What’s Up?
Wednesday morning at Stick Marsh was mega-productive, one of the best mornings ever. I created 7000 images and kept 209 after the first edit. Thursday morning was the first for the Carolyn Johnson family group. We had a ton of incoming birds early; inexplicably, things slowed down by 8:15am despite the perfect conditions. Everyone is loving the AirBnB concept and my cooking! And everyone absolutely loved our lengthy image review sessions before and after dinner.
Today is Friday 4 April 2025, Day 2 for CJ, Marni, Katie, and Kate. Kudos to Kate’s sister Kim for her help as sous chef, assistant vine puller, and all the rest! It turns out that Kate and Kim are huge John Prine fans so we spent some time listening to a few of our favorites. They introduced me to the music of the Avett Brothers and I have been listening ever since. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
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.
Sony Alpha 1 (a-1) Mirrorless Camera Body
Used Gear Page regular, IPT veteran, and dear BAA friend Bill Schneider is offering a Sony a-1 (ILCE-1) mirrorless camera body (Firmware v1.32) in like-new condition for a ridiculously low $3,498.00. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. As this was Bill’s back-up a-1, it was used only rarely.
Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone at 1-262-269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
I used Sony a-1 bodies as my workhorse cameras for three years. They produce stunning 51MP files with vivid natural colors. The AF system is science-fiction-like. They are rugged and dependable and 30 frames per second is nothing to sneeze at. With a brand new a-1 ii going for $6498.00, you can save $3000.00 by grabbing Bill’s pretty much as good as new copy ASAP. Currently, B&H is offering a used a-1 in 9+ (like-new condition) for $4,507.95. That makes Bill’s a- an absolute steal. artie
BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
Why Attend? Speakers, Gear, Deals, and More!
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
Click here to register.
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. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks!
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. But 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.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created by Kate Romero on 3 April 2025 on the first morning of the second 2025 Stick Marsh Extended IPT. Seated on a milk crate topped by a pillow ,she used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 441mm) 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. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:37:17am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill adult preening
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Kate Romero
Kate is Carolyn Johnson’s (CJ’s) first cousin once removed. She is a micro-biologist for Quest Diagnostics and lives in Warrenton, VA. Over the years she has done several photography trips with the family using some older Nikon dSLR gear. Thursday morning was her first time using Sony gear and her first time photographing birds in flight.
In short, Kate is a bird photography beginner.
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This image was created by Katie Nagy on 3 April 2025 on the first morning of the second 2025 Stick Marsh Extended IPT. Seated on a milk crate topped by a pillow, she used the hand held 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 1250: 1/60 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down 1-stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:07:39am several minutes before the time of sunrise. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Roseate Spoonbill Roseate Spoonbill — landing blur
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Katie Nagy
Katie is CJ’s granddaughter. She is a senior at Trabuco Hills High School in Trabuco Canyon, CA. She has done a lot of photography on family trips with her I-phone. She borrowed her grandma’s Sony gear in Africa for “ten minutes” but liked her phone better. Thursday morning was her first ever bird photography experience and her first serious session using Sony gear.
In short, Katie is a bird photography beginner.
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This image was created by Katie Nagy on 3 April 2025 on the first morning of the second 2025 Stick Marsh Extended IPT. Seated on a milk crate topped by a pillow, she used the hand held 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 5000: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down 1-stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:26:44am just before the sun hit the birds. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: — bird of the year braking to land
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Luck of the Draw
Katie was using my 70-200 and CJ’s back-up a-1. Kate was using my 200-600 and my remaining a-1. The 200-600 is a lot of lens for someone who has never used a telephoto lens. Today, the girl’s will swap lenses.
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This image was also created by Katie Nagy on 3 April 2025 on the first morning of the second 2025 Stick Marsh Extended IPT. Seated on a milk crate topped by a pillow she, used the hand held 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 3200: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (again stopped down 1-stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:30:46am 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 #4 Roseate Spoonbill — adult in flight with nesting material
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My Long-Held Premise
I have stated here often, If you put some Sony gear in the hands of a beginning bird photographer with an a-1 that is properly set up for bird photography and give them a modicum of instruction, they can begin start making quality images in the first five minutes. Q.E.D.
Q.E.D. is a Latin abbreviation, “quod erat demonstrandum,” used to signal the end of a logical proof.
With four photographers and lots of vines to take care of, I can assure you that both Kate and Katie received a bare minimum of instruction on Thursday morning.
We all began doing blurs in the low light of pre-dawn. At first I called out the exposure settings for them. Then I explained Zebra technology; both caught on instantly. When things brightened up, we switched to sharp. That was about it. After reviewing their images on Thursday afternoon, I will be in better position to help them on Friday morning. And I am 100% sure that they will both improve quite a bit tomorrow. Hard to believe, but true.
Apologies to Nikon and Canon folks: Sony is by far the easiest system to learn on. Provided that the camera body is set up properly. And bit of good instruction is at hand.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
I love all of the images and the fact that they’re beginner bird photographers. My very favorites for images three and four I just love the looks of both of them. I would display them on my wall for sure.
Thank you kindly. I agree!
with love, artie
Those Kates are naturals. #4 and #1 my favs, but as already mentioned, all are wonderful images.
Yo Adrian, Many thanks. Always great to hear from you.
with love, artie
Art: Very impressive images! Last year you convinced me to switch to Sony equipment (a9iii) and I’m really glad I did, although I need a lot more practice. I’m really looking forward to using it at St. Augustine Alligator Farm next week.
Thanks, Pat. See you there. Mum’s the word!
with love, a
Typo, “Friday 4 Aril…” Lovely photos by the Kates. My favorites are 1 and 4 but all are wonderful.
Thanks Dr. Fish. 2 & 3 are my favorites 🙂
with love, artie
Typo: (at 44mm): Seated on a milk crate topped by a pillow ,she used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 44mm)
Thanks and fixed. My “1” key is still sticking 🙁
with love, artie