Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

This image was created on Thursday 5 October 2023 at Fort DeSoto. Seated on wet mud, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3 stop). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:53:38am on a clear morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 800mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. American Flamingo filter feeding

DeSoto — Amazing Plus, Plus Two Un-banded Flamingos!

DeSoto was as good as it gets on Thursday morning: 200 American White Pelican, several thousand terns, two thousand shorebirds including five plover species, Marbled Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, and more. There was several Brown Pelican feeding sprees in the Gulf early on. Plus the usual assortment of wading birds including several Reddish Egrets, Snowy Egret, and Little and Great Blue Heron.

The huge attraction were two American Flamingos blow northwards by Hurricane Idalia at the end of August of this year. Dozens were spotted along the west coast of Florida and more were seen in, Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Kentucky and as far north as Michigan! An injured flamingo was banded and releases and has been being seen at DeSoto. I was thrilled to get to photograph two un-banded birds this morning. They’ve been here for five weeks already so that may just stick around for an IPT.

If you would like to join me at DeSoto on Friday morning, or on an upcoming IPT there, keep reading.

Urgent: Join me on Friday Morning!

If you can make a morning session on Friday 6 OCT at DeSoto, I can offer you a ridiculously low price. Remember that you only live once. For details, shoot me an e-mail or text me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. This gig includes a working lunch with image review and Photoshop lessons.

All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version. Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.

The Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tours

Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #2

3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 17 October through the morning session on Friday 20 October 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers.

Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3

3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 31 October through the morning session on Friday 3 November 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers.

Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #4

3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 14 November through the morning session on Friday 17 November 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: four.

Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.

On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.

Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.

The Details

There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.

These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.

Up Early, Stay Out Late!

Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

The Upcoming Digital Basics III Video Series

Over the past few months, I have added lots of great new stuff to my digital workflow: Color Mixer basics and the more sophisticated Saturation Targeted Adjustment Tool, 2-Step Noise Reduction, and the Remove Tool. With so many changes and improvements, I had been considering creating a Digital Basics III PDF. Recently, I realized that creating a series of videos would be a lot simpler and would make learning a lot simpler for most folks. In addition, videos will allow me to delve more deeply into the fine points of using the new (and previously used) Photoshop tools. Each video will include two complete image optimizations, from soups to nuts.

Additional details soon.

Mini IPT or In-the-Field DeSoto Sessions this Week

Meet me at North Beach in Fort DeSoto on Wednesday morning (4 OCT). Share my Gulfport AirBnb for one or two nights (or not), and enjoy as many as five in-the-field sessions. I will be heading home after the morning session on Friday 6 OCT. The weather is looking excellent. I am offering either of these opportunities for a ridiculously low getting-to-know-you price, too low to mention here. Please remember that you only live once. For details, shoot me an e-mail or call or text me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. A working lunch with image review and Photoshop lessons is optional. I can tailor things just for you.

Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM Super-telephoto Lens (the “Old Five”)

$200.00 Price Drop on 10/2/2023

Roy Holden is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM super-telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $1799.00 (was $1999.000). The sale includes the front leather lens cover, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Roy via e-mail.

The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II, and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto lens option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. Used 500mm II lenses are selling for as much as $7,018.95. I was surprised to learn that they are no longer in production as it was one of my favorite Canon super telephoto lenses. Used copies are selling for from $2,899.95 to $3,349.95 right now on B&H. This lens will work perfectly on your dSLR bodies and/or with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R on all Canon mirrorless bodies. artie

What’s Up?

Early on Sunday morning, I headed west on SR 60. There were no Cattle Egrets as there had been the day before. And the herd of black cows that had been next to the fence line the day before had moved about a mile to the north, far out of photographic range. Thus, there were no Cattle Egrets standing on the backs of black cows 🙁 So, I drove home and photographed Morning Glory blossoms in my butterfly garden.

Today is Monday 2 October. I will spend a good part of the day getting ready to head over to Fort DeSoto on Tuesday afternoon. Wherever you are an whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

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. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. 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 be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.

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.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

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.

This image was created on 19 June 2021 at Huguenot Memorial Park near Jacksonville, FL. Seated on damp sand using the knee-pod technique, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/400 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:33:02am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be within 1/3-stop of perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Laughing Gull — large chick standing on beach

ISO 4000

Click on the image to see that the image quality and fine feather detail look pretty darn good. Note that though the grey tones of the young gull were well on the warm side, the sand has a beautiful bluish glow, very much on the good side. It is possible that the sky to the west and above the bird was clear and blue, even in the pre-dawn, but that there were huge clouds in the eastern sky over the Atlantic Ocean behind me. Or not.

Exposure and Noise

As the raw file brightness was within 1/3 stop of perfect and the image overall was light-toned, there was not a lot of noise in the original. In general, at any ISO, there will be more noise in under-exposed images and more noise in the darker tones and shadows. Do note the noise in the green blades of grass in the Before version.

This image was created on 5 April 2022 at Harris Neck NWR, GA on a Georgia Nature Photographers Association field trip. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 463mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/1000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:54:54am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead solid perfect plus a bit more. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Great Blue Heron fishing

ISO 4000

I got lucky here with a shutter speed of “only” 1/1000 second. At times, the f/6.3 aperture of the Sony 200-600 can be problematic, especially when compared to the super-fast Sony 400mm f/2.8 lens (with or without the 1.4X TC).

Image #2: Great Blue Heron fishing

Noise in the Shadows

Click on the tight crop above to see that noise, even in a perfectly exposed to the right original, is always greater in the shadows.

This image was created on 11 May 2023 at the Hidden Lagoon on a Fort DeSoto Spring IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518m) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:39:43pm on a cloudy afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Reddish Egret — white morph fishing

ISO 3200

With a white subject, ISO 3200 allowed me to work at 1/2000 second, sharp enough to create a razor sharp on the eye image of a relatively slow moving subject in search of a fish.

2-Step Noise Reduction with Moderately High ISOs

Note the huge amount of noise in the dark tones of the mangroves in the BEFORE version and the complete elimination of the noise in both the dark tones of the mangroves and the water in the AFTER version.

By looking at the white feathers, you can see that I warmed the image up during post processing. In addition, the fine detail in the white feathers was enhanced during the image optimization.

My new 2-step Noise Reduction technique does very well with moderately high ISOs.

This image was created on 6 September on a panga ride at Champion Islet, Galapagos, Ecuador. Sitting in a zodiac I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:50:55pm in the deep shade on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Short-eared Owl on lava rock

ISO 20,000

So just why did I need 1/2000 second (with the corresponding, ridiculously high ISO of 20,000)?

#1: I was in a gently rocking panga (zodiac).

2- The owl had been taking flight and harassing the sealion that was resting just below it.

Note also the exceptional sharpness of the eyes and the face.

2-Step Noise Reduction with Ridiculously High ISOs

The results using my new 2-step Noise Reduction technique on an ISO 20,000 image with lots of dark tones were remarkable. The noise was eliminated completely and a fair degree of fine feather detail was retained.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.