Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

With help from several blog regulars, especially Ryan Sanderson and Joe Subolefsky, I continue to learn more about my Canon loaner gear, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x, and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. I had planned on publishing the big comparative blog post on the Canon gear above with the SONY 200-600/a9 ii/1.4X TC, but with the stuff I learned yesterday I need to do additional work on that post. I decided to share some of what I have learned with you here in a blog post that will set the stage for some of the information to be presented in the next blog post.

Below, I evaluate the performance of the R5’s Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF by way of ten images created on my first outing with the Canon loaner gear. Be sure to read down to my somewhat surprising conclusions. Questions and comments are welcome as always. And appreciated.

I dropped Anita North off at the Orlando Airport yesterday before noon for her flight back to Toronto. She hopes to make it to San Diego in January. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed some really good photography.

Most Important

As always, if what you read or learn here inspires or convinces you to purchase an R5 or 6, and/or the RF 100-500 lens, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to save 3% on your new gear and get it a lot quicker …

DPP4 (Digital Photo Professional 4.13.10 for macOS) Installation Successful! (for the most part …)

Huge thanks to the many who offered suggestions, especially Joel Eade and Patricia Hyde. None of their suggestions worked, but I tried them all and all were appreciated. And then I received an e-mail from (the very accomplished) British Professor, Sir Alan Fersht,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Fersht FRS FMedSci/Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, UK. He wrote:

The Canon Installer doesn’t work on some Macs because it doesn’t let the computer check for malware. The way to do it is to install it on another Mac which is compatible, and then copy the app onto a drive and transfer to your MacBook Pro.

Alan

While he was following up on the latter, I tried the former. I downloaded the installer for the Catalina version of DPP4 to my old MacBook Pro (Mojave). That went off without a hitch. Fortunately, there was a copy of an older version of DPP4 on the old laptop. Once I successfully installed DPP4 (Version 4.13.10 for macOS) I tried to AirDrop the entire Canon Utilities folder to my new laptop, but the old laptop could not see my new laptop. So I AirDropped the folder to Anita’s MacBook Pro and she AirDropped it to my new machine.

Problem solved? Not quite yet, but I had hope. Anita successfully guided me through the installation, security settings, and permissions maze, and in short order I had the latest version of DPP 4 up and running on my current MacBook Pro. Hooray. Being able to Show Focus Points had me feeling like the proverbial kid in the candy store. See the R5 Face Detection + Tracking AF feature below to see what I learned. Huge thanks to both Alan and Anita.

I just learned that the installation was not 100% successful as a compatible version of the EOS Lens Registration Tool did not install. None-the-less, I am thrilled to be able to see the RF focus points and AF data.

Please Remember

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

Back in Stock

We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks its a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing county-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

124 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

Puns for the Educated

Thanks to many multiple IPT veteran and dear friend John Dupps for sharing this internet pass-along with me via e-mail. The only one that I’d heard before is the one about the vulture and its carry-on. If you know any others or wish to share your favorite from the list below, please feel free to leave a comment. My favorites are 3, 19, and 25. And 11. And 16. Heck, they are all funny and very clever.

1. The fattest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.

6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

7. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

8. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

9. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: ‘You stay here; I’ll go on a head.’

13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

14. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: ‘Keep off the Grass.’

15. The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

16. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

17. A backward poet writes inverse.

18. In a democracy it’s your vote that counts. In feudalism it’s your count that votes.

19. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

20. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you’d be in Seine .

21. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, ‘I’m sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.’

22. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says ‘Dam!’

23. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can’t have your kayak and heat it too.

24. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, ‘I’ve lost my electron.’ The other says ‘Are you sure?’ The first replies, ‘Yes, I’m positive.

25. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

26. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

My Misunderstanding of Focus Breathing

What is Focus Breathing?

From the PhotographyLife.com article here.

Focus breathing is a term that describes the change in focal length that occurs as a result of adjusting the focusing distance of a lens. It is a common issue that occurs on many photographic lenses. As focus is adjusted from close focus to infinity, focus breathing causes noticeable changes in both angle of view and magnification.

These changes are often clearly visible to the photographer during the process of focusing, with different lenses exhibiting varying levels of focal length changes. Focus breathing issues can occur on both prime and zoom lenses.

I e-mailed this to Patrick Sparkman:

The quote below is from the article here.

“(It is) normal is for the composition to change size in the frame (sometimes significantly) as focus is pulled from one extent to the other. This is referred to as focus breathing, a change in focal length resulting from a change in focus distance. Focus breathing negatively impacts photographers intending to use focus stacking techniques, videographers pulling focus, and anyone very-critically framing while adjusting focus. This Canon RF 100-500 shows a moderate amount of focus breathing.”

That totally screws up what I thought was my correct understanding of focus breathing; I though that lenses that change the physical length when zooming did NOT suffer from focus breathing …

Patrick replied:

All lenses have focus breathing to some extent, and zooms generally have more of it. It all depends on what the designers prioritized. Like most things, designing a lens is full of compromises, especially with zoom lenses. Allowing the lens to change length while focusing might help focus breathing, but brings other compromises like mechanical complexity and cost as well the potential for lens elements to move out of alignment while moving. So to say a lens that changes length does not have focus breathing is incorrect. The designer might have made that decision for many reasons and the lens might still have focus breathing.

The Truth About R5 (and R6) Face Detection + Tracking AF (as I see It after my first session)

For as long as anyone has been photographing birds with the Canon R5 and R6, I have been hearing great things about Face Detection + Tracking AF. “It works perfectly every time. It is totally amazing. It never fails; ever!” I thought to myself, All of that would be great if it were true. Finding out how true these statements are is one of the many reasons that I wanted to get to field test an R5, and the main reason I wanted to get DPP4 up and running.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Little Blue Heron in pre-dawn light

The First Bird …

This is the first bird that I photographed with the R5. Light and contrast were low. When the AF point grabbed the relatively-small-in-the-frame subject’s eye and held onto it, I was very impressed. Could everything I had heard have been true?

Note that in each of today’s images that the red box signifies the AF point or area that was active at the moment of exposure.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Great Egret landing

The Second Bird

This is the 2nd bird that I photographed with the Canon loaner gear. Image #2 is one of a four keepers from a seven-frame sequence. All of the images suffered from motion blur. Three of the images had the wings clipped. Learn more about this situation in the next blog post. When I saw that the AF point was on the bird’s face or eye in all six frames, I could barely believe it …

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: Great Egret vertical

The Same Bird

The bird in Image #3 is the same bird as the bird in Image #2. If you were not impressed by the first two examples, this one should floor you.

Be sure to click on the image to better see the noise reduction on the water background. Image #3A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Great Egret vertical at 100%

Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Egret vertical image

I included this here in part to dispel the myth that R5 images are close to being noise free. As expected, you can see what I call “small pixel” noise in the before image on the left. Small pixel noise is a given with high megapixel cameras like the R5 (45 MP). Then note how beautifully Topaz DeNoise AI completely removed the noise from the blue water background and sharpened the image non-destructively as well.

Note also in the 100% view that Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF performed absolutely perfectly in a somewhat difficult situation. This image shows face detection at its best.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #4: Two Dunlin resting

The First Chink in the Armor?

Here is was using Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF but the system inexplicably could not pick up the birds eye. The AF system reverted to a large box. The image is very sharp on the eye. Do understand that for this AF mode to perform perfectly, the operator needs to keep the AF point right on the eye while recomposing. At times with the R5, the AF point slips off the eye and reverts to one of several larger squares or rectangles.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #5: Two Dunlin resting

Nineteen Seconds Later …

Nineteen seconds later, with the same two resting birds, the same photographer, and the same AF settings, Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF performed perfectly. Note: the bird’s face in Image #4 was more square to the sensor than the bird’s face in Image #5. This should have made it easier for the AF system to “see” the eye. But it did not.

1-point/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #6: Dunlin resting

Frustrated with Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF

At one point, while I was working with the tame dunlin, I became somewhat frustrated with the inability of Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF to see and track the bird’s eye so I switched to 1-point AF. I was easily able to move the AF point but in this case should have moved it farther to the right …

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #7: American Oystercatcher standing in surf

Another Failure

Here, with the eye plainly visible, the system again failed to track the eye properly. As expected, the focus on the eye is a bit off because the fold of the wing is closer to the sensor than the bird’s eye. It is highly likely that Topaz Sharpen AI could save this one.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #8: American Oystercatcher striding in surf

Back to Perfection

Six seconds later, with the bird now in motion, the AF system properly tracked the eye and rendered it perfectly sharp with the nice crispy eye skin that I love.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #9: Red Knot in surf

More of the Same

With this image, the system failed to recognize and track the subject’s eye, despite the fact that it was in plain sight. IAC, the bird’s eye is perfectly sharp because the knot’s face was on the same plane as its eye. In the next frame, the AF system tracked perfectly with a tiny box right on the subject’s eye just as in Images #5 and 7.

Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #10: Willet landing

Total Failure

Here, Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF failed completely; sharpest focus is on the leading edge of the inner portion of the bird’s right wing. I am pretty sure that the a9 ii in Center Zone AF-C would have nailed this one.

R5 (and R6) Face Detection + Tracking AF; the Somewhat Surprising (?) Conclusions

First off, realize that the images in this blog post were all created in a single (not very good) session at Fort DeSoto. That session was my first with the R5/RF 100-500/RF 1.4X Extender. I would fully expect that with more time in the field with this rig (an with possibly a few tweaks in the settings) that I will do better with Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF. In addition, I had very few opportunities to photograph birds in flight.

That said, I can state with confidence, that Face Detection + Tracking AF with the R5 is the best eye-tracking system I have ever run across. When it worked — which it did much but not all of the time — it performed superbly. Is it as perfect as enthusiastic folks have been saying? Absolutely not. But after decades of not having a camera that could consistently focus on birds in flight, I can understand their excitement.

SONY Face/Eye Priority by as compared to Face Detection + Tracking AF with the R5 is simply not very good. Here is what Patrick and I had to say about it in the Sony Camera User’s e-Guide:

When using any Tracking AF Area, we recommend that you set Face/Eye AF Set > Face/Eye Priority in AF to Off and that Subject Detection is set to Human. With a7 series bodies, if you have Subject Detection set to Animal Eye you will not be able to choose or use any Tracking Flexible Spot even if Face/Eye AF Set > Face/Eye Priority in AF is set to Off. With the a9 series bodies, if you have Face/Eye AF Set > Face/Eye Priority in AF set to On and Subject Detection set to Animal, Flexible Tracking Spot AF will often become quite erratic.

Right now I plan to continue to field test the Canon gear and am excited about doing so. I would think that at this point, the chances of my switching back to Canon completely are still less than 1%. But the chances of my purchasing a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens/Canon Extender RF 1.4x/Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body outfit have risen to about 51%. If I do buy this Canon rig, I will definitely be doing an R5/R6 guide.

If you are interested in an R5, an R6, and RF lens, or the EOS R adapters (that are needed to link your EOS R series bodies to your EF lenses), you will want to check out the Canon Comeback Fueled By Mirrorless Bodies & Lenses. The skinny on everything that you wanted to know about Canon Mirrorless but were afraid to ask … blog post (and especially the Comments) here.

If you’ve read this far, be sure to stay tuned for the big blog post comparing the Canon gear above to the SONY 200-600G/a9ii rig. It is coming soon.

Shame on SONY

Shame on SONY for not enabling users to show focus points or even determine the AF Area Mode after the fact. This has been and continues to be a glaring problem that prevents folks from learning the SONY AF system. I have written them several times over the past year but my pleas to rectify this situation have fallen on deaf ears.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

On Friday morning, our only session at DeSoto, I worked exclusively with my loaner Canon rig, the R5 and the RF 100-500 almost always with the RF 1.4X teleconverter.

On Saturday and Sunday morning Anita North and I decided to head back to Lakeland. The American White Pelicans that typically loaf on the bulkheads along the lakeshore have been roosting the base of a large, lighted ornamental X-mas tree in the middle of the lake. I was glad to learn that tree will be taken down after the holidays … On Saturday morning I went with the SONY 600 and the a9 ii, while on Sunday I again worked exclusively with my Canon gear: the R5, the RF 100-500, and usually the RF 1.4X teleconverter.

The more I use the Canon gear the more I learn. I will be sharing a ton with you here very soon by way of a comparison of the R5/100-500 with the SONY 200-600/a9 ii.

Though things were a bit on the slow side both mornings, we each made some really good images. Today’s featured images are all from our Saturday session.

BTW, I have not yet solved the DPP4 installation problem … Huge thanks to all those who tried to help.

Please Remember

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

Back in Stock

We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks its a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing county-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.

Wanted to Buy

If you have a used SONY 200-600 G lens that you would like to sell, please contact me via e-mail.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

124 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created by Anita North on 28 November 2020. She used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:03am in partly sunny morning. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Anita North Image #1: Great Blue Heron landing at nest with sprig

Patience Pays Off

On Saturday morning, the heron nest was not very active. The male was having a tough time breaking off twigs for the nest. Anita stuck with it while I wandered east along the shoreline in search of other subjects. I absolutely love the soft light, the evenly lit underwings, the flight pose, and the daintiness of this image. And the whimsy. Not to mention that the Anhinga in the Cypress tree is a nice extra.

This image was created on 28 November 2020. I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:40am on a mostly sunny morning. Tracking Expand Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Anhinga — immature calling

Carrying a Big Lens

As you may have learned in the How to Carry a Long Lens On a Tripod. Or Not? video here, the best way to see your shoulders healthy is to take your big lens off the tripod, carry the lens in one hand, and the tripod in the other.

When I got bored too quickly at the Great Blue Heron nest, that is just what I did. When I came across this sunning Anhinga, I wanted to get low so instead of messing with the tripod I simply sat down on the ground and used the knee-pod technique with the back off my left forearm resting on and supported by my left knee. I see that as handholding while cheating a bit.

This image was also created on 28 November 2020. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:52am on a mostly sunny morning. Center Zone AC was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #3: American White Pelican in flight over Lakeland

Handholding at 840mm

A moment after the Anghina slid into the water to go fishing, a few of the big white pelicans began flying around so I simply grabbed the 600, set the exposure, and made a few images. It is a lot harder for me to keep a flying bird in the center of the frame when handholding the 600 as compared to handholding the much lighter 200-600. This bird was fairly well-framed in the raw file. I like the position and the clouds set against the blue sky. I am only able to handhold the big lens for a limited amount of time. If there is lots of flight action I need to get the lens onto the tripod.

The Location of the Nest Tree

As you can see by looking at today’s featured images, the GBH nest in Lakeland is pretty sweet. I kept 52 images from our single morning session and Anita also did quite well.

If you own a copy of the BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide and would like to know the exact location of the nest featured in today’s blog post, shoot me e-mail with the words GBH Nest Info in the Subject Line. Please be able to include some form of proof of purchase.

If you do not own a copy of the guide and would like to know the exact location of the nest in Lakeland, please send a PayPal for $20 to birdsasart@verizon.net and with the words GBH Nest Info somewhere in the PayPal.

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

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide

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

Purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

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

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

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

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

Thanksgiving at ILE

Kudos to Anita for preparing a sumptuous feast that was enjoyed by my daughter Jennifer, her husband Erik, my right-hand man Jim Litzenburg, me, Anita, and Olivia — Jen’s wonderful rescue dog. Olivia has an amazingly sweet disposition and thrills at chasing the Cuban Anoles around inside the pool cage. We dined on the pool deck while socially distancing. I, for one, ate far too much but I had a good excuse: Anita paid homage to my late-Mom, Hazel Louise Morris, by basting the turkey in apple juice and adding celery and apples to the home-made stuffing … Erik prepared a fabulous pumpkin/pecan pie that was quickly devoured.

What’s Up?

Today is Friday 27 November 2020. Anita North and I pulled out of my driveway at 4:29am to head over to Fort DeSoto. Our plan is to photograph this morning, this afternoon, and Saturday morning, and then head home. I will be trying out my loaner Canon R5 with the Canon RF 100-500 lens. I will have the RF 1.4X teleconverter in my fanny pack. Time will tell. Huge thanks to BPN-friend Brian Sump who spent more than an hour on the phone with me on Thanksgiving Day helping me to set up the R5 and going through all the menus. It will be a challenge for sure as I am so comfortable with my SONY gear. Thanks also to blog regular Joe Subolefsky who offered some tips via e-mail and has been answering some questions for me as well.

My plan is to give the loaner Canon gear a good road test between now and X-mas when I need to ship it back to B&H (unless I wish to purchase it). Some folks are hoping that after testing the R5 that I will switch back to Canon. At this point — before I have even photographed a single bird with the Canon gear — I am sure that the chances of that happening are well less than 1% and that the chance of me purchasing an R5/100-500/1.4X TC rig to use on occasion would be well less than 5%. Time will tell.

If you know the answers to these questions, please leave a comment below:

Does Capture One 20 Pro Build 13.1.1.24 (61bb 403) recognize and convert R5 raw files?

Does Adobe Photoshop 21.2.0 Release recognize and convert R5 raw files?

Does the latest version of Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP 4) recognize and convert R5 raw files?

Answering my own question here: Digital Photo Professional 4.13.10 for macOS recognizes and converts R5 raw files

I was glad to learn recently of the sale of James Paula’s Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital camera body in excellent plus condition for $1098.00 and the sale of Used Gear page veteran and SONY-e-Guide reviewer Craig Elson’s Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Digital camera body in near-mint condition for $2300.00 (was $2498.00).

Please Remember

This blog post took well more than five hours to assemble …

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

Back in Stock

We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks its a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing county-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.

Wanted to Buy

If you have a used SONY 200-600 G lens that you would like to sell, please contact me via e-mail.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

123 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created on 25 November 2020 at Lakeland, FL. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the 61-MP Monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:01am on sunny morning. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Male Great Blue Heron bringing stick for the nest to mate

SONY a7r iv for Flight and Action at 840mm

Multiple IPT veteran Mukesh Patel told me last spring that a7r iv AF was improved greatly with the then-recent firmware update. Based on the results of yesterday’s sustained flight and action session, I would have to agree. I was amazed that but for two or three frames out of several hundred that the SONY AF system — always in Center Zone AF-C, was able to see through the branches and get the flying bird’s eye razor sharp. Though I have gotten a few decent flight images with the SONY 200-600 G lens, a7r iv AF accuracy with that lens falls far short of the AF accuracy attained with that lens and the a9 ii.

Click on the image to better see the noise reduction. Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Male Great Blue Heron bringing stick for the nest to mate image at 100%

Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Blue Heron bringing stick image

As part of my now-regular workflow, I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image. Though I have — on occasion– recently begun changing the values on one or both sliders after starting with Auto, the AI (Artificial Intelligence) settings recommended by Auto were — spot-on for this ISO 800 image. Since I properly exposed for the white feathers on the heron’s crown and face, the shaded under-primaries were quite under-exposed. This made them considerably noisy for an ISO 800 image (as expected). DeNoise did a fabulous job of eliminating the noise in this area while providing a bit of extra sharpness.

Click on the image to better see the sharpening. Image #1B: Topaz Sharpen AI on the Male Great Blue Heron bringing stick for the nest to mate image at 100%

Topaz Sharpen AI on the Male Great Blue Heron bringing stick to mate image

Here, I started with Topaz Sharpen AI on Auto. But at 100% the image looked over-sharpened so I reduced the Sharpness slider value by approximately half from 57 to 29. In addition, I moved the Noise Suppression slider to zero as I had already run DeNoise AI. I was a thrilled to note that even though I ran Sharpen AI on the whole image, the plug-in knew to sharpen only the subject. Note also that Sharpen AI chose Focus. This showed that the shutter speed was fast enough to prevent any noticeable motion blur. Artificial intelligence indeed!

This image was created on 25 November 2020 at Lakeland, FL. Here again I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4xteleconverter, and the 61-MP Monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:08am on sunny morning. Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Male Great Blue Heron giving stick for nest to mate

The Original “The Art of Bird Photography”

This image is somewhat reminiscent of the image that has long-graced the cover of the original “The Art of Bird Photography.”

For those who do not know much about the original “The Art of Bird Photography,” it was first published in hard cover in 1998 and quickly became the classic how-to book on the subject. That printing was followed by two soft cover printings. With 30,000 copies sold in less than a decade, it was a big surprise when Amphoto dropped the title. The very great strength of the book is the chapter on Exposure which offers complete coverage of exposure theory and its practical applications. I have received countless e-mails and letters over the years reading something like this: “I have been photographing for more than a decade, have attended many seminars, and read every book out there but not until I read and studied the chapter on exposure in ABP did I really understand both the basics and the complexities. Now, I can not only come up with the right exposure in almost every situation, but understand what I am doing and why. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” In addition, all of the basics are covered in detail in ABP: composition and image design, how to choose lenses, camera bodies, & film, how to see and utilize natural light, how to make sharp images, how to get close to free and wild birds, how to use flash as both main light and as fill, and how to edit and market your work. There is no digital content in the original “The Art of Bird Photography.”

What I am most proud of is the fact that 4 out of 5 — or perhaps 9 out of ten — of the top bird photographers in the world, were influenced to some degree by the original “The Art of Bird Photography.” Every time I learn of another avian photographer in that group, it is humbling.

The Location of the Nest Tree

As you can see by looking at today’s featured images, the GBH nest in Lakeland is pretty sweet. I kept 52 images from our single morning session and Anita also did quite well.

If you own a copy of the BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide and would like to know the exact location of the nest featured in today’s blog post, shoot me e-mail with the words GBH Nest Info in the Subject Line. Please be able to include some form of proof of purchase.

If you do not own a copy of the guide and would like to know the exact location of the nest in Lakeland, please send a PayPal for $20 to birdsasart@verizon.net and with the words GBH Nest Info somewhere in the PayPal.

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide

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

Purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

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

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

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

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

Click on the image to better see the noise reduction. Image #2A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Male Great Blue Heron giving stick for nest to mate at 100%

Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Blue Heron giving stick image

As part of my now-regular workflow, I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image. Though I have — on occasion– recently begun changing the values on one or both sliders after starting with Auto, the AI (Artificial Intelligence) settings recommended by Auto were — spot-on for this ISO 800 image. Since I properly exposed for the white feathers on the heron’s crown and face, the shaded under-primaries were quite under-exposed. This made them considerably noisy for an ISO 800 image (as expected). DeNoise did a fabulous job of eliminating the noise in this area while providing a bit of extra sharpness.

The Stick and the Shadow on the Bird’s Face …

I hate the stick and its shadow covering most of the bird’s face so I decided to give the bird a shorter stick … I used the Magnetic Lasso Tool to select the broken end of the stick and put it on its own layer. Then I moved that layer to the middle of the image, clicked off the eyeball for that layer, and activated the layer below. Then I used Divide and Conquer with the Clone Stamp Tool and then used the Patch Tool, Content-Aware Fill, and several small Quick Masks refined, re-shaped, and warped with the addition of a Regular Layer mask and the Transform command. Once the face was cleaned up I clicked on the eyeball for the end of the stick layer, moved it into place with the Move Tool (V), and refined that layer as noted above. Voila!

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

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 (with the exception of Capture One RAW Conversions) — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.

Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.

To purchase Capture One, please use this link. Then you can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.

You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.

To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

After resting up for two days from the rigors of the recently concluded road trip (to Denver and back), Anita North and I opted to rest on our first two mornings back at ILE. The fact that both Sunday and Monday dawned cloudy-dark just might have had something to do with that 🙂

This morning — Tuesday 24 November 2020 — featured clear skies and a north wind. We headed down to the lake early and photographed the Mother’s Day Sandhill Crane family and some of the more than 200 Black and Turkey Vultures along the lakefront and in the South Field. The surviving crane colt is almost exactly 6 1/2 months old.

I HATE Topaz

Via e-mail from Patrick Sparkman

Hey Artie,

Patrick

he Topaz Question I Had Been Expecting

An e-mail conversation with multiple IPT veteran David Hollander

AM: Hey David, It is good to hear from you.

re:

DH: Topaz DeNoise includes both noise reduction and sharpening. You have consistently recommended that you never sharpen a master file, and instead sharpen as a last step, after an image has been sized for a specific use. Do you recommend using the sharpening function in the Topaz DeNoise? Why not use the sharpening only in a separate final layer, with Topaz Sharpen?

AM: Good question; I had been wondering when someone would ask it.

Somehow, the sharpening function in DeNoise is non-destructive; it does not produce and sharpening halos. It is sort of like the previously out-of-camera sharpening methods that we used before, only it is a a lot cleaner and lot more effective.

With love to you both,
artie

A Gigapixel AI Question from Yogesh Puarnik (and My Response) in the Comments Section on the Tandem Brown Pelican Sunset Dive Image: Gigapixel AI to the Stunning Rescue. Do You Have a SONY Callus? blog post here.

Yogesh Puranik/November 23, 2020 at 1:09pm

As always excellent stuff Arthur sir. Thank you for sharing the details. So what exactly Topaz GigaPixel AI do?, i did not get it exactly.
I have to meet you in person once in a lifetime, not sure when. I am in other part of world, India. Do visit sir.

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART/November 24, 2020 at 10:32am

Hi Yogesh, Thanks for your comment. Where do you live? Where are you from?

with love, artie

Wanted to Buy

If you have a used SONY 200-600 G lens that you would like to sell, please contact me via e-mail.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

123 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created on 12 NOV 2020 in the bay behind the convention center on South Padre Island, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the 61-MP Monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 5000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:45am on a slightly foggy morning. Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #2: White morph Reddish Egret striding

The New Normal

With Topaz DeNoise AI, you will be to work at high (3200 to at least 8000) ISOs with impunity, run DeNoise (always beginning with Auto), and produce sharp, clean images with virtually no visible noise.

RawDigger

RawDigger showed this image to be more than 2/3rds stop too dark. Before Topaz DeNoise AI underexposing an ISO 5000 image would have been the kiss of death. In the (almost-finished) RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn when and why it is OK to underexpose certain images but not others.

SONY AF Tip

When you wish to include a bird’s whole reflection, it is best to select one of the upper Zones. For today’s featured image, I went with Upper Center Zone so that I could include more of the wake than I would have by putting the bird well back in the frame. Choosing Upper Right Zone would have put the bird farther right in the frame and included more of the wake. But I would have lost the darker BLUE tones in the upper right corner …

Click on the image to better see the noise reduction and the increased sharpness. Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise on the white morph Reddish Egret striding image at 100%

Topaz DeNoise on the white morph Reddish Egret Image

As part of my now-regular workflow, I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image. Though I have — on occasion– recently begun changing the values on one or both sliders after starting with Auto, the AI (Artificial Intelligence) settings recommended by Auto were — spot-on for this ISO 5000 image. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it and note the complete elimination of noise in the background as well as the increased sharpness and the complete lack of any sharpening halos. To me it is pretty amazing that DeNoise can take a somewhat under-exposed image and transform it into an image that is so much cleaner and sharper.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

We pulled out of the driveway at 3:21am Mountain Time. The sun rose at 6:33am. About thirty minutes after we crossed into Kansas, we lost an hour as we entered the Central time one. Yes, Dorothy — there are two time zones in Kansas! I posted this at 12:14pm somewhere in Kansas. We are hoping to get a huge driving day under our belts and make it a bit past St. Louis, MO … We hope to be back to ILE late on Sunday afternoon. The straight line drive (no pitstops or lodging) is 1907 miles.

I was glad to learn your yesterday that the sale of James Paula’s Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital camera body in excellent plus condition for $1098.00 is pending.

I was glad also to learn yesterday that Carolyn Johnson signed up for the San Diego IPT.

Wanted to Buy

If you have a used SONY 200-600 G lens that you would like to sell, please contact me via e-mail.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

122 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This is the Capture One screen capture for today’s featured image: Brown Pelican tandem diving in front of setting sun

An Impossible Exposure

At the moment of capture, the dynamic range of the scene far exceeded the dynamic range of the a9 ii sensor. And it far exceeded the dynamic range of any digital camera that I know of. And it far exceeded the dynamic range of any film that I know of. In the Photo Mechanic screen capture above you can see that the sun and a good portion of the bright sky above it show as grossly over-exposed. With the Exposure Warning activated, however, nothing showed as under-exposed.

This is the RawDigger screen capture for today’s featured image: Brown Pelican tandem diving in front of setting sun

Yes, An Impossible Exposure

RawDigger assessed the situation much more accurately. It showed the ball of the sun and just a small portion of the bright sky right above it to be overexposed (via the red warnings). And it correctly showed (via the blue warnings) that the two pelicans were under-exposed. Both of those as expected. It is simply not possible to maintain detail in a setting sun that is not fully muted by clouds while revealing detail in the veery darkest tones — in this case, the two diving pelicans.

In the RawDigger e-Guide (almost finished), you will learn how to interpret the Max values to ensure that your raw files are mega-exposed to the right. You will also learn how to interpret the OvExp/UnExp stats. And in addition, you will learn why it was possible to salvage what is obviously a grossly over-exposed image with 196,000 over-exposed red pixels and 142,00 over-exposed green pixels…

Topaz Gigapixel AI to the Rescue

Gigapixel AI to the Rescue

I was excited when I saw this image on the back of the camera and was thrilled to have an image with the two birds in the sky above the water. I knew instantly the it would require a fairly large crop. Immediately I thought that the cropped image would be a good candidate for Topaz Gigapixel AI. The results on Auto, as seen above, were quite astounding. The noise was reduced and the image rendered twice the size and much sharper. After bringing the rendered image into Photoshop and viewing it at 200%, I ran Topaz DeNoise AI to completely eliminate the little remaining noise in the background. I have no clue as to how the AI (artificial intelligence) can improve and image so dramatically, but all in all, the results were astounding. See the master file below.

This image was created on 14 November 2020 near the jetty at the south end of South Padre Island. I used the handheld handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. Exposure determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the rear dial: Multi-metering at +2 1/3 stops: 1/2000 sec. at f/4 in Shutter Priority mode. Auto set the ISO to 250. AWB at 6:28pm with some light clouds on the horizon. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Brown Pelican tandem diving in front of setting sun

The Optimized Image

In addition to the Topaz AI work, note that I leveled the image and used the Patch Tool to eliminate a pole or two that cut into the horizon left to our left of the sun. As you likely have figured out by now, I was quite pleased with the final image. Topaz Gigapixel AI has opened up dramatic new worlds to photographers, especially to those who love to photograph action and flight.

Handholding and the SONY Callus

I mentioned to Patrick last week that after only a few afternoons of handholding the SONY 600GM with the a9 ii that I had developed a nasty callus on the inside of my right middle finger just past the proximal knuckle. He said, “I have that too. That’s the SONY callus.” There is a bit of a knurled protrusion just to the right of the shutter button that causes a callus to form. This area might have been better designed; that is, bean made a bit smoother.

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

San Diego 2021 COVID-conscious Brown Pelican IPT

January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one-half day: $2299.00. Deposit: $599.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6.

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; MON JAN 11, 2021.

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

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

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

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

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

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

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

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-brunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well.

A $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.

Travel Insurance

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

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

On Saturday morning past, we enjoyed another fine photography session in the shallow bay just past the Convention Center on South Padre Island. Once again the American White Pelicans and the Franklin’s Gulls were the stars. We headed back to the jetty at Isla Blanca Park that afternoon. After two great afternoons, this location was pretty much a dud on Friday so we were not expecting much. After a slow start, things really heated up with groups of three to six pelicans diving into the surf right in front of us for two hours. Anita created 3200 images and though she has not finished editing yet, she had several dozen killer images as she waded out waist-deep into the waves with her 200-600. With the car keys in my pocket I stayed close to shore with the 600 GM. I can’t wait to see all her keepers when she is done selecting them. I got a few good ones and a single spectacular sunset silhouette …

We awoke on Sunday planning photograph in the bay again and then drive for 2 1/2 days to Golden, CO to visit BPN friend Brian Sump. It was cloudy and foggy at 6:30am with a super-low tide and very few birds so we turned around, packed up the car, and drove away from our AirBNB at 7:28am. We stayed at a great AirBNB in Lubbock, TX on Sunday night. After leaving the heat and humidity of South Texas, waking up to a clear and cold 42 degree morning in Lubbock was a shock to the system. Break out the hoodies and warm jackets. Today is Monday 16 November. We are headed another 551 miles to the north/northewest and should make our next AirBNB in Lakewood, CO late this afternoon or early evening.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

Sony Alpha a Series Body Listings

Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Extras!)

Used gear page veteran and SONY-e-Guide reviewer Craig Elson is offering a Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Digital camera body in near-mint condition for only $2498.00. The sale includes a like-new Sony VG-C3EM vertical grip (a $348.00 value) and a Mieke MK-X1EM metal bracket hand grip (a $39.99 value that provides improved ergonomics if using an a9 without the VG-C3EM Vertical Grip), the original box, one battery and the charger with the power cord, the micro USB connector cable, the strap, the body cap, the accessory shoe cap, the manuals, a glass LCD screen protector, and insured ground shipping via major courier to continental U.S. addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Craig Elson via e-mail or by phone at 704.904.7953 (Pacific time zone).

The incredible AF system, the frame-rate, and the quality of the 24.2 MP images files of the a9 — my first SONY body — blew me away and quickly put Nikon in the rear view mirror. (By that time,Canon was well-rusted in the junkyard …) The a9 was replaced by the a9 ii with its slightly wider chassis being the only difference between these two great bodies. Oh, there is one more difference: the a9 ii sells for a whopping $4,498.00. You can save a whopping $2,000.00 by being the one to grab Craig’s camera. One more thing, the a9 is pretty much out of stock everywhere … artie

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

James Paula is offering a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital camera body in excellent plus condition for $1098.00. But for several all scratches on the the (flash) hot shoe, the body would be near-mint. It has about 7200 activations and operates flawlessly. The sale includes the front cap, the strap, the battery & charger, the original product box, 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 Jim via e-mail.

Distinguished by its updated sensor design, the Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera from Sony is a well-rounded camera suitable for both photo and video applications in a variety of working situations. Refined for improved speed and low-light performance, the full-frame 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor pair to realize an impressive 10 fps continuous shooting rate and improved autofocus performance for faster, more reliable subject tracking along with wide frame coverage. This updated Fast Hybrid AF System employs a combination of 693 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection areas for quicker acquirement of focus in a variety of lighting conditions, and also maintains focus on subjects more effectively. In addition to speed and AF, the processing improvements also help to realize greater image clarity and reduced noise throughout the sensitivity range from ISO 100-51200, which can further be expanded to ISO 50-204800. Video recording capabilities have also been extended for enhanced quality when recording UHD 4K video with the full width of the full-frame sensor to minimize moiré and aliasing. Additionally, benefitting both stills and video operation, the a7 III utilizes a 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift image stabilization, which is now effective to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to 5 stops.

Beyond just updates to the imaging system, the a7 III’s body design has also been revised to include a rear 3.0″ 922k-dot touchscreen LCD, which has a tilting design to better support working from high and low angles. A 2.36m-dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF is also featured for bright and clear eye-level monitoring. For greater shooting flexibility, dual SD memory card slots are now featured, and a larger NP-FZ100 battery is also employed to achieve up to approximately 710 shots per charge. Suiting the camera’s use in trying conditions, the magnesium-alloy chassis and weather-sealing also render the a7 III dust- and moisture-resistant. B&H and the manufacturer

This body, which sells new for $1698.00, was the first SONY body to feature a killer AF system. artie

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

121 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created near the jetty at the south end of South Padre Island on 12 November 2020 by Anita North. She used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 3200: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. ABW at 5:11pm on a clear afternoon. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked amazingly well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Anita North Image #1: Brown Pelican diving into a school of finger mullet in the surf.

Finger Mullet

At Sebastian Inlet, the fishing and diving Osprey photography is best when the mossbunker are running. At the inlet at South Padre Island, the fishing and diving pelican photography is best when the finger mullet are running. The prime target of the Sebastian fisherman are snook. At South Padre, we saw several folks land channel bass (redfish) between thirty and forty pounds. As far as the photo action, you are a lot busier with the diving pelicans in Texas than with the diving Ospreys in Florida. We had way too much fun.

When Anita showed me this one I was stunned.

This image was converted in Capture One. Topaz DeNoise AI was applied to the entire image. The head and bill were selected and placed on a layer to which Topaz Sharpen AI was applied.

This image was created near the jetty at the south end of South Padre Island on 12 November 2020 by Anita North. She used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 3200: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. ABW at 5:11pm on a clear afternoon. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked amazingly well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Anita North Image #2: Brown Pelican just after touch-down in a school of finger mullet in the surf.

Which is the Stronger Image?

Today’s first two featured images — both created by Anita North — were captured consecutively: _A938990 and _A938991. You’d have to agree that Anita’s timing and execution for these two were pretty much perfect. I struggled mightily when trying to decide which image was the stronger of the two. I couldn’t make up my mind, so I ran both of them. Please leave a comment and let us know which one of Anita’s two featured images you like best, and why.

This image was created near the jetty at the south end of South Padre Island on 12 November 2020. I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. RawDigger showed this one as perfect. AWB at 5:05pm on a clear afternoon. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: Caspian Tern flipping finger mullet

The Crop

A9 ii files tip the scales at 24.2MP. They can easily handle small crops but do not handle large crops as well as the 61-MP monster, the a74 iv. But for flight and action the a9 series bodies (the a9 and the a9 ii) slay the newer a7 series bodies, the a7r iii and the a7r iv because of their superior AF and faster frame rates (20 fps Compressed Raw). The Caspian Tern in this image was flying a good distance from the beach when it dived, caught a fish, and turned to the south. As a result, I cropped away about half of the original pixels. Crops that large always affect the image quality. What to do?

Image #3A: Caspian Tern flipping finger mullet Topaz Gigapixel AI at 80% magnification

One-Stop Shopping with the Amazing Topaz Gigapixel AI!

When we shot hawks with Alan Murphy a few weeks back at Smith Point, TX, he raved about Gigapixel AI. I thought that these two heavily cropped photos –Images #3 and #4, would likely benefit from from a visit to Gigapixel AI. Image #3 was the first one that I did and when the preview on Auto rendered, I was completely stunned. I went with 2X since the TIF file had been cropped about 50%. Even though I mistakenly hit Compressed — I should have left it at Standard — the After image was cleaner and sharper and the noise had been eliminated. Remarkably, because I had hit Compressed, the before and after file sizes were the same. In the future I will stick with Standard, the default setting.

Gigapixel AI will enable you to create larger files from smaller ones, files that can stand up to large crops and to being printed large, all that while sharpening (non-destructively as far as I can see …) and effectively cleaning up the noise.

This image was also created near the jetty at the south end of South Padre Island on 12 November 2020. I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. RawDigger showed this one as almost perfect with a smattering of OvExp pixels on the side of the fish. AWB at 5:05pm on a clear afternoon. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #4: Caspian Tern with finger mullet

a9 ii Frame Rate

The incredible a9 series bodies’ 20 frames per second frame rate with Compressed Raw enables you to capture sharp flight and action sequences that offer a variety of poses and wing positions. Images #3 and #4 were the two most interesting frames of what was a ten-frame sequence; each image was sharply focused on the tern’s eye.

What Makes a Good Flight or Action Image?

Sharpness Alone is No Longer Good Enough

With most major camera systems now offering near-science-fiction-like AF systems along with fast frame rates, folks are finally realizing that creating a sharp flight or action image is only a small part of the equation. The pose, the wing position, the image design (including other elements of the composition — if any), the juxtaposition of two or more subjects, the head angle or angles, the background, and the quality and direction of the light all must be considered when picking your flight and action keepers. Sharpness is nowhere near-enough any more …

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

San Diego 2021 COVID-conscious Brown Pelican IPT

January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one-half day: $2299.00. Deposit: $599.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 7.

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; MON JAN 11, 2021.

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

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

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

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

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

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

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

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-brunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well.

A $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.

Travel Insurance

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

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

We had a good morning in the bay behind the Convention Center on South Padre Island on Tuesday. There were lots of birds and lots of slick sticky slippery mud. On Wednesday morning we headed early to Laguna Atascosa NWR. There were no birds (and no fence-posts) on the highly touted road to the refuge, and no birds and no water on the refuge itself. As it was blessedly foggy, we headed back to the bay for more birds and more mud. Though the birds are not easy to approach, we both got some good stuff. Anita is missing the Fort DeSoto.

Late-afternoon on Wednesday we decided to pay the $12.00 entry fee to get into Isla Blanca Park at the south end of the island and explore the jetty area. Inlets are often great places for bird photography. It turned out to be the best twelve bucks we’d ever spent. There were several hundred Brown Pelicans (and a few Caspian and Royal Terns as well) diving for bait, and we enjoyed some decent sunset color as well.

Today is Thursday 12 November 2020. We will try again in the bay.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale for an amazingly low $199.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $249.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $212.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

Huge Price Drop

Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body/with Extras!

Price dropped $300 on 14 FEB 2020!
Price dropped $400 on 26 JUNE 2020!
Price dropped $200 on 21 AUGUST 2020!
Price dropped $200 on 12 NOVEMBER 2020!

Joe Randle is also offering a used EOS 1D-X camera body in excellent condition for only $1,099.00 (was $2,199.00). The sale includes an extra LP-E4M battery, three Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 64GB cards, 4 Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 32 GB cards (all in a nice Pelican CF card case), the interface and stereo AV cables with cable protector, the EOS Digital Solution Disk and Software, instructions Manuals. Insured ground shipping via major courier lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).

Two fast, rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for more than four years. I used them to create hundreds of family-jewels-type images. I actually liked the 1D X more than I liked my 1D X IIs … artie

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

120 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL on the morning of 19 OCT 2020. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this one at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 1600: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. The raw file brightness was confirmed as dead-solid perfect by RawDigger. ABW at 7:49 am on a clear morning with just a hint of moisture in the air. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Royal Tern preening in butter light with bathing Black Skimmer in background

The Unanswered Question

In the Seated Knee-pod versus Lens Hood on the beach (using the articulating rear monitor): Perspectives and Tips. And More Topaz DeNoise AI Auto Tips blog post here, I posted this under the image above:

High Level Shutter Speed Question

Why did I opt to go with a shutter speed of 1/2000 second (along with a relatively high ISO) for each of today’s featured images when I could easily have dropped down to at least 1/1000 second (and cut the ISO by half or more)? The clue is in Image #2.

Alas, not a single reader ventured an answer … Keep reading to learn a ton.

FYI: the image above was by far my favorite of the two featured in the blog post linked to above. I thought it was a very clever juxtaposition and loved the super-low perspective (without having to get sandy and wet)!

As you will see below, I stayed with high shutter speeds so that I could create sharp images of the bathing birds and of the birds taking flight after their baths.

Bathing bird/sun angle/wind direction diagram

Flight Strategy with Northeasterly Winds on Clear Mornings

On the last Fort DeSoto IPT, we had northeasterly winds for all four mornings. South or southeast or east are generally best, but NE is not bad. The lesson that follows was hammered home on that IPT. You are sitting lower left as shown above. The sun is coming over your right shoulder. Just to the left of sun angle is the perfect depth for bathing birds. When you see birds split from the flock to bathe, 9 times out of ten others will bathe in the same small area, the spot where the depth of the water is perfect for a tern, gull, or skimmer bath. After the bath, the birds will almost alway flap in place (as in Image #2), and then take flight right into the wind. By positioning yourself just right of sun angle to the bathing birds, you can photograph single birds in flight right down sun angle as they take flight.

This image was also created at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL on the morning of 19 OCT 2020. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 640: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. ABW at 8:22 am on a clear morning. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Black Skimmer flapping after bath image

Bathing Bird Strategy

When you see a bird dipping its breast in the water, it will flap its wings in place after its is done bathing. Sometimes they might dip and splash as many as 20-30 times while taking a bath. As a photographer, you are praying the whole time to flap. When they do, they will often rise up out of the water a bit before taking flight and heading for the beach (or other firm ground) to preen. SONY’s Center Zone AF-C does usually does a great job with the flapping and the flight. Note that the wind direction will determine the direction that the birds will flap and the direction that they will take flight. If you spot a bird bathing while facing away from the wind, you can be confident that it will turn around and flap into the wind when it is done dipping and splashing.

Image #2A: Topaz DeNoise on the Black Skimmer flapping after bath image at 100%

Topaz DeNoise on the Black Skimmer flapping after bath image

As part of my now-regular workflow, I began with Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto. It is worth the time it takes to run DeNoise even on perfectly sharp, perfectly exposed images as they will be rendered that much cleaner and that much sharper.

This image was also created at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL on the morning of 19 OCT 2020. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this one at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. ABW at 8:05 am on a clear morning with just a hint of moisture in the air. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: Sandwich Tern in Flight

The Payoff

In these situations, the payoff is a decent flight image with the bird angling slightly toward you and right down sun angle. With Image #3, I was a bit unlucky on the placement of the horizon. But I love the sharpness and the wing position.

This image was also created at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL on the morning of 19 OCT 2020. Again, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this one at 594mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. ABW at 8:16 am on a clear morning with just a hint of moisture in the air. Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked well. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #4: Sandwich Tern in Flight

Same Deal — Even Better!

Another one from the same session but even better. I got luckier with the placement of the horizon and this one is perhaps 1/4 degree off perfect sun angle. Understanding the combined effects of wind direction and sun angle can go a long way toward making you a better flight photographer.

Note: both of the Sandwich Tern images had Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto and
Topaz Sharpen AI//Stabilize (that latter on a selection of the whole bird) applied with great results.

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

San Diego 2021 COVID-conscious Brown Pelican IPT

January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one-half day: $2299.00. Deposit: $599.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 7.

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; MON JAN 11, 2021.

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

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

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

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

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

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

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

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-brunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well.

A $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.

Travel Insurance

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

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

Bosque Bad News?

It’s official. Because of the drought, neither crane pool at Bosque del Apache NWR will be filled with water this season. Photography-wise, that is an absolute crippler. Ed KranePool, the southern-most of the two (former) pools — which has been filled in recent years, has been consistently very good to fantastic in the pre-dawn for as large flocks of white geese dropped in to join hundreds of roosting Sandhill Cranes. From 7am to 8am, the cranes and geese took flight heading for the farm fields to feed. Winds with an easterly component usually provided fabulous opportunities. And just before sunset, the crane pool was the place to be as the cranes returned to their evening roost. In addition, there is presently little water on the refuge. If you visit in the next week or so, please let us know what’s going on.

As New Mexico is once again accepting a negative COVID test within 72 hours for entry, Anita and I are undecided as to whether to get tested and see what’s up at the refuge that holds a very special place in my heart.

What’s Up?

Today is Saturday, 7 November 2020. We are spending yet another morning at the raptor blind at Laguna Seca Ranch with Gene Gwin. In the afternoon, we will photograph at Estero Llano Grande State Park, also in Hildago County. On Sunday we return to Santa Clara Ranch for a farewell visit. We will spend Monday morning at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and then head a bit north and spend a few days on South Padre Island.

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale for an amazingly low $199.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $249.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $212.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

James Paula is offering a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital camera body in excellent plus condition for $1098.00. But for several all scratches on the the (flash) hot shoe, the body would be near-mint. It has about 7200 activations and operates flawlessly. The sale includes the front cap, the strap, the battery & charger, the original product box, 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 Jim via e-mail.

Distinguished by its updated sensor design, the Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera from Sony is a well-rounded camera suitable for both photo and video applications in a variety of working situations. Refined for improved speed and low-light performance, the full-frame 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor pair to realize an impressive 10 fps continuous shooting rate and improved autofocus performance for faster, more reliable subject tracking along with wide frame coverage. This updated Fast Hybrid AF System employs a combination of 693 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection areas for quicker acquirement of focus in a variety of lighting conditions, and also maintains focus on subjects more effectively. In addition to speed and AF, the processing improvements also help to realize greater image clarity and reduced noise throughout the sensitivity range from ISO 100-51200, which can further be expanded to ISO 50-204800. Video recording capabilities have also been extended for enhanced quality when recording UHD 4K video with the full width of the full-frame sensor to minimize moiré and aliasing. Additionally, benefitting both stills and video operation, the a7 III utilizes a 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift image stabilization, which is now effective to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to 5 stops.

Beyond just updates to the imaging system, the a7 III’s body design has also been revised to include a rear 3.0″ 922k-dot touchscreen LCD, which has a tilting design to better support working from high and low angles. A 2.36m-dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF is also featured for bright and clear eye-level monitoring. For greater shooting flexibility, dual SD memory card slots are now featured, and a larger NP-FZ100 battery is also employed to achieve up to approximately 710 shots per charge. Suiting the camera’s use in trying conditions, the magnesium-alloy chassis and weather-sealing also render the a7 III dust- and moisture-resistant. B&H and the manufacturer

This body, which sells new for $1698.00, was the first SONY body to feature a killer AF system. artie

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

120 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created on 5 November 2020 at the Laguna Seca Ranch in Hidalgo County, TX. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:14am on a sunny morning with just a hint of moisture in the air. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Crested Caracara banking

The Laguna Seca Caracara Experience

Gene Gwin, a top-gun fighter pilot, flew McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles in the US Air Force for 21 years and then worked as a commercial pilot first for America West and then for American Airlines for 15 years. He has owned and operated Laguna Seca Ranch for the past 11 years. He has developed the ranch as a superb destination for local and visiting bird photographers. Early on, he sought and took advice from Alan Murphy and other professionals; as a result, distant backgrounds and smartly designed blinds rule the roost at Laguna Seca. We have spent all four of our mornings photographing Crested Caracaras perched and in flight at the three side-by-side raptor blinds, each at a different level (including one at ground level). You can either stand or sit in each blind to achieve your desired perspective. With limited visitation due to COVID-19, Anita and I have enjoyed complete freedom to move from blind to blind at will.

Each morning we have enjoyed from 40-50 caracaras flying in to partake of a feast of frozen chicken and ground beef deftly served up by Gene. The record for a single day is more than 100 caracaras. Our host is quiet and understated, but has always been quick to share his knowledge of bird behavior and flight patterns. He is quick also to respond to requests to changes in the arrangement of the perches. In short, he is a super-host!

This image, the next frame in the sequence, was of course also created on 5 November 2020 at the Laguna Seca Ranch in Hidalgo County, TX. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:14am on a sunny mooning with just a hint of moisture in the air. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Crested Caracara wings down turning bank

The SONY 200-600/a9 ii Kills for Caracara Flight Photography!

In the pre-dawn light and very early light we have done well on perched birds with the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4GM lens with the a7r IV (with and without the 1.4X teleconverter). Once the sun is up, there has been a ton of great flight photography, most with the handheld 200-600 G lens and the a9 ii. This has been the first chance that I have had to give this combo a thorough flight photography test. I switched from Canon to Nikon in hopes of becoming a better flight photographer and I improved quite a bit. Then I switched from Nikon to SONY in hopes of becoming a better flight photographer and am now confident that I have. Due 100% to the amazing AF and frame-rate capabilities of the a9 ii and the versatility and handhold-ability of the 2-6.

From our first four mornings, I have at least three dozen family jewel-type images as good as the two featured in today’s blog. That despite the fact that the usually brisk (and ideal for flight photography) east wind has been missing in action, replaced by a light breeze from the northwest. With wind-against-sun conditions most of the birds have been landing away from us and away from the light. By studying the flight patterns and trying to anticipate banking birds and birds landing toward us, we have enjoyed great success. Most amazingly, out of more than three thousand flight images, I had only a handful that were not sharply focused on the bird’s eye …

If you would like to visit Laguna Seca click on the preceding link to get in touch with Gene and be sure to mention BIRDS AS ART. My understanding is that the caracara photography is best in the excellent in all but the summer months. Gene will be able to guide you on that. We love the flight photography on Gene’s ranch so much that we are already thinking about stopping by on our way back to Florida!

Click on the screen capture to view the larger version. Image #2A: Topaz Sharpen AI on the Crested Caracara wings down turning bank image at 100%.

Topaz Sharpen AI on the Crested Caracara wings down turning bank image

Though this image was quite clean and noise-free (thanks to the lessons learn via RawDigger) I began as usual by running Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image to clean up the remaining background noise and sharpen things up just a bit. The Auto settings were spot on for this one. Next I selected the whole bird and ran Topaz Sharpen AI. Auto set Stabilize. I left the Sharpen setting and as usual moved the Noise Suppression slider to zero. I compared various options before settling on those noted in the previous sentence.

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

San Diego 2021 COVID-conscious Brown Pelican IPT

January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one-half day: $2299.00. Deposit: $599.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 7.

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; MON JAN 11, 2021.

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

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

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

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

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

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

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

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-brunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well.

A $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.

Travel Insurance

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

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

Anita North and I spent Saturday morning exploring the oilfield roads around High Island, TX. We lucked out by running into a guy named Christian Taylor. He promptly and graciously invited us onto his property. Sandwiched between the Gulf and Anahuac NWR, his large tract of land is filled with numerous ponds filled with numerous birds. As you will see below, we had a good morning. After shooting we headed back to our Anahuac AirBNB, packed up, and headed for Rockport, TX. With wind against sun, we decided to continue on to the Santa Clara Ranch north of Rio Grande City. We had a great day of shooting at two ground-level songbird blinds thanks to our guide, Hector Astorga. Hector, the winner of four Texas Valley Land Fund photo competitions, is a skilled and accomplished photographer along with being a super-nice guy. Photography-wide, Sunday was the most productive day of our trip by far.

Today is Monday 2 November 2020 — can you believe it — November? We will he heading back to the morning songbird blind at 6:15am. Did you remember the time change?

Topaz Still on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale for an amazingly low $199.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $249.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $212.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body with Extras!

Price Reduced $100 on 2 NOV 2020!

Stuart Hahn is offering a Canon 5D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $484.00 (was $585.00). The LCDs have been protected with screen protectors since day one. The sale includes everything that came with the camera originally, a RRS L bracket, 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 Stu via e-mail or by phone at 1-916-485-1630 (Pacific time zone).

Stu Hahn was the first-ever seller on the Used Gear Page many years ago when he parted with his Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the “old five.” This 5D II body would be ideal for a budding landscape or Urbex photographer, as well as for some looking for a great body to convert to IR. My 5D II was expertly converted by Kolari Vision. It is also a good body for bird and nature photography; I used mine as a back-up for my old 1D Mark IV bodies. It served me very well in that capacity in the Southern Ocean a while back when I foolishly used my two 1D IVs in a driving rainstorm for two hours with the expected result. That 5D II saved the trip for me. Stu’s body is priced to sell. artie

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

119 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created on 31 October 2020 at High Island, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:52am on a sunny morning. Tracking Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Roseate Spoonbills in oilfield pond

The Oilfields

I wanted to create an image showing the birds and the pumping machinery. 840mm turned out to be a good focal length. I chose my perspective carefully to frame the small flock of spoonbills with the oilfield apparatus. There was no need for ISO 1000; I should have been at ISO 400 or 500 with a correspondingly lower shutter speed of 1/800 or 1/1000 second.

This image was created on 31 October 2020 at High Island, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x teleconverter and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:28am on a clear morning. Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Image #2: Ring-billed Gull — first winter banking

The Strategy

We spotted a mudflat spit filled with gulls and terns. The gulls included laughing, ring-billed, and several Franklin’s. The terns were Forster’s and Caspians. The mudflats were quite slippery so we made our way onto an opposite point of land and sat down behind our lowered tripods. The flock would occasionally take flight giving us good chances as the birds circled around to land. We were a bit off sun angle but the southeast wind had the birds fairly well lit as they landed toward us.

This image was created on 31 October 2020 at High Island, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x teleconverter and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:42am on a clear morning. Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Image #3: Greater Yellowlegs

The Shorebirds

There was a nice selection of shorebirds on Christian’s property. Those included lots of Willets along with some Least Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, and a few Greater Yellowlegs. The bird in Image #3 landed right in front of us.

This image was created on 31 October 2020 at High Island, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x teleconverter and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23am on a clear morning. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Image #4: Caspian Tern braking to descend

The Caspian Terns!

Being the largest birds in the flock, the Caspian Terns provided the very best flight opportunities. As I have never done very well on this species, they were a special treat for me. With the SONY gear, shooting at 1200mm is routinely successful. On Sunday, the 600 GM/2X TC/a9 ii combination made our day a success.

Click on the screen capture to view the larger version. Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the Caspian Tern braking to descend image at 100%.

Topaz DeNoise AI on the Caspian Tern braking to descend image at 100%

As part of my now regular workflow, I began with Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image to clean up the noise and sharpen it up just a bit. Here, the Auto settings were spot on. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it and note the complete elimination of noise in the sky.

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

San Diego 2021 COVID-conscious Brown Pelican IPT

January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one-half day: $2299.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 7.

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; MON JAN 11, 2021.

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

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

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

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

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

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

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

The San Diego Details

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-brunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well.

A $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.

Travel Insurance

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

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

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

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

On Wednesday morning, we met with blog regular James Saxon. James, who lives in Beaumont, TX, has kindly provided bird photography road trip guidance for Anita and me for the past several weeks. We photographed from our two separate vehicles while socially distancing but had plenty of time to chat. James inspired us to keep photographing despite the occasional rain and put us on some pretty good birds including today’s featured species and a tame young Reddish Egret.

I received this via e-mail from James on Thursday morning:

Thank you and Anita for giving me the opportunity to photograph with you on Wednesday. It was nice to meet Anita and you and share the morning. I do not do a lot of blurs; please find my best from today below. The caracara image was a result of being ready and dumb luck. While you were photographing Cormorants, I drove the road slowly and flushed the caracara and had just enough time to get four images of which the one below was the best — not great but a good story. I processed this as a high key B&W and ran Denoise and Gigapixel (the latter because of the large crop.) The last image of the Whistling Ducks is my favorite image of the day. The one face that is “sharp enough” fit nicely with the rest of the blurred birds in the landing flock. I added a radial filter with a small amount of opacity and centered on the face of the bird in relatively sharp focus. When you told me about adding the blur filter this morning, I tried it with this image and was happy with the result. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks again for everything you do for nature photographers and I hope Anita and you get plenty of hawks. Stay in touch and plan a return visit in the Spring. Safe travels.

Jim

Topaz on Sale!

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale for an amazingly low $199.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $249.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $212.49!

Please Remember

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

The BAA Used Gear Page

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

119 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

I-Phone 11 Image Image #1: Anita North photographing from the rear passenger seat with the SONY 600 GM on the tripod

Anita in the Backseat with Big Glass

I know from the get-go that it would be ideal if one of us could photograph off the tripod from the back seat while the other did the same from the driver’s seat. Before we left, I tried setting up an Induro GIT 304L in the backseat and though it was a bit more difficult thank doing so in the front seat, it worked. For our first attempt, at Anahuac NWR, Anita, being considerably smaller than me, volunteered for the back seat. She appreciated my driving and maneuvering skills on the narrow refuge roads. In addition, there is a developed skill in getting close to the birds and in good position for decent backgrounds without scaring them off.

The FlexShooter Heads in a Vehicle

Being able to level the head once parked is a huge advantage for each of the four FlexShooter heads. Since it pretty much impossible to level the tripod platform in a vehicle, heads like the Wimberley and the Mongoose are pretty much useless. As regular readers might recall, I have been able to make some really good flight shots from my vehicle with a FlexShooter head mounted on either the Induro GIT 204 or 304L tripods. To learn how to set your tripod up in the car, see the video here.

This image was created on 28 October 2020 at Anahuac NWR, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4xteleconverter, and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 3200. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/320 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:18am on a cloudy drizzly morning. Tracking Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version and see if you can spot the red jighead … Image #2: Neotropic Cormorant/adult

Adult Neotropic Cormorant

A nearly all-black waterbird with a snaky neck, Neotropic Cormorant occurs in sheltered waters of southern U.S. states, the Caribbean, and Latin America. It is very similar to the far more common and widespread Double-crested Cormorant; the two species often flock together. Double-crested is well larger and stockier than neotropic. The white feathers that outline the gular region at the base of the bill on the adults of the latter species are diagnostic. Working slowly and carefully from the vehicle allowed us to closely approach this relatively tame species that is fairly common at Anahuac NWR.

Click on the screen capture to view the larger version. Image #2A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the adult Neotropic Cormorant image at 100%.

Topaz DeNoise AI on the adult Neotropic Cormorant image at 100%

Here, as part of my now regular workflow, I ran Topaz DeNoise AI at Auto on the whole image to clean it up and sharpen it just a bit. As there was not much noise at all, the DeNoise sharpening was more dramatic than the noise reduction.

Click on the image to view a larger version. Image #2B: Topaz Sharpen AI on the distal half of the cormorant’s bill at 50%.

Topaz Sharpen AI on the Distal Half of the Bill

Here, as above, I first ran DeNoise AI on the whole image. Next I selected the distal half of the cormorant’s bil, opened that a in Topaz Sharpen AI, and hit Auto. Then I moved the Sharpness sider up to 69. Notice that the basal part of the bill visible in this screen capture is sharper, but that the bill tip was simply beyond the limited depth of field.

This image was created on 28 October 2020 at Anahuac NWR, TX. I used the Induro GIT 304/Levered-clamp FlexShooter-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4xteleconverter, and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 3200. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/320 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:18am on a cloudy drizzly morning. Tracking Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version and see if you can spot the red jighead … Image #3: Neotropic Cormorant/immature

Immature Neotropic Cormorant

The young birds of this species are of course similar to the adults in size and structure and are always much smaller than their double-crested cousins. The whitish feathers behind the base of the bill are similar to those on young double-crested; rely instead on the smaller size and the slimmer structure of the young neotropics when separating the two species.

Click on the screen capture to view the larger version. Image #3A: Topaz DeNoise AI on the back of the immature Neotropic Cormorant image at 400%.

Topaz DeNoise AI on the Back of the Immature Neotropic Cormorant image at 400%.

Here I ran Topaz DeNoise AI at Auto on the whole image to clean up the noise in the BLACKs. For the first time ever, I moved the Color Noise Reduction slider from zero to 50. That really helped to eliminate the green and purple splotches from the darkest tones. The more I play with the Topaz AI plug-in settings, the more I learn.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).