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If you are subscribed and had previously been receiving blog post notifications via e-mail on a regular basis and they quit coming in the last month or so, please let me know via e-mail and cut and paste this into the subject line: Please Add to the Personalized Blog Notification List. It seems that some e-mail providers (likely including Gmail) recently began blocking the blog post notification e-mails being sent by the Word Press Newsletter plugin. The new, authenticated sending address was supposed to fix that problem, but it has not 🙂 Life goes on.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
If you wanna be like Red, and 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 (OCT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026) as below, 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.
What’s Up?
The photography on Tuesday morning was challenging (see today’s featured image below) but fabulously exciting. Early on, there were huge schools of finger mullet in the southeast corner of the inlet just east of the bridge abutments. Several Great and Snowy Egrets were chowing down on the bait and schools of fish were breaking on the surface almost continuously. But, it was way dark and some of the action was blocked by the jetty rocks.
Today is Wednesday 15 October and Eugen, Red, and I will be headed to the inlet by 6:30am. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a great day.
If you would like to join in the fun and learn an absolute ton, I have room at the AirBnB for you on a Sebastian Extended IPT any time from 25 October through and including 23 November. For complete details you can get in touch via e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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 (OCT 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.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, 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!
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 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. To receive a free guide or free entry into a Sony Set-up and Info Notes e-Mail group, you need to shoot me your receipt via e-mail. The B&H receipts need to include the order number.
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.
Used Canon R & RF Gear Listings
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera Body with extras!
David Graebner is offering a Canon EOS R5 in near mint condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the battery grip, four Canon batteries, a Kirk L-bracket for Canon EOS R5MKII, R6MKII, R5 & R6 (a $155.00 value!), LCD protectors, the body cap, the wide strap, the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Please contact David via e-mail
If you are looking to get into Canon mirrorless without having to sell your home, grab David’s R5 ASAP. The body sells new at B&H for $2999.00 and there is a comparable used one here for $2,578.95. This is the only Canon mirrorless body that I ever used and was quite impressed by the eye tracking. Purchase David’s camera and take 50% off the cost of the BAA EOS R5 Camera User’s Guide. artie
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
David Graebner is offering a Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM in near mint condition for $1499.00. The sale includes the lens case, the lens hood, the front and rear lens caps, the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Covering a versatile wide-angle focal length range, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM from Canon is also characterized by its bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture. This bright design enables working in available light conditions and also affords greater control over depth of field. The range of wide focal lengths suits working in a variety of situations, from landscape to documentary shooting, and this zoom is complemented by an advanced optical design that greatly reduces color fringing and distortion for high clarity and sharpness. An Air-Sphere coating has also been applied to reduce flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity when working in bright conditions. B&H
This lens sells new for $2,399.00 and there was a used copy here in lesser condition for $1,966.95; amazingly, it sold. Look no further if you have been searching for an ultra wide angle RF scenic lens. artie
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
David Graebner is offering a Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens in near mint condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the lens case, the lens hood,the front and rear lens caps, the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is Canon’s workhorse RF zoom lens, a versatile wide-angle to portrait-length lens characterized by its bright, advanced, and intuitive design. The constant f/2.8 maximum aperture suits working in difficult lighting conditions and also enables greater control over depth of field. The optical design incorporates a series of aspherical and Ultra-Low Dispersion elements, which greatly reduce a variety of aberrations throughout the zoom range in order to produce sharp and clear imagery. An Air Sphere Coating has also been applied to suppress flare and ghosting when working in strong lighting conditions. B&H
This lens sells new for $2,399.00 and there is a used copy here in lesser condition for $2,109.95. Look no further if you have been searching for a wide angle RF scenic lens. artie
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
David Graebner is offering a Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens in near mint condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the lens case, the lens hood,the front and rear lens caps, the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
This impressive L-Series lens offers a telephoto zoom focal length for getting closer to faraway subjects. Canon’s lightest and shortest 70-200mm f/2.8 lens ever, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM is engineered to make traveling more comfortable, offering a compact and portable design that’s easy to pack and carry wherever you go. B&H
This indispensable lens is another that I have owned with every system I’ve used. It sells new for $2,799.00 and there is a used copy here in similar condition for $2,109.95. artie
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens
David Graebner is offering a Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM lens in near mint condition for $799.00. The sale includes the lens case, the lens hood,the front and rear lens caps, the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Engineered specifically for full-frame EOS R-series cameras, the RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens from Canon combines a medium-telephoto field of view with a sleek design and close-focusing performance. Designed for close-up imagery, this autofocus lens is an ideal choice for portraits and macro subjects. Featuring a fixed 100mm focal length, a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, fast, highly-precise autofocus, and a spherical aberration control ring, this lens elevates the look of portraits and macro shots and gives you the ability to create dreamlike and romantic images with a soft focus look. Its close focus design enables working with subject matter as close as 10.2″ away, and a Super Spectra coating minimizes ghosting and flare when working in strong lighting conditions. The lens also features optical image stabilization, along with Hybrid IS, to suppress up to five stops of camera shake for cleaner, steadier shooting, and imagemakers can expect to see stunning results that enhance their creative and artistic vision. B&H
This great macro lens sells new for $1249.00 and there is a used copy here in lesser condition for $1,023.95 artie
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens with extra!
David Graebner is offering a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens in excellent plus condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the lens case, the lens hood,the front and rear lens caps, a Kirk Lens Support Bracket Canon (low foot) for the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens (a $140.00 value), the original product box and all that came in it, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Covering a variety of telephoto focal lengths, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM spans a short- to super-telephoto range within a sleek and portable form factor. The modest maximum aperture enables a relatively portable design that is well-suited to handheld, walkaround use and optical image stabilization also helps to steady photos and videos by up to five stops when working in difficult lighting conditions. This lens is also characterized by its advanced optical design, which includes a series of Super UD and UD elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the zoom range for a degree of clarity and color accuracy. B&H
I used this RF lens exclusively when I was working on the BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5/R6 Camera User’s e-Guide. I made lots of fabulous images with it. It sells new for $2,899.00 and there is a used copy here in similar condition for $2,608.95. artie
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This image was created by yours truly on 14 October 2025 on a Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More Extended IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 330mm) 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 3200: 1/2000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:54:43am in the shade on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #1: Great Egret landing with finger mullet |
Why So Challenging?
Most of the action occurred well before this image was created so we were using ISOs as high as 25,600 when trying for sharp. With the extreme low light conditions, all autofocus systems struggle as they need light and contrast to see. In addition, the a-1 ii’s Wide AF-C pattern would often grab the surface of the water. To combat that problem, I enabled Tracking: Wide. It has since been disabled.
The birds would spend ten minutes staring on a rock before taking flight without warning and stabbing for a fish. As a result, it was challenging to get on the subject and acquire focus.
Why the 70-200 with the 2X TC?
The main reason I was using the lightweight and versatile 70-200 II/2X TC/a-1 ii rig is that I wanted to be best able to help Red. When Eugen first arrived, I used the 200-600 for the first three days for the same reason.
The 140-400mm focal length range is ideal for close bird photography work especially for when shooting action. Note that to create today’s featured image zooming out to 330mm enable me to avoid clipping the egret’s wings. And, the very light weight of this rig makes it ideal for handholding, flight, and action. In addition, it is always good to work with a rig that is different from what you usually go with as it can help you to refine various skills.
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The title says it all. Purchase your copy here. The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight
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The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight: $99.00
I had long dreamed of becoming a great flight photographer. When using dSLR gear, making sharp images was a huge problem. Most of the time, the camera bodies simply were not up to snuff. Things have changed dramatically with mirrorless technology. The high-end mirrorless camera bodies now feature science fiction-like autofocus systems and frame rates of 30, 40, and even 125 fps. Nowadays, getting the eye sharp is no longer a problem. The problem more often involves selecting the strongest image from a long series of sharp images.
The truth, however, is that there is a lot more than owning a Canon EOS R1, a Nikon Z9, or a Sony a-1 ii to consistently creating great photographs of birds in flight. Some of the biggest factors to success include gear choice, shooting strategies, and understanding the importance of sky conditions and wind speed and direction. Once you have the techniques and technical aspects down pat and can routinely create sharp images, learning the importance of flight poses, wing positions, backgrounds, and subject placement and image design enable you to create and then select superb flight images. And you guessed it, each of those topics and tons more are covered in detail in The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight.
The guide consists of 267 pages and 21,013 words. There are 82 illustrative photos scattered throughout the text, two screen captures, and a 112-image gallery that includes examples created by Canon, Nikon, and mostly Sony gear. As seen above, each of the 194 inspirational photos is labeled with an educational caption.
You can purchase your copy here for $99.00.
Arash Hazeghi
Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D. is a principal electron device engineer. He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2011, from Stanford University, Stanford, California. His pioneering research on Carbon Nanotubes has been cited many times. In the past decade, Arash Hazeghi has been a major contributor to the research and the development of some of the most cutting-edge technologies introduced by Silicon Valley’s most reputable names including SanDisk, Intel and Apple.
More relevant here is that he is widely recognized as one of the world’s best birds in flight photographers. He specializes in raptors and the technical aspects of bird photography.
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Flight photography is a skill that can be studied, practiced, and learned. Improve your skills by studying The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight |
The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight
By Arash Hazeghi Ph.D., and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
What you will learn (about):
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1- Weight and handholding super-telephoto lenses.
2- Weight and handholding intermediate telephoto and telephotos zoom lenses.
3- Choosing the right flight photography lens or lenses for you.
4- The importance of focal length for flight photography.
5- The importance of lens speed (the maximum aperture for flight photography.
6- Choosing between fixed focal lengths and zoom lenses for flight photography.
7- The importance of AF speed and performance for flight photography.
8- Handholding tips and techniques.
9- Shooting flight off a tripod with the Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro.
10- Flight poses and wing positions.
11- Why artie changed his mind about the 400mm f/2.8 lenses for flight and more.
12- The advantages and disadvantages of using teleconverters for flight photography.
13- Why to stay away from off-brand lenses.
14- Understanding the importance of wind direction and speed for flight photography.
15- The relationship between sky conditions and wind direction and how it affects flight photography.
16- Creating flight silhouettes in wind-against-sun conditions.
17- The importance of being on sun angle for flight photography (and avoiding harsh shadows).
18- Tips on doing flight photography in cloudy, foggy, or overcast conditions.
19- About the direction of light in cloudy, foggy, or overcast conditions and how it affects flight photography.
20- How your understanding of bird behavior can dramatically improve your flight photography.
21- Tips on attracting birds for flight photography.
22- What to do when your camera’s AF system is temporarily blind.
23- The vital importance of pre-focusing.
24- How Direct Manual Focus can help you with flight photography.
25- The importance of shooting aggressively when doing flight photography.
26- Everything that you need to know with regards to rest positions for flight photography.
27- The importance of getting low when doing flight in many situations.
28- Getting the right exposure when doing flight photography.
29_ Why to use Manual mode 95% of the time for flight.
30- Tips on finding the bird in the frame, acquiring focus, and tracking the bird in flight.
31- How to set and best utilize your lens’s image stabilization feature (and why).
32- Setting the focus range limiter switch on your flight lens or lenses.
33- To choose the best shutter speed for photographing birds in flight.
34- The vital importance of pre-focusing. And yes, this is so important that it is on the list twice.
You can see four sample pages in the blog post here. And you can purchase your copy here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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