Your Call?
Here is today’s difficult challenge: list your four favorites with the strongest one first.
In Stock!
Bedfords has both Sony a-1 ii bodies and 400-800 zoom lenses in stock. I am at a loss as to why so few folks have bought into the 400-800 as it has quickly become my all-time favorite lens. Purchase both and use my discount code at checkout to get back 3% on your credit card and earn a free copy of both my a-1 ii settings and guide and the lens guide as well.
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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.
You can visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
The Sony 400-800
Since the storm surge died down and the sun came out, I have been heading out mornings and afternoons with just the 400-800. It is so, so versatile. With a Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Card in my a-1 ii I head out with only a single extra battery in one pocket and my paint brush in the other (for removing sand from my gear). Best of all: no tripod ever! The f/8 aperture takes some getting used to but the 400-800 focal length versatility and 800mm at the long end are a tough combination to beat.
The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide
When I borrowed this lens from Sony, I assumed that at 5.45 pounds it was too heavy to handhold for long and that at f/8 at the long end (800mm,) it was too slow for most bird photography applications. In short, I did not want to like the lens. After months of using it, I cannot live without it. After returning the loaner, I was miraculously able to get my own from Bedfords on 16 April 2025. In this guide I share everything that I have learned about using the 400-800. For best results, you need to know exactly what you are doing to get the most out of this zoom lens. It would be best, therefore, to consider and study the material in the guide so that you can begin making great images with your new lens.
You will learn how to deal with the relatively show apertures: f/6.3, f/7.1, and f/8 when working in Manual mode.
You will learn how to ensure that you are working at the widest aperture by working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO.
If you are able to hand hold the lens, you will learn proper hand holding techniques.
If you can’t, you will learn when, why, and how to employ other options. Those include:
1- The knee-pod, heel-pod, and toe-pod techniques
2- Using the lens on a monopod.
3- The best lens plate and low foot for your 4-8.
4- The best tripod and head for the 4-8 and how best to utilize them.
5- How to use the lens from your vehicle while supporting it on a BLUBB (or not and why not).
6- Detailed instructions on how to set and use the lens controls and buttons:
a- AF/MF
b- DMF Switch
c- Limit Range Switch
d- OSS (Optical Steady Shot) Switch
e- OSS Mode Switch
f- Focus Hold Buttons
The guide also includes a Hand Holding Shutter Speed Primer and an illustrative, educational, and inspiring 67-image gallery.
Free to folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their Sony 400-800 G lens. Otherwise, please click here to order yours or send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.
What’s Up?
Thursday morning was a rare treat with still water, sweet light, incredible reflections, and skimming skimmers providing lots of action. The wind howled from the south that afternoon as the huge blastoffs of mostly migrating Common Terns continued just before and after sunset. Friday morning could not have been more different than Thursday morning as the strong south wind continued; it was hard to believe that I was in the same place.
Today is Friday 29 August. Whatever you opt to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.
If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, 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.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.
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This image was created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 534mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb wheel. Multi Metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/60 second at f/7.1 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:17:15am on a clear morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #1: Black Skimmer pink striking blur |
Coastal Flooding Pond Finally Pays Off Big Time
Two of the three coastal flooding ponds at Nickerson Beach have receded to nothing and next to nothing. The western-most pond still has a few acres of water. The forecast for Thursday morning was for sunny with a wind from the northwest (bad). But, when I arrived, there was little to no wind. The surface of the large pond was smooth as glass. Early on there were no birds. A whisper of a breeze came up from the northeast and kissed my right ear as I was looking to the southwest with the sun behind me (fabulous). Some birds, mostly skimmers, flew into the pond. Conditions were perfect with mirror-like reflections. With only a slight wind, the skimmers were skimming in all sorts of directions. But I had dozens of great chances and a few of them paid off nicely.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 685mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 6:47:35am on a then sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Black Skimmer skimming |
Skimming Skimmer Autofocus Challenges
Skimming skimmers are a very tough challenge for any autofocus system in part because it is difficult to discern the dark eye in the birds black cap. And when the birds are skimming sideways, that is, parallel to the back of the camera, the system may grab somewhere on the wings rather than on the eye or the bird’s head. Lastly, splashing water about the head will often interfere with eye tracking. Though not every a- ii image will be sharp on the eye, Wide AF/C nailed the eye with this one.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 490mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:50:44am on a then mostly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #3: Black Skimmer skimming splash |
Mirror-Like Reflections
With chilly mornings with northwest winds, the weather since Vasili left has has been more like October than August. By being relentless and getting out every morning regardless of the forecast poor conditions, you will often be rewarded by a stunningly beautiful and productive morning.That was the case for me on Thursday!
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:02:26 am on a then mostly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #4: Laughing Gull post breeding molting > winter plumage floating |
The Sony 400-800 G Zoom Lens
The Sony 400-800 G Zoom lens was the perfect choice for what turned out to be a fantastic morning. Yes it is on the slow side at f/8 at the long end and yes, it is on the heavy side — less than a pound lighter than the 600mm f/4, but the 800mm of reach, the 400-800 focal length versatility, and no need for a tripod make it hard to resist for a visit to the beach on a Sunday morning. Here, in order from shortest to longest, are the focal lengths used to create what I see as today’s very fine ten-image collection: 462mm, 490mm, 534mm, 685mm, 745mm, 755mm, 790mm, 800mm, 800mm, & 800mm. Had I brought the 600mm f/4 I would have been encumbered by a tripod and would have clipped at least 2 excellent images. If I had opted for the faster, lighter by 2/3-stop 200-600, I would have been on the short side for seven of the photos.
The long end of the 400-800’s focal length range is ideal for creating static portraits as even when you are standing, the angle of declination to the subject is decreased. On Friday morning, I grabbed the lighter 200-600 in hopes of skimmer blastoffs but as they never materialized I wound up wishing that I had brought the 400-800.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 745mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:03:47am on a then sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #5: Black Skimmer screaming dive |
Crazy Black Skimmer
Over the course of the last week, I have been seeing a skimmer acting crazy, twisting and turning and flying upside down. I am not sure if it is always the same individual or if there are a few of the loonies around. It is easy to spot them but they fly so fast and erratically that it is almost impossible to get them in the frame. I managed to get two frames of the bird on Thursday morning; Image #5 was the best of the two.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 462mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:05:35am on a sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #6: Black Skimmer perfect pano reflection |
Perfect Pano Reflection
I am pretty sure that I have never before created an image with such a perfect reflection. If I lightened the bird in the water a bit and turned the image upside down, I am not sure it you could tell which side was up and which side was down. Such opportunities are extremely rare. My favorite rig did not fail me.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 790mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1/3200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:17:48am on a sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #7: Common Tern with Sand Eel |
Not Many Sand Eels This Summer
There have not been a lot of birds flying in with Sand Eels for their chicks this summer. As below, Sand Eel populations fluctuate widely. Adapted from AI Overview:
Northeast Sand Eel (or Sand Lance) populations in the Western North Atlantic are known to fluctuate. While populations have historically been abundant, they are often found in the Gulf of Maine and along the continental shelf, with abundance closely linked to predator presence and food availability. Spawning occurs in fall and winter over sandy bottoms, with larvae carried by currents to coastal waters, where they transform into juveniles and burrow into sand to avoid predators.
Fisherman and others might enjoy learning more about Sand Eels in the article here.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 755mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:23:40am on a sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #8: Black Skimmer posing after bath |
Striking a Handsome Pose
I made many perfect side shots of this skimmer where the bird (and its reflection) were perfectly parallel to the back of the camera. This image, however, in which the bird is angled slightly toward me with its head held high, was my favorite of the series.
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:25:45am on a sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #9: American Oystercatcher flapping after bath |
Getting in the Right Spot
I pride myself in being in the exact right spot most of the time by recognizing changing situations better than most. There were three other photographers enjoying the fabulous morning. When the skimming action slowed, I alone moved left and closer to a group of skimmers that had landed on the edge of the big pond. I made Image #8, got some good photos of bathing skimmers, and when several oystercatchers landed behind the small skimmer flock, I created a long series of the bird in Image #9 flapping after its bath; the last one was the winner!
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This image was also created on 28 August 2025 at Nickerson Beach. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1250: 1/4000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:55:53am on a sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #10: Herring Gull adult swimming pano |
The Under-Appreciated Gulls
Gulls are under-appreciated by most photographers. I love them for many reasons: they are common, often approachable, and make great practice subjects. Herring Gull is by far the most numerous gull in the northeast. Before the NYC garbage dumps were capped, Christmas count HEGUs numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Over the past few decades, their numbers have been reduced significantly. The worn adult in this image is looking a bit wet and bedraggled but I love the soft light and the soft reflection.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Art: #3 — I love the reflected water droplets, #5 the bird is in a most unusual position, #2 the lovely reflection and #6, mirror, mirror!
#3, 6, 8 are beautiful. Gotta rush, no time to say why.
Artie,
Absolutely wonderful skimmer in flight shots. I go with 3, 2, 1. The crystalline beading of the water splash was the clincher for me! My wife, Chris, also a wildlife photographer, picks 1, 3, 2 and she is not a fan of blurs. I would have cropped in just a touch more on #1.
Some really “killer” shots. I’m struggling between two images since I know you enjoy making “blurs”, though I would rank #3 first for its shear beauty of the water droplets followed by #1, #5, and #2. It appears you had a very productive day and out of curiosity, how many images did you capture that day followed by how many did you cull down to before you decided on the 10 images you presented?