The Fact$ of Life

Right now, 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%). (Can you say Darrell Gulin? 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 $2,00.00. 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 4002. Yes, 4002 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

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 additional. 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 superbly appreciated by yours truly.

A Note From DeSoto #1 Participant Bob Handin

It is hard to put into words my feelings about my recent Fort DeSoto IPT. I have been taking pictures for many years and even have a few nice bird pictures. However, my few days with Artie have upped my game in amazing ways. I was fortunate to be the only person who signed up for his first 2023 Fort DeSoto IPT, so I got to spend a lot of time with the master. He let me use one of his SONY A1 cameras and a 200-600 lens; of course, I fell in love with it. We shared an Air BNB and did some extra trips to the North Tampa Rookery, Stick Marsh, and Indian Lake Estates to see his beloved Sandhill Crane families. Artie is a patient and experienced teacher and by the end of the IPT I was dreaming about sun angle, wind direction, head angle, and how to properly frame my subjects. I took some of the best pictures of my life and will treasure them and my newfound knowledge. Artie and I have had some similar life experiences and share having Type 2 Diabetes. He introduced me to his very healthy “Birds As Art” diet and my blood sugars improved along with my photography. Artie was everything one would want in an IPT instructor, knowledgeable, willing to share his knowledge, and making sure you got a good picture; he is engaging, humorous, and unbelievably enthusiastic. My advice is to sign up for an IPT ASAP. It just might be a life-changing experience.

Bob Handin

What’s Up?

Monday morning at DeSoto was good, but not as good as Sunday morning was. I did have three different Reddish Egrets including a white morph but as soon as I got settled, one would fly in and chase the first one away. I have discovered a great new spot with lots of terns and gulls and nobody else around. You will find me there tomorrow on the first morning of the second DeSoto IPT, another private affair with only a single registrant — Steve Pumillia from MN.

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.

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

This image was created on 9 April while scouting for the 2nd DeSoto IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:34:27am on a dark stormy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Snowy Egret with crest blowing in the wind

When the “Wrong” Wind Helps

When a bird with crest feathers faces away from (rather than into) the wind, you can often make some neat images. Fortunately, this handsome and cooperative Snowy Egret was more interested in the cast-netting fisherman nearby than in the wind direction. The pink lores will intensify over the next week or two until they are a bright cherry red. Those changes occur as a result of increased hormonal flow only when the birds are actively engaged at a breeding location.

This image was created on 9 April while scouting for the 2nd DeSoto IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens (at 13mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 640: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down 2-stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:34:27am on a dark stormy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Gulls, terns, and stormy skies

Why?

When I recently purchased the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens, I knew in advance that I would use it only rarely. When I saw the huge storm clouds on Monday morning, I stuck the lens in a watch cap into my old X-trahand vest (along with the 70-200 II). These days it is rare that I head into the field with more than one lens (much less two!). Friend Anita North borrowed the 12-24 and made better images with it than I did!

I shall call it my big skies/storm cloud lens

This image was created on 9 April while scouting for the 2nd DeSoto IPT. While seated on the sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:52:07am on a dark stormy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Male Royal Tern stepping off female after copulating

Why Not the Copulation?

Seeing the image above of the male stepping off his mate, many would ask why I did not photograph the act itself? The answer is that when they were copulating, they were blocked by a Laughing Gull right in front of them. As the pair moved to my right, into the northeast wind, they came clear. So, I acquired focus quickly and fired off a short sequence as he hopped down to the sand. Though I did come up with a new twist, a Laughing Gull was removed from the right side of the frame using techniques detailed in Digital Basics II.

This image was created on 9 April while scouting for the 2nd DeSoto IPT. While seated on the sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 500. 1/2500 sec. at f/3.2 (stoped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 9:22:30am as things brightened up a bit on a dark stormy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Laughing Gull ruffling

Hard to Believe

When this handsome gull leaned forward and began to ruffle, I pressed and held the shutter button for three seconds and created a 78-frame sequence. I kept 13. This one was my clear favorite. After the second edit, I will likely get down to three or four keepers. Oh, and by the way, every frame was razor-sharp on the bird’s eye.

This image was created on 9 April while scouting for the 2nd DeSoto IPT. While seated on the sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 500. 1/2500 sec. at f/3.2 (stoped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 9:28:06am as things brightened up a bit on a dark stormy morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5:Herring Gull taking flight

Dog Running on the Low Wall of the Breakwater

Anita and I had a large group of terns and gulls courting and displaying right in front of us as we were seated on the sand. Suddenly, they all took flight at once and left the scene. We turned to see a lady jogger running with her dog on a leash. The problem was that the dog was running along the top of the low wall. Only the handsome Herring Gull that I had been eyeing remained. It looked nervous ,so I framed and followed it as it took flight to follow the rest of the flock to God-knows-where. The birds never returned.

Anita ran into the lady later on and said “Hi” to the dog and chatted with the woman. She explained that it was breeding season for the gulls and the terns and that the birds were extremely stressed by her bird dog running up on the wall. She asked if the woman might keep the dog on the sidewalk next to her when she saw flocks of birds on the beach while running. She replied, “But, my dog likes to run along the top of the wall.” End of discussion.

Your Call?

Which is the strongest of today’s five featured images. Why did you make your choice.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. 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 along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, 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.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your 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, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Hard to Believe: 4000!

This blog post is the 4000th published since I began on 3 March 2009. At that time, I decided to phase out the BAA Bulletins and do all of my teaching on the blog. The comments on the introductory first “post,” are quite interesting. You can read them here.

Stuff

As you peruse today’s ten featured images, note the incredible versatility of the Sony 70-200 II with the 2X II TC and the a1.

Your Call

Not all of today’s images could be described as great. The purpose of the post is to open your eyes to the various possibilities when you are faced with wind-against-sun conditions. After enlarging and viewing today’s ten images, all are invited to leave a comment with noting what they think is the strongest image, which they think is the weakest image, and the reason they made each choice.

My Call

Thanks to the several folks left thoughtful comments at Wednesday blog post.

Here are my thoughts:

Image #1 was a small crop from our left and from below. Do you like the wider view in Image #2 or the tighter crop in Image #1? Why?

I wound up liking the wider view, Image #2 as it did give a better sense of an excited chick running at full speed.

Which image was created first? How do you know?

I knew that Image #2 was created before Image #1 because of the position of the shadow.

Which pose do you like best? Why?

For me, it is a tie. I do prefer the action in Image #2, but I do not like that the tip of the bill (in #2) merges with the leading edge of the far wing.

Overall, which image do you like best? Why?

All things considered, I’ll go with Image #2 for the sense of speed it provides.

Was I lucky? Why or why not? Are there any “buts”?

I was very lucky to be in just the right spot when the chick began to run. But, my knowledge of bird behavior allowed me to have all the right settings while anticipating the best possible course of events.

DeSoto #2

To learn about the late registration discount for the 2nd DeSoto IPT (Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5), call me at 863-221-2372. If I do not pick up, please shoot me a text.

What’s Up?

I created one really good image of an Osprey in flight with a fresh-caught Black Crappie down by the lake on Tuesday morning. It was returning to the new natural nest in a dead tree at the north end of the lakefront.

Yesterday was Friday 7 April 2023. When originally published, I ad just got back from my morning photo session. I had gotten a late start due to the fog; the sun broke through at about 7:45am. I had driven around for a while without accomplishing much other than a few snaps of the large colt at the north end. I was about to head home early to finish this post, but then, I spotted one of the young Crested Caracaras. Working from the front seat of my SUV at 840mm working off the BLUBB, I made my best field guide portraits of the bird that had been in the nest less than a week ago. When the bird flew off, it landed atop a big bush in the marsh. I followed and saw that it was being harassed by Boat-tailed Grackles. I set up the 600 on the tripod and just before the caracara flew off.

This blog post took at least three hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. 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.

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

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 226mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1000: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:31:23am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican ready to dive

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” I

If you are faced with a sunny morning with the sun behind you and the wind blowing in your face, be on the lookout for subjects that are flying the “wrong” way, those that for one reason or another, are not flying (or facing) into the wind. The adult pelican in Image #1 flew the “wrong” way as it was after the school of baitfish that was right up against the pier.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 500: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:42:00am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Royal Tern wheeling in flight

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” II

When faced with wind-against-sun conditions, study the flight patterns of fishing birds. Some of the terns and gulls were flying away from me into the wind, but would rock up and turn left after a missed strike. That had them flying at me to some degree.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:45:34am on a variably sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Royal Tern dorsal view flight shot

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” III

In the same situation as in #2, there were some birds that were diving from right to left toward the proper sun angle. Bingo!

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 500: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:55:46am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Brown Pelican with sky silhouette

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” IV

When dealing with wind-against-sun conditions, another strategy that can pay off nicely is to turn around and look at the backlit subjects between you and the sun. Do understand that with a few clouds in the eastern sky, the sky in the properly exposed raw file for this image was white. The sky color is introduced during the raw conversion in Photoshop.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:56:41am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Brown Pelican backlit B&W emerging after dive

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” V

Note that this backlit image was created less than one minute after the previous image. Using the same shutter speed and aperture, only the ISO changed. Chalk another one up to Sony Zebra technology for stills. By studying the EXIF data for all ten of today’s featured images, you can see just how valuable Zebras can be when the light is changing almost constantly.

I could have gone either way with the image optimization, but opted to go for the “Victory at Sea” look.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:57:21am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Brown Pelican backlit emerging after dive with bill pouch distended

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” VI

As the bird in this image was not lined up with the sun as was the bird in #5, I opted to process it to show the true colors of the pelican, in part because I like the light coming through the distended bill pouch.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:10:40am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #7: Royal Tern flying away

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” VII

On wind-against-sun days, it never hurts to pray for clouds as they open up a variety of possibilities. Those include dorsal views of birds flying away from you like the Royal Tern in #7, and several of the previous images. Yes, this image would have been stronger if the bird had looked back at me just a bit more.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. Crouching a bit, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:10:40am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #8: Great Egret white sky silhouette

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” VIII

When things are looking dire, turning around and facing the sun can work quite well. This Great Egret provided fodder for a pleasing silhouette. Again, the properly exposed raw file featured a white sky. To provide the potential of color, you will want to place the subject as close to the filtered sunlight as possible without including the sun in the frame.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:17:10am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #9: Laughing Gull dorsal flight

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” IX

This one is similar to #7. A but more of a head turn would have revealed the gull’s red bill. But, I do love the patterns and shapes revealed by the dorsal view, especially with the tail.

This image was created on 2 April at Fort DeSoto Park. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:27:09am on a variably cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #10: Laughing Gulls chasing Sandwich Tern with baitfish

Wind Against Sun — “What to Do?” X

With a ton of bait in the water, midair fights occurred fairly frequently. Right before I made this image, there was a point blank fracas not twenty feet in front of me. I did not even have time to zoom out and raise my lens. The full cloud cover was prefect for #10. Here’s a tip for photographing these midair battles: frame the image, acquire focus, and keep the shutter button depressed until the action if over. Do not worry about image design — you can sort things out after the fact on your computer.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. 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 along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, 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.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your 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, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s featured images do you like best? Let us know why? I have a clear winner.

My Call

In Saturday’s blog post, my two favorites were Image #1 for the soft pinks, the high key look, and the goofy flight pose and Image #2 for the sweet light and flight pose, the marsh grasses in the upper left, and the reflection of the dark cloud in the lower right.

So, what is the main reason that I have been going to the 400 f/2.8 and forsaking the 200-600? What I love most about the 400 f/2.8 is the speed. Especially in low light conditions, when I can begin making sharp images earlier than I could with other slower lenses. As far as the gorgeous backgrounds, those are due more to the distance from the subject to the background than the aperture. On a related note, I have responded to each of the comments left on the last blog post.

Apologies for the rather lame April Fool’s Day joke. I did not realize the date until the last minute, so I came up with the musical career idea. Bob Handin has, late in life, learned to play the cello quite well. But not I, and at present I have no plans of doing so.

What’s Up?

On Saturday morning, Bob Handin enjoyed a banner day at ILE with the baby cranes and one of the two young eagles. On Saturday afternoon, I visited the North Tampa rookery and did well on flight once it clouded over. On Sunday morning, conditions at DeSoto were as close to terrible as you can get with a brisk west wind. But some foggy clouds that came and went in the eastern sky made things tolerable and we were able to make a few strong images despite the wind against sun conditions.

I am back home today, Monday 3 April 2023. I will be headed down to the lake soon. This blog post took about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. 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.

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

This image was created on 28 March on the first morning of the first DeSoto IPT. While seated on the sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:41:24 am on an overcast morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Little Blue Heron — juvenile hunting fiddler crabs

Working the Subject

There were not a lot of birds early on the first day of the IPT, but this juvie Little Blue Heron made our morning. We photographed it posing, high-stepping, hunting, striking, catching tiny fish and fiddler crabs, and being wary. I have enough images do a video to illustrate that it is important to stay with a subject for extended periods of time in order to capture a wide range of behaviors. Making one image of a bird and then stating, “I got that bird” does not cut it for me.

This image was created on 28 March on the first afternoon of the DeSoto IPT. While seated on the grass, I used the Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted 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.. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 5:56:30 am on cloudy bright afternoon. Tracking: Spot S/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Short-billed Dowitcher — adult basic (winter) plumage ruffling

Afternoons at DeSoto?

My favorite afternoon spot at DeSoto as detailed in the DeSoto Site Guide paid off handsomely as Bob Handin and I got to photograph a nice variety of shorebirds at relatively close range thanks to the high tide. When a bird begins to ruffle, be sure to press and hold the shutter button until it quits. And that is true no matter the frame rate of your camera body.

High Level “Why?” Question

Why do I wish that this bird had waited one more second before it began ruffling?

This image was created on 30 March 2023 on the last morning of the first DeSoto IPT. Crouching a bit to get the background I wanted, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 364mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1250: 1/640 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:41:54am as a clear morning in sweet light. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Laughing Gull — adult breeding plumage calling

Butter Light

I love the sweet color of the light for the first thirty minutes on a clear morning. The sun was so low in the sky that we needed to make sure that our shadows did not cover the birds or otherwise appear in the frame. In general, I tone down the yellows while striving to maintain the look of the EML, the early morning light.

This image was created also on 30 March 2023 on the last morning of the first DeSoto IPT. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 400mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600: 1/5000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:06:32am as a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Snowy Egret — one year-old fly-by

Adjusting on the Fly

I had been photographing some Ruddy Turnstones when I noticed this Snowy Egret take flight and head right toward sun angle. I quickly spun the shutter speed dial three clicks to ensure a pretty good exposure and avoid toasting the bird’s very bright whites. I fired off about fifteen frames. I kept only this one.

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. 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 along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, 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.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your 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, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Why?

An e-Mail from my Roommate

Dear Artie,

For the last year and possibly more, i had been wanting to attend one of your IPTs. I had been thinking about either Fort DeSoto in Florida or San Diego because i could drive to those locations and enjoy some amazing photo opportunities along the way. Alaska, however, had been a dream for me for 30 years and i told myself that one day i would quit dreaming about it and make it a reality.

I did just that and after much thought and many, many emails and phone calls to you, i couldn’t believe that it was becoming real. Pinch me! Artie, you gave me the tools to get on the dreadful Airplane I had feared and you helped me with booking my tickets as we talked on the phone.

As the number of days till I would fly to Anchorage grew shorter and shorter, i checked and rechecked everything 100 times. As i pulled out of my garage, my mind and body at last seemed at peace thanks to you!

The arrival at the airport was somewhat of a challenge and with the help of airport staff, I finally got to my plane’s departing gate. Alaska, here i come!

When i met you and Carolyn in the airport i was relaxed and ready for the journey to begin. In your blog posting to showcase some of my images, you hit it right on the head about how much i learned and had simplified my camera settings. I learned so much on exposure. And I learned to see the image and start firing away because everything happens so fast. In a second that one amazing shot is gone. In my three weeks, i took 62,256 images. And no, not all of them are keepers. As the trip progressed, however, i learned more and more and my images got better. On the 3rd day, i kept 1950 images. It is hard to delete an image that is so sharp on the eyes that you can see the crispy eye skin. As i go thru them, I will delete some more. Haha, maybe and maybe not, but each day we experienced something different and more amazing.

Thank you on helping get Photoshop setup and optimizing some of my photos as i watched over your shoulder. And thanks for being my roommate; we did just fine.

Artie, thank you for the trip of my lifetime and for being my friend. I love you and i thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Bob

What’s Up?

The third morning of the first DeSoto Spring IPT turned out to be fabulous as I decided to hit my backstop right off the bat. Large schools of baitfish had come in overnight so we had dozens of opportunities. Bob Handin continued to learn and make some stellar images. As Bob has been curious about Stick Marsh, we drove over to my place on Thursday afternoon and will wake early to do a spoonbill session at Stick Marsh. Bob is staying a second night so that we can do the baby cranes on Saturday morning.

Today is Friday 31 March 2023. It is the 90th day in the Gregorian calendar and marks the anniversary of the official opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. This blog post about 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the two optimizations and makes three hundred sixty-five days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year a (that is today) and one day (that will be tomorrow) and then begin posting every other day. The handwriting, as they say, is on the wall.

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.

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

This image was created on 1 March 2023 on a Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Seated in the snow, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 11:50:29am on a cloudy, fairly bright morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Incoming Bald Eagle

Two from the Epic Day

Today’s two featured images were created on March 1, 2023. It was an epic day at Homer. For me, it ended as a 698-keeper day. While optimizing five of those images, the folder is down to 688 raw files. Those include the five optimized .ARW files; I never delete my digital negatives.

As I leveled this image and added a sliver of canvas this image is slightly larger than the full frame original. I am glad that I did not clip any wings! Note that the fresh snow on the ground acts as a giant reflector that illuminates the eagle’s dark underwings.

The 400mm f/2.8 Knee-Pod Resting Position

As mentioned previously, resting the 400 f/2.8 on my bent left knee while sitting makes it possible for me to shoot flight for hours as I only need to raise the lens a few inches when I spot an incoming bird. Shooting flight while standing, on the other hand, requires me to lift the lens a much longer distance when an incoming bird is spotted and results in fatigue and pain setting in very quickly. For me, this technique is a lifesaver when the action is hot and heavy as it was during every Homer 2023 session.

Do You Notice Anything Strange?

Enlarge the image by clicking on it and let us know if you notice anything strange about the eagle in Image #1? What?

The RawDigger Screen Capture for the Incoming Bald Eagle image

Ho Hum, Another Perfect Exposure

What can I say? The combination of Zebras live in the viewfinder (with your camera set up properly) and post-capture study of the raw files in RawDigger makes it pretty much child’s play to come up with perfect exposure after perfect exposure. It would be impossible to overstate how much I have learned by studying RawDigger and how much better my exposures have become since I started with the program almost three years ago. With the G channel coming right up to the 16000-line, the raw file brightness for today’s featured image is dead solid perfect.

RawDigger — not for the faint of heart …

Nothing has ever helped me learn to create perfect exposures to the degree that RawDigger has. I think that many folks are reluctant to learn that most of their images are underexposed by one or more full stops and that highlight warnings in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and your in-camera histogram are bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for several years … Once you get over that feeling, RawDigger can become your very best exposure friend no matter what system you are using. On the recent IPTs and In-the-Field sessions, we have demonstrated that fact over and over again. Convincingly.

The RawDigger Adapted (pink) Histogram

In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me as I have struggled with R5 exposures and learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.

RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman

The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.

Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first, we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We puzzled as to why the Max G values for different cameras were different. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.

The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.

We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to evaluate your exposures and the raw file brightness quickly and easily the Adapted RawDigger histogram.

The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.

If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.

This image was also created on 1 March 2023 on a Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT. Again, seated in the snow, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 11:51:21am on a cloudy, fairly bright morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Bald Eagles on Snowbank

Bald Eagles on Snowbank Bird-scape

Many folks do not realize that super-telephoto lenses can be used to create bird-scapes. While visualizing this image in my mind’s eye, I was attracted by the large snowbank and the channel behind it. The strip of land across the channel is McKeon Spit. With the two bird roughly 184 feet, six inches from me, I got the framing I wanted at 400mm. It is usually best to place small-in-the-frame subjects in one of the four corners of the frame.

The A7INFO screen capture

Tracking: Expand Spot AF Magic

In the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes Group e-Mail F that was sent last week, I detailed exactly how I use Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C for much of my bird photography. I always begin with the AF icon in the dead center of the frame. Then I place the AF point on the bird I want to focus on and recompose as needed. After the AF system (remarkably) grabbed the eye of the closest eagle, I recomposed by pointing the lens up and left tucking the two eagles nicely in the lower right corner of the frame. Tracking: Expand Spot AF with Bird Face/Eye detection stuck to the subject like glue.

Image #2 Question

For those of you who took a crack at the Do You Notice Anything Strange? question above at Image #1, does either of the eagles in Image #2 look familiar?

Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points!

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free)

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. Today, the group was up to an astounding 139 lucky and blessed folks. (And more than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive six e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will receive new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1.

All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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 4.

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 3.

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.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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.

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. 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 along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, 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.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your 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, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

What’s Up?

The first morning of the first DeSoto Spring IPT was perfect for teaching and learning. Bob Handin said, “I can’t believe how much I learned on the first day.” And we had a pretty good afternoon as well.

Today is Wednesday 29 March. This blog post about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the three image optimizations and makes three hundred sixty-three days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now.

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.

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

This image was created by Bob Handin on 28 March 2023 on the first Spring 2023 DeSoto Park IPT. He 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 5000. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:10:32am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Little Blue Heron juvenile fishing Image courtesy of and copyright 2023 Image Optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Bob Handin

Bob Handin is thrilled to be the only registrant on the first 2023 Spring DeSoto IPT. We are sharing an AirBnB in St. Pete and are getting along famously. We have quite a lot in common; he lost his beloved wife Marcia of 58 years to ovarian cancer on April 10 2021. Bob is retiring at the end of this coming June from 55 years practicing medicine as a hematologist at Harvard Medical School. Though Bob came to Nickerson Beach and Jamaica Bay Wildlife about 15 year ago, I have no memory of ever meeting him. We are both, however, young at heart, even though I don’t remember such good anymore.

He had told me vi e-mail that he had a Canon R5 and a 100-400 II but had been lusting after a Sony a1. So, I asked him if he wanted to borrow one of my a1 bodies and my 200-600. It took me all of three minutes to teach him to use the camera. That same morning, he made a slew of very good images. He nailed virtually every exposure simply by using Zebras as instructed. Last week I loaned Nancy Fischer one of my a1 bodies and she could not believe it. She purchased an a1 yesterday.

Bob made his first image of this bird at 8:04am. He is obviously a quick learner.

This image was created by Bob Handin on 28 March 2023 on the first Spring 2023 DeSoto Park IPT. He 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 5000. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:44:53am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure 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 #2: Marbled Godwit foraging Image courtesy of and copyright 2023 Image Optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Standing

Bob finds it easier to stand and photograph than to sit and have to get up and down. That helped at times on our first morning as it eliminated the far shoreline of the small pool where all the birds were.

This image was created by Bob Handin on 28 March 2023 on the first Spring 2023 DeSoto Park IPT. He 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 5000. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 9:05:35am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure 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: Willet flapping after bath Image courtesy of and copyright 2023 Image Optimization by BIRDS AS ART

Sitting

Bob was sitting on the ground next to me when he said, “Look, that Willet is bathing.” I said, “The bird is facing away but with the wind from the south (our left), it will turn to its left and flap right at us.” It did, and we both made some excellent images. Bob neglected to zoom out as instructed so this one needed some canvas added at the top. As below.

Bob Handin’s Willet Flapping After Bath with Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

I loaned Bob a Sony a1 and a 200-600. After just three minutes of instruction, with the camera set up properly, he began making excellent images. Read the whole story on Wednesday’s blog post at www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com. This image needed some canvas added at the top; today’s video details the complete image optimization. Want to learn more? Check out Digital Basics II here: https://birdsasart-shop.com/the-birds…

Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points!

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free)

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. By June 1, 2022, the group was up to an astounding 124 lucky and blessed folks. (More than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive six e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will receive new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1.

All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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

Homer 2024 Eagle IPTs

Filling Fast; Early-bird Discount Expiring Soon

Right now, my two 2024 Homer IPTs are half-full only two weeks after being announced. That the two photographers who have already signed up for both 2024 sessions are Homer IPT veterans should tell you something. I am offering an early-bird registration discount that expires at 8:00pm this coming Monday. Click here for discount details.

What’s Up?

Sunday morning dawned completely foggy. It broke through just after 8:00am as I was headed down to the lake. Despite perfect conditions with a brisk east wind, I pretty much came up empty-handed.

Today is Monday 27 March. I will make my way down to the lake early for a short session as I need to pack up and get on the road for the first DeSoto IPT. I am sharing a condo with IPT veteran Bob Handin, the only participant. I go with one. This blog post about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes three hundred sixty-one days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now.

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.

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

This image was created on 22 February 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 6400: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 3:56:37am on a cloudy afternoon. 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 juvenile picking up Surf Scoter carcass Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part I

Bob learned not to be concerned about high ISO settings with Sony. In very low light, he had raised the ISO to 2500 for the adult eagles with their white heads. When he saw the young bird coming in, he quickly increased the ISO four clicks (1 1/3-stops) to ensure a good exposure for the darker young bird. As instructed.

This image was created on 23 February 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 11:33:42am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle scavenging Moose rack Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part II

Bob learned that patience paid off. He wanted an image of the eagle inside the Moose antlers and stayed with it until he got what he wanted. He needs to teach me that lesson.

This image was created on 4 March 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 263mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:57:23am on a cloudy-bright morning. 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 adult banking to begin dive Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part III

Bob learned how to get the right exposure for the adult eagles on white sky days: set the wide open aperture, pick your preferred fast shutter speed for flight, and then raise the ISO until the analogue scale shows +2 stops on the sky. Bob took every word that I said as the holy grail. That paid off nicely on the IPT and will continue paying off until he falls off another cliff. Or not!

This image was created on 4 March 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 374mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Exposure Compensation was on the Thumb Dial. Multi-metering -.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 250: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 6:05:50pm on a variably sunny afternoon. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Bald Eagle taking flight at sunset Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part IV

Bob learned to shoot sunsets in Shutter Priority mode with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. And after the fact, he learned that he needs to always add light for silhouettes when the sun is not in the frame — as much as 2 2/3-stops depending on the brightness of the sky color. The raw file for this image was more than two stops under-exposed.

This image was also created on 4 March 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He 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 Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Multi-metering +.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 250: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Shutter Priority mode. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Bald Eagle — large in the frame sunset silhouette Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part V

Bob learned that to get the brightest sunset or sunrise colors, put the subject directly between you and the sun. While that seems obvious, folks often seem to miss that important point.

This image was created on 5 March 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He 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 2000. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Expand Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Bald Eagle midair confrontation Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part VI

Bob learned that when you have two flying birds in the frame, press the shutter button. Do not try to visualize the perfect image. Do not try to compose a pleasing image. Press the shutter button.

This image was created on 7 March 2023 by Bob Eastman on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. He used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:36:36am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #7: Bald Eagle in flight over distant snow-covered mountains and fog bank Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: Bob Eastman Image optimization by BIRDS AS ART

What Bob Learned on the Homer IPTs Part VII

Bob learned to use short focal lengths to create bird-scapes. Bob learned to select the best wing positions from a long series of sharp images. And he learned to make perfect exposures in both low light and full sun. RawDigger showed the raw file for this image to be dead-solid perfect.

Remember: in low light with light-toned backgrounds even the most sophisticated in-camera meters are dumber than a skunk. They are a lot smarter on sunny days.

You Know the Drill

Which of Bob Eastman’s seven featured images do you think is the strongest? Those who leave a comment are invited to let us know why they made their choice. Though all of Bob’s images are very strong, I do have a clear favorite. Let’s see if anyone likes my pick!

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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 3.

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.

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.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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.

Homer 2024 Eagle IPTs

Filling Fast; Early-bird Discount Expiring Soon

Right now, my two 2024 Homer IPTs are half-full only two weeks after being announced. That the two photographers who have already signed up for both 2024 sessions are Homer IPT veterans should tell you something. I am offering an early-bird registration discount that expires at 8:00pm this coming Monday. Click here for discount details.

What’s Up?

I headed down to the lake on Friday morning in perfect conditions. I did OK, but Stick Marsh would have been a better choice with clear skies and a decent wind from the east.

In yesterday’s blog post, my preference was for Image #1, the handsome eagle. Why? I liked the tones of the blue water better and I liked the immaculately clean eagle better than the scruffy one.

Today is Saturday 25 March 2023. I am up early and will be headed down to the lake here this morning. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-nine days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now.

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.

Please remember that 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 Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service

I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the latest construction project.

The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and the latest info in the Stick Marsh Site Guide e-Mail #6: March 20, 2023 Update. To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal order.

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

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 24 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing in a relatively shallow culvert, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:17:11am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt stretching right wing

The Relocated Sandhill Crane Colt

A bit worried after not having seen the colt at the north end of the lakefront for five days, I was glad to see it again in the exact same spot as I had seen it with the two adults many weeks ago.

I cannot decide which of the today’s images I like best.

Crane “Chick” versus Crane “Colt”

I did some online surfing to see if anyone states definitively when a Sandhill Crane chick becomes a colt. I did learn the colt reference was inspired by the long legs of a crane colt and the fact that they run like a young horse. Other than that, I came up empty. For me, it is a matter of size. When a baby crane looks tiny when compared to its parent, I call it a chick. When they get as tall as the adult’s legs are long, probably at about five weeks, I begin calling them colts. For what it’s worth.

This image was created 24 March 2023 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing in a relatively shallow culvert, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect (though slightly brighter than Image #1). AWB at 8:17:14am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Sandhill Crane small colt stretching right leg

High Level Exposure Question

Note that I needed to do some work to restore detail to the colt’s visible left cheek in Image #1, but in Image #2 the colt’s right cheek was just fine. That despite the identical exposure parameters and unchanging light. In the same vein, RawDigger showed that Image #1 was slightly brighter than Image #2. That again, despite identical exposure parameters.

How do you explain the above after considering that the light and the exposure parameters were both constant?

Not: the answer to this question explains why Sony user’s may see Zebras one second and no Zebras the next instant.

Typos

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

ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions

Right now, I have at least four tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE and nobody to share them with. The timing for a great learning and photo session here has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction till and including this coming Monday. We can fine-tune your date for the best weather. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.
ick

What’s Up?

Conditions were excellent on Wednesday morning: a light fog followed by sun with a perfect wind from the NE. I did a lot better than I did on Tuesday.

Today is Thursday 23 March 2023. I am up early and headed to Stick Marsh. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-seven days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

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.

Please remember that 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.

A 62-frame Midair Eagle Tussle by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

I was the first out of the cabin. One second after I set the correct exposure for adult Bald Eagles, two of them began a midair tussle. It is funny that when I am not prepared, I never get lucky.

A Chance to Learn

As the 62 tussling eagle images play for the second time, make a mental note of what you think are the four best images. I will share my keepers with you here tomorrow.

If you are able to read the file names, feel free to leave a comment denoting your four favorites. For example, the file name for the first image in the series is _A1G7436. It is surely not one of my keepers. If you wish to comment, indicate the last four digits of the file name. For example, 7436 for the first eagle image.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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 4.

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 3.

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.
,
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.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

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.

ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions

Right now, I have five tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE and nobody to share them with. The timing for a great learning and photo session here has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction from this Sunday through next Sunday. We can fine-tune your date for the best weather. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.

Galapagos 2023 Opening Filled!

Lake Morton In-the-Field veteran Bob Matyas will be joining the smallest Galapagos 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT group ever. Why? Two folks signed up for single cabins. This trip is by far the world’s finest photographic cruise of the famed archipelago. I will be returning in August 2024. If you are interested or have questions, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

What’s Up?

I stayed in yesterday morning for the first time since I returned from Alaska. I got tons of work done. I finished and distributed Stick Marsh Site Guide e-Mail #6, the March 20, 2023 Update. I contained details on the latest construction project. Similarly, I finished and distributed the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes Group e-Mail F (20 March 2023).

Though I loved the tiny bug, my favorite image from yesterday was #1, the squabbling Black Vultures. Why? Because it is different and shows action.

Today is Tuesday 21 March 2023. I will surely head down to the lake for a bit once I am done here. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-five days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

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.

Please remember that 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 Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service

The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and the latest info in the Stick Marsh Site Guide e-Mail #6: March 20, 2023 Update. To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal.

I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the new conditions and the big change coming very soon.

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Kneeling behind his lowered tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 640. 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:04:22pm on a sunny afternoon. Image #1: Royal Tern flying low over the water Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

Clemens Van der Werf

As blog regulars know, Clemens is a longtime friend. After attending 13 IPTS in the early 2000-teens, he has been a superb photographer for many years, surely my most accomplished student. Anita North, just back from five months in Africa on her own, is a very close second. I am often envious of Clemens’ (and of Anita’s) work. Clemens’s six images here are all quite excellent. His photos have been featured here on the blog many times. If you would like to see some of those blog posts, type his name into the little white search box at the top right of each blog post and hit Return. That will quickly yield ten pages of links! And, you can see more of his work in his virtual print gallery at Shop.clemensvanderwerf.com. Be especially sure to check out his Bald Eagles Gallery. Equally spectacular are Ice, Penguins, and Yellowstone in Winter. Clemens apparently likes cold weather. He recently moved from West Palm Beach, FL back to The Netherlands. He visited Florida recently.

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Kneeling behind his lowered tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body.. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 400. 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:35:36am on a sunny morning. Image #2: Reddish Egret white morph dancing Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

One Day at Fort DeSoto

Clemens made all of today’s featured images in a single day at Fort DeSoto! Consider them and you will have a good understanding of the endless potential of Fort DeSoto and how great it can be in late winter and spring.

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Kneeling behind his lowered tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 1600. 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:11:11pm on a sunny afternoon. Image #3: Reddish Egret dark morph dancing Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

Underwing Shadows

As with photographs of birds with their wings raised, photographs of dancing egrets with absolutely no sign of a shadow on the underwings are the cream of the crop. Images #3 is a perfect example of this principle. In addition to the great wings-raised pose, there is no sign of an underwing shadow anywhere. A camera that offers 30 fps is a huge advantage in action situations.

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Lying on his belly behind his flattened tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 640. 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:57:41am on a mostly sunny morning. Image #4: Piping Plover adult pulling worm Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

Have You?

Have you ever before seen an image of a shorebird pulling a worm with both feet off the ground?

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Lying on his belly behind his flattened tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 640. 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:54:00am on a mostly sunny morning. Image #5: Ruddy Turnstone pulling worm Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

On Working Through the Viewfinder versus Working Off the Rear Monitor

It is always easier to follow a moving subject, frame the subject as you wish thus creating pleasing compositions, and to see the AF points in action when working through the viewfinder as compared to working off the rear screen. You can work through the viewfinder when sitting or kneeling behind your lowered tripod. It is easier to get up from a kneeling position than it is to get up when sitting, but some folks, including and especially me, cannot — for a variety of reasons, all physical, simply cannot kneel. In the same vein, there are some who cannot sit because they cannot get up.

As for getting really low, you have four options:

1-Lie flat on the ground and work with your eye to the viewfinder.
2 While seated, work off the tilted rear screen with the lens on a flattened tripod.
3-While seated, work off the tilted rear screen with the lens on a Panning Ground Pod or skimmer.
4-While seated, work off the tilted rear screen using the ankle-pod, toe-pod, or heel-pod technique.

The first option can be tough on the lower back and neck, and will often leave you wet and muddy from head to toe. But it is much easier to consistently create great low perspective images. Options 2-4 leave you only with a dirty or wet butt. Long sessions can be physically demanded for those not as flexible as they used to be. Be sure to bring your reading glasses when using options 2-4 if you need them.

This image was created on 9 March 2023 by Clemens Van der Werf at Fort DeSoto Park, FL. Lying on his belly behind his flattened tripod, he used the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 2X III, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless camera body. The exposure was determined via histogram evaluation. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:05:41am on a mostly sunny morning. Image #6: Black-bellied Plover pulling worm Image courtesy of and Copyright 2023: Clemens Van der Werf

Your Call?

I know that it will be tough, but which of Clemens’ six images do you like best? Please let us know why you made your choice.

Big-time thanks to Clemens for allowing me to share his fine Canon EOS R3 images with you here today.

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: Tuesday 28 March through the morning session on 31 March 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. 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 along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, 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.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your 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, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Today’s two featured images are quite similar. They are of the same bird and were taken just 27 seconds apart. Which pelican pose is the strongest? Why? For me, this one is a no-contest.

This Just In

Our landline (863-692-0906), has been giving us problems on and off for days. If you have left a message and not heard from us, please get in via e-mail. If you would like to leave a deposit for the first Fort DeSoto IPT, for one or both of the Homer IPTs, or for an In-the-Field session at ILE, please try me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372 and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

ILE Baby Crane and Eagle In-the-Field Sessions

Right now, I have five tame baby cranes and two baby eagles here at ILE. Timing for a great learning and photo session has never been better. $300 for two solid hours of detailed photographic instruction from this Sunday onwards. We can fine-tune your date for the best weather. If you are interested in joining me, please get in touch via e-mail.

Galapagos 2023 Opening Filled!

Lake Morton In-the-Field veteran Bob Matyas will be joining the smallest Galapagos 2023 Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT group ever. Why? Two folks signed up for single cabins. This trip is by far the world’s finest photographic cruise of the famed archipelago. I will be returning in August 2024. If you are interested or have questions, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

What’s Up?

As I mentioned yesterday, Saturday was a Great Egret sort of morning. I was thrilled with my images. The longest series, of a clean, young bird on The Perch II in sweet early morning light featured many keepers and I learned a ton by working the bird off the BLUBB- at 600mm, 840mm, and 1200mm. The big surprise was a sharp head-shot-sequence of an even younger Great Egret (more black on the bill tip) capturing and swallowing a small fish. Photos and more soon.

Of yesterday’s two featured spoonbill images, I could not pick a winner. I love the soft pinks with no shadows in the 2nd image, but I also loved the vibrant pinks and blues in the sunlit flight shot. I had no problem at all with the shadow of the neck against the far wing, but was not in love with the shadow of the bird’s head on that same wing. I did lighten and take the Blues out of the latter shadow. Thanks to all who commented. The results were about 50/50 🙂

I was glad to learn the Bear Bob Sabine will be doing both 2024 Kachemak Bay sessions and that IPT veteran Sanjeev Nagrath has left a deposit for the second 2024 Bald Eagle IPT. Please do not hesitate long if you are thinking of joining me next year in Homer.

Today is Sunday 19 March 2023. Happy birthday to my daughter Jennifer, the CEO and accountant of BIRDS AS ART. She works here part time and three days a week as a lactation counselor at Sebring Hospital. The forecast for the morning is for cloudy with a north wind so I will be heading down to the lake to see what is up and about. I will be ending my second 38-hour fast at brunch when I get back from photographing.

This blog post took more than 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred fifty-three days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day. It won’t be long now!

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.

Please remember that 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 Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service

The Site Guide Subscription Service was a new concept last year. I e-mailed the first issue in late-March 2022. The Basics e-mail includes specific directions to the site, and a map of the rookery area with specific instructions and wind, weather, and where-to-be advice. Sign up now to receive last year’s five e-mails and tomorrow’s very important update. Unfortunately, things at Stick Marsh are changing very soon.

To sign up for the Stick Marsh Site Guide Subscription Service, call Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal for the $100.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Please be sure to include the words Stick Marsh with your PayPal.

I fully understand that you can go to Google Maps, find Stick Marsh, visit, and likely make some good images. You might think, I can do fine just without artie’s advice. But you will do a whole lot better with it. Especially considering the new conditions and the coming change.

This image was created on 21 December while scouting for the San Diego IPTs. Standing at full height, 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 and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/400 sec. at f/4 (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 7:24:52am before the sun rose over the big hill to the east in La Jolla. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Pacific-race Brown Pelican

Picking Your 30-frames per second Keepers

On the recently concluded Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs, every participant who was not already using Photo Mechanic as their image browsing program purchased a license from BIRDS AS ART after they saw how quickly I picked my keepers. I helped all of the new Photo Mechanic (PM) folks set up the program and shared a few high levels tips with those who were already using PM.

Today’s two featured images were part of at least a 59-frame series featuring the same pelican. All of the exposures were perfect — thanks, as always, to Zebra technology, and all of the images were razor-sharp on the eye. Note that I did stop down one full stop for a bit more depth of field as I was relatively close to the relatively large subject. So, the big question is, how do you choose which two of 59 almost identical images to keep? I literally keep my finger on the right-facing arrow key, pausing only when something jumps off the screen at me. With long sequences of virtually identical images, I will simply tag one or two at random to compare during the second edit or when picking an image for the blog.

It looks as if I forgot to mention that PM is blazingly fast. Oh, and by the way, the image review sessions on all IPTs are huge favorites as I teach folks to recognize the fine points that make one image slightly better than another, of much better than many similar images.

This image was created on 21 December while scouting for the San Diego IPTs. Standing at full height, 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 and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/400 sec. at f/4 (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect (ho hum). AWB at 7:25:19am before the sun rose over the big hill to the east in La Jolla. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Pacific-race Brown Pelican

Color Mixer

Six months ago, I began using the Color Mixer tab while converting my Sony A1 files in Adobe Camera Raw. ACR is identical in Photoshop and Lightroom. And Capture One offers a similar feature. I have finally begun compiling a folder of images to be used in a Color Mixer video e-Guide. Though I first got into using Color Mixer with the Blues, with today’s featured images I made adjustments to both the Saturation and/or Luminosity sliders for all seven colors: Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Aquas, Blues, Purples, and Magentas.

Your Call?

Today’s two featured images are quite similar. They are of the same bird and were taken just 27 seconds apart. Which pelican pose is the strongest? Why? For me, this one is a slam dunk. I will share my thoughts on the two images here tomorrow, along with the reasons for my choice.

This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

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 spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

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.

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.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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