Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Stuff

Amy and I were down at the lake on Friday and Saturday mornings. Both days, one of the crane parents was sitting peacefully on the shored up nest so we went off in search of some Osprey flight photography and did quite well. The 200-500 is great for the flying and landing Ospreys. While it is easier for me to hand hold the 80-400mm VR Lens than it is to hand hold the 200-500, I enjoy the extra 100mm of reach with the 2-5. Amy uses her 2-5 with her D-500. I use my D850 and on occasion, my D5. You can see some of Amy’s fine Osprey images here.

Though things are not 100% perfect yet, most folks should be able to access the blog today …

These Just In: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Lens and Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens Available!

Both the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Lens an the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR are difficult items to find. Most folks have to wait months to purchase. If you would like to save a few bucks, please contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) immediately and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order.

BIRDS AS ART

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.

Money Saving Reminder

If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!

Booking.Com

Several folks on the DeSoto IPT used the Booking.Com link below, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

The San Diego Site Guide

Whether you are visiting San Diego for photography for the first time or live in the area and have done the pelicans many dozens of times, you will learn a ton by studying the San Diego Site Guide. Why spend days stumbling around when you can know exactly where and when to be depending on the wind direction and sky conditions? In addition to the pelican primer, there is great info on the best beaches for the gorgeous gulls and Marbled Godwits, on the lower cliffs and the Green Patch, Lesser Scaup, and Wood and Ring-necked Ducks as well.

Learn more or purchase your copy here.

This image was created on January 29, 2018 on the second San Diego IPT with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering +1/3 stop; 1/400 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AUTO0 WB at 4:26pm on what turned out to be a clear afternoon. One down and one to the right Group (grp)/Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the Godwit’s body. Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: -8. Marbled Godwit on wet sand

Wet Sand — A Bird Photographer’s Best Friend

Whenever you are at the beach with a telephoto lens, be on the lookout for patches of wet sand left by receding waves. These areas can be quite clean and free of shells and other debris and will often reflect colorful backgrounds. One of my favorite San Diego locations offers gorgeous sandstone cliffs that are reflected by the wet sand on sunny afternoons. Along with a bit of blue sky on occasion. Then all you need is a handsome gull, tern, or shorebird and you are good to go.

Working Wide with the Nikon 200-500 & the AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III

While I am usually at the beach with a 600mm lens on a tripod with a fanny pack full of teleconverters, I do on occasion like to head out with a shorter telephoto lens like the Nikon 200-500VR or the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens or in my past life, with the or the Canon EF 400mm DO IS II, almost always with a 1.4X teleconverter in my pocket or attached to the lens. In any case, when I am lacking my favorite ultra-long effective focal lengths it offers an opportunity to work wider and include more attractive habitat.

The 2-5 with the TC-E14 is surprisingly sharp. The one drawback with this combination is that AF performance suffers as you move the selected AF point toward the edges of the array. I have even made a few good flight images with the1.4X TC and the 2-5.

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.

2019 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) SUN JAN 20, 2019 thru and including the morning session on THURS JAN 24: 4 1/2 days: $2099.

(Limit: 10/Openings: 9.)

Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; SAT JAN 19, 2019.

Please see the Dancing Grebe Morning Add-On Info below

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 with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, 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 (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. 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.

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

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 the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant.And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great take-aways 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 as well. 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 all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.

Did I mention that there are wealth 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

This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. An so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.

A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.

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 land/sea scape opportunities.

This image was created in San Diego, CA with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the simply amazing, astounding, mega mega-pixel Canon EOS 5DS R. ISO 500. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Av mode. AWB. 61-Point (Automatic selection)/AI Servo/Shutter Button AF as originally framed was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when photographing moving subjects). Though the optimized image above was a healthy crop from the original the result was a high quality 148+ MB 16-bit file. Click on the image to see a larger version. The AF system selected two AF points, one above the other, between the two birds;the eye of the bird on our right is razor sharp. Clarke’s X Western Grebe courtship rush

The Dancing Grebe Add-On. FRI JAN 25, 2019: $399.

Those registering for the 2019 San Diego IPT might wish to join me for the Dancing Grebe Add-On Morning as above. Please read the details carefully. You will need to wade at least mid-thigh deep with your tripod over an uneven bottom. Lightweight chest waders are advised. Long lenses are needed; a 100-400 will not cut it at this spot, even with a TC. Chances at this location (easily accessible from the IPT hotel), vary from day to day so there will be no guarantees. But when those grebes dance, it can be an amazing rush. We may also enjoy chances to photograph both species, Western and Clarke’s Grebes, at fairly close range.

Help Support the Blog

Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie

If In Doubt …

If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.

Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

Facebook

Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

Stuff

Here is the blog problem short story. Thanks to Rick Tuley and his son we learned the some large DNS servers were no longer routing traffic to three of my websites, most importantly the blog. Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Quad9 (9.9.9.9) had dropped my sites and sent return messages stating that the server could no longer be found. Best of all they knew why: the domain for the name servers had lapsed. Once we investigated that things got strange. The domain was bird-photographers.net. While I do own birdphotographers.net I had no idea where the extra hyphen had come from. After many hours on the phone with Network Solutions and many hours of online chatting with URL Jet on Saturday, we were assigned two new name servers. But when we tried to change from the old name servers to the new name servers it stated that the new ones were not valid. After another few hours chatting with URL Jet on Sunday the guy who had been helping us on Saturday asked, “Did you register the two new name servers with Network Solutions? I said, “Huh?” Then I gave him my Network Solutions log-in info and password and he registered them. At 8:30pm on Sunday was I successfully able to load the two new name servers. I would be remiss in not mentioning that James Shadle’s son Blake worked hand in hand with us all weekend long and was finally able to load the new name servers onto the Bird Photographers.Net domain dashboard at Domain/Dotster.com which hosts BPN.

From whatsmyDNS.Net

We were told from the get-go that once the new name servers were in place it would take two to 72 hours for them to propagate, to be recognized by the large DNS servers. The screen capture above is from From whatsmyDNS.Net at 6:53am on Wednesday. The strange thing to me is that both the locations and the green checks and the red X-s change every few minutes. A location that shows a green check mark one minute might show a red-X the next. I was told that this is normal due to fluctuation in the propagation. But that does not make sense to me. How can a DNS server recognize a new name server and then un-recognize it? The proof will be in the pudding tonight (Wednesday, May 23, 2018) at 8:40pm, the 72 hour mark. In an ideal world all locations should show green check marks at that time …

The good news is that nearly all the folks who had not been able to access the blog are now able to.

Please remember that you can help support my efforts here on the blog simply by clicking on the Amazon logo-link on the right for even the smallest purchases; make it a habit! And do understand that it works just fine with your Amazon Prime account.

This Just In: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens Available!

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR is a difficult lens to find. Most folks have to wait months to purchase. If you would like to save a few bucks, please contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) immediately and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order.

BIRDS AS ART

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.

Nikon 600mm f/4 G IF-ED VR & TC-E14II

Todd Meyer is offering a used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens in excellent condition for the BAA record low price of $5595. The sale includes a LensCoat, a Wimberley low foot, the rear lens caps, the travel case, both hoods, a TC-E14 II, and insured shipping via UPS Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Todd via e-mail.

The 600 f/4 lenses are ideal for those who do birds and wildlife. The newer lighter version, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens (designated by “E” rather than “G” after the f/4) weighs 8.4 pounds but costs $12,296.95. Thus, Todd’s lens is a great buy for someone young and relatively strong who would like to save either a large chunk of money. artie

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Jim Keener is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark III body in excellent condition for the great low price of $1149.00. The sale includes the front body cap, the charger, the original battery, and insured ground shipping via to continental US addresses only. The package will not ship until your check clears.

Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 310-741-7435 (9am-9pm Mountain time).Carl via e-mail.

I owned and used this superb, full frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. Jim’s body can be yours for a bargain price. artie

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

Jim Keener is also offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in like-new condition for the BAA record low price of $1099.00. The sale includes a RRS Arca-Swiss plate, the soft lens case, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod collar, the hood, the original box, and insured ground shipping via to continental US addresses only. The package will not ship until your check clears.

Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 310-741-7435 (9am-9pm Mountain time).Carl via e-mail.

The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is an amazingly versatile lens; I made a zillion great images with it when I was using Canon. It works well with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III TCs, even with the 7D II! It is easily hand holdable. It is great for tame birds, landscapes, urbex, indoor stuff likes concerts and recitals, and just about anything you want to photograph. A new 70-200 II currently sells for $1,949 so you can save a cool $850 by buying Jim’s lens at a great low price. artie

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Larry Padgett is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark III body in excellent condition for the $1224.00 The sale includes the front body cap, the charger, the strap, original battery, everything else that came in the box, and insured ground shipping via to continental US addresses only. The package will not ship until your check clears.

Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-520.444.9818 Pacific time).

I owned and used this superb, full frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. Jim’s body can be yours for a bargain price. artie

Canon 24-105mm L IS Lens

Charlie Curry is offering a Canon 24-105mm L IS lens in near-mint condition for the great low price of $424.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to continental US addresses only. Your lens will not ship until your check clears.

Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time).

When I shot Canon, I rarely made a trip or headed out to the beach without my 24-105 in my Xtra-hand vest. Whenever I’d leave this amazingly versatile B-roll lens behind, I’d wind up regretting it. I use it for bird-scapes, photographer-scapes, landscapes, mini-macro scenes that included bird feathers, dead birds, and nests with eggs (the latter only when and if the nest can be photographed without jeopardizing it), and just about anything else that catches my eye. While I am nowhere near as good as Denise Ippolito is with this lens, I have made lots of good and saleable images with mine, the old version. artie

Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

Charlie Curry is also offering a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens in mint condition for a BAA record-low $795.00. The sale includes the front and back lens covers, the soft case, the EW-88 lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to continental US addresses only.

Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time).

The 16-35 II is a superb landscape lens that can be used on occasion to create some stunning bird-scapes as well. The practically identical version III of this lens sells for $1999 new; purchase Charlie’s s lens and save $1205.00 on the cost of a new Series III model. artie

Money Saving Reminder

If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!

Booking.Com

Several folks on the DeSoto IPT used the Booking.Com link below, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.

This image was created on May 18, 2018 down by the lake near my home with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 90mm) and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1 2/3 stops as framed: 1/200 sec. at f/10. AUTO1 WB at 7:50am on a cloudy morning. A single AF point about one up and three to the right of the center AF point was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was right on the two eggs. Click on the image to see a larger version. Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. Image #1: Two eggs in new Sandhill Crane nest

The Discovery

I discovered this nest on my first walk down by the lake in several weeks. I was walking out on the pier with the 200-500 and the D5. The pier is the longest fresh water pier in the state of Florida. Anyhoo, when I saw a crane sitting on a nest on a tiny grassy peninsula right along the shore I realized instantly that it was the same pair that had lost a floating nest right offshore of the same location during the big storm on the Sunday of the DeSoto IPT. It is likely that when I found the nest it was only a few days old as it was flimsy at best.

This image was created on May 19, 2018 down by the lake near my home with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 800. Matrix metering +2/3 stop; 1/640 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. SUNNY WB at 10:23am on a cloudy day. 3D tracking//Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure. The system selected and AF point on the back of the crane’s head roughly on the same plane as its eye. Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: +4. Image #2: Sandhill Crane gathering nesting material

Hard at Work

For the next two mornings the two adults worked furiously at shoring up the nest with reeds, roots, mud, and rotting grasses. As their motions were relatively fast when I was working tight I went with 3D tracking AF in hopes of getting a few sharp ones in a very difficult situation. With Canon I would have likely gone to Center Large Zone.

This image was created on May 21, 2018 down by the lake near my home with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 125mm) and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering +1 2/3 stops as framed: 1/400 sec. at f/5.6. AUTO1 WB at 8:30am on a rainy morning. A single AF point two up from the center AF point was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was right on the crane’s face. Click on the image to see a larger version. Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. Image #3: Sandhill Crane on the shored up nest

Army Corps of Engineers Cranes

Compare the size and bulk of the nest in Image 3 with the size and bulk of the nest in image #1. Those cranes were very busy. I am hoping against hope that the nest hatches before I head to Toronto and Finland and Norway on the 28th.

Help Support the Blog

Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie

If In Doubt …

If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.

Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

Facebook

Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).