (extended) Combo IPT. Seated on damp sand, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 10000. 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:57:49am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Black Skimmer juvenile skimming

a9 iii for Action

Knowing that the morning southeast wind combined with the flooding would likely produce lot of flight and bathing chances, I went with tripod mounted 600mm f/4 lens and the a9 iii, adding the 1.4X TC early on because most of the action was in the center of the pool.

This image was created on 17 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY on the (extended) Combo IPT. Seated on damp sand, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 5000. 1/3200 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:05:38am on a then cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Common Tern juvenile shaking off water in midair

Whole Lotta Shaking Going On. But When?

I kept missing the Common Tern midair shakes until I realized that when they flap after their baths and then keep flapping to lift off, the birds would consistently flap several times more before shaking the water off their feathers. Once I figured that out, I stayed on them and created a few neat photos despite the high ISOs. My double noise reduction technique (as detailed in Volume I of the Digital Basics III Video Series) produced clean, noise free images even at ISO 5000.

This image was created on 17 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY on the (extended) Combo IPT. Seated on damp sand, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/3200 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:05:38am on a then cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Black Skimmer adult taking flight after bath

Footsies! What’s With the Feet?

As we watched and photographed mostly adult skimmers bathing right in front of us for hours, we all noticed that they were doing very strange things with their feet as they lifted off and took flight. They would flap vigorously in place after they bathed, and when they lifted off, it seemed that they were using their feet to push the air to give them more lift. They would point their toes down and then bring their feet forward, sometimes in tandem, other times in opposition, as if trying to walk on air.

Though Image #3 looks very much like the bird is braking to land, it is actually taking flight. We all made some very interesting skimmer footsie photos.

Five videos, fifteen complete image optimizations. The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized about two years ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.

As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born. The five videos (with 15 image optimizations in all) will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Typos

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