San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT
San Diego IPT: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 4.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT sessions.
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) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). 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.
I discovered some really neat new spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
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.
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 exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure 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, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2024 San Diego 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, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
The Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanies that have been the backbone of my traveling-by-air strategy for several decades, is currently on sale in blue only for a ridiculously low $9.99. Amazingly, you can still find them, on Amazon no less, for as much as $33.90. These beanies are far less costly than the LensCoat stuff, offer far more protection in terms of absorbing shock during travel by air or by car, and provide better protection against moisture as well. I use two of the hats for my camera bodies. You can buy thinner, cheaper watch caps, but they simply do not do the job.
Learn more about traveling by air with your gear here. And learn more about the two great Think Tank bags here. One or the other of these two great rolling bags make my life easier whenever I get on a plane.
Which two of today’s four featured Galapagos Tortoise images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choices.
The few who responded coherently chose Image #3 as their favorite. My two choices are the stitched pano, Image #1 because I love the crop and the reflection, and Ed Dow and the tortoise, Image #3, as it does a great job of depicting the situation.
What’s Up?
I continued getting tons of work done on Thursday. This blog post took about two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimization). 4087 published posts are nothing to sneeze at.
Today is Friday 22 September 2023 and I still have lots to do. Wherever you are an whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. AWB at8:58:45am on a then partly sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The JPEG above represents the full frame, out-of-camera raw file for the Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other image
Keep or Delete?
While scrolling through more than 2,000 images from a typical San Diego morning session, you come across a series that includes the image above, _A1G5406 La Jolla, CA. When a pelican flies into the cliff and lands near others, it is sometimes difficult to tell if they are saying “Howdy” or squabbling over space. As the incoming birds lands, you do not have much control over the image design (especially when you are working with a fixed focal length like 560mm here). You need to trust the AF system and keep your fingers crossed.
I made about half dozen images as the birds interacted. Though this was the best of the lot, there were still some serious problems. Most notably, the photo-bombing juvenile on the lower frame edge, the one just right of center looking at the two birds that were communicating.
Before you scroll down, decide if you would keep or delete this raw file and leave a comment letting us know why.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/4000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. AWB at8:58:45am on a then partly sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The Optimized Version: Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other
The Optimized Version
Yes, I did keep the raw file. The superb quality of sharp a-1 image files allows for fairly large crops.
After converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw, all but the juvenile mentioned above were eliminated with a fairly aggressive crop. My first try was a wider crop that included the rock and the feet of the pelican standing on it. For the first time ever, I tried Generative Fill. Though the results were halfway decent, they did not stand up to a closer look. Then, I tried the tighter crop that you see in the optimized version above.
Ten days ago, I began working with the new Remove Tool. It is a huge improvement over the similar Spot Healing Brush, but it is not perfect. When you wish to remove a background distraction that merges with the subject, the results, however, can be amazing. With many images, I learned that using the Divide and Conquer technique prior to employing the Remove Tool consistently yields spectacular results.
As soon as I get my new Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Silver) set up and running — it is sitting on the couch in the unopened box, I will get to work and some Digital Basic III videos that will teach you how best to work with the Remove Tool. Stay tuned.
Though the optimized version represents only 41.8% of the original pixels, the image quality remains superb.
An A7INFO screen capture for the original Pacific-race Brown Pelicans greeting each other image.
Face/Eye Tracking in Chaotic Situations
When photographing birds in flight, or in action situations with multiple birds in the frame, do not expect your mirrorless AF system to nail the eye every time. It ain’t gonna happen. But quickly and accurately tracking the bird’s face (as above), will often yield razor-sharp-on-the-eye files. As noted previously, you must trust your AF system in the really difficult situations.
Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action.
Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points!
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free)
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. By September 2023, the group was up to an astounding 148 lucky and blessed folks. And more than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.32. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive eight e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will receive new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1.
All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which two of today’s four featured Galapagos Tortoise images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choices.
The Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanies that are the backbone of my traveling-by-air strategy, is currently on sale (in blue only) for a ridiculously low $9.99. Amazingly, you can still find them, on Amazon no less, for as much as $33.90. These beanies are far less costly than the LensCoat stuff, offer far more protection in terms of absorbing shock during travel by air or by car, and provide better protection against moisture as well. I use two of the hats for my camera bodies. You can buy thinner, cheaper watch caps, but they simply do not do the job.
Learn more about traveling by air with your gear here. And learn more about the two great Think Tank bags here. One or the other of these two rolling bags make my life easier whenever I get on a plane.
B- I find the high key look intriguing. And I like the clever, out of the box image design with the bird looking out of the frame the “wrong way.” Why? Because the subject in the lower right corner nicely balances the stand of skinny trees in the upper left. In addition, using the wide open f/2.8 aperture for a bird-scape gives the image somewhat of a surreal look.
DeSoto Image #3 Multiple Choice/Fill-in: American White Pelican swimming in late afternoon light
B- I love the warm light, the yellow beach grasses, the sweet blue water, the almost rule-of-thirds image design, and the splash of disturbed water at the front of the wake.
The blur was my favorite with the pelican a close second.
What’s Up?
I got a ton of work yesterday and ordered myself a present, an Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Silver) from B&H. With three years of Apple Care added, the total came to $6,898.00. It will be here tomorrow.
I had been having serious Save As problems in Photoshop for four months and spent several hours on the phone yesterday troubleshooting. I got a really smart guy from Adobe and after more than an hour and many tests, he could not resolve the issue. He did figure out that the problem was not with Photoshop. I had updated the operating system on my 16″ M1 MacBook Pro and also updated Photoshop CC hoping that the problem would be solved. But neither helped. Before calling Apple Care, I called the help line at Camera Bits (Photo Mechanic) and was fortunate to get the brilliant Maury Neipris on the line. At first he was baffled. But he did not give up. Screen sharing, he worked at solving the problem as I prepared my dinner — seared tuna and guacamole. I checked up on Maury’s progress just before putting the tuna on the grill and was thrilled to learn that he had figured it out. I will share the complete details of the solution here soon.
This blog post took more than two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the three image optimizations). 4086 published posts are nothing to sneeze at.
Today is Wednesday 20 September 2023 and I still have lots of work to do. I did get a $213 refund from FedEx yesterday but still have lots of e-mails to deal with today. And, in addition, I have to deal with another greedy mail-order company. Wherever you are an whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 5 September 2022 at the Highlands, Puerto Ayora, Santa Crus Island, Galapagos, Ecuador on a BIRDS AS ART Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. Seated on damp dirt and grass behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 500. 1/320 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:42:59am on a heavily overcast morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S AF-C with Animal Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The landing at Puerto Ayora with a bus trip up to the Highlands is always one of my favorite days on a Galapagos Photo-Cruise. We visit a private ranch sanctuary that is packed with tortoises. In addition, there are always lots of Darwin’s finches to photograph along with Yellow Warbler and Galapagos Flycatcher. After a long session and lunch at the ranch, we get to do some shopping in town.
Image #1, a two-frame stitched panorama, was assembled manually in Photoshop.
This image was also created on 5 September 2022 at the Highlands, Puerto Ayora, Santa Crus Island, Galapagos, Ecuador on a BIRDS AS ART Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. Seated on damp dirt and grass behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter,and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 11:56:17am on a then-cloudy morning.
Tracking: Expand Spot S AF-C with Animal Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Galapagos Tortoise on rise
Tortoise-scapes — Going Wide
On previous visits to the Highlands, I spent most of my time moving slowly and getting close enough to the ancient reptiles to create tight head portraits. In 2023, I often opted for a wider approach, photographing the tortoises from a distance. The animal in Image #2 caught my eye as it foraged on a slight rise.
This image was also created on 5 September 2022 at the Highlands, Puerto Ayora, Santa Crus Island, Galapagos, Ecuador on a BIRDS AS ART Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. Again, seated on damp dirt and grass behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter,and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 12:01:19pm on a then cloudy afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot S AF-C with Animal Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Galapagos Tortoise munching on grass
Moving at a Pretty Good Clip (for a tortoise)
Judging by the mud on the front of the carapace, the tortoise in Image #3 is the same animal as in Image #2. In the five or so minutes after I made Image #2, the foraging tortoise covered a fair amount of distance as it angled toward me. The cloudy or drizzly conditions that we usually encounter in the Highlands eliminates the harsh shadows that you need to deal with on the rare sunny morning there.
This image was also created on 5 September 2022 at the Highlands, Puerto Ayora, Santa Crus Island, Galapagos, Ecuador on a BIRDS AS ART Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. Again, seated on damp dirt and grass behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter,and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 2:24:55pm on a then cloudy-bright afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot S AF-C with Human Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Ed Dow photographing Galapagos Tortoise
Seeing the Image
While photographing a tortoise at relatively close range, I glanced to my right and saw Ed down and dirty photographing a very large animal. An image of the photographer in deep concentration and the tortoise perfectly framed by the tree trunk to my right and the branches to my left, jumped out at me. I switched to Human Face/Eye detection and created a few pretty much identical frames.
The two best ways of developing the skill of seeing the images are:
1- Viewing and studying as many good images as possible.
Which of today’s three and completely different featured images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice. And while you are at it, take a crack at the Multiple Choice/Fill-in questions.
My Call
In the last blog post, Flying High in the Galapagos, here, I felt that all the images were very strong. My least favorite, however, was the top shot of the young Swallow-tailed Gull. Why? Just a few minutes before I had fanned on a great dorsal view flight chance of an even handsomer juvie of the same species. Most popular was Image #2, the Hood Mockingbird in flight. While I loved that one, and did have something to do with its creation, most of the credit has to go to the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and the a-1; Face-Eye AF is beyond incredible with this rig — super-fast initial AF acquisition and amazingly accurate eye-tracking.
My very favorite image, also made with the 400mm f/2.8, was Image #1, Waved Albatross on final approach with landing gear down. Why? It has been very difficult over the decades to create a flight shot of this species that excited me — they usually just glide on by with nary a flap. With this bird’s landing gear down, the tail fanned, and the braking-to-land wing position, this one was very satisfying.
What’s Up?
I was thrilled to learn this week that newbies Alan Goodwin and Paul Marbourg will be joining many multiple IPT veteran John Dupps and me on the fourth DeSoto IPT. There are still three spots open on that one and IPTs #2 and #3 (scroll down for details) are wide open, assuring you of a private or near private IPT experience. In addition, be sure to check out the two Used Gear Page bargains immediately below.
This blog post took about two hours to create (including the time spent on the three image optimizations). 4085 published posts are nothing to sneeze at.
Today is Monday 18 September 2023 and I still have lots of work to do. As soon as I hit Publish, I will get back to answering e-mails and dealing with greedy, uncaring corporations and like Fed-Ex and shyster mail order companies. Wish me luck. Have you been scammed, cheated, or screwed over lately? Feel free to leave a comment and vent.
Wherever you are an whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM Super-telephoto Lens (the “Old Five”)
Roy Holden is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM super-telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $1999.00. The sale includes the front leather lens cover, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, 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.
The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II, and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto lens option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. Used 500mm II lenses are selling for as much as $7,018.95. I was surprised to learn that they are no longer in production as it was one of my favorite Canon super telephoto lenses. Used copies are selling for from $2,899.95 to $3,349.95 right now on B&H. This lens will work perfectly on your dSLR bodies and/or with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R on all Canon mirrorless bodies. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens with extra
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $400.00 on 15 SEPT 2023
John Armitage is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low-by-far $999.95 (was $1,395.95). The sale includes the original tripod mount, a Lens Collar Support Tripod Mount Ring RT-1 for Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens (a $29.99 value), the soft case, the front and rear caps, the original 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.
The skilled and venerable Anita Gail Erica North owned and used this lens a lot on her international travels when she shot Nikon. It is light in weight and focuses quickly and accurately. artie
This image was created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/40 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be a bit beyond dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:44:17 am on a mostly cloudy, foggy, misty morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Shorebird flock blur
Using Every Club in the Bag
For the three photos in today’s blog post, I used focal lengths of from 131 to 1200mm. Using different lens/teleconverter combinations will enable you to create a striking variety of interesting images.
A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I love the intricate and delicate patterns and the degree of blurring — the effect is magical.
C- I like it a lot but for the dark smudges along the upper and lower frame edges.
D- I could take it or leave it.
E-Other: _______________________________________________________________.
This image was also created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. For this one, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 131mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:47:13am on a dark, dingy, now dreary morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Reddish Egret high-key bird-scape
Two Lenses?
For many decades, I almost always went afield with two lenses. I’d have a long super-telephoto lens mounted on a tripod carried incorrectly (see the YouTube video just below on that) on my right shoulder, and an intermediate telephoto flight lens on a Curve Breathe strap on that same shoulder. For the past few years, I’d rarely bring two lenses on a beach photo outing. When I did, it was almost always with one big lens and with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens in the rear pouch of my Xtrahand vest where I could grab it when needed.
A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I find the high key look intriguing. And I like the clever, out of the box image design with the bird looking out of the frame the “wrong way.” Why? Because the subject in the lower right corner nicely balances the stand of skinny trees in the upper left. In addition, using the wide open f/2.8 aperture for a bird-scape gives the image somewhat of a surreal look.
C- I could take or leave this one.
D-Other: _______________________________________________________________.
How to Carry a Long Lens on a Tripod. Or not?
Check out this video to learn what and what not to do. I did it wrong for 30 years and my right shoulder is still paying the price.
This image was also created on 1 November 2022 at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL. Seated behind my flattened tripod topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter (at 1200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600. 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:22:58pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #3: American White Pelican swimming in late afternoon light
American White Pelicans at DeSoto
Flocks of as many as several hundred birds of this species are a common sight at Fort DeSoto in the fall. The first migrants usually begin arriving in mid-October.
DeSoto Image #3 Multiple Choice/Fill-in: American White Pelican swimming in late afternoon light
A- This image is a waste of pixels and should have been deleted instantly.
B- I love the warm light, the yellow beach grasses, the sweet blue water, the almost rule-of-thirds image design, and the splash of disturbed water at the front of the wake.
C- I like it a lot but, am not thrilled with the quasi-horizon line cutting through the bottom of the pelican’s neck.
D: I could take or leave this one.
E- Other: _______________________________________________________________.
All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.
Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #2
3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 17 October through the morning session on Friday 20 October 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers.
Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3
3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 31 October through the morning session on Friday 3 November 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers.
Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #4
3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 14 November through the morning session on Friday 17 November 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: three.
Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.
On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.
The Details
There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.
These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.
A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.
Up Early, Stay Out Late!
Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
