Blue-winged Teal Three Ways. Including my best-ever wingstretch image? And After-Bath Flapping Tips « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Blue-winged Teal Three Ways. Including my best-ever wingstretch image? And After-Bath Flapping Tips

The Best?

Please take a moment to let us know which of today’s three featured images is your favorite, and why you chose it. Comparative comments are also welcome.

What’s Up?

After working too hard and too long to finish yesterday’s blog post, I arrived at my favorite Black Point sunrise location on Monday right at sunrise, at least 15 minutes late … On the way in, I missed the chance to photograph several large flocks of wading birds in flight. Had I been on time, I would have stopped to do some blurs. As I was setting up, a huge flock of shorebirds that had been roosting in the dead-still pewter water — yes, there was a big cloud on the eastern horizon — took flight and swirled around for a full minute before disappearing.

As the skies cleared too quickly, and the wind from the west strengthened, there was not much to do so I headed home.

The best thing that happened on Monday morning was meeting and chatting with a videographer named Tom Fitz, one of his assistants, and his daughter Phoebe. Tom was very nice and very modest. We e-mailed and I learned that he and his team are incredibly accomplished.

Below, from Tom’s website, Fitz Productions. Note: on the home page there are several impressive video clips; I urge everyone to take a peek at the Frozen Planet — Narwhals clip. Hold onto your seatbelts at the six second mark. I can only imagine what Tom was thinking and feeling at that moment …

Tom Fitz is an American cameraman, producer and director who has documented our planet’s natural wonders for over thirty years. As a freelance cinematographer, Tom has worked for the BBC, PBS, National Geographic and many others. He is the recipient of four Primetime Emmy Awards for cinematography and two for outstanding series, as well as two BAFTA awards.

Tom’s experience and comfort working underwater are rivaled by few. He is among a small handful of cameramen who has worked in all seven continents and five oceans, including under the ice in our planet’s polar regions. He has experience with underwater ROV technology and manned submarines in waters over a mile deep.

In 2008, Tom started Schoolyard Films, Inc. with the belief that educating today’s students about the natural world and the challenges it faces is of critical importance to tomorrow’s healthy environment. With Schoolyard, Tom produces films specifically for use in K-12 classrooms that are available for free with accompanying study guides to teachers worldwide.

To learn more about Schoolyard Films, visit their website here.

When I drove by the causeway — always worth checking out, a guy was collecting soda cans from the trash receptacles. Every time that he opened a trash bin, a big cloud of Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls would swirl above the bin hoping to garner a few scraps. I tried getting the birds banking on sun angle but with the now strong wing right against the bright sun, that was hopeless. Instead, I turned around and created about 700 frames of backlit gulls in flight. I’ll be thrilled if I get one or two good ones — my intent was to learn more about the R5 AF system.

Anyhoo, I was home by 11:30am. I edited several session folders and took a nap. Then it was my bursts and a swim.

I was glad to learn yesterday that I sold my SONY a7r iv (after three price reductions) and that Craig Elson sold his a9 ii. There are still some great SONY camera body buys on the BAA Used Gear Page. Note the nice 7r iv and a9 ii price reductions below.

Today is Tuesday 2 February 2021 and the forecast is for cold and clear with strong NW winds. Not good for bird photography …

This blog past makes forty-four days in a row with a new blog post. This one took close to three hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimizations). Please remember …

Please Remember

With income from IPTs now at zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.

Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

Price Reduced $200 on 2 FEB 2021

BAA-friend Craig Elson is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for the very low price of $2198.00 (was $2398.00). The body had a glass LCD protector on it from the moment it was taken out of the box. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Your new camera will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704.904.7953 (Pacific time zone).

For the past two years you have seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I’ve typically used my 7r IV for about 50% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00, you can save a cool $1100.00 by grabbing Craig’s pretty much new a7r iv. Though this 61-MP body is especially attractive to landscape and macro photographers, it is great for birds as well as you can pretty much crop to your heart’s content. artie

Sony Alpha a9 ii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

Price Reduced $200 on 28 JAN 2021
Price Reduced $100 on 2 FEB 2021

BAA-friend and multiple IPT veteran William Schneider is offering a Sony a9 ii Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for the very low price of $3298.00 (was $3498.00). The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. As a favor to Bill, I will throw in a copy of The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video (a $100.00 value). Your new camera will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone (or text) at 1-262-269-8628 (Eastern time zone).

From the moment I tracked that first incoming Brandt’s Cormorant, I knew that SONY a9 series bodies featured the world’ best AF. I upgraded to the a9 ii as soon as it was released for the slightly larger body size. I currently own two of them. A new a9 ii sells for $4,498.00. You can save a very nice $1000 by grabbing Bill’s pretty much new a9 ii. Not to mention that the new Sony A1 sells for $6498.00 … artie

134 sold to rave reviews.

The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Folks who have used my B&H affiliate links or purchased their SONY gear are invited to e-mail for discount information.

Great Topaz News!

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.

Topaz Stuff

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight 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 use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists 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 a9 ii, 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.



Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs (remember those?) 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 29 JAN 2021 at Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR. Working away from my SUV, I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger confirmed this exposure as dead-solid perfect. AWB at 4:02pm.

Tracking Expand Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.

Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

Image #1: Blue-wing Teal drake floating in sweet reflections

Out-of-the Vehicle Photography at Merritt Island NWR

My memories of shooting at Black Point in the 1990s are that I worked from my vehicle 99% of the time. On my recent three-day visit, I worked from my vehicle about 1% of the time. What changed? In part, the birds have — over the years — become more acclimated to humans on the tour loop road. In addition, the roadside vegetation — often mangroves — has gotten higher. While I needed to move slowly, I was surprised at how cooperative the birds had become, especially the formerly-skittish Blue-winged Teal.

This image was created on the afternoon of Saturday 30 January 2021 at Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR. Working away from my SUV, I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed a slight over-exposure. I was able to save the bright white cheek-crescent using techniques mentioned on the RawDigger e-Guide. AWB at 4:43pm.

Tracking Expand Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.

Click the image to see a larger version.

Image #2: Blue-winged Teal Drake flapping after bath

Shooting Down on Black Point Drive

Yeah, it would have been great for the most part to have made all three of today’s featured images while lying flat on my belly at water level. But the tour loop road around the refuge is about ten feet above the water. With the thick vegetation along the roadsides, getting low is simply not an option. You can combat the rather large angle-of-declination by using really long focal lengths like 840 and 1200mm. I was lucky with this one to have been “only” at 840mm; had I been at 1200mm, I would have surely been too tight.

After-Bath Flapping Tips

When you see a bird dipping its breast in the water there is a 90% chance that it is going to flap in place or flap up out of the water. Be sure not to frame too tightly — you will clip something if you do, and be sure to keep the bird in the center of the frame so that you can have a chance to get the forward flaps and the backward flaps without clipping anything.

This image was also created on the afternoon of Saturday 30 January 2021 at Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island NWR. Again, working away from my SUV, I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body). ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. Again, RawDigger confirmed this exposure as dead-solid perfect. AWB at 5:14pm in the shade.

Tracking Expand Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.

Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

Image #3: Blue-wing Teal near-wingstrech

Best Wingstretch Image Ever?

Many times when birds stretch their near-wings, they turn their heads away. The last absolutely perfect wingstretch I had was in 1984. The sun had come out after a big thunderstorm and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper surrounded by pink salt marsh fleabane flowers stretched its near wing and held the pose for 30 seconds. I learned later that the film had not been winding … A year later I was lying on my belly fourteen feet away from a fresh juvenile Curlew Sandpiper. Those images — on film of course — would have been the first photo-documented images of juvenile Calidris ferruginea had the film been winding. Interestingly enough, both of those film-not-winding episodes occurred in September on the highest of the Jewish high holy days, Yom Kippur …

I am infinitely pleased with this one.

Image #3B: RawDigger Screen Capture for the Blue-wing Teal near-wingstrech image

The RawDigger Adapted “pink” Histogram

In the RawDigger e-guide you will learn how to set up the Adapted Histogram and precisely why this exposure is 100% dead-solid perfect. And you will learn how you can use what you learn RawDigger to drastically improve your exposures. The RawDigger Adapted “pink” Histogram makes it easy to quickly and accurately evaluate the exposure or brightness for raw files for virtually all digital camera bodies now in use. One point that is stressed throughout the RawDigger e-guide is that everyone tends to under-expose in low-light, low contrast situations …

Typos

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

16 comments to Blue-winged Teal Three Ways. Including my best-ever wingstretch image? And After-Bath Flapping Tips

  • avatar Kathy Graff

    I loved all three (must confess that the Blue Winged Teal is one of my favorite ducks). But in order of liking I would say, #3, #1, and last, #2. The position of the bird with its’ outstretched leg in #3 is very interesting, the light and reflection of the bird is also very nice. I also love the color of the water in #1: it is overpowering and the bird doesn’t stand out as much but I still like it and I especially like the bird’s reflection which is sharp and deeply colored. All three images are hits!

  • avatar Jeff Walters

    Love the water color/reflections in #1. Love the bird pose and wings best in #2. Great shots, the one leg wing stretch is cool but always looks a little awkward in my eyes. Just me. It is a great shot reflecting bird behavior. I really like the action depicted in #2 which is my Fav.

  • avatar James Saxon

    #2, love the wing flap and the colors in the bird and water. Thanks for posting.

  • # 2 is the best overall. In # 1 the eye goes to the glaring color.
    Don Poggensee

  • Hi Artie
    # 1 a great sweet light Image. # 2 looks like to me a great post preening shot. # 3 a great behaviour image Image. For you its like shelling peas from a pod.

    Best and love
    Ken
    The BBC natural history programs are amazing.

  • avatar Phillip Prichard

    I like Image #2, the background colors and the Blue-winged Teal Drake flapping after bath is an angle not usually captured.

    I agree the vegetation has grown blocking some the photos from the vehicles. I was there for a 3 days last month. Was the eagles off the road just past #11.

  • avatar Esther Corley

    I like the 2nd photo..it is more clear and the colors stand out, rather than blending like in the 1st photo.

  • avatar David Policansky

    What Bruce Finocchio said, exactly. I got some images of sandhill crane wing stretches recently but they were too close to other cranes.

  • My favorite is image #2. The brown background is a big plus over the blue water background of image 3. Seeing the green secondaries is visually very appealing.

  • avatar Gordon Lindsay

    My favourite is image 3 lovely wing stretch.

  • avatar Anthony Ardito

    #3 is my favorite. Even though most of the body is in shadow, you rectified that with exposure and maybe some slight post processing. The water color is pleasing at that angle, and has some nice ripples.

    #2 is taken slightly from behind and the water color is murky.

    #1 the subject blends into the water and no action.

    IMO, YMMV

  • avatar Kevin Hice

    Blue -wing Teal near wingstretch good low angle nice water. Ha lots of great points plus the open wing with the blue patch. Like you said Artie hard to get shot.

  • All three are superb. But the iridescent green in the standing wing flap really grabs me. That green must be seldom seen, since it’s usually covered by other feathers. My next favorite is the stretched wing with leg stretched as well. Behavior always grabs me. Reflections in #1 are beautiful and the dark water with blue in #2 are the most beautiful backgrounds.

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