Saturday dawned still and foggy so I started out photographing Coral Honeysuckle blossoms in our butterfly garden. I went down to the lake and did see some interesting behavior. And adult crane was sleeping, and I mean sleeping like a log. On my way back to the pier I noticed that he was lying on the ground sleeping, surrounded by three very interested Black Vultures. One of the vultures picked at the crane’s tail feathers as thee others closed in. The crane stood up and pecked at them and they flew off. I was ready for pix but there was always one vultures between me and the action.
For the past few days, we’ve had a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at our backyard feeder, and yesterday there were two. It is the first time I have seen this species at ILE. The forecast for today — Sunday 10 MAY 2020 — is cloudy with drizzle and rain. It might be a good day for wildflower photography if it is not blowing.
Back to business as usual …
Plandemic
YouTube removed the Plandemic video again yesterday. You should always be able to see it here. Read more on the veracity of Dr. Minkovits below. I clicked on the Learn more link and read every word of it. Nothing there applied at all to the Pandemic video.
Disagreeing with a Dear Friend
In the Whatever Happened to Free Speech blog post here, my longtime and dear friend Patrick Sparkman, co-creator of the new SONY e-Guide, posted this:
Facebook and YouTube are private companies and have their own first amendment rights. The First Amendment applies to the government restriction of speech. Facebook and YouTube have the same rights as you do to censor content that they feel is not appropriate. How many times have you blocked a user here on your blog for content that you deemed not appropriate? Facebook and YouTube have the same rights as you.
The discussion in the comments section of that blog post has been heated but civil.
In any case, Patrick’s response did not quite make complete sense to me and I mentioned it to Dr. Cliff Oliver, another longtime friend, a friend who inspired me to quit trying to kill myself with food about 25 years ago and has guided me along my path ever since then. I hold him in high regard as a brilliant doctor. Via text message, he mentioned people were upset as Congress had given some special exemptions to the big public forums. So I did some online research to learn about these exemptions.
I found a relevant article on the CJ (City Journal) website. It is titled Platform, or Publisher? with this subhead: If Big Tech firms want to retain valuable government protections, then they need to get out of the censorship business. It was co-authored by Adam Candeub, a law professor & director of the Intellectual Property, Information & Communications Law Program at Michigan State University who previously served as an attorney at the Federal Communications Commission and by Mark Epstein, an antitrust attorney specializing in the technology sector.
Below is what was published on May 7, 2018. You can read the article with several live links here.
When the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on social media censorship late last month, liberal Democratic congressman Ted Lieu transformed into a hardcore libertarian. “This is a stupid and ridiculous hearing,” he said, because “the First Amendment applies to the government, not private companies.” He added that just as the government cannot tell Fox News what content to air, “we can’t tell Facebook what content to filter,” because that would be unconstitutional.
Lieu is incorrect. While the First Amendment generally does not apply to private companies, the Supreme Court has held it “does not disable the government from taking steps to ensure that private interests not restrict . . . the free flow of information and ideas.” But as Senator Ted Cruz points out, Congress actually has the power to deter political censorship by social media companies without using government coercion or taking action that would violate the First Amendment, in letter or spirit. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act immunizes online platforms for their users’ defamatory, fraudulent, or otherwise unlawful content. Congress granted this extraordinary benefit to facilitate “forum[s] for a true diversity of political discourse.” This exemption from standard libel law is extremely valuable to the companies that enjoy its protection, such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, but they only got it because it was assumed that they would operate as impartial, open channels of communication—not curators of acceptable opinion.
When questioning Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month, and in a subsequent op-ed, Cruz reasoned that “in order to be protected by Section 230, companies like Facebook should be ‘neutral public forums.’ On the flip side, they should be considered to be a ‘publisher or speaker’ of user content if they pick and choose what gets published or spoken.” Tech-advocacy organizations and academics cried foul. University of Maryland law professor Danielle Citron argued that Cruz “flips [the] reasoning” of the law by demanding neutral forums. Elliot Harmon of the Electronic Freedom Foundation responded that “one of the reasons why Congress first passed Section 230 was to enable online platforms to engage in good-faith community moderation without fear of taking on undue liability for their users’ posts.”
As Cruz properly understands, Section 230 encourages Internet platforms to moderate “offensive” speech, but the law was not intended to facilitate political censorship. Online platforms should receive immunity only if they maintain viewpoint neutrality, consistent with traditional legal norms for distributors of information. Before the Internet, common law held that newsstands, bookstores, and libraries had no duty to ensure that each book and newspaper they distributed was not defamatory. Courts initially extended this principle to online platforms. Then, in 1995, a federal judge found Prodigy, an early online service, liable for content on its message boards because the company had advertised that it removed obscene posts. The court reasoned that “utilizing technology and the manpower to delete” objectionable content made Prodigy more like a publisher than a library.
Congress responded by enacting Section 230, establishing that platforms could not be held liable as publishers of user-generated content and clarifying that they could not be held liable for removing any content that they believed in good faith to be “obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.” This provision does not allow platforms to remove whatever they wish, however. Courts have held that “otherwise objectionable” does not mean whatever a social media company objects to, but “must, at a minimum, involve or be similar” to obscenity, violence, or harassment. Political viewpoints, no matter how extreme or unpopular, do not fall under this category.
The Internet Association, which represents Facebook, Google, Twitter, and other major platforms, claims that Section 230 is necessary for these firms to “provide forums and tools for the public to engage in a wide variety of activities that the First Amendment protects.” But rather than facilitate free speech, Silicon Valley now uses Section 230 to justify censorship, leading to a legal and policy muddle. For instance, in response to a lawsuit challenging its speech policies, Google claimed that restricting its right to censor would “impose liability on YouTube as a publisher.” In the same motion, Google argues that its right to restrict political content also derives from its “First Amendment protection for a publisher’s editorial judgments,” which “encompasses the choice of how to present, or even whether to present, particular content.”
The dominant social media companies must choose: if they are neutral platforms, they should have immunity from litigation. If they are publishers making editorial choices, then they should relinquish this valuable exemption. They can’t claim that Section 230 immunity is necessary to protect free speech, while they shape, control, and censor the speech on their platforms. Either the courts or Congress should clarify the matter.
Rebutting the Plandemic Rebbutters
As noted above, YouTube continues to take down the Plandemic video, yet they allow the rebuttals to stand and they continue to promote them. A respected doctor in San Diego posted a factual rebuttal to the rebuttals (with lots of links). It is reproduced below.
Ladd McNamara, M.D.
Ladd McNamara, M.D. is an author, educator, and international speaker, with a passion for health, truth, justice, and freedom. To have lasting happiness and health, one must have freedom to pursue truth in all areas, including the principles of wellness. He has made it his life’s work to first understand, and then educate others on nontoxic healthful modalities that support optimal health, including advanced nutritional supplementation and lifestyle modification. He also feels the duty to inform others of the risks and dangers of certain medications, toxic chemicals in our food and water, and unhealthful lifestyles.
I researched some of the “facts” going around claiming to have “debunked” the movie, which are being regurgitated by many who prefer to remain asleep and won’t put the effort in to research things themselves. Here is what I found along with all of my supporting sources.
1. Dr. Anthony Fauci has worked at the National Institute of Health (NIH) since 1968 and has been a Director with the organization since 1984, “both as a scientist and as the head of the NIAID at the NIH”. A simple Wikipedia search resolved that one.
2. The NIH was one of the institutions funding the original study published in 10/23/2009, which Dr. Mikovits participated in and makes reference to in the Plandemic movie. Dr. Fauci worked at and continues to work at the NIH, one of the primary financial contributors to the study as one of it’s most senior directors, so you can indeed say that Dr. Judy Mikovits was in fact working for Dr. Fauci. I have downloaded the complete original study and saved for you to access here (highlights on page 3 denote Dr. Judy Mikovits’s participation and her employing firm) (highlights on page 6 indicate the institutions which provided the funding for the study):
3. The study was challenged in 2010, when other researches could not replicate their findings and in September 2010, the original team, inclusive of Dr. Judy Mikovits issued an official response supporting their work.
4. After which the original study was partially and then subsequently fully retracted (a very rare move in science). The partial retraction document states that two of the co-authors, Robert Silverman and Das Gupta (whom the original study listed as working for the Department of Cancer Biology) re-analyzed the samples they used and discovered that they had been contaminated. Please refer back to the first link provided herein, for item #1 showing the original study, indicates on the document that it has since been retracted.
5. That she was arrested and a quote from the prosecuting district attorney, that said the charges were dropped because “there were issues with the witnesses”.
6. In September 2012, Dr. Judy Mikovits and a team of other scientists conducted another study replicating the original one and published their findings, ultimately resolving the scientific communities dispute over the original work.
7. As previously shared in another post, Dr. Fauci does in fact hold a large number of patents related to HIV (as Dr. Judy Mikovits states in the video). He also holds numerous patents related to the Novel Coronavirus.
Pirbright, a company funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation owns European protecting replication of a variant gene of an avian infectious bronchitis virus.
Pirbright also has a US patent on the Coronavirus (you will need to scroll down quite a bit to see the owner and inventor they really covered every base on this patent.
Also as previously shared in another post, the polio vaccines the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation tested on children in Africa, causing an outbreak of Polio from the vaccine itself and paralysis on the children.
With a northeast rather than a northwest wind on Friday morning, the expected dozens of Great Egrets did not fly over the pier as they had on the two previous mornings. It was a glorious, clear day with a brisk wind from the northeast, but there was not a lot to photograph. With the water levels down to record-low levels, I did get a few halfway decent images of Semipalmated Sandpipers feeding on mayflies in the very shallow water. And of a crane sitting on a nest in the reeds on two probably infertile eggs.
Thanks to all who commented on yesterday’s Whatever Happened to Freedom of Speech? post. More on that soon.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he now has eight SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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 6 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens (at 189mm) 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: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:08am on a clear early morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #1: Great Egret preening — cloud-scape
Great Egret Cloud-scape
On Wednesday morning, the big, white, puffy clouds and the chilly northwest breeze was reminiscent of a crisp fall morning on Long Island. When you see nice clouds, think of shorter focal lengths. When photographing down by the lake, I drive around with the 600GM/1.4X TC/a9 ii and the 200-600G with a second a9 ii on the front seat (along with the 24-105 and several teleconverters). I keep my quasi-macro lens — the 100-400GM with the a7r iv — in the back of my SUV along with the Induro GIT 404L with the FlexShooter Pro on it.
I was thinking last week that with the gear upfront with me, I had a focal length hole of from 106-199mm. “What are the chances I would need something in that range? Not much.” I tried the 200-600 at 200mm but it was not wide enough so I went around the back of my vehicle and mounted one of the a9 ii bodies on the 100-400 so that I could get to the 189mm focal length that I needed. After I worked on the exposure and was good to go, the bird kindly stretched one wing …
Image #2: Capture One screen capture for today’s featured image
Can One Lily Pad Make a Difference?
When I saw the image on my laptop, the dark lily pad just to the right of the outstretched wing was pretty much an image killer for me. So after converting the image in Capture One, I brought it into Photoshop and working large, removed the offending lily pad. I used my usual cadre of clean-up tools: the Clone Stamp Tool (mostly to Divide and Conquer), the Patch Tool, and the Spot Healing Brush. In addition — of course, I used several small Quick Masks each transformed and then refined after the addition of a Regular Layer Mask. I was quite happy with the results as seen in the image that opened this blog post as the bird stands out so much better.
Magifying an Image in Capture One Tips
You can simply hit Z for the Zoom Tool and then click-draw a box around the area you wish to enlarge (just as you can do in Photoshop). Or, you can add the Navigator Tool to your Exposure tab, then magnify the image using the slider near the upper right corner, and finally click on the area you wish to see on the Navigator itself.
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.
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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 had the perfect plan in place for Thursday morning and the forecast was right on the button. My execution of the plan, however, was imperfect: I was late getting down to the lake and futzed around too much before getting into position. With clear skies and an east/northeast breeze forecast for this morning — Friday 8 MAY 2020, I am hoping that the plan will work. And I am heading down to Walk-in-Water before 7:00am.
I’d love to hear your opinion on the Snowy Egret images in the DeSoto Snowy Egret V-log: The Importance of Staying Ahead of the Birds When You Have Wind and Sun Together blog post here.
Sony a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Used Gear page regular Charlie Curry is offering a 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. The sale includes the original battery and charger, the USB cable, the instructional manual, the front lens cover, the a9 camera strap, a rear LCD glass protector, the latest firmware update, 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail (preferred) or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 Eastern time zone.
The SONY a9, the original AF king, offers superb autofocus that absolutely kills for flight photography. Virtually every image is sharp on the eye. Many feel that the AF system on the a9 ii is no better. And the vertical grip gives this body a pro-body type feel. As the a9 II sells new for $4498.00 and the VG-C3EM goes for an additional $348.00 for a total of $4,846, you can save an incredible $2248.00 by grabbing Charlie’s a9 right now! (Note: the a9 sells for $3498.00.)artie
Whatever Happened to Freedom of Speech?
The first time that I tried to view the Plandemic video, there was a notice stating that it was removed by YouTube. My understanding is that it was taken down four separate times. Right now, you can see it here on YouTube and elsewhere. Here is the short story: Judy Mikovits is a controversial former chronic fatigue researcher and critic of Dr. Anthony Fauci and mass vaccination who is featured in a viral video vignette promoting a new movie called Plandemic. Whether you believe that Mikovits is a nut-case and that Fauci is a brilliant advisor to multiple presidents, or that Mikovits is a long-persecuted brilliant researcher and Fauci is a vaccine-mongering criminal is beside the point. What matters is that big-tech including YouTube and Facebook, has been censoring free speech. Wikipedia paints Mikovits in a totally negative light. For a more balanced view of this controversy, click here.
You can learn more about the ongoing Facebook censorship in the clips here and here. My point is that we should have free access to information so that we can make up our own minds. And right now, we do not.
Don’t get me wrong, I have been a lifelong democrat and never liked Fox News at all, but pretty much every night Tucker Carlson asks a ton of interesting questions, questions that nobody else is asking.
It will be interesting to see how the mask/no mask debate turns out. In much of California, it is now OK to surf or paddleboard or run on the beaches, but if you sit on a blanket getting sun (and vitamin D) and fresh air, you might be arrested.
Paul Bowen Webinar Tonight: Air to Air — Photographing Aircraft in Flight
Canon Explorer of Light (and class act) Paul Bowen will present a 90-minute online program tonight, Thursday 7 MAY 2020 at 7:00pm eastern time. This guy is really good. How good? Ont thousand plus magazine covers-good. Even if you have zero interest in photographing planes, you will surely learn something and be entertained. I’ll be there. To register, click on this link.
To see the images in the composite above full-frame, click here.
Wednesday morning dawned sunny with lots of large, puffy, white clouds. There was a huge hatch of mayflies but few birds partook of the potential feast. I created a few decent small-in-the-frame images of a Great Egret cloud-scape and a few more of the inch-deep pile of mayflies at the base of the pier. And I just missed on a crow with a mouthful of the just-emerged insects; the bird refused to turn toward me. By 8:15am the wind had switched to strong from the west so I headed home early.
The forecast for this morning — Thursday 7 MAY 2020, is for clear and sunny with the wind from the north at 10. As the sun is coming up earlier and more to the northeast than it had been, I am hoping for some good early flight photography before the sun moves to the south.
Be sure to check out the Fort DeSoto Gallery here and be sure to note all the terns and Laughing Gulls in full breeding plumage!
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order yours right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he now has eight SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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.
The DeSoto Snowy Egret V-log: The Importance of Staying Ahead of the Birds When You Have Wind and Sun Together …
Lord how I miss DeSoto. I hope to get over there very soon as April and May can be spectacular. One of the biggest mistakes that I see in the field is folks standing in the same spot without regard to the position of the subject and the sun angle … There is lots of great info in today’s V-log; all that I can say is “watch it, learn a ton, and ask questions if you have any.
Despite my saving the videos at the highest quality, I’d still recommend that you do not watch them full-screen.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click on the image to see the spectacular larger version.
Image #1: Snowy Egret in breeding plumage: tight/flight
My Favorite Image
Of all the images in today’s V-log, this is my favorite. Do you like or hate the tight/flight image design with the pano-crop and the near wing cut in half? Why?
Image #2: Snowy Egret taking flight composite
Which is Your Favorite?
First, click on the composite to see it larger. Note that these are the eight keepers from a 23-frame sequence; I actually stopped for a moment to re-frame as the bird flew toward me. The SONY a9 ii is that fast. Note also that I had difficulty simply keeping the subject in the center of the frame … How’s your hand/eye coordination? BTW, all 23 images were razor-sharp on the bird’s eye.
Please pick your favorite image from the sequence by noting the file number and do let us know why you made your pick.
This image was created on September 27, 2019 while doing a private day with fraternity brother Harry Lerner at Fort DeSoto. I used the Induro GIT 304/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode was about +2 stops on the analog scale. AWB at 8:10am on a very overcast morning.
Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. The point of sharpest focus was slightly more than halfway down the bill, right on the same plane as the bird’s eye. RAW Digger showed 0% Over-exposed and 0% Underexposed pixels.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Snowy Egret with greenback
Fort DeSoto Fall 2020 Sandbar Secrets 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.
I plan on running this IPT if we return to some semblance of normalcy and if photographing in groups, air travel, and staying in hotels or AirBNBs is safe by late summer. If COVID-19 is still an issue that is of concern to you, your deposit will be refunded with no questions asked. Pre- and post-IPT days for this IPT are available for those who wish to get the most out of their travel dollars.
If you have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail.
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 starting off Tuesday morning doing some tickseed blossoms with my SONY quasi-macro rig: the 100-400mm with the 1.4X TC and the a7r iv. Then I spent a good deal of quality time with Orangey Colt. It was the first time in two weeks that I saw this bird with both parents. And I was amazed at how large Old Gnarly’s colt has gotten. I was back at the ranch before 8:30am. On Tuesday afternoon I enjoyed my swim — I am up to 54 lengths. After dinner, I went back down to the lake, did some photography from my vehicle, and took a walk on the pier. With perfectly clear skies, sunset silhouette photography is pretty much nonexistent until after the sun disappears (at which time light levels are of course quite low).
The forecast for this morning, Wednesday 5 MAY 2020, is not great: partly cloudy with winds of from five to eight mph from the west.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he has six SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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.
Gerald (Jerry) Barrack
Jerry, who was friends with Patrick Sparkman long before I ever met Patrick, started learning photography when he was stationed in Okinawa with the Navy in 1960. He was 25 years old. He moved to New York and studied street photography with Lisette Model at the New School. Jerry became interested in nature photography around 1980 and has been learning ever since.
Used Gear Thanks. And SONY e-Guide Comments …
Via e-Mail from Jerry Barrack
Hi Art,
I want to thank you again for your help with selling all of my Canon gear. Your advice on pricing was right-on as most items sold very quickly. As much as I loved my Canon equipment, the advances made by Sony with regard to autofocus made it a no-brainer to switch.
And thanks also for the SONY e-Guide, the Sony a9 video, and your Capture One Simplified video. After resisting using manual exposure for many, many years, I switched over to Patrick’s and your Zebras system with ISO on the rear wheel. I cannot believe how easy it is. It just shows that you can teach an old dog new tricks! My only complaint is that it now takes a lot longer to edit because nearly all of the images are properly exposed and in focus. The SONY focusing system along with the stuff I learned in the guide continues to amaze me. I just finished shooting Purple Martins and the percentage of sharp ones is unbelievable.
Thanks again for all your help. Stay safe and well.
Jerry
Another Must-Read
Here is a comment from last week left by IPT veteran Barry Barfield:
I have been actively using the set up from artie’s Sony e-Guide now for about four weeks. With my a9 ii and the 200-600 rig is easy to get the right exposure 99% of the time. I could never have figured out the settings suggested on my own, so thank you artie and Patrick. If you have Sony A9, A9ii, or one of the A7r bodies covered – get this guide today. Barry, Australia
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order your copy right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
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 :).
Sunday morning was gorgeous. Dead clear and super-still. Lake Walk-in-Water was like a polished blue mirror. I was desperate for a bird in the water, but that did not happen. And with no wind, there was no flight photography. I did some very nice Cattle Egrets, a ton of Black Vulture heads (I even made two short in-the-field videos — both coming at some point), and a sweet Great Egret head portrait or two. I was done by 9:30am but when I pulled into my driveway I noticed some small, lovely, blue flowers. I spent an hour photographing them and got one good one. They turned out to be a dayflower. I did not do much but I made a simple Black Vulture head and shoulders portrait against an amazing still-canal background. It is very sweet and you will see it here pretty soon along with a sob story …
The best image I created on Monday morning was of an in situ buttonbush blossom on the edge of the marsh. I have mastered a great manual focusing macro technique that is detailed in the new SONY e-Guide; it does, however, take a bit of practice to get it down pat … The Cattle Egrets had disappeared along with most other birds.
I went back down to the lake on Monday evening; things started off slowly. It was the stillest evening I have ever seen at ILE; the flag was hanging limply. After my walk, I had some really good chances with Orangey Colt who has so far evaded the fox-in-the-marsh … With just a bit of haze in the west, there was some decent sunset color, but few photo opportunities.
With little rain this spring the lake is very low. Over the past week or so, I have seen some shorebirds. In addition to the previously mentioned Solitary Sandpiper, there have been Least and Spotted Sandpipers, about eight Black-necked Stilts, both yellowlegs, and several Killdeer.
Thanks to the many who have been placing orders in the BAA Online Store. They are always greatly appreciated, especially at this (crazy) time. Speaking of which, Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County re-opened yesterday and — as I understand it — Florida folks are no longer under lockdown …
We received 30 FlexShooter Pro heads yesterday and will be shipping the back-orders today. We are down to about three FlexShootter Minis but will be getting our next shipment of those next week.
A Must-Read
I have prepared the final PDF for the new SONY e-Guide. It should be available in the store no later than next Tuesday.
Here is a comment from last week left by IPT veteran Barry Barfield:
I have been actively using the set up from artie’s Sony e-Guide now for about four weeks. With my a9 ii and the 200-600 rig is easy to get the right exposure 99% of the time. I could never have figured out the settings suggested on my own, so thank you artie and Patrick. If you have Sony A9, A9ii, or one of the A7r bodies covered – get this guide today. Barry, Australia
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order yours right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he has six SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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.
If Wind Against Sun is Bad How Can It Be Good?
To learn the answer to that question, play the video. If you have any questions, please leave a comment. In general, we want the wind and the sun from somewhere behind us. When the wind, however, is blowing hard right at you and the sun, you may be able to find a decent situation if you keep your eyes open and allow yourself to think out of the box …
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 Thursday afternoon past, I saw a large butterfly flitting around the Firebush and Coral Honeysuckle when I got out of the pool. I approached and saw that it was a male Tiger Swallowtail, a favorite during my youth as a butterfly collector. I dried off a bit, put my robe and something on my feet, grabbed the 100-400 with an a9 ii, and tried for about 45 minutes to create a nice photo. Though the butterfly was not quite in pristine condition, I made a decent image or two. On Friday morning there was another mayfly hatch and the photography was all Cattle Egrets in sweet, early morning light. The afternoon was more of the same and I even tried for some backlit shots of the egrets grabbing the mayflies.
On Saturday morning I put out some snapper carcasses courtesy of Mike at Junior’s Fish Market in Lake Wales. Conditions were good but not perfect. With only a gentle breeze from the north by slightly east, the Black Vultures swarmed in but most were too low as they landed. No Turkey Vultures flew in so I left after about 20 minutes to do some more Cattle Egrets feeding on the mayflies. As I got to the North Field I noted that about 20 Great Egrets along with 40 or so White Ibises had joined in on the feast. It turned out to be a good session.
I have had the sneezy/sniffles for two days and am not sure if it is allergies or a summer cold (it was 89 degrees yesterday afternoon). I feel great and have no fever.
The forecast for today — Sunday, 3 MAY 2020 — is perfect for vulture flight with east/southeast winds so I will be head down to the lake at 7am.
A Must Read
I have prepared the final PDF for the new SONY e-Guide. It should be available in the store no later than next Tuesday.
Here is a comment from yesterday’s blog post left by IPT veteran Barry Barfield:
I have been actively using the set up from artie’s Sony e-Guide now for about four weeks. With my a9 ii and the 200-600 rig is easy to get the right exposure 99% of the time. I could never have figured out the settings suggested on my own, so thank you artie and Patrick. If you have Sony A9, A9ii, or one of the A7r bodies covered – get this guide today. Barry, Australia
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order yours right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he has six SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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 is the TIFF file after the RAW conversion in Capture One.
Purple Martin, male bringing Green Darner (dragonfly) to nest-box
The TIFF File
Compare this with the optimized version immediately below. Note especially the difference in underwing brightness. Note also that I repositioned the bird in the frame, added and filled in some canvas above, and did some feather clean-up.
This image was created on 29 APR 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 463mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1250. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:15am on a clear morning with just a hint of haze.
Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Purple Martin, male bringing Green Darner (dragonfly) to nest-box
The Image-Optimization
Many feel that photographing small, black, birds with shiny feathers that dart about rapidly in flight is impossible, especially when the sun is out. I disagree. In part, SONY a9 series bodies make such images possible. Do understand that the manual exposure that I set — as explained in yesterday’s Wind and Sun Together Purple Martin Flight Primer V-log Video here, was somewhat of a compromise. Learn more about that below.
In any case, today’s featured image was a slight under-exposure. Even with a bit of the edge taken off the sun by a light haze, I knew that I would have to open up the dark, blue/black underwings. I did that a bit during the RAW conversion in Capture One using the Shadow Slider. The trick is to use that slider judiciously; in this case, I moved the Shadow Slider only to +9 (out of 100). Many folks do not like close-to-black shadows, so they overdo the use of the Shadow Slider by forgetting that it is OK for BLACKs to be black and that is is not at all necessary to see detail in dark shaded areas especially when parts of the subject are lit by direct sun. In addition, by being heavy-handed when opening up the very dark tones in an image you are creating noise.
Once I had the TIFF file in Photoshop, the first thing that I did was to select the bird using the Quick Selection Tool. Then I fine-tuned the edges of the selection as needed using the plus and minus Lasso Tool. Next, I feathered the selection one pixel and hit Command J to place the selection on its own layer. Finally, I ran my Nik Coler EFEX Pro 30/30 recipe (30% Detail Extractor and 30% Tonal Contrast) on the bird only. I rarely use Nik since I switched to SONY but in this case, it was just what the doctor ordered; it lightened the whole the bird — and revealed some detail without creating excessive noise and without making the bird look crunchy.
RAW Digger Over/Under EXP data for Purple Martin, male bringing Green Darner (dragonfly) to nest-box
The Slight Under-exposure
Though you might call this a 97.5% correct exposure, there are still 152,000 under-exposed RED pixels (albeit out of 24 million). In a perfect world, I coulda/shoulda increased the ISO from 1250 to 1600 for the dark blue/black male martins. But I did not, on purpose. Keep reading to learn why.
RAW Digger Over/Under EXP data for Purple Martin female in flight
The Exposure Compromise
First, click on the image above to enlarge it. Note that the female Purple Martins are a lot lighter overall than the males. And note in the upper right corner of the RAWDigger screen capture that this is a much better exposure (than in the image of the male). Ideally, you would want this exposure (1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 at ISO 1250) for the female martins and the next brighter exposure (1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 at ISO 1600 or 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 at ISO 1250) for the darker males because dark tones need more light than middle tones.
I knew and understood all of this in advance but I also knew that with both males and females flying quickly at the nest box that I would not have time to adjust either the ISO (easier to do) or the shutter speed (a bit more difficult). So I decided to go with an exposure compromise getting the females perfect and the males slightly under.
At places like Bosque, where you may be doing flight photography of adult and young Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and even Common Ravens during the same session, it is much easier to adjust your exposures to perfection because the larger birds fly much slower than the martins …
Center Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. RAW Digger showed 0% Over-exposed and 0% Underexposed pixels.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Snow Geese blastoff
Bosque del Apache NWR 2020 IPT
NOV 18 (afternoon session) thru the morning session on November 23, 2020. 5 DAYS. Four full and two half days. $1999.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 5.
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
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 :).
Not a lot. When the wind and sky conditions have been decent, I’ve been putting out salmon skins but the vultures and caracaras have not been responding. On my trip to town yesterday for a rare shopping outing, I grabbed about 20 pounds of snapper heads from Junior’s Fish Market so I would guess that the scavenger flight photography will be getting better soon …
Yesterday morning, I started out with flowers and attempted to photograph the Yellow Canna, but did not do very well. I will try again (this time focusing manually) on the next still morning. The bird photography early on the drizzly Thursday was lousy. I kept only two small-in-the-frame crane-in-habitat images. I really like one of them.
I just peeked out the back door and it is still and dead clear at 6:15am today — Friday 1 MAY 2020 — so I will be heading down to the lake ASAP to do some hunting with my SONY gear.
A Must Read
I have prepared the final PDF for the new SONY e-Guide. It should be available in the store no later than next Tuesday.
Here is a comment from yesterday’s blog post left by IPT veteran Barry Barfield:
I have been actively using the set up from artie’s Sony e-Guide now for about four weeks. With my ay a9 ii and the 200-600 rig is easy to get the right exposure 99% of the time. I could never have figured out the settings suggested on my own, so thank you artie and Patrick. If you have Sony A9, A9ii, or one of the A7r bodies covered – get this guide today. Barry, Australia
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order yours right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he has six SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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.
Wind and Sun Together Purple Martin Flight Primer V-log Video
When the wind and sun are lined up, conditions for flight photography can be perfect. See the situation and the results by clicking on the play arrow to view this short BIRDS AS ART Vlog video. As I mentioned at the start of the video, the best way to thank me for the now 44-days in a row blog posts and the new, well-received V-logs is to head to the BIRDS AS ART Online Store and spend some bucks on educational materials by clicking on the Books, Videos and Training/Instruction tab. Thanks to the many who have been doing just that.
I might not have emphasized enough in the video that if the wind had been from the west (rather than from the east) on the clear morning of 29 April, flight photography would have been a total waste of time with the birds flying away from me and away from the light … In tomorrow’s blog post I will share my very favorite Purple Martin flight shot from the great session. Learning to differentiate good wind and sun conditions can really help you to up your game.
Questions on the video are of course welcome.
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 forecast for Wednesday morning was spot-on, and though conditions were perfect, things got off to a slow start. I photographed a Solitary Sandpiper, an ILE-first for me. But it was so slow that I spent 30 minutes checking out wildflowers along the edge of the marsh in the southwestern corner of the South Field. I was attracted by a large yellow blossom that I had never noticed before. The showy yellow blossoms turned out to be Golden (or Yellow) Canna — (Canna flaccida). I created a few ID images and pan to improve upon those soon; there were several large buds. In addition, I noticed another half-dozen wildflowers that I had never noticed before. I am becoming intrigued … And I have a new macro plan that I will share with you here soon.
I went back to work but there was nothing doing and was ready to give up at 9:00am. At the last second, I decided to check out the Purple Martin box one street in as conditions were perfect: a dead east wind at 15 mph and just enough haze in the air to tone down the light a bit. It turned out to be the best martin flight session ever. And yes, images soon.
Today, Thursday 30 APR 2020 — I was awoken at 4:00am by violent thunderstorms and rain beating down on the roof. I got back to sleep and did not get out of bed until 6:45am. I have been sleeping amazingly well lately — eight to ten hours a night with just a pit stop or two. It is 7:22am as I type and drizzling gently. I will head down to the lake in a few to do some hunting with my SONY gear.
A Must Read
I have prepared the final PDF for the new SONY e-Guide. It should be available in the store no later than next Tuesday.
Here is a comment from yesterday’s blog post left by IPT veteran Barry Barfield:
I have been actively using the set up from artie’s Sony e-Guide now for about four weeks. With my ay a9 ii and the 200-600 rig is easy to get the right exposure 99% of the time. I could never have figured out the settings suggested on my own, so thank you artie and Patrick. If you have Sony A9, A9ii, or one of the A7r bodies covered – get this guide today. Barry, Australia
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera e-Guide (PDF) and videos Info
Yesterday I prepared the final PDF for the Sony Camera e-Guide. It will not be available in the store until early next week but you can order yours right now. The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each The guide is now done.
If you would like to order the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY e-Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Note: please add $25 for each camera video after the first. And please be sure to type your e-mail address into your Paypal order. Then be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This Just In!
Steve Elkins asked me to let y’all know that he has six SONY 200-600s in stock and that one of them has your name on it. Contact Steve as below and 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.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-c was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Boat-tailed Grackle singing
But It’s Only a Grackle …
Sure, everyone wants to photograph Peregrine Falcons, Snowy Owls, and Roseate Spoonbills. And that includes me. But we cannot change the cards we are dealt. Boat-tailed Grackle is pretty much a dirt-bird in central Florida — it is abundant, not exactly gorgeous, and boisterous. Most photographers go out of their way to ignore them. But not me …
Adjective Challenge
Please leave a comment describing today’s featured image. You can choose from the list below and/or come up with a few of your own:
boring
plain
clichéd
average
gorgeous
striking
dramatic
Tripod in Vehicle
Learn exactly how I set up my tripod inside a vehicle in the video here.
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 :).
Despite pretty-much perfect conditions, Tuesday morning was fair at best. I kept a very few frames of Orangey Colt foraging and Marsh Rabbit. It seems that Orangey Colt’s nest-mate, Gray Colt, my have perished as I have not seen that youngster in several days. It was strange also that Orangey Colt has been foraging on its own for the past few days … Tuesday evening was fantastic despite wind-against-sun conditions. I started with many bright-sky Turkey Vulture silhouettes in a unique situation at least 90 minutes before sunset. And I finished with another gorgeous sunset. Photos soon.
The forecast for this morning — Wednesday 29 APR 2020, is excellent: sunny to partly cloudy with a gentle east/southeast breeze. My plan is to put out some salmon skins as these conditions are perfect for flight photography.
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.
This image was created on 27 APR 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 463mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:45pm on a clear early evening.
Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt head and neck portrait
The Red-Light Colt Situation
It was very late in the day — about ten minutes before the sun would touch the western horizon. Orangey Colt was on the move walking in and out of shadows. A parked vehicle and a (human) family fishing on the bank were in the background. As the colt approached the east/west canal he turned right and the situation (and the background) improved dramatically but the light would be gone in minutes …
This image was created on 27 APR 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 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:46pm on a clear early evening.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane colt head portrait
Could a Slow (f/6.3) Lens Be Better Than a Fast (f/4) Lens?
Consider the situation described above. Would it be best to choose the fast 600mm f/4 GM or the slower 200-600mm f/6.3 GM? For the very few of us who can handhold a 600mm f/4 lens and create sharp images at relatively slow shutter speeds, the faster lens might be the best option in the very low light because it saves you four clicks of shutter speed. But there are many reasons that I instantly grabbed the 200-600 and left the 600 f/4 on the front passenger seat. Here they are:
1-The colt was moving rather quickly and with purpose. Had I chosen the 600 f/4 I would have needed to put the rig on a tripod. As I needed to move quickly to stay on sun angle and to get low, using a tripod would have made things very difficult (if not impossible). Can you say slow and cumbersome?
2-With the lighter, physically smaller 200-600 I knew that I would be able to quickly get in position, get lower when needed, and move rather easily to a better perspective as needed. In the course of making a series of perhaps5 images, I got up and down off the ground and moved to the west (to my right) at least six times.
3-With the very soft (red) light I knew that it would be OK to work as much as 15 degrees off sun-angle so being able to zoom in or out with the 2-6 would be a huge plus. Note the focal lengths for today’s two featured images: 463mm for the head and neck portrait, and then 600mm for the head-shot.
So for me, the slower 200-600 was a far better choice than the faster, far more expensive 600 f/4.
Exposure Note
With most systems, getting the right exposure for today’s featured images — a light-toned subject with a dark background — would be difficult at best as there was no time to create a test image and check the histogram. For those using SONY and Patrick Sprakman’s amazing Zebras technique, getting the right exposure was, as it always is, child’s play. Working wide open, I set my OK-to-handhold-at-600mm shutter speed to 1/500 sec. and simply turned the Rear Control Wheel clockwise until I noted fainted Zebras on the highlights on the colt’s chin. This method is fast, simple, easy to learn, and deadly. Most of my exposures show zero percent under or over-exposed pixels. When I screw up, they show at most 0.01 or 0.02% under or over-exposed pixels. You can learn this technique in The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera Videos and Pre-publication e-Guide Costs and Discount Info
The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. The guide is now 98% done and you will — of course, receive the final version when it is completed. I sent out the third draft today to those who have purchased the Guide with or without the discount.
Folks who have used my B&H links or purchased their SONY gear from Bedfords will receive said discount based exactly on how much they spent. If you spent more than $10,000 you will receive one free video and the e-Guide. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each. If you spent $2400, you will receive a 24% discount, and so on and so forth. And again, additional camera videos will be $25.00 each.
I will need time to verify your B&H purchases so folks will need to send their receipts and then be a bit patient. It is much easier to verify Bedfords’ purchases but I need those receipts as well.
If you have not used BAA links, please do so in the future. If that is the case and you would like the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY Pre-publication Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Please add $25 for each additional camera video. Be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
Folks who have used BAA links to purchase their SONY gear should send their receipts to me via e-mail asap and let me know which camera videos they need. I will verify their purchases as quickly as possible and send a quote to be paid via Paypal as above.
Thanks to all who have properly used my B&H links or gone through the fabulous Steve Elkins at Bedfords, and thanks to everyone for having faith in the information that I provide, knowing that it will be the best available anywhere.
The sun finally came out on Monday morning after a week of early clouds, fog, overcast, and rain. Aside from a few adult cranes (like the bird in today’s featured image) and some Turkey Vultures, there was not much to photograph. And with a fairly brisk wind from the west/southwest, flight photography was out of the question. I did get back down to the lake in the late afternoon for some more photography and a health walk. I lucked out photographing Orangey Colt at point-blank range with the 200-600 in amazing red light less than ten minutes before sunset. The sunset turned out to be mega and with an east wind in the evening, conditions were perfect for creating dramatic silhouettes so I drove quickly back to the perch. The bad news? There were no birds. But the sky was so beautiful that I created 74 sky-scapes.
The forecast for this morning — Tuesday 27 APR 2020, is much better for flight: partly cloudy skies with a northeast breeze. I will go hunting soon.
My Bad
I guess that I am not much of a salesman. As I had suspected might be the case, everyone absolutely loved yesterday’s image editing Vlog– “We loved learning how you think in the field.” But I totally blew it by not mentioning that BAA currently offers two Picking Your Keepers educational videos:
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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 view a larger version.
Capture One screen capture showing nictitating membrane covering the eye
The Dreaded Nictitating Membrane
As most bird photographers know, birds often blink. At times, a 3rd translucent eyelid called the nictitating membrane covers the eye momentarily. Since this membrane is designed to protect the eye, it happens most often when a bird is feeding young or fighting with another bird. But it can happen at any time. And most of the time it ruins the image. That is the number one reason that I have been shooting 3 frames at a time for more than three decades. Even when I was using film!
Eye Replacement Vlog Video
You can learn the basics of replacing a bird’s eye using a Quick Mask in the short video above. And there are some bill clean-up tips as well. Yu can learn the details of creating, using, re-sizing, re-shaping, and warping Quick Masks and refining them with a regular layer mask in Digital Basics II and in APTATS I & II.
Note: I went to a higher quality MP.4 file so you should be OK watching this one full screen.
More!
If you enjoyed today’s Vlog Photoshop video, know that you can find know fewer than eight Photoshop videos here in the BAA Online Store. Each is far more detailed than today’s Vlog video and each costs only $5.00.
Upper Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane with eye replaced
It Was Good to See the Morning Sun Again
This is the optimized version of my favorite image from the first sunny morning in quite some time. With the eye replaced and a bit of bill clean-up. I love the sweet early morning light, the perfect head angle, and the curved shape of the neck.
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
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 :).
Yesterday morning down by the lake was more of the same: it was cloudy dark and still with rabbits, crane colts, a handsome Great Blue Heron in a canal, and some Black Vultures. By afternoon it was totally socked in overcast so I simply took a walk on the pier (without a lens)!
The forecast for this morning — Monday 27 APR 2020 — is clear and sunny with a breeze from the north. Not bad. I will be heading down to the lake to do some hunting with my SONY gear at about 7:30am. I hope that you and yours are well and safe. My oldest grandson, Ilyas Reimov –14 — tested positive for coronavirus. He lives at the Anderson Center for Autism in Hyde Park, New York. He is asymptomatic.
First-ever BAA Vlog. A Rainy Day Photo Ride at ILE. Like It or Hate It?
You can learn a lot by checking out the shutter speeds below each image. Near the end of the less-than-ten-minute video, I mention visiting the store and getting some educational materials to study during the lockdown. I was — of course — referring to the BAA Online Store (but forgot to mention it). Click here for my books and e-Guides, here for books and e-Guides created by my friends and colleagues, and here for a variety of educational videos. Finally, to learn how to set up a tripod in your vehicle, click here.
Please do not view this video full-screen as the quality degrades. If I do any more, I will use a higher quality setting when I convert the Camtasia Screen Capture to an MP.4 file.
Please let me know if you like the concept. In addition, any questions on the images or techniques can be left as a comment.
Photography on Saturday morning down by the lake was fair at best. I did get a lovely, softly backlit image of Old Gnarly’s small colt, and then spent some time with the vultures still picking at the pretty-much desiccated turtle carcass three full days after I put it out. With a forecast for thunderstorms in the afternoon, I swam early. The storms never materialized so I headed back down at about 6pm; aside from the caracaras, things were pretty slow so I headed home at about 6:45pm to get some work done. I set the alarm for twenty minutes and then headed back down for what promised to be a decent, muted ball-of-the-sun sunset. It was and single grackles cooperated by landing on The Perch. Every time I moved the Sequoia to line things up, I was off by a fraction. I did get some nice ones and since this is a scenario that is likely to recur, I might be famous yet …
The forecast for this morning — Sunday 26 APR 2020, is for more of the same: mostly to partly cloudy with SW winds. This is less than ideal for bird photography; any wind with an easterly component is generally pretty good in the morning as the birds will be flying toward the light rather than away from it and you. None-the-less, I will be heading down Park Drive to do some hunting with my photo gear.
Thanks!
Thanks to those who set me straight on my wildflower confusion. Image #1 is in the genus Rhexia, the meadow beauties, members of the melastome family. It is almost surely a Meadow Beauty. And Marsh Pink does in fact, grow in and around freshwater habitats. I will keep my eyes peeled in the future.
keep (one’s) eye(s) peeled (for something or someone)
To remain vigilant or carefully watchful (for something or someone). They should be arriving any minute, so keep your eyes peeled.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) yielded a sharp-on-the-eye image.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger, apparently sharper version.
Osprey reacting to a fly-by
A New Phenomenon at ILE
As I mentioned the other day, I had never seen an Osprey just sitting in the shallow waters of Lake Walk-in-Water until last week. Now, it has become a pretty much daily occurrence. In the mornings, I have seen as many as seven in the water at once. Yesterday afternoon there was one just to the south of the pier near the spot where the morning birds have been. For the most part, the birds simply sit there (even on chilly, wind days). When the birds do bathe, they just splash around a bit. They rarely flap afterward as most birds do. Some of the best action occurs when another bird flies low over one in the water. When that happens the bird in the water will often start calling, flap its wings in place (as shown in today’s featured image), or take flight. When the latter happens, they may re-land in the same spot or nearby.
The birds are relatively distant and if you get out of your car they are gone in an instant. That’s where the SONY 600 GM with the 2X teleconverter in place really shines.
More SONY 1200mm Insanity!
The more I use the SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens — the weapon of mass destruction — with the 2X TC, the more I am impressed with the results. AF performs superbly even with birds in flight and in action. The Canon 2X III TC with their big, fast lenses was great for static subjects, but the Nikon TC-E 20 was close-to worthless on the 600 VR even for static subjects. So the switch to SONY has opened up a wonderful new world — flight and action at 1200mm.
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 spent two hours on Friday morning photographing a Great Blue Heron in the rain. I swam my 52 lengths (88 to a mile) in the rain on Friday afternoon. Then I went back down to the lake for another hour in the rain and photographed several totally soaked Sandhill Cranes. I had a ton of fun and by afternoon was experimenting with making sharp images at slow shutter speeds in the 1/30 to 1/80 second range.
The forecast for today is cloudy. I will head back down to the lake at about 8am to do some more hunting with my SONY gear. Speaking of hunting (or fishing), maybe the Great Blue Heron will actually catch something today …
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
I have noticed small, beautiful flowers here at ILE for well more than a decade; since this one was small and pink I assumed that it was Marsh Pink. (See Image #2 below from 2007). But looking around on the web I quickly realized that Image #1 does not depict a Marsh Pink Flower. Marsh Pink has five petals and a dark pink outline around the flower center …
If you know that identity of the flower shown in Image #1 (or if you have one of those cool flower ID apps), please leave a comment. My somewhat crude online research leads me to Cuckoo-flower (Lady’s Smock) which may or may not be a European invasive … All substantive knowledge on the subject will be appreciated.
SONY 100-400
As noted here many times previously, the .98 meter minimum focusing distance of the SONY 100-400 (the same as the Canon 100-400 II), is a huge plus. It comes in very handy when working with mega-tame birds and can be effective as a quasi-macro lens for large bugs (including butterflies and dragonflies), frogs, all but very small flower blossoms, and lots more. In addition, it is a more than capable flight lens that is a lot lighter than the 200-600. The 100-400 was my workhorse lens on the 2019 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. As with today’s Image #1, adding a 1.4X TC increases the versatility of these lenses.
This image was created on 12 MAY 2007 at Indian Lake Estates. I used the tripod/Mongoose-mounted Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens and the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400: 1/250 sec. at f7.1 on a sunny morning.
Marsh Pink?
Marsh Pink?
Why the question mark after Marsh Pink? Wikipedia states clearly that Marsh Pink is “restricted to salt marsh habitats.” There is no saltwater at Indian Lake Estates. I do recall seeing Marsh Pink growing in the summer on the South Flats of the (brackish) East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Reserve in Queens, NY. Again, substantive comments on the flower shown in Image #2 would be appreciated.
So the question is, can Marsh Pink occur in freshwater wetlands?
Price Drops
Canon EF Extender 1.4X II
Price dropped $50 on 10 FEB 2020! Price dropped $40 on 25 APR 2020!
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is also offering a 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). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
The 1.4X II TC is every bit as sharp when used with older lenses such as the original 100-400 above and the original 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses. The series III TCs provide advantages only when paired with the series II and III lenses. I used this item more than quite often when I was using Canon, often with great success. artie
Navy blue (woman’s small) Xtrahand Magnum Vest
Price dropped $50 on 25 FEB 2020!
John Lowin is offering a navy blue (woman’s small) Xtrahand Magnum vest by Vested Interest for a ridiculosuly low $149.00 (was $199.00). The vest is in like-new condition. The sale also includes insured ground shipping by major courier to mainland US addresses only (unless other shipping arrangements are made). Please contact John via e-mail or by phone at 1-262-242-3559. Central time.
As most of you know, I use and depend on my (Magnum) Xtrahand Vest extensively both in the field and for air travel; it has saved my butt many times when traveling on small planes and puddle jumpers when they want to check or gate-check your roll aboard. At spots in the Southern Ocean and in the Galapagos archipelago, it is absolutely indispensable as it allows me to carry the extra lenses that I might need, along with water, food, and extra clothing. Without a backpack! As Vested Interest has gone out of business, this represents a rare chance to get yourself an Xtrahand Vest at a greatly reduced price. artie
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
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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 :).
Photography has been really good most mornings. On Thursday, I brought some smoked salmon skins, a steak bone, and a pork chop bone down to the lake. At the last moment, I decided to set up my road-kill feeder on the small rise to the right of the parking circle by the pier. That turned out to be an excellent choice. See the photos and learn more below.
Again, very few folks commented on the mayfly-related images in yesterday’s blog post here. If you have a chance to re-visit and comment, it would be greatly appreciated. In the same vein, please take a moment to comment on today’s two featured images? Is one better than the other? Do they both suck? Or are they both outstanding?
The forecast for this morning — Friday 24 APRR 2020 — is for strong storms; thunder is rumbling as I type. Unless it is pouring, I will be heading down to the lake at about 8am to do some hunting with my SONY gear.
The SONY e-Guide will be published soon.
https://youtu.be/MU3cAFlAeKs
Greg Gulbransen is Happy and Nuts. And, he can dance!
Long Island pediatrician Greg Gulbransen is both a skilled and dedicated photographer and a great friend. Not to mention a skilled and dedicated doctor. He created this video (with his daughter Julia co-starring) to express his feelings about Long Island coronavirus being past the peak. It will likely put a smile on your face. You can check out Greg’s eclectic photography here.
FlexShooter Pro
The amazing FlexShooter Pro heads are currently out of stock. We should be receiving our next shipment in about a week. We do have the FlexShooter Mini in stock; they are perfect for the intermediate telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Fish Crow braking to land
Lesson Learned
Sometimes it takes an hour for the vultures to find the bait. Sometimes thirty minutes. On Wednesday morning, I put the dead turtle and the road-killed rabbit down in a spot that was just the right distance for incoming flight photography with the handheld 200-600 and offered sweet distant backgrounds for vulture-on-the-ground portraits with the tripod-mounted 840mm rig (both with an a9 ii). You need to be aware of light-angle and the white homes on the opposite shore of Lake Walk-in-Water. Only then did I head back to my vehicle to grab my 2-6, put it on a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Strap, and set up the 600 f/4 with the 1.4X TC on the tripod. Before I reached my Sequia, two caracaras flew in and landed on the juicy rabbit. Then several vultures flew in, and others that had been on the ground not too far away hopped their way to the feast. By putting the bait out before having my gear ready, I missed the best opportunities of the morning …
Gear Choice Question
Looking at the EXIF, what was the big advantage of using the 600 f/4 GM rather than the 200-600 G?
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: Black Vulture braking to land
Second Attempt Success
On Thursday morning I decided to go with the bare 600mm f/4 GM on the tripod as conditions were close to perfect for incoming flight photography; the light was soft (with faint shadows) and the wind from the east/southeast was coming over my right shoulder. For those new to flight photography you always want the wind coming from behind you when your shadow is pointed at the birds. If the wind is blowing right in your face (wind-against-sun), the birds will fly in from behind you — into the wind — and brake and land while facing directly away from you.
The big change, however, was that I set up my big lens rig on the tripod before I put out Thursday’s fare: salmon skins and a few left-over bones. In addition, I set the exposure for Black Vulture and set Center Zone, my favorite SONY AF Area for flight photography. I placed the tripod below the hill to ensure sky backgrounds and with my glasses on, I leveled my FlexShooter Pro so that I could pan in either direction without having to rotate the lens in the lens barrel while being sure that my rig was square-to-the world, i.e., perfectly level. I did that by centering the bubble in the scribed circle on the silver ball and then locking it by tightening the black lever. Then I loosened the silver knob so that I could pan freely. On Thursday I was ready.
Next, I walked the 15 yards up the hill, dumped the bait out of the plastic bag, and hustled back to my rig. Barely a few seconds after I had gotten behind my tripod, the crow flew into the bait and braked to land. I fired off six frames and kept two. My favorite crow image was created at 7:54:36am. Thirteen seconds later, at 7:54:49am, a Black Vulture flew in slightly from my right, braking into the southeast wind. This time I created six images and kept only one, Image #2. I did go on to have a good morning with some more nice vulture images, a few good Cattle Egret flight shots, more Ospreys in the pond stuff, and a calling adult sandhill. I saw and photographed the two crane colts after I had not seen them for several days — they were on their own and have gotten really big. I tried for some foraging Cattle Egret head-shots at 1200mm and failed; they just do not stay still for long …
All in all, it was a good morning, and being prepared, enabled me to create two really good images.
Exposure Notes
In a perfect world, I would have increased the ISO two clicks when I saw the crow flying approaching because the Black Vultures have some white on them and very bright legs, but I followed my own rule: shoot now and ask questions later (and was glad that I did). As things turned out, RawDigger showed 0% over-/under-exposed pixels with a smattering of under-exposed RED pixels for thee crow exposure. And the vulture exposure was nearly perfect showing just 0.1% under-exposed RED pixel and a smattering (71 out of 24,200,000) of over-exposed GREEN pixels. You gotta love exposure by Zebras! Even though I could have done slightly better in the rapidly changing (crow to vulture) situation, it is reassuring to know that on average the two exposures were 99.95% perfect!
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera Videos and Pre-publication e-Guide Costs and Discount Info
The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. The guide is now 98% done and you will — of course, receive the final version when it is completed. I sent out the third draft today to those who have purchased the Guide with or without the discount.
Folks who have used my B&H links or purchased their SONY gear from Bedfords will receive said discount based exactly on how much they spent. If you spent more than $10,000 you will receive one free video and the e-Guide. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each. If you spent $2400, you will receive a 24% discount, and so on and so forth. And again, additional camera videos will be $25.00 each.
I will need time to verify your B&H purchases so folks will need to send their receipts and then be a bit patient. It is much easier to verify Bedfords’ purchases but I need those receipts as well.
If you have not used BAA links, please do so in the future. If that is the case and you would like the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY Pre-publication Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Please add $25 for each additional camera video. Be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
Folks who have used BAA links to purchase their SONY gear should send their receipts to me via e-mail asap and let me know which camera videos they need. I will verify their purchases as quickly as possible and send a quote to be paid via Paypal as above.
Thanks to all who have properly used my B&H links or gone through the fabulous Steve Elkins at Bedfords, and thanks to everyone for having faith in the information that I provide, knowing that it will be the best available anywhere.
On the way down to the lake on Wednesday morning I spotted a single Black Vulture on Park Drive. I went over to investigate and saw that the bird was on a fresh, road-killed Marsh Rabbit. I scooped it up and put it in a plastic bag and then into a cardboard box with the turtle. As conditons were pretty good, I put out a nice road-kill buffet on the South Peninsula and set up along the edge of the canal so that I was at eye-level with the birds. Though I did not have many good flight photography opportunities, I had had lots of good chances with both Black and Turkey Vultures and Crested Caracara. I headed back down in the afternoon despite a stiff east wind and did not do well at all …
Upper Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Cattle Egret capturing mayfly
The Big Mayfly Hatch
About four days ago, the large, golden mayflies began to hatch. Many species, led by large numbers of Cattle Egrets, have been feasting on them mornings and afternoons. Other species enjoying the mayfly bonanza include Great Egret, Sandhill Crane, Boat-tailed Grackle, and Crested Caracara. As I mentioned recently, trying for good images that depict a Cattle Egret grabbing a mayfly is quite challenging. With Image #1, I succeeded to some degree.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1A: Unsharpened 100% crop of the Cattle Egret capturing mayfly image above
The 100% Crop!
Above is an unsharpened 100% crop of today’s featured image. It looks pretty sharp to me. What do you think?
Upper Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: Cattle Egret swallowing mayfly
The Next Frame
This image was created in the same one-tenth of a second as Image #1. It shows the bird gulping down the mayfly seen in Images #1 and #1A. As the bird closed its nictitating membrane, I borrow the eye from Image #1 and placed it carefully onto Image #2. To line up the new eye layer with the underlying layer, first, reduce the opacity of the new eye layer to about 40%, then use the arrow keys to position it perfectly, and finally raise the ISO to 100% opacity. This is just one of the many dozens of great Photoshop and workflow tips in The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
Image Optimization Question
Enlarge Image #1 and Image #2 and let us know what differences you see that would indicate that one of the two images received more care during the post-processing in Photoshop. (Both RAW files were converted in Capture One using the same parameters.)
i-Phone 11 image.
Image #3: Mayflies on SONY 600 GM
Mayflies on Lens
I used a trick I learned in Cliff Oliver’s i-Phone Photography e-Guide to create this image; I used Portait mode to completely soften the background.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
The PDF is sent link by e-mail for downloading: the file is relatively huge at 216 MB.
Hard to Believe
Yes, Cliff has a great eye and wonderfully creative vision. Yet it is still hard for me to believe that he can make so many great images with “just“ an i-phone. Almost more amazingly Cliff captures with his iPhone and does all of his post-processing on the phone! In this great new e-Guide written for BIRDS AS ART you will learn to use set up you iPhone quickly and efficiently and how to to use it. In addition, there are dozens and dozens of tips on Cliff’s favorite apps and his favorite gear. Scroll down to the bottom to see the Table of Contents.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide: $20.00.
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
Dr. Cliff Oliver
Dr. Cliff Oliver is an award-winning photographer, former photography instructor for the San Diego Natural History Museum, cutting-edge integrative health care professional, and international workshop leader. He created and taught the first 5-day immersion iPhone photography workshop at Hollyhock, Canada’s premier Leadership Learning Center. He teaches quarterly iPhone photography classes at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library School of the Arts (these include Art on the iPhone, iPhoneography, Portraits and Selfies, and Practicing in the Field). His images have been on the cover of WildBird magazine, on display at Scripps Oceanography Institute, and been honored with multiple first-place finishes in the International Exhibition of Photography Del Mar. The San Diego Natural History Museum’s, “Birds of the World” centennial exhibit featured several of his images. One of his iPhone images received an honorable mention in the Athenaeum 23rd annual juried exhibition. He has displayed images at Art Speaks: Expressions of Hope and Healing and has produced a series of books, called Zen I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII that feature original images that promote inner peace. The last 4 books feature only images taken on the iPhone. He teaches individuals and groups the skills of capturing iPhone/mobile photographs and then how to create personalized works of art.
Learn more about Cliff and what he does on his Center for Balanve website here. And don’t forget, if I had never met Cliff I would be pushing up daisies somewhere. To request my Health Basics File that contains the whole story, please shoot me an e-mail by clicking here..
i-Phone 11 image.
Image #4: Mayflies on SUV headlight
Mayflies on Headlight
I wanted to include Images #3 and 4 to give folks an idea of the magnitude of the hatch. On Wednesday evening while driving through the grass adjacent to the North Marsh with both windows rolled down, my car was almost instantly filled with mayflies. The don’t bite and they don’t feed. They hatch and mate and then die in short order. But they sure feed lots of birds!
This image was created on 22 APR 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 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:33am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #5: Cattle Egrets on pier railing
After the Feast
On Wednesday morning, after the feast, a large group of Cattle Egrets flew to the pier to roost on the railing. I got out of the car and stayed well back looking to create a different image. Image #5 is a photo illustration; I added the bird in flight from a similar frame. I coulda’/shoulda’ done a better job …
Your Favorite?
Which of today’s featured images is your favorite? Please let us know why.
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 :).
On a clear Tuesday morning — it had been a while since the sun had been out early — the Cattle Egrets continued feeding voraciously on the large, golden mayfly hatch. The more I photograph this situation, the more I realize how difficult it is. I enjoyed a 1058-image morning and kept 81 including a few pretty good ones. The dead turtle finally made it down to the lake yesterday am, but with a northwest wind, it went back into the fridge for at least another day. The forecast for this morning shows promise — clear skies with a gentle breeze from the north switching to northeast …
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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 September 27, 2019 while doing a private day with fraternity brother Harry Lerner at Fort DeSoto. I used the Induro GIT 304/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode was about +2 stops on the analog scale. AWB at 8:10am on a very overcast morning.
Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. The point of sharpest focus was slightly more than halfway down the bill, right on the same plane as the bird’s eye. RAW Digger showed 0% Over-exposed and 0% Underexposed pixels.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Snowy Egret with greenback
A Tough Chore
In the If-the-World-Does-Not-End BIRDS AS ART 2020/2021 IPT Schedule … blog post here, I posted this:
Please consider today’s six featured images and let us know your pick as the best. And please also let us know why you made your choice. Comments on any of the images are welcome as well.
My Favorite
Actually, there is no way that I could pick a single favorite as the six images presented were among my very (fairly) favorite recent creations. My vote is that all are tied for first place. Below each image, I will let you know what I liked about each one. All six images got a mention. Somewhat surprisingly #1, the Snowy Egret image, was the consensus favorite followed closely by the dancing booby. The landing eagle was third.
Gary Axten posted my favorite comment when he wrote, Hah, not an easy choice.
Snowy Egret with greenback
Like most folks, I loved the perfectly positioned fish, the soft light, the aqua-colored water, and the breaking wave on the upper left. But nobody mentioned the bubbling wave in the lower right corner that with the previously mentioned wave, completes a perfect frame. While I urge folks to be aware of the position of breaking waves in this situation, I will not claim to have been concentrating on the waves; I was watching the fish and the AF point dance about on the bird’s face!
Fort DeSoto Fall 2020 Sandbar Secrets 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: 8
Center Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. RAW Digger showed 0% Over-exposed and 0% Underexposed pixels.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: Snow Geese blastoff
Image #2: Snow Geese blastoff
What can I say? I am partial to blurs and I do them well. And it was great to get back to Bosque in 2019 and enjoy lots of blastoffs. As for technique, I say often: the slower the shutter speed (1/15 is the traditional starting point) the fewer keepers you will make but the greater the chances of creating a contest-worthy image. In this one, I love the degree of blurring, the swatch of pan-blurred cornfield, and the ghostly cranes on the ground (especially the group on the left). In addition, on the left, the row of distant trees and the group of geese in the sky complete a wonderful image design.
Bosque del Apache NWR 2020 IPT
NOV 18 (afternoon session) thru the morning session on November 23, 2020. 5 DAYS. Four full and two half days. $1999.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 5.
Center AF point/AI Servo Expand/Shutter Button AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when handholding). The selected AF point was below and in front of the penguin’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Imagee #3: Rockhopper Penguin sneezing
Image #3: Rockhopper Penguin sneezing
With this one, I love the sharpness, the soft sunlight of a late afternoon, the perfect head-angle, and, like multiple IPT veteran Pat Fishburne, the incredible detail on the inside of the mouth. Does anyone know the name for tiny the rear-facing gripper things that help the penguins hold onto their catches securely? (Or not …)
In addition, I have always enjoyed pushing the limits — getting super-close to birds without disturbing them and using gear combinations that give other folk’s fits — in this case, the Canon 100-400 II with the 1.4X TC.
2020 Land-based Falklands Trip
December 10-26, 2020. $8999.00 per person. Deposit $4000.00. Limit four photographers/openings: 2. Please e-mail for a complete itinerary and complete details.
Fly on a red-eye to Santiago, Chile on WED 9 DEC 2020, arriving there on THURS 10 DEC. We will do an add-on condor trip ($450/per person including lunch) that morning assuming that everyone gets there by about 8am at the very latest. And another add-on morning to Del Mar for Inca Terns and Peruvian Pelicans ($450/per person including lunch) on FRI 11 DEC leaving the hotel very early. We fly to Mont Pleasant on SAT 12 DEC. In the Falklands we will visit Bleaker, the Rookery and the Neck on Saunders, and Pebble. Then two nights at the Malvina House on Stanely with a visit to an amazing rockhopper colony. Fly back to Santiago on SAT 26 DEC. Fly home either that night (red-eyes are hard to get) or the following day.
Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed well. The point of sharpest focus was on the as of the bird’s bill just forward of the eye. RAW Digger showed 0% Over-exposed pixels and 0.3% Underexposed RED pixels.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #4: Pacific race Brown Pelican with bill distended
Pacific race Brown Pelican with bill distended
What works here for me? I’ve always loved Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their bright red lower bill pouches. That the bill is distended here shows off that color beautifully. The soft light is perfect — no shadows, the sharp eye, the goofy look on the bird’s face is comical, and the distant light-Pacific blue background completes a lovely color palette.
San Diego 2021 Brown Pelican IPT
January 12 thru the morning session on January 16, 2021. Four full and one half day: $1999.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 7.
This image was created at Kachemak Bay, AK on 25 FEB 2020. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (at 200mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras on the rear wheel: 1/3200 sec. at f/3.2. AWB at 9:20am on a cloudy-bright day.
Wide Continuous (C) AF performed beautifully. Click on the image to see a larger version. Uncropped.
Image #5: Bald Eagle braking to land
Bald Eagle braking to land
I dig the super-soft light. I dig that the bird’s undersides were lit up by the light reflected off the snow. I dig the perfect braking wing position. I dig the strip of soft yellow grasses. I dig the inclusion of the snowfield behind the grasses. And I dig the fact that I alerted the group to this incredible situation by describing the image that I envisioned …
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
Deposit: $2000.00.
IPT #1: SAT 20 FEB 2021 through the full day on THURS 25 FEB MAR 1, 2021. Six full days: $5499.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
IPT #2: SAT 27 FEB 2021 through the full day on WED 3 MAR 2021. Five full days: $4599.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 4
This image was created on 6 AUG 2019 at North Seymour Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. I used the hand Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and my souped up Nikon D850. ISO 500. Matrix metering plus about 1 1/3rd stop: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6. NATURAL AUTO WB at 7:50am on a (typically and blessedly) cloudy afternoon.
Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +3. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Upper Single Point/Continuous (C in Nikon/AI Servo with Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Image #6: Blue-footed Booby dancing
Blue-footed Booby dancing
Most everyone loves this one and that includes me. The raised foot is comical. The soft distant background (as a result of the bird dancing on top of a rock!) is pleasing. The background clean-up and slightly expanded canvas work well — sorry, no contest entry for this image as presented. That this was the last bird we photographed on the 2019 Galapagos trip on one of the three great landings that we make twice makes this one even more special for me. What an ending!
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience.
August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 5. Deposit: $5000.00. Please e-mail for a complete itinerary and complete details.
Admission
If twisted my arm and made me pick only one, I’d go with Image #2, the Snow Geese blur … But don’t forget that I love them all.
A Guide to Pleasing Blurs
Learn everything there is to know about creating pleasingly blurred images in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly. This 20,585 word, 271 page PDF is illustrated with 144 different, exciting, and artistic images. The guide covers the basics of creating pleasingly blurred images, the factors that influence the degree of blurring, the use of filters in creating pleasing blurs, and a great variety of both in-the-field and Photoshop techniques that can be used to create pleasingly blurred images.
Artie and Denise teach you many different ways to move your lens during the exposure to create a variety of pleasingly blurred images of flowers and trees and water and landscapes. They will teach you to recognize situations where subject movement can be used to your advantage to create pan blurs, wind blurs, and moving water blurs. They will teach you to create zoom-blurs both in the field and during post-processing. Artie shares the techniques that he has used and developed for making blurred images of flocks of geese in flight at his beloved Bosque del Apache and Denise shares her flower blur magic as well as a variety of creative Photoshop techniques that she has developed.
With the advent of digital capture creating blurred images has become a great and inexpensive way to go out with your camera and have fun. And while many folks think that making successful blurred images is the result of being a sloppy photographer, nothing could be further from the truth. In “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs” Artie and Denise will help you to unleash your creative self.
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 :).
My two photo hunting trips yesterday were fairly successful with cranes and Cattle Egrets on the menu. There was huge hatch of the large mayflies three days ago. It took the Cattle Egrets a day to find them but for the last two days as many as a hundred of the small white egrets having been gorging themselves all along the lakefront.
I was getting ominously dark at 1pm so I jumped in the pool early for my swim. Then the thunderstorms came. And then the sun came out so I headed back down to the lake “for a few minutes.” I stayed for close to two hours. With my work on the SONY e-Guide pretty much done, I finally got to spend some quality time in the Avian Forum on BirdPhotographers.Net. BPN: It ain’t just birds! Where honest critiques are done gently.
I will be heading down to the lake early today — Tuesday 21 APR 2020 — to do some hunting with my SONY gear.
Ask and ye shall receive …
Thanks a stack to the dozens of folks who commented on the last two blog posts. Though I disagreed with about half of those comments, all were greatly appreciated.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera Videos and Pre-publication e-Guide Costs and Discount Info
The cost of the SONY e-Guide is $100.00 US and will include one of the four (4) camera set-up videos — we offer one video each for the a7r iii, the a7r iv, the a9, and the a9 ii — and the written guide with the galleries. The guide is now 98% done and you will — of course, receive the final version when it is completed. I sent out the third draft today to those who have purchased the Guide with or without the discount.
Folks who have used my B&H links or purchased their SONY gear from Bedfords will receive said discount based exactly on how much they spent. If you spent more than $10,000 you will receive one free video and the e-Guide. Additional camera videos are $25.00 each. If you spent $2400, you will receive a 24% discount, and so on and so forth. And again, additional camera videos will be $25.00 each.
I will need time to verify your B&H purchases so folks will need to send their receipts and then be a bit patient. It is much easier to verify Bedfords’ purchases but I need those receipts as well.
If you have not used BAA links, please do so in the future. If that is the case and you would like the e-Guide now, please send a Paypal for $100 US to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words “SONY Pre-publication Guide” in the Paypal e-mail along with the name of your camera or cameras so that you can receive the correct video or videos. Please add $25 for each additional camera video. Be sure to send a copy of the Paypal transaction to me via e-mail.
Folks who have used BAA links to purchase their SONY gear should send their receipts to me via e-mail asap and let me know which camera videos they need. I will verify their purchases as quickly as possible and send a quote to be paid via Paypal as above.
Thanks to all who have properly used my B&H links or gone through the fabulous Steve Elkins at Bedfords, and thanks to everyone for having faith in the information that I provide, knowing that it will be the best available anywhere.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection allowing me to create a pleasing image design with the subject well back in the frame.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane in marsh grasses
Add Green Whenever Possible
I am not sure if I first wrote those words in the original, softcover, The Art of Bird Photography or in the digital follow-up, The Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II on CD or via electronic download for our overseas friends). In any case, the advice is still right-on today. With both featured images in this blog poast, I followed that advice in spades.
Both publications above are still worth their weight in gold — and combined — have been the how-to bibles for a generation of skilled bird photographers.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection allowing me to create a pleasing image design with the subject well back in the frame.
Click the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #2: Cattle Egret in grass
Exposure and Image Design
Putting ISO on the control wheel and using Patrick Sparkman’s brilliant Zebras technique allows photographers to learn to consistently make perfect exposures. And practicing with and becoming skilled at using Tracking Flexible Spot (M) allows folks to create pleasing image designs using technology never before available in a digital camera body. As advised in both ABP and ABP II, keeping the bird “back in the frame” is the key to creating effective horizontal photographs.
The big concern with both images here was to be sure to leave room for the virtual feet … Questions on that are welcome
Advantage SONY!
Your Favorite?
Please take a moment to let us know which of today’s two featured images is your favorite (and why). Again, I have a clear favorite and will share my thoughts here on the blog for sure.
The Sunday morning forecast was way off the mark. Rather than clear and sunny with increasing SW winds as predicted, it turned out to be bright overcast and with a gentle wind from the east. It would have been a perfect morning for setting up my vulture feeder … Instead, I spent some more time with Old Gnarly, its mate, and their single surviving small colt. I did botch one really good chance … And with two more bathing Ospreys.
The forecast for this today — Monday 20 APR 2020 — is for mostly cloudy skies with SW winds at 11mph in the morning deteriorating to rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon with winds to 24. It might be a tough afternoon for a swim. I will likely be making one trip to the lake to do some recreational hunting with my SONY gear.
In yesterday’s A Rare Submission … blog post here, only a single person commented on the Magellanic Penguin images. And there were no questions about the business of selling bird photographs. It was almost as if the e-mail notice of publication did not send … If you have a chance to visit or re-visit, please do so. It would be greatly appreciated.
On Sunday, I sent the final draft of the SONY eGuide to Patrick Sparkman for his final review. If you already own the guide and would like an opportunity to review it, please send me an e-mail by clicking here. I should be publishing it this week. Please write only if you have time to review the document in the next day or two. All 47 folks who currently have the guide will receive a link for the final-final version in about a week.
Today’s Entertainment
Willie Nelson/On The Road Again
Follow this link to see a great live version at the Grand Ole Opry.
Or for a full hour of great country music, check out the The Highwaymen On The Road Again Concert here. Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings each have a distinctive sound that blends beautifully as The Highwaymen.
This image was created on the morning of 9 APR 2020 at Indian Lake Estates. 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 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode; I went for sone Zebras on the adult’s white neck patches and lots of Zebras on visible sections of the sky. AWB at 7:53am on an overcast morning.
Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt family On the Road Again
The Situation
I had long suspected that the crane colt family of four swam most days back and forth across the canal from the south end of the South Peninsula to the south end of the South Field because the walk around would be close to two miles. (My bad — I just realized that I likely have been mixing up north and south when writing about this crane family for the past few weeks …) They swim east in the morning most days and then west in the afternoons.
The first time I saw them swimming was on a sunny afternoon. I drove up and saw the whole family in the water four abreast and swimming with purpose. I missed that shot but managed a few frames. None were very good. I have never seen them cross back in the afternoon but have had many chances when they swim to the South Field in the mornings. Even on days when my timing has been perfect, I have not gotten anything really excellent. At some point, I will share a bunch of my best swimming crane photos here on the blog.
In the soft light on the morning of 9 APR I was a bit late getting to the South Field spur road. When I saw the birds walking down the road four abreast I jumped out of my SUV and framing carefully, created four images before they broke formation and began to forage.
This image was created on the morning of 9 APR 2020 at Indian Lake Estates. 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 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode; I went for sone Zebras on the adult’s white neck patches and lots of Zebras on visible sections of the sky. AWB at 7:53am on an overcast morning.
Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane colt family On the Road Again pano
The Pano Crop
I decided to create a pano from the original image above. Since I wanted to create an image with no sky in the frame while at the same time leaving a decent amount of room above the bird’s heads, I had to fill in some of the sky in the upper left corner. That turned out to be a bit more difficult than I thought it would be. I wound up using two small Quick Masks refined with Regular Layer Masks.
Your Favorite?
Please take a moment to let us know if you prefer Image #1 — the 2X3 original, or Image #2 the pano crop. I have a great preference for one image over the other and will share that here at some point.
