It was clear at ILE at 6:00am on Friday morning past. My plan was to head down to the lake to try to find some birds to photograph, but 45 minutes later there was some haze in the eastern sky and it was super-still; there was no wind at all. So I made the obvious choice and went to look for some flowers. One of the things that I love about wildflower photography is that the subjects change from week to week, sometimes almost from day to day. I stopped for 30 minutes to photograph a small flowering tree right on the corner of Park and Lantana, got back in my SUV, and barely made it an additional 50 yards to the first drainage ditch and found more neat stuff to photograph. At 8am I headed down to the lake to enjoy the beautifully muted light. I foound and photographed two Ospreys on The Perch; that was a first. Next I had some good chances on a young Great Egret chowing down on the latest mayfly hatch, and, on the way home, stopped for a few Black Vultures picking at a long-dead Osprey-dropped fish. All in all, it was a great morning.
The forecast for today — 27 JUNE 2020 (it is almost July; can you believe it?), is for more of the same, still and partly cloudy. I will be headed out at about 6:45am to do some photography.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Via e-Mail from Phillip Bird
As a new user of the Sony A7RIII I ordered your Sony e-Guide as soon as I unpacked the camera. Buying the guide is one of the best camera-related investments I have ever made. I am learning so much and I’m sure that the guide is saving me a great deal of time and frustration in dealing with all of the options available on this amazing camera. Thanks to you and Patrick for putting this guide together.
Phill
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
98 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.
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market had been somewhat depressed but sales have been brisk for the past few weeks. And over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all the currrent bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Very Recent Sales
Patrick Hogue sold his Nikon D500 DSLR Camera in excellent condition and a 16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $985.00 and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a very low $3195.00 (was $3450.00), both in mid-JUNE 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a BAA record-low $3045.95 (was $3095.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Arthur Morris sold his Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only) in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,795.95 (was $1995.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Patrick Hogue sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for $850.00 (was $896.95) and a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $998.00, both soon after being listed in late-MAY 2020.
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, sold a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent plus condition for $4998.00 and a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in like-new condition for $2798.00, both soon after they were listed in early June 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon D500 DSLR in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a BAA record-low price of $895.95 in mid-June 2020.
Blog regular Fred Innamorato sold his Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens in excellent plus condition for $3099.99, a Canon EF 300mm f /2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for $2899.00, a Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II lens in excellent plus condition for $999.00, an EOS 5D Mark IV camera body in excellent plus condition for $1549.00, a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in excellent plus condition for $2698.00, a Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00, a Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00, and a Canon Extension Tube Set, the EF 12 II and EF 25 II, in excellent plus condition for $124.90, all on the first day of listing in late-MAY 2020.
New Listing
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body/with Extras!
Sean Werle is offering a Canon EOS-1D X body in excellent condition for $1499.00. The body has minor areas of worn paint and one small bit of the fake leather stuff that is glued to Canon bodies is mysteriously disappeared some years ago. The camera is in perfect working condition and has less than 105,000 shutter actuations. Photos are available upon request. The sale includes the camera body with original strap, one extra LP-E4N battery (two total), the LC-E4N charger, 2 UDMA7 120MB/s Sandisk Extreme 64GB card, a Canon GP-E1 GPS attachment ($229.00 value), 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 Sean via e-mail or by phone at 1-413-348-0032 (Pacific time)
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
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Click on the image to see a larger version and be better able to read the fine print.
Image #1: RawDigger partial screen capture for Black-bellied Whistling Duck head and neck portrait
On RawDigger
Since I have begun using and trusting RawDigger, my exposures have gotten better, always mega-pushed to the right to ensure low noise files with maximum data in the raw file. Note in the screen capture above that there are exactly 7 over-exposed GREEN pixels out of 61,000,000. Not bad. You never want more than a smattering of overexposed pixels. The underexposed pixels on the duck’s belly — shaded BLACK — are indicated by the blue underexposure warning. As with film, you simply need to expose for the WHITEs (and let the dark tones fall where they may).
Since I was not enamored with the video that I created, I have decided to do a single RawDigger e-Guide. It will be several weeks in production as need to finish my 2019 taxes. The guide will be intended only for serious photographers who really want to up their games. What I learned recently from Patrick Sparman is that it is possible to have zero over-exposed pixels and zero under-exposed pixels and still have an image that is underexposed by as much as two stops … For me, RawDigger has been a life-changer.
Image #2: Black-bellied Whistling Duck head and neck portrait plumage
The Relatively Large Crop
Compare the (cropped) optimized image (Image #2) with the original file seen in Image #1, the screen capture that opened this blog post. In fact, 66% of the original pixels were cropped away. Sharp a7r iv images (even those created at 1200mm) can stand up to relatively huge crops.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck has been becoming increasingly common in small numbers here at ILE over the past few years. As they are quite shy, however, the are difficult photographic subjects. I was very happy with this image despite the fact that I was slightly off sun angle.
Down-the-Lens Barrel AF Tip
With birds looking right at you with both eyes visible, it is imperative that you focus accurately on one eye or the other. The larger in the frame the ssubject, the more this is true. Whether you are using Canon, Nikon, SONY or any other system, the best way to focus on a single eye is to use a single small AF point and get it right on the eye you want. For today’s featured image, I went for sharp focus on the subject’s left eye (the one on our right) because it was lit by the sun.
At all costs you must not select an array. Why? There is a great chance that the AF system will grab the tip of the bill leaving both eyes well behind the plane of sharp focus. In theese situations, Canon users shoould avoid using Zone or either of the Expand AF patterns, Nikon User’s need to avoid susing Group (grp) or one of the d- settings, and SONY folks need to stay away from Zone. All user’s should not choose Wide or full screen or all-points AF for the same reasons when photographing a large in the frame bird looking right down the lens barrel. Note that such poses often yeild powerful image designs.
The beauty of SONY’s trracking Flexible Spot is that you do not have to move the AF point around in the frame; the camera does that for you.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I went down to the lake for a bit this morning — Thursday 25 JUNE 2020. I created exactly one dozen images of the surviving Mother’s Day crane colt. All 12 images — made at 1200mm — were super-sharp and featured perfect exposures. Working with RawDigger has made it relatively easy to expose to the right to the max, thus reducing noise.
Those who take the time to follow the BPN links to today’s four featured image and read the threads, will learn a ton. Aside from the great photography and the overwhelmingly excellent critiques, folks can read between the lines to learn even more. There are some folks on BPN who feel that if they do not offer at least one negative or one suggestion for improvement that they are not providing a good critique. When I come across such comments, either on my images or the images of others, I will speak up and push back …
If you are not too busy, please leave a comment and let us know which of these four excellent images is your personal favorite and why you made your choice.
As you enjoy today’s post, don’t forget that good photograpers make good images!
This image was created by BPN Avian Super-Moderator Dan Cadieux. He used the handheld Canon 500mm f/4L IS II lens with the 1.4X TC III and the EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 1600: 1/800 sec. at f5/6.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Dan Cadieux. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Black and White Warbler
Daniel Cadiuex
That Dan is a phenomenal photographer goes without question. A search for his name in the little white search box will turn up multiple blog posts featuring Dan and his work. Dan joined BPN on 1 JAN 2008 and has done 24,547 posts. Those include his started threads and his excellent critiques of others’ images. You can see more of Dan’s nature photography on his website here.
Learn more about the creations of this image and see what others thought about it in his Black-and-white Nuthatch…uhmm, I Mean Warbler! thread here.
This image was created by BPN Member Will Dickson. He used the handheld Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO II lens with the 1.4X TC III and the EOS-1DX Mark II. ISO 640: 1/3200 sec. at f/7.1.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: William Dickson. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
William Dickson
Will Dickson has been a BPN member since 12 DEC 2013 and has amassed 6,207 posts. Will lives in Scotland and created this image from his balcony! Since I love gulls and I love top shots I fell in love with this image instantly. You can see what others thought about this image in Will’s post here.
This image was created by BPN Limited Member Volkan Akgul. He used the handheld Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with the EOS-1DX Mark II. ISO 800: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Volkan Akgul. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
swift (sp.?)
Volkan Akgul
Volkan Akgul of Turkey has been an active participant on BPN since he signed on as a limited member on 9 APRIL 2020. He has posted some very fine images and learned a lot despite the language barrier — his native tongue is Turkish. There is lots to learn by visiting the thread for this image here.
This image was created by BPN Avian Moderator Gail Bisson. She used the Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens with the 1.4X TC III and the EOS-1D X. ISO 1600: 1/2O00 sec. at f/8.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020: Gail Bisson.
Snowy Owl
Gail Bisson
BPN Avian Moderator Gail Bisson of Nova Scotia first posted in the forum on 5 JUNE 2011. Her stunning images along with her thoughtful 11,991 posts led to her becoming an Avian mod this spring. Gail attended a Southwest Florida IPT about a zillion years ago. You can see what I and other BPN folks had to say about her Frosty Morning Snowy Owl image in Gail’s post here.
In the bad news department, one of the two Mother’s Day colts apparently perished on Monday evening, possibly a result of the huge rainstorm. I saw the two adults with the two healthy colts on Sunday. I saw them with only one colt on Tuesday and Wednesday … All in all, it has been a very bad year for the breeding cranes at ILE.
This morning — Wednesday 24 JUNE 2020 — I photographed the two adults and the remaining colt in the sweet early morning light. After it clouded over I went scouting in the North Marsh with no intention of photographing. Then I saw some nice White Morning Glory flowers right on the ground — they are normally a climbing vine. As it was quite still and the light was soft, I got out my Sigma 150 macro rig with the Vello adapter on the 7r iv and went to work. I had photographed this flower about two weeks ago and underexposed everything that I created at the smaller apertures. I did not make that same mistake today.
I was glad to learn this morning that Homer Bald Eagle IPT veteran — my Land’s End roommate — Mukesh Patel, will be joining me on the Fort DeSoto Fall IPT. See the complete IPT schedule here. It is time to start thinking seriously about Bosque and San Diego …
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
97 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Vultures on the Pier Tips V-Log
I am blessed most mornings to have lots of Turkey and Black Vultures to photograph here at Indian Lake Estates. Evenings? Not so much. The best news is that they are often very tame. If and only if you move very slowly. Whether or not you ever get to ILE to photograph you can learn a lot by watching this 7-minute 52-second educational video. Here are some of the things you can learn about getting close to free and wild birds, getting the right exposure, working at 1200mm, and framing your images perfectly with SONY Tracking Flexible Spot AF.
Questions and comments are of course welcome.
Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization (OSS)
When working with my SONY telephoto lenses, I keep OSS set to Mode 3 even when working on a tripod. As you will see in the video, the sharpness and fine-feather (and eyelash!) detail at 1200mm with the a7r iv are amazing. I employed the same strategy with my Canon 600 II. And with my Nikon 600 VR, I similarly set VR to the Sport Setting and left it there all the time. Theoretically, you are supposed to turn the image stabilizer systems off when working on a tripod. In addition, you are supposed to use Mode 1 (“Normal” mode with Nikon) when handholding for static subjects and mode 2 or 3 when panning. I am buying none of that … Set it and forget it: I go with Mode 3 (“Sport mode with Nikon) all the time.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I did more birds on Monday morning: a perched Turkey Vulture and more of my favorite-ever crane family; the colts are almost six weeks old now. To raise my personal RawDigger learning curve, I used Auto Bracketing for the first time ever with digital with an avian subject. The RawDigger Flower (and static subject) e-Guide and Video is almost ready to be published. Both guides will be only for serious photographers who wish to learn to reduce noise to the max by exposing to the right to the nth degree …
It is 8:15pm on Monday evening and another huge thunderstorm continues as I type. We had a few days with just some rains but tonight’s storm is a big one; it has already been pouring for more than an hour. It knocked out Direct TV. During the days it has been in the 90s. More amazingly, there has been a massive heat-wave in Ontario, Canada with temps in the mid-30s C! In other words, hotter than Florida.
Mixed clouds and sun are forecast for this morning, Tuesday 22 JUNE 2020 so I will be heading out for about the hundredth straight morning; life is tough … With all of this rain, flowers will be the likely targets as the fields down by the lake will be too flooded to drive on.
I was glad to learn on Monday of the sale of my Nikon 70-200mm f/4 VR lens.
Arash Hazeghi SONY/Nikon News and Opinions
My friend, skilled avian flight photographer and top-notch BPN Avian Forum moderator, Arash Hazeghi, sold his two Nikon 600 VR lenses recently. And he sold his previously vaunted Nikon D5. He is now handholding the SONY 600mm f/4 GM and an a9 ii (with both TCs even for flight photography!). You can see his 1200mm skimmer flight shot here on BPN. In that thread I wrote, Most gear in Arash’s hands is great for flight photography because of his superior skills and his superior strength, hand-eye coordination, stamina, and determination.
Arash continues to own and use the Nikon 500 PF. See more on that below.
I find it funny that last January — in an e-mail to me — Arash said, (and I quote): Ha Ha! Sony is garbage.. More recently, in various BPN threads, he has acknowledged the total supremacy of SONY a9 ii autofocus.
This from his skimmer post, again from the man who clearly stated that SONY is garbage:
And I do believe the Sony 200-600 is pretty much a pile of junk next to the Nikon 500 PF… heavy, pretty bad bokeh, mediocre sharpness, significant focus breathing, slow to focus, etc., etc.
Elsewhere he continues to proclaim that the Nikon 500 PF is clearly better than the SONY 200-600. The issue there is better for whom? And better in what situations? I will be addressing those issues in detail soon both here on the blog and on BPN.
Lastly, on the subject of 200-600 sharpness, he started the thread here just for me. Be sure to read my response to his comparative sharpness testing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
94 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Tracking Flexible Spot (S) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and held focus perfectly on the male’s head.
Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.
Contentment?: Royal Terns right after copulating
Contentment?
In the Rapture Optimized blog post here, I posted another frame from earlier in a long sequence. Today’s featured image also put a big smile on my face. The male looks so at peace.
SONY at 1200mm
One thing that I can agree with Arash on is that the Nikon TC-E20 III is garbage when paired with the 600mm f/4VR lens. I use the SONY 600 GM with impunity with both the a9 ii and the a7r iv with static subjects, and have no problem at all creating razor-sharp images. The Canon 2X III TC does fine with most camera bodies on static subjects with the 600 II or the 600 III; birds in flight? Not so much. It is quite clear that shooting flight at 1200mm is solely SONY.
Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif
I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well but work got in the way. It was also nice to meet everyone on the IPT; sorry that I missed you, Ray. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.
Folks attending the IPT will be in the field early and stay out late to take advantage of the best light. The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Fort DeSoto Fall 2020 IPT
OCT 2 thru the morning session October 5, 2020 (3 1/2 DAYS). Three full and one-half day: $1399.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/ Openings: 7.
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds in fall. There they join dozens of egrets, herons, night-herons, gulls, and terns who winter on the T-shaped peninsula that serves as their wintering grounds. With any luck, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher likely. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Tricolored Heron are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. We should get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. And 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 would not be unexpected.
Fort DeSoto in fall is rife with tame birds. All of the images in this card were created at Fort DeSoto in either late September or early October. I hope that you can join me there this fall one way or another. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
On this and all other IPTs you will learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify and age 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. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
At brunch (included) we will review m images–folks learn a ton watching me pick my keepers — why keep this one and delete that one? If you opt to bring your laptop, we can take a look at a few of your images from the morning session. We will process a few of my images in Photoshop after converting them in Capture One. That followed by Instructor Nap Time.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I did not get out of bed until 7am this morning — Sunday 21 JUNE 2020 — because I wanted to finish John Sandford’s Neon Prey but I relented once Lucas Davenport had the bad guy in custody. When I had peeked out the window at 6am it had been foggy, but when I finally got down to the lake at 7:15am it was completely sunny. I did not expect to do well, but I did. Very. I started with some images of both vulture species in the vulture tree at the south end of the South Field. Next was an Osprey on the ground in the North Field followed by a few images of the crane family. Then I found a young Great Egret standing on the dock near the boat launch. I carefully positioned my Sequoia so as not to flush the bird. It was totally comfortable with my presence in the vehicle. I spent a good 40 minutes photographing the very handsome bird preening. Everything above was at 1200mm, one of the huge advantages that SONY has over Nikon. I did remove the TC at one point to do a very tame Marsh Rabbit right outside the car.
At 8:15am I scouted around for wildflowers without finding much and wound up at home by 8:40.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
94 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Wide AF-C. The system selected an AF point just below the grackle’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.
Boat-tailed Grackle in the ball of the setting sun
Racing the Sun: On Precision Vehicle Positioning …
First off, do realize that in order to try for images like this you need the sun to be well muted. Attempting to pull them off against a clear sunset (or sunrise) may result in eye damage.
In any case, the sun is quickly heading down and to your right as it dives toward the western horizon. It is easy to figure out that positioning the vehicle so that the bird is completely within the ball of the sun is a big challenge. Every time that you move your vehicle you have a very few seconds to make the shot. That if you actually stop your car in the perfect spot … Adding to the challenge is that I was working from a long slope that leads down to the shore of the lake. So when you reposition you not only have to line the bird up with the sun but you need to be at the right elevation as well. At times, things can get a bit frantic …
When it all comes together, it is quite rewarding.
Image Question
On your monitor does today’s featured image look just right overall or a bit too dark?
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.
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.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Today, Saturday, 20 JUNE 2020, started off a bit foggy; perfect for flowers. I’m not sure why I drove around the block. but in an abandoned field, I spotted some skinny sunflower types and spent about an hour with that little stand. Then I headed for one of my favorite spots at the end of Lantana and spent another hour poking around. After I got home I had my usual breakfast of smoked salmon and Philly cream cheese with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning on top. Then I began work on this blog post, took a nap, did my cardio-bursts, worked some more on this post,did a bit on the Stairmaster, swam my usual 66 lengths, had my early dinner, and finished this blog post. In other words, same old same old …
Sony a7r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
BAA Record-low By-Far Price!
Anita North is offering a Sony a7 r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera body in excellent plus condition (but for a single nick on the lower-left corner of the rear monitor) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of $1198.00. The sale includes an a74 iv original box, the battery charger (but not the battery), the front body cover, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). The camera has the above-mentioned nick on the rear monitor, no battery, and no eye-cup.. The camera is, however, in perfect operating condition. Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
A SONY a7r iii served me well as my workhorse camera body on the last Galapagos trip. It would make a perfect starter camera for folks looking to get started with SONY. The a7r iii sells new for $2,498.00 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1300.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. artie
This image was created by Anita North with the Nikon 600mm f/4 VR lens and a D850.
Green Jay, Roma, TX
Anita North’s Shooting Style
Anita North is a skilled photographer. Over the years, you have seen some of her great images here on the blog. When it comes to pressing the shutter button, she is the most aggressive photographer I have ever run into. Her basic rule is If it’s in the viewfinder, press the shutter button and hold it down!. As you might expect, she often gets far behind with picking her keepers.
Anita shoots a ton of frames but her style works well for her. On occasion, she comes up with something magical — like the image above — that most folks — including and especially me — would miss. If you are considering purchasing either of the well-used camera bodies below, do know that the D850 shutters are rat4d to “200,000 cycles.” As both of Anita’s D850s exceed that (one by miles), that statement is obviously just an estimate. Though I do not shoot nearly as much as Anita, I have never — in my 36 years of photographing birds — had a shutter fail. Neither has Anita. I would not bet against the shutters on either of the camera bodies below might very well outlast the photographer whoo purchases one of them …
In Anita’s “defense,” both bodies look a lot better than one would expect after learning the shutter counts. That because she shoots a ton in each session but over the years, not that many shooting sessions. If that makes any sense. Best of all, each body is bargain priced to sell.
Nikon D850 dSLR #1
Silly Low Price!
Anita North is offering a Nikon D850 dSLR in excellent plus condition for the silly low price of $1398.95 (shutter count 222,223). The rubber eye-cup is missing so there is a bit of wear showing on the metal of the eye-cup. The camera is, however, in perfect working condition. The sale includes the original box, the battery charger, one extra (brand new) Nikon battery, the front body cover, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D-850 was my vary favorite Nikon camera body. It has a superb AF system and gorgeous 44MP image files. The D850 sells new for $2,996.95 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1900.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. Replacing the shutter if need be will cost you less than $300.00. artie
Nikon D850 dSLR #2
Silly Low Price!
Anita North is offering a Nikon D850 dSLR in very good condition for the silly low price of $1098.95 (shutter count 410,710). There are some scuff marks on the corners and the bottom of the camera but otherwise, the camera looks to be in excellent condition. A 1 x 1/8″ strip of the rubber finish is missing on the flash-card door. The sale includes the original box, the battery charger, two extra Nikon batteries, the front body cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). The camera has the above-mentioned nick on the rear monitor, no battery, and no eye-cup. The camera, however, is in perfect working condition. Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D-850 was my vary favorite Nikon camera body. It has a superb AF system and gorgeous 44MP image files. The D850 sells new for $2,996.95 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1900.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. Replacing the shutter if need be will cost you less than $300.00. artie
Nikon TC-E17 II (1.7X Teleconverter)
Anita North is offering a Nikon TC-E17 II (1.7X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $196.95. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
I used the TC-E-17 II often with both my 600mm f/4 VR and my 500mm f/5.6 PF lenses. It currently sells new at B&H for $396.95 so you can save a nifty $200.00 on this item. artie
Nikon TC-E20 III (2X Teleconverter)
Anita North is offering a Nikon TC-E20 III (2X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $246.95. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
I did make some sharp images with the TC-E-20 III with my 600mm f/4 VR lens. This, the third and best version of the Nikon 2X TC, fits well with the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR and the 300mm f/2.8 VRR lenses. It currently sells new at B&H for $496.95 so you can save a smooth $250.00 on this item. artie
Nikon Battery Grip & Charger Kit w/ two extra batteries!
Anita North is offering this virtually impossible-to-find-in-stock kit for a very low $1148.00. Some folks have been on waiting lists for more than one year. The sale includes the Nikon MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack with EN-EL18c Battery Kit, a Nikon BL-5 Battery Chamber Cover for MB Battery Packs, the Nikon MH-26aAK Adapter Kit (that includes a BT-A10 adapter and an MH-26a dual battery charger), and two extra N-EL18b Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries. Everything is in new condition. The sale includes the original boxes for the Battery Grip & the Charger and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
These items sell new right now for approximately $1488.00 (but only if you are super-lucky enough to find these items in stock) …
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
Helping you achieve the most from your D850 DSLR, the Nikon MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack with EN-EL18c Battery Kit from B&H includes the accessories needed to achieve a 9-fps continuous shooting rate, as well as extended battery life with up to 5140 shots per charge. This kit comprises the dedicated MB-D18 battery grip for the D850, an EN-EL18c rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a BL-5 Battery Chamber Cover, and the MH-26aAK Adapter Kit and Battery Charger. The Nikon MH-26aAK Adapter Kit includes a BT-A10 adapter and an MH-26a dual battery charger and allows you to charge two of the large batteries at the same time. artie & B&H
On a still, sunny Thursday morning, inspired by the two Spatterdock i-phone images below, I spent two hours photographing Spatterrdock buds and blossoms. I will be sharing some of those images with you here soon. This morning — Friday 19 JUNE 2020 — I spent most of my time with the crane family but wound up photographing a nice Spatterdock flower with the 600GM/2XTC/a7r iv combo.
This morning I spoke with Christopher Robinson, the former editor of Outdoor Photographer. We had worked together on some articles and covers as far back as the Age of Film. For the past five years, he has been running the day-to-day content operations on the Sony AlphaUniverse.com website. Chris was recently excited to learn that I had gone to SONY full-time and will be doing a feature article on me detailing how I’ve used my SONY gear for birds, wildlife, and general nature photography.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
94 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Plamped in place. Manual focus using the Focus Magnifier (page 37) and Manual Focus Toggle (page 35) tips and techniques detailed in the SONY e-Guide and Videos.
Image #1: Spatterdock bud just peaking out of the water
If you have an idea as to what is pictured in the image above, please leave a comment and be as specific as possible.
David Policansky wrote, I think that Image #1 is a sliced kiwi fruit.
Margaret commented: Image #1 is an alien’s eyeball.
Ravi Hirekatur was at least in the neighborhood when he wrote: #1 looks like a reflection of a flower pod on something.
In fact, Image #1 is a photograph of a Spatterdock bud just peaking out of the water. Spatterdock, also known as Cowlily or Yellow Water Lily is a perennial, herbaceous, emergent aquatic plant. Its deep yellow, globe-shaped flowers grow at just above the surface of the water. The egg- to heart-shaped leaves have a basal V-notch and usually float on the surface of the water.
First I screwed the Singh-Rey 77mm Warming Circular Polarizer to the front of the lens (with the hood removed). To make the image, I set the tripod up directly over the bud right at the lens’s minimum focusing distance as the buds are less than an inch across. I made sure to seat the tripod firmly in the mud. I had already Plamped the stem in place underwater (using a shelf bracket) to keep the bud close to perfectly still. Then I set the polarizer to dark. The bud was just cresting the surface of the water and the lens was pointed straight down at the subject.
Great Macro Tip
If you are all set up but find that your subject is a bit too large in the frame or that you are slightly inside of the minimum focusing distance of the lens, simply loosen the clamp and slide the plate back as much as an inch before re-tightening the clamp. Many times, you will be good to go without having to move the tripod or re-aim the lens. If you are focusing manually (as is usually best when doing macro photography) you will of course need to re-focus.
This image was created with the i-Phone 11+.
Image #2: Spatterdock bud
Spatterdock Bud
Above is a more traditional photo of a Spatterdock bud (and leaf). I shaded the subject with my body and then stood vey still to let the wavelets subside.
This image was created with the i-Phone 11+. The exposure was dialed down too\ prevent over-exposing the yellow petals.
Image #3: Spatterdock flower (and leaf).
Spatterdock Flower
To my eye, the Spattedock flowers are not as beautiful as the developing buds.
This image was created with the i-Phone 11+. The exposure was dialed up to prevent underexposing the subject.
This little combo is a must for macro photographers. The shelf bracket was purchased a while back at Lowe’s for 99 cents. Stick the bare end of the bracket in the dirt to keep low-growing flowers from blowing in the wind. To keep the bud in Image #1 still, I stuck the bare end of the bracket into the mud. This rig is much easier to carry around than an extra tripod … And best of all, when you are finished, simply un-clip the stem of the flower, pull the shelf bracket out of the dirt or mud, and leave everything growing as it was before you arrived.
This image was also created with the i-Phone 11+.
Image #5: The Plamped in place set-up used to create Image #1.
The Set-up
A is the heavy-duty clamp of the Wimberley Plamp II attached to the shelf bracket.
B is the shelf bracket. One end is stuck into the mud while the Plamp is clamped to the other end.
C is the stiff but flexible positionable arm.
D is the lightweight clamp used to keep the stems still. One of the clamp jaws is white, the other is black. You need to be careful where you affix it to the stem so that the clamp does not appear in the image.
The subject from Image #1 — the object of my attention — is in the yellow box just above and to the right of D.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
On Wednesday morning, I headed out determined to photograph some birds and did just that. I worked two different Great Egrets on the pier railings, one from my SUV and one on foot using the pier-as-blind technique. Then again working from my Sequoia, I photographed the tame colts. All of the birds were photographed at 1200mm. It was a good morning even though I did not photograph a single flower.
Only six folks wrote a critique of my image in the Let’s Play BPN. On Doing Critiques. And the Two-way Benefits of Critiquing … blog post here. I’d urge everyone — a guy can dream, can’t he?) — not only to re-visit and try their hand at doing a critique, but to follow the link to the BPN thread of the same image (here). Why? There is so, so much to learn.
One thing that you might come away with after checking the BPN link is that I, Mr. Famouos Bird Photographer, am glad to have my work critiqued by others, even after 36 years of Avian photography. Why? The boys and girls on BPN made at least two suggestions that helped me improve the image.
In the past two days, I encountered two folks with quite different attitudes toward having their images evaluated by others.
One, after I suggested that he might wish to join BPN, e-mailed as follows: I’m cheap, and I don’t like joining groups. And I’m not that keen on (taking) criticism either. This from someone who has spent probably $100,000 on camera gear in the past year or two and rarely makes even a half-way decent image …
The other, a BPN member who professes a great desire to improve, wrote Frankly, my type-A personality felt a little exposed when you posted the (over-exposed) original to the thread. I, as many, am a little self-conscious and at times feel out of my league but I’m getting much better day by day I believe.. When I reply to his mail I will suggest that he get over it. Having your images critiqued is the best way to learn to improve your photography. And BTW, his work has been improving by leaps and bounds over the past two months.
The video for the RawDigger Flower (static subject) Exposure e-Guide by Arthur Morris and Patrick Sparkman is finished and the written portion of the guide is out for review as I type.
If you have an idea as to what is pictured in the image above, please leave a comment and be as specific as possible.
Karen Mc was the first to answer correctly when she commented in part:
#2 is an emerging Southern Magnolia.
Next was Ravi Hirekatur who wrote:
#2 looks like a close up of magnolia flower with its fuzzy sepals.
Last to the party was Stephen Aveling-Rowe. He posted:
#2 resembles a magnolia of some description with it’s bud-cap. I am reasonably certain that the brown hairy part was the covering for the developing bud.
My reply to his comment:
Yes, those are the sepals.
As far as Image #1, there were some comical answers but none that are even close. I was worried that lots of folks would identify it in zero point one seconds … The answer will be revealed here soon.
On Tuesday, I left my house early on a clear, still morning intent on doing birds. I worked a nice adult crane from my SUV at 840mm and spotted a gorgeous fresh juvenile Tricolored Heron foraging in a damp area. But the grass was too tall and I wound up zero for 50 on the handsome young heron. I did spot my first young Osprey of the season flapping its wings atop the nesting tower. It should be flying soon. The truth be told I have not been looking too hard. I worked a large white flower — White Morning Glory — on a vine and struck out there as well.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I forgot to mention that on Sunday past I swam 100 lengths instead of my daily 66.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market had been somewhat depressed but sales have been brisk for the past few weeks. And over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all the currrent bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Very Recent Sales
Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a BAA record-low $3045.95 (was $3095.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Arthur Morris sold his Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only) in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,795.95 (was $1995.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Patrick Hogue sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for $850.00 (was $896.95) and a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $998.00, both soon after being listed in late-MAY 2020.
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, sold a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent plus condition for $4998.00 and a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in like-new condition for $2798.00, both soon after they were listed in early June 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon D500 DSLR in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a BAA record-low price of $895.95 in mid-June 2020.
Blog regular Fred Innamorato sold his Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens in excellent plus condition for $3099.99, a Canon EF 300mm f /2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for $2899.00, a Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II lens in excellent plus condition for $999.00, an EOS 5D Mark IV camera body in excellent plus condition for $1549.00, a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in excellent plus condition for $2698.00, a Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00, a Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00, and a Canon Extension Tube Set, the EF 12 II and EF 25 II, in excellent plus condition for $124.90, all on the first day of listing in late-MAY 2020.
New Listing
Canon EOS-1D-X Mark II dSLR
BAA friend and skilled photographer Clemens Van der Werf is offering a Canon EOS-1D-X Mark II body in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a very low $2,795.00. The body has been well-maintained and has no scratches. Photos are available upon request. Shutter count < 85,000. The sale includes the front lens cover, the strap, the CDs, cables and manuals, the original product box, the battery with charger, and insured ground shipping through FedEx to lower 48 US addresses only.
Please contact Clemens via e-mail.
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of the 1dX III). The 1DX II sells new for $4,999.00 so you can save a very cool $2204.00 on this great deal.. artie
Price Drops
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens
Price Reduced $255.00 on 17 JUNE 2020!
Patrick Hogue is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a very low $3195.00 (was $3450.00). The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear lens caps, 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 Patrick via e-mail or by phone at 1-760-898-6770 (Pacific time zone). .
The 500 PF was my favorite Nikon lens; I hated giving it up. It is easily handheld by most folks; It kills for flight and does well with the 1.4X teleconverter. It is still hard to find a new one. Save $757.00 and get yours soon. artie
Nikon D500 DSLR Camera w/16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price Reduced $211.95 on 17 JUNE 2020!
Patrick Hogue is also offering a Nikon D500 DSLR Camera in excellent condition and a 16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $985.00 (was $1,196.95). The sale includes the original box, the front body, cap, the battery charger, the strap, both caps for the lens, 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 Patrick via e-mail or by phone at 1-760-898-6770 (Pacific time zone).
The D500 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line crop factor body. It multiplies your focal length by 1.5X. Joe Przybyla and Dan Kearl, both excellent photographers on Bird Photographer’s.Net, use the D500 as their workhorse camera bodies. Joe, the co-author of The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, was after this old dog for a long time to try a D500. The zoom is a quality wide-angle with dozens of uses. The pair sells new for $2,593.90 so you can save a small fortune — $1,608.90 — by taking this real deal. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $200.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $100.00 on 6-13-20
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $8965.95 (was $9265.95). The front element is immaculate, the finish on the hood is dinged up pretty good but is functionally perfect, and the body of the lens is excellent plus. The sale includes the lens trunk, the strap, the front cover, 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.
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
In all systems, the 600 f/4 lenses are the weapons of mass destruction when it comes to birds and wildlife. I loved my Nikon 600 both alone and with the 1.4X teleconverter. If you use Nikon gear and have been dreaming of moving up to the big leagues, do get in touch with me ASAP to save $3,331.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced 50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced 50.00 on 6-13-20
Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $995.95 (was $1,095.95). The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear caps, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
This was my workhorse lens on the memorable Emperor Penguin trip. It is amazingly sharp and versatile. And it does well with the TC-E14 when the sun is out. As this one sells new for $2,,096.95 you can save an incredible $1,101.00 by being the first to grab Anita’s lens. artie
The Last of artie’s Nikon Gear
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $50.00 on 6-13-20
Arthur Morris is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $696.95 (was $796.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens bag, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
This lens is smaller and lighter and costs a lot less than the f/2.8 version. It is relatively fast, very sharp, and extremely versatile. It pairs well with the TC-14E. It sells new right now for $1,396.95. Grab it now to save $700.00 artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $10.00 on 5-28-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $486.95 (was $546.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens pouch, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
I have always loved the lenses in this class. The Nikon version was a lot sharper than the Canon 24-105. It is a versatile multi-purpose lens with a thousand uses. I keep my SONY 24-105 on the front seat of my SUV every day and use it often. The 24-120 sells new right now for $1,096.95. Grab Artie’s pretty much new lens to save a cool $610.00! artie
94 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection, even when shooting through the heavy rain.
Sandhill Crane adult in torrential rain
Sandhill Crane in Torrential Downpour
Aside from keeping your gear dry, the trick in heavy rain is to vary your shutter speeds in the 1/125 to 1/400 sec. range. The length of the blurred streaks will depend on how hard the rain is coming down and the distance to the subject. Once you have the right exposure be sure to try different shutter speeds. For more on shooting in the rain see the Photographing Birds in Heavy Downpours During Thunderstorms. Learn About Protecting Your Gear and the Best Shutter Speeds … blog post here.
On Doing Critiques
Many folks feel that they are not qualified to do critiques. From where I sit, nothing could be further from the truth. Take a good look at an image. What do you like about it? What don’t you like? What are the strengths and weaknesses? Can you think of how the image could have been improved in the field? At the computer? If there is nothing good about an image, do your best to come up with at least one positive. A good critique does not require at least one suggestion for improvement or one negative. Try to be both honest and gentle. Write it all down and you have a great and honest critique.
Let’s Play BPN
Whether you have done hundreds of critiques or have never done one in your life, I ask that you write a short critique of today’s featured image and post it as a comment.
The Two-way Benefits of Critiquing
Aside from attending a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT), having your images critiqued is the single best way to improve your photography. And critiquing others’ images can be equally powerful. As a co-founder and now sole owner of BirdPhotographer’s.Net (BPN), I have posted 1,350 images to be critiqued by others. And I have done roughly 30,592 critiques. To this day — nearly 36 years after I began photographing birds, when I post an image, I learn something. Doubt me? After you have written and posted your critique of today’s featured image, click here to see what the folks on BPN had to say about it.
I urge you to follow the BPN link above as there is a ton to learn at every thread. And be sure to tool around both Avian and the other great BPN forums.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
On Sunday morning, I headed to a lake off Deland Avenue about 2 miles from my home to find some nice flowers. I did. Then I took a 20-mile (round-trip) exploratory drive to the end of Sam Keen Road looking for birds and wildflowers. I saw some neat birds but did not spend any serious time looking for flowers. On the way home, I stopped at Jimmy’s Gas Station on SR 60 and bought myself two birthday presents. See item next.
It has not rained at all for three days and the forecast for today, Monday 15 JUN 2020 is for cloudy and breezy. I will be heading out to photograph at about 7am.
What are they? I will share the identity of the two mystery photos featured below along with the capture info and techniques that I used in Wednesday’s blog post.
I was glad to learn last night that the sale of my Nikon D850 is pending.
Birthday present for self
Birthday Present For Self
Though I weigh only 174 pounds, am doing great, and have not injected a drop of insulin for more than six months, my sugar addiction still exists. After a small dinner on Sunday afternoon, I ate everything above in one sitting. In “one dunking session” would be more accurate. I made a large cup of light (almond milk), sweet (stevia) coffee and in addition, poured a glass of ice-cold almond milk. I dunked the cookies two a time in the coffee and washed each pair down with a sip of almond milk.
And no, I did not test my blood sugar last night or this morning. I sure enjoyed getting off the wagon. Today is a new day. To think, 25 yearss ago, I did something similar every day for 45 years. All in all, I am lucky and happy to be here now headed for 75.
If you have a food addiction that you wish to share, please leave a comment.
93 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Image #1: What is it?
Image #1: What is It?
If you have an idea as to what is pictured in the image above, please leave a comment and be as specific as possible.
Image #2: What is it?
Image #2: What is It?
If you have an idea as to what is pictured in the image above, please leave a comment and be as specific as possible.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Miracle of miracles, it did not rain a drop here on Friday. That morning — yesterday — I made some nice images of new-for-me wildflower, Seaside Primerosewillow. I think 🙂 This morning, Saturday 13 JUNE 2020, I worked the small crane colts for a bit and then found and photographed another new wildflower — Forked Bluecurls. I am sure on that ID. It was a tiny weenie flower, about 3/16 X 1/2 inch at most.
92 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
In the Sandhill Crane Chicks 361-Image — the Picking Your Keepers Video blog post here, I asked Which of today’s six featured images is your favorite?. Images #3 and #5 were the consensus favorties, but I liked Image #1 (above) best for the pose, the wateer droplets on the feathers, and the few streaks of rain.
This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41am on a then completely sunny morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #5: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick resting on bed of plants with tiny white flowers
In the same blog post, with regards to Image #5 immediately above, I asked the following image design question:
Why did I opt to sit while creating Image #5 rather than to lie down flat as I had done in Image #4?
There was no correct answer to that question. The reason that I did not get lower was that the taller clump of leaves below the chick’s head would have significantly blocked our view of the tiny crane; as I go lower, the clump of leaves would have gotten higher as my perspective changed …)
Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video
Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video
Sit beside me as I work on my laptop picking 76 keepers from a very good 361-image morning session with the two very tame week-old Sandhill Crane chicks. Learn to pick the best image or two or three from a series of similar images. Learn the fine points. Learn to see what I am looking for. With today’s high frame-rate/high MP camera bodies, learning to edit tightly while identifying your very best images is an important skill.
Important note: during the third edit I deleted 36 additional images leaving me with 40 keepers from the great morning of 16 MAY.
See the sample video here. To purchase the full video, click here.
This image was created on 3 JUNE 2020 at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport by Greg Gulbransen. He used a tripod-mounted Rodenstock 50mm lens on the Phase One IQ4 150MP Digital Back with the XT Camera body. ISO 64. Four seconds at f/14.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020 Greg Gulbransen. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: The Long TWA Hallway
My Favorite
In the Greg Gulbransen Photographs the TWA Hotel at JFK! blog post here, I again asked for folks to comment on their favorite. Though I really loved #1, Image #2 was my clear favorite because of its graphic nature and bold colors. Those who did not spend some time browsing Greg’s work here really missed a lot. Looking at excellent photography is a great way for you to improve your photography, no matter the subject.
Nikon Fire Sale Price Drops
Many multiple IPT veteran, dear friend Anita North, and yours truly are selling a load of great Nikon lenses cheap. BIRDS AS ART is handling the shipping. And yes, Anita switched to SONY and loves it.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $200.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $100.00 on 6-13-20
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $8965.95 (was $9265.95). The front element is immaculate, the finish on the hood is dinged up pretty good but is functionally perfect, and the body of the lens is excellent plus. The sale includes the lens trunk, the strap, the front cover, 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.
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
In all systems, the 600 f/4 lenses are the weapons of mass destruction when it comes to birds and wildlife. I loved my Nikon 600 both alone and with the 1.4X teleconverter. If you use Nikon gear and have been dreaming of moving up to the big leagues, do get in touch with me ASAP to save $3,331.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced 50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced 50.00 on 6-13-20
Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $995.95 (was $1,095.95). The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear caps, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
This was my workhorse lens on the memorable Emperor Penguin trip. It is amazingly sharp and versatile. And it does well with the TC-E14 when the sun is out. As this one sells new for $2,,096.95 you can save an incredible $1,101.00 by being the first to grab Anita’s lens. artie
The Last of artie’s Nikon Gear
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $50.00 on 6-13-20
Arthur Morris is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $696.95 (was $796.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens bag, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
This lens is smaller and lighter and costs a lot less than the f/2.8 version. It is relatively fast, very sharp, and extremely versatile. It pairs well with the TC-14E. It sells new right now for $1,396.95. Grab it now to save $700.00 artie
Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced on 100.00 5-28-20 Price reduced on 100.00 6-13-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,795.95 (was $1995.95). The sale includes the front body caps, the original box, the strap, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D850 was my very favorite Nikon body. I sold my D5 and bought a 2nd D850. It produces superb image files. The AF system kills on birds in flight — be sure to use Group (grp) AF. It sells new for $2,996.95 so you can save a very lovely $1201.00 by grabbing my D850. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20 Price reduced $10.00 on 5-28-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $486.95 (was $546.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens pouch, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
I have always loved the lenses in this class. The Nikon version was a lot sharper than the Canon 24-105. It is a versatile multi-purpose lens with a thousand uses. I keep my SONY 24-105 on the front seat of my SUV every day and use it often. The 24-120 sells new right now for $1,096.95. Grab Artie’s pretty much new lens to save a cool $610.00! artie
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Thursday morning dawned still with the promise of more heat and more thunderstorms. Wildflower photography was great for about an hour until the breeze picked up. I did well with Yellow Milkwort. I was back home early and could not resist the 100+ perfect Whitemouth Dayflower blossoms in my front yard …
As noted here previously, I enjoyed a red-letter morning photo session here at ILE on May 16 with the then one-week-old crane twins. I finally got around to editing that folder and creating a Camtasia video of the 27-minute editing session. Remember, for me editing means picking my keepers. All six of today’s featured images were from that wonderful morning. Enjoy the sample video below and then consider purchasing the full video here.
The forecast for today — Friday 12 JUNE 2020 is sunny turning cloudy and then sunny in the late afternoon with no rain and no thunderstorms; I’ll believe that when I see it! I will be headed down to the lake at about 6:45am.
Your Favorite?
Which of today’s six featured images is your favorite? Please let us know why you made your pick. I will share my favorite image here in a future blog post.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The sample video above is comprised of the first three minutes of the full 27-minute video.
Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video
Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video
Sit beside me as I work on my laptop picking 76 keepers from a very good 361-image morning session with the two very tame week-old Sandhill Crane chicks. Learn to pick the best image or two or three from a series of similar images. Learn the fine points. Learn to see what I am looking for. With today’s high frame-rate/high MP camera bodies, learning to edit tightly while identifying your very best images is an important skill.
Important note: during the third edit I deleted 36 additional images leaving me with 40 keepers from the great morning of 16 MAY.
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
89 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
While the handheld 200-600 allows great freedom in moving about and easily getting a great perspective, it is relatively slow at f/6.3 and thus is not my number one lens choice in low light. On what started out as a cloudy, drizzly morning the 600 f/4 on the tripod was the obvious choice. Had I opted for the 200-600 I would have had to have been at ISO 2500 to get to 1/500 sec.
This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/640 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:32am on a suddenly somewhat sunny morning.
Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick standing on small rise
The Handheld 200-600 for Easy Living
Handholding a telephoto zoom lens is an absolute pleasure as compared to working on a tripod with the 600mm f/4. In order to create this image with Lake Walk-in-Water as the background, I tried laying down in the grass on my side. The problem was, I had turned off the Viewfinder Level option so I had no idea where square-to-the-world was. This image needed more than five degrees of counter-clockwise rotation. Because the chick was pretty high in the frame, I only needed a bit of Content-Aware to fill in the triangle of needed canvas in the lower right. I went to Upper Center Zone for this one as my position was quite unstable; had I stayed with Tracking Flexible Spot (M) I would have had no chance in heck.
This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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 500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:334am on a suddenly somewhat sunny morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
While on my side, I saw the second chick stand up to my right and begin preening so I sat up and scooched a yard or so to get right on sun angle. In just a minute, the sun had gotten much brighter and, after adjusting the exposure, I wound up with a richer blue background in Image #3 than in Image #2. Being more stable while seated I quickly switched to Tracking Flexible Spot (M) for just a bit more accuracy.
This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:35am on a then partly cloudy morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #4: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick resting on grassy hill
Chicks on the Rise
There is a small hill just to the right of the parking circle at the end of Park Drive here at ILE, right by the pier. Any time that there are birds on the small rise, it presents good opportunities for working with distant backgrounds such as those seen in Images 2 & #3. In Image #4, the small strip of out-of-focus green at the top of the frame is a big plus for me. And that goes double for the larger strip of out-of-focus green at the top of the frame in Image #5.
To get the perspective that I wanted for Image #4, I was lying flat on my belly.
This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41am on a then completely sunny morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #5: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick resting on bed of plants with tiny white flowers
SONY Zebras Rock in Changing Light!
Notice that the light level in each of today’s six featured images was different. Exposures ranged from ISO 1000 — 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (for Image #1) to ISO 400 — 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 (for Image #5). Working with ISO on the Control Wheel and Patrick Sparkman’s recommended Zebra values enables SONY users to consistently and quickly come up with perfect or near-perfect exposures. Pick your shutter speed and aperture and then simply adjust the ISO until you see Zebras (live in real times in the viewfinder!) All this is done before you press the shutter button. In the guide, we explain how using Zebras when the sun is shining differs from using Zebras in low light.
Image Design Question
Why did I opt to sit while creating Image #5 rather than to lie down flat as I had done in Image #4?
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed better than the operator — this image needed a healthy crop from the right and from above.
Image #6: Sandhill Crane one-week-old — head portrait showing tongue
SONY at 1200mm!
As I love working clean, tight, and graphic I enjoy the superb performance of the SONY 600 GM with the 2X TC. As you have seen on the blog, flight photography at 1200mm is viable.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Wednesday morning — 10 JUNE 2020 — was still and foggy to start followed quickly by still and sunny. I made two really good flower images and found a wonderful old oak tree in damp woods. It was covered with moss and Baton Rouge (strawberry) Lichens and more than a few air plants. Those photos were somewhat disappointing. As I continued exploring and photographing, I met a Willie Nelson-type guy named Ralph on a bike. We got to chatting and he took me to a spot a block from his home near Orange and Magnolia that was rife with several new-for-me wildflower species. Ralph volunteers at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. He knows a lot about a lot and is quite willing to share. Bingo!
I’ve been doing my now regular 66 lengths (3/4 mile) earlier in the day to avoid the late afternoon thunderstorms. On Tuesday afternoon it rained hard for more than four hours. On Wednesday the daily monsoon lasted only about an hour. How’s that for progress?
I was thrilled to learn that thee sale of Carol Anderson’s Canon 200-400 with Internal TC and her 1DX Mark II became pending.
On Thursday, I am planning to record the RawDigger Flower and Static Subjects Exposure Guide. I will follow that up with the RawDigger Avain Exposure Guide. More on those soon.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
88 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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 3 JUNE 2020 at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport by Greg Gulbransen. He used a tripod-mounted Rodenstock 32mm lens on the Phase One IQ4 150MP Digital Back with the XT Camera body. ISO 100. Three seconds at f/14.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020 Greg Gulbransen. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
TheRe-constructed Lounge
TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport
The TWA Hotel is located on the grounds of John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York. It opened on May 15, 2019. It utilizes the headhouse of what was the TWA Flight Center airline terminal, designed in 1962 by the architect Eero Saarinen. The TWA Hotel project added two buildings on either side of the existing headhouse. The two buildings contain a total of 512 rooms between them along as well as a conference space, six to eight restaurants, and an aviation history museum. There is a rooftop infinity swimming pool and a 10,000 square feet observation deck. Many of the TWA Flight Center’s original details, such as the custom ceramic floor tiles and the 486 variously-shaped window panels, were replaced with replicas of the originals. These details give the hotel a 1960s-era vibe, and include brass lighting, walnut-accented furnishings, and rotary phones. The hallways contain red carpeting, evocative of the color of the furniture in the original TWA lounge. The rooms, however, also contain modern amenities such as blackout curtains and multi-pane soundproof windows. The large departure board, a split-flap display made in Italy has been a feature of the building since the Flight Center’s opening in 1962; it was fully restored as part of the hotel project. The TWA Hotel also includes a cocktail lounge inside a preserved Lockheed L-1649 Starliner, the last model of the Lockheed Constellation line of airliners; the lounge is nicknamed “Connie”.
Right now, room rates at the hotel are surpsingly low, almost surely due to the restricted travel policies in place. Learn more here.
Greg Gulbransen
Greg Gulbransen, a pediatrician from Long Island, is an incredibly talented photographer. You can see collection of his an eclectic images on his website here. If you take a minute to follow the link to Greg’s gallery, you will see some gorgeous and moving photography. After browsing several of the galleries I spent an hour reading and following a few links under the IN THE NEWS tab. One of Greg’s polar bear images was named grand prize winner in the 2016 The Weather Channel “It’s Amazing Photo Contest.” The first prize was a handsome $15,000.00.
If you are curious about the gear that Greg used to create today’s two featured images, note that the price tag for his kit is well in excess of $75.000.00. Greg has led a beyond-amazing life and I am proud to call him a friend.
This image was created on 3 JUNE 2020 at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport by Greg Gulbransen. He used a tripod-mounted Rodenstock 50mm lens on the Phase One IQ4 150MP Digital Back with the XT Camera body. ISO 64. Four seconds at f/14.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2020 Greg Gulbransen. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The Long TWA Hallway
The Long TWA Hallway
Greg stayed at the hotel last Wednesday night and did some fine architectural photography. He sent me a selection via DropBox and I fell in love with the two images featured here today. Each image is a 2-frame X 2-frame stitched panorama. His photo sessions at the hotel marked the end of his COVID QUIET project. He photographed streets and parks and buildings all over New York City, all completely devoid of people. In his words, he was documenting NYC empty.
The Long TWA Hallway leads from a lower lobby to an upper lobby. Outside the windows of the second-floor lobby is an old Lockheed L-1649 Starliner painted in TWA colors. TWA was in and out of bankruptcy twice during the 1990s and closed up for good in 2001 when it filed for a third and final bankruptcy and was acquired by American Airlines.
Your Fave?
Which of today’s two images is your favorite? Please let us know why you made your pick. I will share my clear favorite with y’all here in a future blog post.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
On Monday morning it was a bit breezy hot and humid so I spent most of my morning session scouting for wildflowers. I did find some nice new stuff and wound up photographing what I think was Tenangle Pipewort and a lovely Pink –not sure which one.
I upped my swim to 66 lengths, 3/4 mile. In addition to my cardio-bursts I have added ten easy minutes on the StairMaster.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
87 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Manual Focus using techniques from the SONY e-Guide. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Florida Sensitive Brier
My Big Macro Mistake Corrected …
For decades I have been teaching bird photographers that when they are photographing large groups of birds, it is imperative to focus on the closest bird. I failed to follow my own advice the first time that I photographed Florida Sensitive Brier by focusing beyond the closest little gold thingies. Having something out of focus in front of the subject is generally an image wrecker; I deleted all of the images from the first session. For today’s featured image, I made sure to focus on the closest little gold thingies. Using the Focus Magnfier/Manual focusing technique that is detailed in The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (see same above), makes macro photography pretty much a walk-in-the-park as long there is no breeze or provided that you can keep the subject absolutely still. See Lesson One on that below.
The more that I work with the Sigma 150mm macro/Vello Adapter/a7r iv rig the more proficient I become. If I can keep the blossoms completely, still everything is easy …
Manual Focus using techniques from the SONY e-Guide. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Florida Sensitive Brier
Plamped-in-Place
The best-case scenario for wildflower photography is a dead still day with zero breezes. Such conditions are very rare, and when they do occur — usually in the early morning, they do not last long. In general, cloudy days are to be preferred as the clouds eliminate shadows. In addition, when it is sunny, the air heats and moves and the resulting air currents move the flowers constantly. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to use the Plamped-in-Place solution. As you can ssee above, I set up a spare tripod about 15 inches from the blossom.I attached a Wimberley Plamp II to the tripod with the sturdy, powerful clamp jaws (black with the orange tips) and then held the flower gently in place with the lightweight (black and white) clamp. The beauty of this solution is that when you are done, you carefully remove the lightweight clamp from the stem of the flower and pack your gear. The flower is left growing in place as if you were never there.
There are many ways to use the Wimberley Plamp II; I will be sharing additional Plamp techniques here with you in future blog posts.
The Art of Flower Photography by Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris
You can learn everything e about this e-book here, or order your copy here.
Video: The Art of Flower Photography
In this B&H Event Space video, two of the world’s premier photographers of flora and fauna — Arthur Morris and Denise Ippolito — share the techniques they use to create dramatic, sharp, well-composed, properly exposed images of flowers and flower fields. Denise does great things with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS lens, while artie often goes to longer focal lengths—he has been seen photographing tulips at Keukenhoff Gardens, Holland, with a 600mm lens and a teleconverter. In addition to standard techniques, the video ends with Ippolito and Morris showing a wide range of abstract floral images and describing a variety of creative artistic effects such as multiple exposures, sharp/soft blending, texture overlays, warping a flower, creating zoom/twirls, in-camera blurs, and many others.
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Though the sun broke through the clouds yesterday afternoon for a very few minutes, the unsettled weather continues. I did a few small white flowers with yellow centers while standing in a 6-inch deep puddle next to the road in a normally dry spot … The results were not-too-good 🙂 I will be heading out soon on Monday 8 JUNE 2020, yet another hot and humid day.
With the non-stop rains, the pool has cooled down a bit to a very comfortable 83 degrees. And we have not had to water the butterfly garden!
Please take a moment and leave a comment letting us know which of today’s two featured images is your favorite. And why. Much appreciated.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
86 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.
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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 1 JUNE 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:57:32am on a very cloudy morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: 3-week old Sandhill Crane chick waiting to get fed
The SONY 200-600/a9/a9ii Combination
The SONY Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens combined with either an a9 or an a9 ii is a deadly combination for bird photography. When I am doing birds, there are lots of sessions when I take a walk with just my 2-6 and the a9ii, always with the 1.4X TC in my pocket or fanny pack. If conditions look really good, I will often head out with the 600 GM/1.4XTC/a7r iv or a9 ii rig on the tripod and the 2-6/a9 ii rig on a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Strap on my shoulder.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
This image was created on 1 JUNE 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:57:35am on a very cloudy morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: 3-week old Sandhill Crane chick getting fed
Down By the Canal
By working up and down the slope that leads to the canal between the South Peninsula and the South Field, I can photograph my subjects at or near eye level and control the background. To do the latter, I simply move up or down the slope to change my perspective until I like what I see. The two images were created 3 seconds apart. The reason that there is a strip of sky at the top of Image #2 but not in Image #1, is the difference in the original framing. For both images, I was using Tracking Flexible Spot and concentrating on keeping the AF box on the adult’s face. Foor Image #2, I might have taken a small step back and gotten a bit lower. One thing for sure is that in image #2 the lens was pointed up more than it was in Image #1. The final framing of each is similar because each image was cropped to that effect.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
The unsettled weather continues. Last night Jim found a tiny pink wildflower blooming low-to-the-ground right next to my driveway. Of course, I headed right out in the drizzle with the Sigma 150/Vello Adapter/a7r iv rig on a tripod and shocked myself by creating a single nice image. This morning was more of the same. I did find and photograph a tiny white wildflower with a yellow center in a big puddle along with hundreds of blooming tickseeds. I will now be leaving my macro gear on the sheltered table in the pool cage because it was all fogged up this morning. And yes, my garage which doubles as the BIRDS AS ART warehouse, is air-conditioned …
Aside from the challenges of photographing wildflowers discussed below, I am finding that identifying the subjects in my images is just as big a challenge as creating pleasing, sharp, perfectly exposed images. I have always learned by seeking help from folks who know a lot more than I do and am in the progress of doing just that now.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
84 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.
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market is somewhat depressed. That said, the prices of used photo gear only go one way: down. The longer you wait, the less you will get for your gar. Period. Over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all thee great bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Used Gear Page News
All eight of Fred Innamorato’s Canon offerings sold on the first day of listing as did two of the four Carol Anderson’s listings. In addition, the sale of Anita North’s 200-500 was recently finalized. When folks are willing to pay 4% extra to cover our Paypal fees for the gear that I am handling, we can ship the stuff the same day; several folks have done that in the past week.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20
Arthur Morris is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $746.95 (was $796.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens bag, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
This lens is smaller and lighter and costs a lot less than the f/2.8 version. It is relatively fast, very sharp, and extremely versatile. It pairs well with the TC-14E. It sells new right now for $1,396.95. Grab it now to save $650.00 artie
Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced on 100.00 5-28-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,895.95 (was $1995.95). The sale includes the front body caps, the original box, the strap, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D850 was my very favorite Nikon body. I sold my D5 and bought a 2nd D850. It produces superb image files. The AF system kills on birds in flight — be sure to use Group (grp) AF. It sells new for $2,996.95 so you can save a very lovely $101.00 by grabbing my D850. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $496.95 (was $546.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens pouch, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
I have always loved the lenses in this class. The Nikon version was a lot sharper than the Canon 24-105. It is a versatile multi-purpose lens with a thousand uses. I keep my SONY 24-105 on the front seat of my SUV every day and use it often. The 24-120 sells new right now for $1,096.95. Grab Artie’s pretty much new lens to save a cool $600.00! artie
Nikon D500 DSLR
BAA Record-low Price!
Anita North is offering a Nikon D500 DSLR in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a BAA record-low price of $895.95. The sale includes the original box, the front body, cap, the battery charger, the strap, both caps for the lens, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D500 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line crop factor body. It multiplies your focal length by 1.5X. Joe Przybyla and Dan Kearl, both excellent photographers on Bird Photographer’s.Net, use the D500 as their workhorse camera bodies. Joe, the co-author of The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, was after this old dog for a long time to try a D500. The D500 sells new right now for $1,496.95; save a cool $601 by grabbing Anita’s lens. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $200.00 on 5-28-20
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $9065.95 (was $9265.95). The front element is immaculate, the finish on the hood is dinged up pretty good but is functionally perfect, and the body of the lens is excellent plus. The sale includes the lens trunk, the strap, the front cover, 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.
Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
In all systems, the 600 f/4 lenses are the weapons of mass destruction when it comes to birds and wildlife. I loved my Nikon 600 both alone and with the 1.4X teleconverter. If you use Nikon gear and have been dreaming of moving up to the big leagues, do get in touch with me ASAP to save $3,231.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens
Sale Pending 5-31-20
Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a BAA record-low $3045.95 (was $3095.95). The sale includes the original box, the front and rear lens caps, thee lens bag, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The 500 PF was my favorite Nikon lens; I hated giving it up. It is easily handheld by most folks; It kills for flight and does well with the 1.4X teleconverter. It is still hard to find a new one. Save $551.00 and get yours soon. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR Lens
Price dropped $71.95 on 7 JUNE 2020!
Gary Meyer is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $525.00 (was $596.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, 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 Gary via e-mail or by phone at 1-612-221-0150 (Central time zone).
I have always loved the lenses in this class. The Nikon version was a lot sharper than the Canon 24-105. It is a versatile multi-purpose lens with a thousand uses. I keep my SONY 24-105 on the front seat ever day. The 24-120 sells new right now for $1,096.95. Grab Gary’s pretty much new lens to save another $571.95! artie
Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender
Sale Pending
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent plus condition for $4998.00. The sale includes the original box, the rear lens cap, the front lens cover, the lens trunk, a LensCoat, a Kirk low foot, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Photos are available upon request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
This is the world’s best lens for a trip to Africa. It kills also in the Galapagos and in South Georgia, the Falklands, and Antarctica. And I used mine a lot at Bosque and other dusty places where the built-in TC helps to keep your sensor clean. And I love it in the Palouse for its versatility. At one point, I found myself wishing that I had taken the 200-400 rather than my 500 II on the Bear Boat Cubs IPT. Many nature photographers use this lens as their workhorse telephoto as it offers 784mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999; can save an incredible $6001.00 by grabbing this excellent lens along with all the extras right now. artie
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II Camera Body
Sale Pending
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in like-new condition for $2798.00. The sale includes the original product box, the strap, the front body cap, one Canon battery, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of thee 1dX III). The 1DX II sells new for $4,999.00 so you can save a very cool $2301.00 on this great deal. artie
Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head with Screw-Knob Panning Clamp Plus Accessories!
Please contact Ravi via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
This ballhead kit is perfect for super-serious landscape and macro photographers. artie
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Manual Focus using techniques from the SONY e-Guide. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Nuttall’s Thistle
Mastering In-the-field Techniques For My New Passion …
Photographing wildflowers is a lot different than photographing dahlias and tulips. And it is a lot more challenging. Perhaps the greatest challenge is keeping the blossoms completely still. In The Art of Flower Photography Denise and I wrote about many different techniques that can be used to keep the flowers completely still. I used one of those here: After finding the ready-to-pop bud, I set up a tripod very close to it, clamped a Wimberley Plamp II to an upper leg, and gently placed the stem into the smaller, gentler clamp jaws of the Plamp. The Plamp is twisty so that — again — working very carefully, you can change the position of the blossom slightly without damaging the stem or the blossom.
The second huge challenge of doing wildflowers is choosing the best aperture. With small flowers at close at point-blank range, depth-of-field is extremely narrow. To stop down, you need a slower shutter speed and/or a higher ISO. And unless the background is quite distant from the subject (as it was in today’s featured image), you run the risk of bringing up many distracting background elements … As it is when pricing used camera gear, the line is a fine one. I am working on many new techniques and will be sharing some of them here with you soon.
You can learn more about how I am using the Sigma 150 with the Vello Adapter on my a7r iv in the Beach False Foxglove (wildflower) Set-up. And My Macro Plan: a work in progress blog post here. This solution is cumbersome at best but I am getting close to mastering it.
The Art of Flower Photography by Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris
You can learn everything e about this e-book here, or order your copy here.
Video: The Art of Flower Photography
In this B&H Event Space video, two of the world’s premier photographers of flora and fauna — Arthur Morris and Denise Ippolito — share the techniques they use to create dramatic, sharp, well-composed, properly exposed images of flowers and flower fields. Denise does great things with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS lens, while artie often goes to longer focal lengths—he has been seen photographing tulips at Keukenhoff Gardens, Holland, with a 600mm lens and a teleconverter. In addition to standard techniques, the video ends with Ippolito and Morris showing a wide range of abstract floral images and describing a variety of creative artistic effects such as multiple exposures, sharp/soft blending, texture overlays, warping a flower, creating zoom/twirls, in-camera blurs, and many others.
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
It continues to rain non-stop here in central Florida. Tropical Storm Cristobal, now in the Gulf of Mexico, may bring additional rains midweek. I did manage to create a few nice flower images in a light drizzle this morning, Saturday 6 JUNE 2020. At 10:00am it is raining harder under somber gray skies with zero wind.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
Via e-Mail from Charlie Curry
Artie, I would like to add my thanks for the incredible SONY e-Guide and the videos for the a9 ii and the a7r iv. Now I can focus accurately and get my exposure correct in many different lighting situations on almost every shot. My efficiency improved tremendously thanks to you and Patrick. Best regards. Charlie Curry
83 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.
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market is somewhat depressed. That said, the prices of used photo gear only go one way: down. The longer you wait, the less you will get for your gar. Period. Over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all thee great bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Used Gear Page News
All eight of Fred Innamorato’s Canon offerings sold on the first day of listing as did two of the four Carol Anderson’s listings. In addition, the sale of Anita North’s 200-500 was recently finalized. When folks are willing to pay 4% extra to cover our Paypal fees for the gear that I am handling, we can ship the stuff the same day; several folks have done that in the past week.
Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head with Screw-Knob Panning Clamp Plus Accessories!
Please contact Ravi via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
This ballhead kit is perfect for super-serious landscape and macro photographers. artie
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Wide AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and again, performed to perfection.
Scroll down to see the original image …
Image #3: Black Vulture landing
The Question
In the A Photoshop Hanky-Panky Quiz blog post here, I asked which of the three featured Black Vulture images underwent major changes in Photoshop. That would be Image #3 (above). Scroll down to see the original.
A Comments conversation with Jeff Rugg from that blog post:
Hi Artie, you always do such a good job with the Photoshop tools that a quiz like this won’t find any photoshop mistakes.
Thanks, Jeff.
In images 2 and 3 you would have followed your own advice and fired off several pictures to cover the action and movement of the birds. It is possible that the best overall pose clipped a wing. As you have shown many times, you can fix that easily.
That does take some time and effort to do well.
If you were using photoshop to fix image 2, I think you would have cleaned up the one dirt spot along the lower right-hand edge …
Good eye. I missed that. That’s the muddy track …
and maybe the green out of focus spot in the blue water area on the left.
I actually love that for compositional balance.
Image 4 is set up with the bird on the left one-third, focused on the eye and it has a good amount of space behind the bird, so I think you took a great shot there as you planned it.
I see them coming, acquire focus, and make three or four images …< he SONY AF system performs magically in these (and many other) situations.< /h2>
That leaves image 3 where the primaries are close to the top edge of the picture and the toes are close to the bottom, either could have been clipped and fixed, but I don’t see any obvious evidence of the photoshop work. Well done as always. Jeff
Thanks again. Most folks will be surprised when they see the original for #3 in Saturday’s blog post (now immediately below). with love, artie
Capture One screeen capture: the original for Image #3: Black Vulture landing
Image #3
When the vultures are coming to the roadkill cafe, it is often quite difficult to isolate the landing birds. As soon as I saw this image, I knew exactly what I had to do. Note that as captured that the bird is looking out of the “wrong” side of the frame. To create the optimized version that opens this post, I first leveled the imagee. Then, I not only needed to coverer the two extraneous vultures with Quick Masks, but I needed to flop the subject (as detailed in APTATS I & II) and then move it to the left in the frame by adding significant canvas on the right.
As expected, noone had a clue as to what I had done (though two folks were vaguely in the neighborhhood).
My Point!
I can guarantee that if I had showed the original image along with the optimnized version that many folks would have pointed to the obvious telltalee signs because they knew where to look and theey knew what had been done. Note also in the comments that several folks had invented “proof” as to what they thought had been done even though Images #2 and #4 were as they came out of the camera.
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.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
All 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.
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.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
With the three large fields down by the lake flooded, I drove the side streets in search of flowers on Thursday morning. My best find was a blooming Nuttall’s Thistle. The rains began again at about 9:30am and never let up. I swam at 3:30pm under black skies and torrential, pelting rain. The forecast for today — Friday 5 June is cloudy and still with the thunderstorms beginning at 1pm. I will look for some wildflowers early and then head into town for a rare shopping trip.
I will share the original of the heavily Photoshopped image alluded to in the A Photoshop Hanky-Panky Quiz: Win a Copy of The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) blog post here. Though one guy got close, the prize is stilll up for grabs …
Used Gear Page News
I was both excited and proud that all eight of Fred Innamorato’s Canon offerings sold on the first day of listing. In addition, the sale of Anita North’s 200-500 was completed on Thursday. When folks are willing to pay 4% extra to cover our Paypal fees, we can ship the gear the same day.
Alex Barbisotti commented:
Dear Artie, Sorry to say this, but I think you went a little low regarding the pricing on Fred’s gear …No wonder it’s sold so fast. I feel bad for Fred.
My Response
Thanks for leaving a comment. Pricing all gear, especially Canon gear, requires dancing a very fine line. The boys and girls are shopping with eagle eyes. In addition, Fred got about 30-40% more than if he had sold the stuff to B&H. And BTW, Fred is thrilled 🙂
with love, artie
I should have mentioned that seven of the eight items sold to a single buyer. Take him out of the picture and consider what might be … Remember also (see here), that Fred thought that his Canon gear was pretty much worthless and that it would never sell. In a single day, after paying the 5% Used Gar Page fee and the shipping charges, he will wind up with more than $9,500.00 in his pocket.
Fred’s comment this morning:
Hey artie, I am completely satisfied with the price listings and sale of my Canon gear. Thx. Pricing used gear is tricky. How many people have $3000 to spend. Also, if they do have a lot of buying power, why not buy new is the way I see it. Raising $11,000 is a lot of money. Especially if you know the value goes down each day. Could I have gotten $12,000?? Maybe, but we also need and want the buyers to be happy. Threading this needle is what you did. Not one buyer haggled with me and I sure didn’t want to deal with a difficult buyer. This is the reason I use your blog to sell my gear. You attract good, decent people that respect and appreciate that we are all members of the “BIRDS AS ART”.
I think you do a great job of balancing the seller’s interest with the buyers’ interests. Both sellers and buyers are loyal followers of your blog and we trust your integrity. You bring both our interests together with fairness and professionalism. Thanks Artie!
Fred
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BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
Via e-Mail from Charlie Curry
Artie, I would like to add my thanks for the incredible SONY e-Guide and the videos for the a9 ii and the a7r iv. Now I can focus accurately and get my exposure correct in many different lighting situations on almost every shot. My efficiency improved tremendously thanks to you and Patrick. Best regards. Charlie Curry
82 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.
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market is somewhat depressed. That said, the prices of used photo gear only go one way: down. The longer you wait, the less you will get for your gar. Period. Over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all the great bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent plus condition for $4998.00. The sale includes the original box, the rear lens cap, the front lens cover, the lens trunk, a LensCoat, a Kirk low foot, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Photos are available upon request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
This is the world’s best lens for a trip to Africa. It kills also in the Galapagos and in South Georgia, the Falklands, and Antarctica. And I used mine a lot at Bosque and other dusty places where the built-in TC helps to keep your sensor clean. And I love it in the Palouse for its versatility. At one point, I found myself wishing that I had taken the 200-400 rather than my 500 II on the Bear Boat Cubs IPT. Many nature photographers use this lens as their workhorse telephoto as it offers 784mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999; can save an incredible $6001.00 by grabbing this excellent lens along with all the extras right now. artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II Lens
Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II lens in excellent plus condition for $999.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the rear lens cap, the lens hood, a LensCoat, a Kirk low foot, 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 family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. artie
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II Camera Body
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in like-new condition for $2798.00. The sale includes the original product box, the strap, the front body cap, one Canon battery, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of thee 1dX III). The 1DX II sells new for $4,999.00 so you can save a very cool $2301.00 on this great deal. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR in very good condition for $547.00. The sale includes the original product box, the strap, the front body cap, one Canon battery, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact family-friend Don Carter via e-mail.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II for several years until we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie. artie
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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 Indian Lake Estates, FL on 5 MAY 2020. I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at at 128mm) and the 61-mega-pixel monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 640: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:52pm on a sunny aftrenoon.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure.
Sandhill Crane adult and storm clouds
Zooming Out and Getting Low for Stormy Indigo-Blue/Black Skies
Whenever I am out photographing and see dark storm clouds opposite a shining sun, I get excited. The trick is to figure out how to get a bird against the dark, stormy skies. At ILE, thunderstorms are most common in the afternoons, but it is difficult to photograph to the east with the sun behind you as there are lots of houses on the two streets that fron the lake. When I saw a crane standing on the edge of the South Field I formulated a plan. I walked down the sloped that leads to the marsh, zoomed out, figured the exposure with Zebra’s oon the crane’s white chin, and created only two images before the bird walked off. Today’s featured image is my favorite.
Image Design Question
Why do I wish that I had stood two inches taller?
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
We have had lots of unsettled weather here for more than ten days. It is not really safe to drive on the three fields down by the lake as sections of them are flooded. The only photographable birds around are the cranes, the Ospreys, and the ever-present Black Vultures. There are lots of wildflowers on the sidestreets but this morning — Wednesday 3 JUNE 2020 — it was too breezy for flower photography.
I’d love to entertain a few more responses to the Photoshop Hanky Panky question in yesterday’s blog post here. See more on that below.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …
The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy, the market is somewhat depressed. That said, the prices of used photo gear only go one way: down. The longer you wait, the less you will get for your gar. Period. Over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices the used prices of many items have been dropping steadily. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping as well. You can see all thee great bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.
Recent Sales
Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $796.95 (was $896.95) and a Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $696.95 (was $746.95), both within days of listing in early MAY 2020.
Patrick Hogue sold a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $1195.95 the first day it was listed in late-May 2020.
Dennis Westover sold his Nikon 300mm AF-S f/2.8 ED VRII telephoto lens in excellent plus condition along with a Nikon AF-S TC 17E II 1.7X teleconverter in excellent condition and a Nikon AF-S TC 20E III 2X teleconverter, also in excellent condition for the shock-the-world price of $3299.85 in late-MAY 2020.
Used Gear page regular Charlie Curry sold his Sony a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera body in like-new condition (971 shutter releases) and the Sony (VG-C3EM) Vertical Grip a BAA record-low $2598.00 in late-May 2020.
Sandra Calderbank sold her Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in like-new condition for the BAA record-low-by-$1,500-price of $5,499.00 (was $5999.00) in late-May 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED (Macro) lens in like-new condition but for a barely-visible tiny (less than 1/16 inch) crescent-shaped scratch on the front element for the BAA record-low by-far price of $ $396.95, a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $996.95, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1196.95 a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,346.95, and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $546.95, all within a day of listing.
Jim Lewis sold his Canon EOS-1D X in near-mint condition with extras for a BAA record-low $1,500.00 (was $1,895.00) in early MAY 2020.
Kevin Spencer sold his Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens in excellent condition for $6,799.00 to a local buyer in early MAY 2020.
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is sold his Canon EF Extender 1.4X II (the 1.4X II teleconverter) in excellent condition for the ridiculous, you-might-as-well-give-it-away price of $89.00 (was $179.00) in early MAY.
Gary Meyer sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6 VR PF lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $3096.95 and a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $226.95, both on the first day of listing in early MAY 2020.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon EF 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM zoom lens (the white version) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $459.00 (was $699.00) in early MAY 2020.
New Listings
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $3099.99. The sale includes the original box, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the lens hood, the front lens cover, a Don Zek C3 lens cap, the lens strap, a Realtree Lens Coat, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern Time Zone).
I owned and used and loved the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) big gun several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. artie
EF 300mm f /2.8L IS II USM Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EF 300mm f /2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $2899.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the front lens cover, the lens hood, a Don Zek C3 lens cap, the lens strap, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern Time Zone).
The 300mm f/2.8 autofocus lenses have long been the first choice of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers with and without a 1.4X TC. When teamed up with either the 1.4X or 2X TC, they make a great hand-holdable walk-around lens. For folks with a 7D Mark II, the 300 II would make a great workhorse lens for bird photography. Grabbing Jim’s lens will save you an incredible $2,901.00 as new ones are going for $6099.00 from B&H. I owned and used several versions of the 300 f/2.8 lens for many years until finally replacing my 300 f/2.8 II with the 400 DO II several years ago. That said, the 300 f/2.8 II represents a great value as the 400 DO II sells new for $6,899.00.artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f /4.5-5.6L IS USM II lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $998.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the rear lens cap, the lens hood, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern Time Zone)
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Camera Body
BAA Record-low Price! Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera body in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $1549.00. The sale includes the original product box, the strap, the front body cap, the USB Cable Interface, an extra eye-cup, one extra Canon battery, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern time zone).
What can I say? The 5D IV was my favorite ever Canon digital dSLR. I owned and used three of them while my 1DX II sat on the shelf in my garage for the most part. If you have been dreaming of a 5D IV, grab Fred’s camera body right now and save a cool $950.00.artie
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II Camera Body
BAA Record-low Price! Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $2698.00. The sale includes the original product box, the strap, the front body cap, the USB Cable Interface, an extra eye-cup, one extra Canon LP-E19 battery pack, the charger, the battery compartment plug, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern time zone).
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of thee 1dX III). The 1DX II sells new for $4,999.00 so you can save a very cool $2301.00 on this great deal. artie
Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter)
Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter)
Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering a Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter) in excellent plus condition for $219.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, 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 Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon EF Extension Tube Set
Sale Pending/first day of listing!
Blog regular Fred Innamorato is offering the Extension Tube Set, the EF 12 II and EF 25 II, in excellent plus condition for $124.90. The sale includes the original boxes and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your set will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Fred via e-mail or by phone at 1-216-978-6369 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers know, I used extension tubes often to reduce the minimum focussing distances of my two Cann macro lenses and my super-telephotos. I used them behind a TC to focus closer with AF and at times, in front of a TC to get even closer while having to use manual focus). The pair sells for $224.90 so you can save an even $100.00 by grabbing the pair. artie
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Version III: Sandhill Crane one-day old chick standing near adult on the nest
Version III
This is the third optimized version of this image. I followed additional suggestions made in comments on the Sandhill Crane Chick Grass Blade Removal and Canvas Expanded as Suggested … blog post here
Here is a comment from that blog post along with my reply:
Allen: Much better without the grass coming out of the chick’s head. Not thrilled with the “content-aware” fill of the canvass expansion to the left. Can see obvious repeated patterns of grass details.
artie: Hi Allen, As I have proven here on many occasions, ‘obvious repeated patterns” are always visible when I have told folks where to look. In the video, you will learn that Content-Aware failed in the lower-left corner. And I took care to reduce or eliminate and repeats when I covered the problematic area with a refined Quick Mask. A close look reveals that I might have missed on a repeat of a brown area.
Only three folks have responded to the question in the A Photoshop Hanky-Panky Quiz: Win a Copy of The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) here.
I sent Allen a special invitation to respond to yesterday’s challenge.
I did not see the crane babies on Sunday morning. On Monday morning, I could not find the family at first … When I saw the adults well out in the lake in shallow water, I was confused. The two little baby cranes were not there. They had been replaced by two small crane colts. It is amazing how much they have grown in just three weeks. Later that morning I photographed the whole family at eye level on the South Peninsula with the 200-600/a9 ii combo. I was standing along the edge of the canal very close to the spot that I worked from when creating today’s Black vulture images. The two colts are young, strong, and healthy.
I got back early to do some butterfly gardening. I planted two well-rooted Salt and Pepper cuttings; this time, protected by rabbit guards … Please do not ask me about my first efforts at propagating Salt and Pepper. I will say that the Gulf Frittilaries absolutely love nectaring on the blossoms.
I was pleased to learn that Charlie Curry’s a9 sold for the full asking price and that the sale of Sandra Calderbank’s Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS II lens became final.
It is 6:40am eastern time on Tuesday, 2 JUNE 2020. This blog post took more than four hours to prepare. It is looking like another hazy, hot, and humid day here in central Florida and I am headed down to the lake in search of birds and wildflowers.
The State of the Country
I need to state clearly here that I am hoping for justice for George Floyd. I fail to understand how the police officers that stood by and watched George Floyd be murdered by a police officer have not been charged with a crime. And I am equally baffled as to how the looters and arsonists in many of our major cities are being permitted to operate with impunity. Black lives surely do matter to me.
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Via e-Mail from Charlie Curry
Artie, I would like to add my thanks for the incredible SONY e-Guide and the videos for the a9 ii and the a7r iv. Now I can focus accurately and get my exposure correct in many different lighting situations on almost every shot. My efficiency improved tremendously thanks to you and Patrick. Best regards. Charlie Curry
79 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.
Anita North is offering a Nikon D500 DSLR in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a BAA record-low price of $895.95. The sale includes the original box, the front body, cap, the battery charger, the strap, both caps for the lens, 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 artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.
The D500 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line crop factor body. It multiplies your focal length by 1.5X. Joe Przybyla and Dan Kearl, both excellent photographers on Bird Photographer’s.Net, use the D500 as their workhorse camera bodies. Joe, the co-author of The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, was after this old dog for a long time to try a D500. The D500 sells new right now for $1,496.95; save a cool $601 by grabbing Anita’s lens. artie
SONY 200-600 Update
Steve Elkins now has four SONY 200-600s in stock; one of them surely has your name on it. Contact Steve as immediately below to save $50.00.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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 13 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates. Working from my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 441mm) and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only) ISO 500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:44am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #1: Black Vultures at roadkill/fish head feeding station
The Down-by-the-Canal Set-up
It did not take me long to figure out that if I photographed from the slope leading down to the canal between the South Peninsula and the South Field that I could be at eye-level with my subjects and be able to control the backgrounds by moving slightly up or slightly down the slope. With my sometimes gimpy left knee, I do that carefully as the terrain is both angled and uneven. But the rewards are great.
To create Image #1, I had to drive around the canal. If you note where my rig is set up, you can see that the tripod is precisely positioned on the slope so that I could come up with the lovely bands of blue in the backgrounds, those thanks to Lake Walk-in-Water. The vultures in the image above were attracted to a road-killed opossum and some thawed-out fish heads courtesy of Mike at Junior’s Fish Market on State Road 60 in Lake Wales.
Note also that I put out the bait in a spot where — when I am working on sun angle — there are no buildings on the opposite shore of the lake.
Wide AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Image #2: Black Vulture running excitedly
Photographing Vultures (and Sandhill Cranes and more …) at Eye-Level While Standing at Full Height
I just love working on the slope that leads to the canal between the South Peninsula and the South Field as being at just the right height can offer superb backgrounds. The vultures will usually respond to my road-kill/fish head cafe and the cranes spend lots of time foraging on the South Peninsula. And this year two Sandhill Crane families spent a good deal of time foraging on the South Field …
Photoshop Hanky-Panky Quiz
Win a copy of The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) — a $40.00 value. Here’s how: consider which of today’s three featured images (#2, #3, or #4) underwent extensive changes in Photoshop. Two of the three images are basically as they came out of the camera. In order to win, you need to be the first to state which image was totally re-crafted in Photoshop and in addition, you must state your case: what evidence do you see that conclusively shows the repairs.
I have long believed that when folks know what repairs have been done, it is easy to spot the telltale signs — smudging and clone-stamp marks or repeats. When you do not know in advance, not so much. All are welcome to prove me wrong.
Wide AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and again, performed to perfection.
Image #3: Black Vulture landing
Landing Vultures
With a bit of patience, it is possible to get lots of chances on the landing vultures. In the spring, winds from the north, the northeast, or the east are best in early morning as the sun rises in the northeast. My big problem is my lack of patience. Many times I have put out the bait, set up my tripod, and hung out for fifteen minutes before getting bored and driving off to look for action. When I return in five or ten minutes there are often 20-30 vultures on the pile. Needless to say, the best flight chances are when the first few birds land. Once there are lots of birds, it is very difficult to isolate birds on the ground or incoming birds.
Wide AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and again, performed to perfection.
Image #4: Black Vulture in a hurry!
Squabbling Vultures
The vultures squabble often especially at the beginning of the feasts. They often leap into the air and chase each other around in flight. Birds that land away from the others are often eager to get back into the fray as seen in Images #2 and #4.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
