July 12th, 2023
What’s Up?
My flight to Iceland left at 9:00pm sharp and arrived at Keflavik at 6:20am local time. For the first time ever in my 77 years, I stayed up all night, having never slept a wink on the plane. For the most part, I was engrossed in reading yet another riveting John Grisham/Jake Brigance novel. After I got to the hotel, I took a one hour nap and was good to go for the rest of the day.
We headed out to a local bird reserve and — despite wind-against-sun conditions — had a great afternoon with a pond full of Red-throated Loons — as many as twenty in one two acre pond. A smaller pond held a pair with a half grown chick. Amazingly, most of the loons were quite acclimated to humans. We did not get back to the hotel until about 10:30pm.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
The Fact$ of Life
The market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, many depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program.
In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4052! Yes, 4052 educational blog posts. Please, therefore, remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It will not cost you one cent to do either.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will automatically be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your order ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 21 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro: Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Exposure was determined using Zebra technology: ISO 1250: 1/640 second at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 7:21:10am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version.
Image #1: Common Tern feeding chick at nest
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Taking a Varied Approach When Visiting Great Photographic Locations
Over the years, my visits to Nickerson Beach took place from mid-July through the very end of August into early September. Though there are lots of handsome young fledged Common Terns at those times, the Black Skimmers and their chicks ruled the roost. I had been looking forward to seeing more of the Common Tern reproductive cycle by visiting in June after my trigger finger surgery. Despite the somewhat unsettled weather, I had a great time and made many nice images of the commons and their chicks.
By visiting great locations during different months each year, you will often find that very new and different (and often spectacular) opportunities exist. That is exactly what happened with my December 2022 San Diego visit; I had never seen a zillion young pelicans in La Jolla on my many previous January visits. And it is one of the reasons I am really looking forward to the upcoming sold-out Galapagos Photo Cruise of a Lifetime late this summer. It will be my first ever visit in late August/early September. I am sure that we will be seeing some great new stuff as far as breeding and chicks.
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This image was created on 22 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on dry sand behind my lowered tripod, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro: Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Exposure was determined using Zebra technology: ISO 1250: 1/1600 second at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 11:19:51am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version.
Image #2: Common Tern feeding chick
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Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Why?
High Level Depth of Field Question
Though Image #1 was created at f/8 and Image #2 was created at f/6.3, there is another factor the led to all the birds in the first image being in sharp focus while only the chick with the Sandeel is sharp in the second image. What is that factor?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
July 10th, 2023
What’s Up?
If you would like to become a better bird photographer, consider joining me on the 2023 San Diego IPT. Details are at the end of this blog post.
Anita North and I fly to Iceland at 9:00pm tonight, Monday 10 July 2023. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. If I can get online from above the Arctic Circle, I will try to post every few days. Otherwise, much love and I will be in touch when I get back to civilization.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
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This Photo Mechanic screen capture represents the un-cropped raw file. The approximate crop is shown.
Image #1: Brown Pelican with bill pouch inflated
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The Serious Operator Framing Error
I had never seen this silly pelican behavior before and probably never will again. The bird looked as if it were doing its best to blow a huge bubble — as if a pelican could blow a bubble. It held the pose for barely more than one second. Working vertically and using Tracking: Zone the system found the bird’s eye easily and instantly. I was torn between re-framing the image to include the entire head and bill in the frame or pushing the shutter button and getting at least one halfway decent image. I knew that Tracking: Zone would have held focus had I raised the lens but I feared that the instant would be gone if I had opted to re-frame.
So, I went for the one in hand; the result was the badly mis-framed image that you see in the original capture above. Just a single frame. In retrospect, I would have had room in the frame for the entire head and bill had I pointed the lens up. But I am not sure that I would have had the time.
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This image was created on 16 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height on the downhill sidewalk spot, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Exposure was determined using Zebra technology: ISO 2000: 1/640 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be a bit brighter than perfect, not quite dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:15:04am a cloudy morning with a rare-for-San Diego drizzle.
Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version.
Version I/Image #1A: Brown Pelican with bill pouch inflated
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Version I
This is the Kodachrome 64 version. Aside from the crop, it is not a whole lot different from the raw file.
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This image was created on 16 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height on the downhill sidewalk spot, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Exposure was determined using Zebra technology: ISO 2000: 1/640 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be a bit brighter than perfect, not quite dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:15:04am a cloudy morning with a rare-for-San Diego drizzle.
Tracking: Zone with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger, sharper, high-res version.
Version II/Image #1B: Brown Pelican with bill pouch inflated
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Version II
This is the Velvia version. As compared to the raw file, the color and contrast have been juiced up. Note especially that I brought up the green and aqua tones in the water background using Color Mixer. I had not done that with Version I.
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Shooting slide film was expensive, wasteful, and bad for the environment on many counts
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Film
For new folks who have used only digital, know that before the turn of the century most nature photographers used color slide film. The original classic was Kodachrome 25. That, however, was before my time as I started late, in August 1983. The standard by then was Kodachrome 64. The “25” and the “64” refer to the ISOs! Kodachrome 64 was featured low contrast and flat colors, even when the sun was shining. In 1990, Fuji introduced Velvia 50 slide film. It featured rich, vibrant colors. We would shoot the film one stop to dark and have it push processed at ISO 100. I loved the stuff. A single roll cost more than $12.00 in 1995. After you finished a role of 36 exposures, you had to send the film to the lab to be developed. The processing then cost about $8.00. Or more. After a few days or a week, you would get a box with 36 or 37 slides. You examined them on a lightbox with a handheld magnifier called a loupe. Most of the slides would wind up in the trash.
Getting the right exposure with slide film was very difficult. On sunny days, the WHITEs were always over-exposed. The photographer had zero control over the look of the image. Though I was slow to embrace digital capture, I now wish that I had never heard the word “film.” That said, almost all of my BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year-honored images were created on Fuji Velvia (pushed one stop).
If you shot film, feel free to share your thoughts or to reminisce by leaving a comment. BTW, a roll of Fuji Velvia slide film costs $33.95!
Your Call
After clicking on each image to enlarge it, you are invited to leave a comment letting us know which version you like best and why you made your choice.
The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT morning sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
I discovered some really neat new spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
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Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.
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Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
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Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
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Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
July 8th, 2023 Huge Thanks!
Huge thanks to IPT veteran Andrew Schonbek for using my B&H affiliate link for his recent $11524.93 order. He upgraded to a MacBook Pro M2 laptop, an Apple – 32″” Pro Display XDR 16:9 Retina 6K HDR IPS Display (Standard Glass), and accessories. And thanks also to old friend Bob Blanchard for purchasing not one, but two Robus tripods. He loves them!
What’s Up?
If you can’t imagine getting great images of Bald Eagles with just a 70-200mm lens, scroll down and consider joining me on a Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT next February.
On Friday afternoon I sent the latest version of the flight guide to David Pugsley for a final edit. Once I hear back from David, I will ship it off to co-author Arash Hazeghi for approval. The (at present) 209-page, 22,363-word document includes 84 spectacular flight images to educate and inspire you.
Jim dropped me off at the Courtyard Marriott/Orlando Airport on his way home on Friday afternoon. I fly to Toronto today, Saturday 8 July 2023. I will hang out with Anita North until Monday. Our flight to Iceland leaves on Monday evening at 9pm. After spending just 4 hours 20 minutes in the air, will will arrive at Keflavik (KEF) the next morning at 6:20am. Hello, jet lag! I am excited about spending 13 days on a tiny island above the Arctic Circle. With puffins.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
The Fact$ of Life
The market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, most depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program.
In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4050! Yes, 4050 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It will not cost you one cent to do either.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will automatically be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your order ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 27 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 223mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 500: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 4:55:18pm on a bright, sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle starting dive — no head visible
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The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM/1.4X TC/α-1 is Deadly at Close Range
When doing flight photography at close range — can you say gannets, eagles, and pelicans? — the lightweight Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM/1.4X TC/α-1 combo is as good as it gets. The autofocus with the second version of the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 is so much improved that for me, it obsoletes the Sony 100-400, a clunker of a lens for bird photography, especially for birds in flight.
Your Call I?
Do you have any use for Image #1, the photo of an eagle with no head? Do you love it or should it have been an insta-delete? Or does it fall somewhere in between. Whatever your call, please leave a comment and let us know your reasoning.
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This image was also created on 27 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 246mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:36:19pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be just a fraction of a stop short of dead-solid perfect
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle banking I
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30 frames per second: Magic (or Not?)
Working with a mirrorless body that captures 30 fps will give you 50% more poses to choose from than when working at 20 fps (30 as compared to 20). And when compared to working at 10fps, 30 fps will gives you three times as many images to choose from (30 as compared to 10). Note that Images #2 and #3 were created in the same second, along with probably 10 or 20 or as many as 28 more similar images.
Interestingly enough, the file number for Image #2 is _A1G0753. The file number for Image #3, below, is -_A1G0763! That indicates that despite the great similarity in the two flight poses, nine additional images, all razor sharp, were created in the fraction of a single second between the two captures!
Before you being thinking that the latest technology allows us to capture pretty much everything, consider the math. If you are shooting at 1/1000 second, that single second is divided into 1000 parts. Working at 30 fps you can create 30 images in that single second. That means that are missing 970 of the possible 1000 instants. Simply put, even when working at 30fps we are missing 97% of the action.
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This image was also created on 27 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 246mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:36:19pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be just a fraction of a stop short of dead-solid perfect
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Bald Eagle banking II
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Your Call II: #2 or #3?
Image #2 and Image #3 are razor sharp, perfectly exposed, and dynamic. If you had to choose just one, which one would it be. Why? I have a strong preference for one over the other.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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2024 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs
IPT #1: WED 21 FEB 2024 through the full day on SUN 25 FEB 2024. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.
IPT #2: MON 26 FEB 2024 through the full day on FRI 1 MAR 2024. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.
Register for both trips to maximize your travel dollars and enjoy a $1000 discount while you are at it.
This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.
In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require some good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes.
If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If the conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot.
We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.
Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader and instructor. He is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.
You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.
You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.
Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight photographs from tens of thousands of images.
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You will enjoy working with the best and most creative boat captain on his sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck watercraft.
Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.
Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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What’s Included
One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.
What’s Not Included
Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.
Please Note
On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour. The leader will pay for the bait.
Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. In 2023 those included Moose, Great Grey, and Short-eared Owls.
Deposit Information
A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (the latter made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check (as above).
In Closing
I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of these two trips is to sign up for all of them. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, or two of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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