30% Sebastian Inlet Discount Offer
Mishael Voison heads down to Miami on Monday afternoon. Right now, I am 100% free from then until the morning of Wednesday 12 November. And, but for me, and barring any sign-ups, the AirBnB will be empty till then. During that time period only, I am offering 30% off the cost of instruction for those who opt to stay with me. Details below.
If you are interested in lodging only, please 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.
Eugen Dolan’s Best Images
Eugen Dolan, 73, is a retired neurosurgeon now living in Toronto Canada. He taught brain surgery to Anita North. In an effort to improve his bird photography, he spent the past month with me at Sebastian Inlet. He consistently makes sharp images with his 200-600 and to his credit, is not afraid to use high ISOs to meet that goal while exposing properly to the right. Like many bird photographers, he suffers from middle-itis often placing the subject in the center of horizontal frames. This is a common malady among all photographers. Everyone needs to remember the Mike De Rosa rule: have more room in front of the subject than behind it, and more room above the subject than below. With today’s incredible mirrorless camera bodies, moving the bird back (and a bit down) in the frame has never been easier.
Anyhoo, despite bad weather luck, mostly involving wind-against sun conditions, he created an impressive portfolio of fine images. And those include more than a few that I wish were mine. Four of the images below were included in the video. Somehow I missed his very fine scratching Great Egret photo, Image #5, below.
What’s Up?
Friday morning began with lots of wave blur lessons. Then we had a great blue and a Great Egret perched on rocks just a few feet apart. Next was a backlit Willet in the surf. I was inspired by Misha who was first on the situation. Next, the Osprey action finally heated up with many birds diving for fish right next to the South Jetty. With sunny skies, the strong northeast wind was a problem; after the birds hit the water they immediately turned left and headed into the wind, away from Eugen, Misha, and me. After brunch, Eugen headed back to Orlando for his Monday flight home. Be sure to view the video above and learn a ton about bird photography, image design, and image optimization.
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This image was created by Eugen Dolan on 30 September 2025 at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). Standing at full height, he used the used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 70mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the thumb wheel. Multi Metering +1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 125: 1/60 second at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Shutter Priority mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/3 stop short of perfect. AWB at 7:19:33am on a then cloudy 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: Reddish Egret wave-scape blur |
Bird-scape/Wave-scape Blur
We always arrive very early in hopes of a spectacular sunrise like the one that greeted Steve Shore, wife Elisabeth, and me last 20 October. As there are almost always some clouds and or fog banks offshore, we often begin with the 70-200 lenses. In those predawn situations, I recommend starting off with shutter priority, AUTO ISO, and Exposure Compensation (EC) assigned to a convenient dial. With Sony, that is always the thumb wheel.
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This image was created by Eugen Dolan on 2 October 2025 at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). Standing at full height, he used the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 1600: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:22:40am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Spot XS/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Sanderling flock on beach |
Killer Pano Crop
Be sure to check out the originally mis-framed image in the video. No matter where Eugen placed the flock in the frame, a pano crop was the obvious choice. I applied a 33% Gaussian Blur to the background vegetation.
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This image was created by Eugen Dolan on 4 October 2025 at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). Standing at full height, he used the used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 4000: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:01:14am on a cloudy 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: Osprey with fish |
On Zooming to the Best Focal Length
For reasons unbeknownst to me, some folks find it difficult at times to zoom in or out when working with telephoto zoom lenses. Eugen sometimes wound up working at 200mm when 600mm would have been a far better choice. And at times, he finds it difficult to zoom out from 500 to 600mm and winds up clipping wings. On the other hand, he handled Image #3 perfectly by staying at 600mm and getting a ton of pixels on the subject. This one is un-cropped.
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This image was created by Eugen Dolan on 4 October 2025 at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). Standing at full height, he used the used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 6400: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that only the fish was over-exposed. AWB at 9:01:18am on a cloudy 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: Brown Pelican with fish in pouch |
Most Folks Would Have Deleted This Raw File Without Thinking Twice
As you see in the video, the raw file for this image looked washed out and hopelessly over-exposed. Experience told me that the exposure might actually be just fine. To be sure, I brought the raw file into RawDigger. It showed that only the fish was over-exposed. Converting the raw file with my basic workflow took less than a minute; moving the Black slider to the left brought the image to life. After painting a Quick Mask of the fish and applying a Linear Burn, it looked just fine. At ISO 6400, this one benefitted from my double noise reduction technique.
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This image was created by Eugen Dolan on 22 October 2025 at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). Standing at full height, he used the used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 400: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the . AWB at 8:01:14am on a cloudy 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: Great Egret scratching |
Pulled Out of the Hat
I refuse to give up. Wednesday past was poor by any standard. It was still with a gentle breeze from the west that had the few birds in the air flying away from us at the inlet. We made some very sweet wave blurs, lots of excellent cloud-scapes, and some fine backlit photos of a Reddish Egret in the surf. Mishael Voisin made the image of the morning when the Reddish Egret took flight.
As we left the park, I envisioned us finding a tame Great Egret at one of the two parks on the causeways at Wabassa. We did! And then spent 30 quality minutes with the quite handsome bird in Image #5. The driver (yours truly) and the passenger behind me (Misha) worked from my SUV while Eugen exited the vehicle and shot using the front end of the car as a blind.
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This image was created at Sebastian Inlet State Park on a BIRDS AS ART Extended Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) by Mishael Voison. Seated on the beach, he used the hand held Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens (White) with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 181mm) and the Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 160: 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:00:021am on a variably sunny morning. Whole Area AF with Animal Detection. Image #6: Reddish Egret backlit flight |
Misha’s Best on a Tough Morning
As above, there was not a lot going on at Sebastian Inlet last Wednesday. Misha stuck with this backlit Reddish Egret as it fished in the shallow surf. When the bird took flight, he made the single best image of the morning. By far. Right gear, right place, right time. And perfectly executed.
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From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Osprey with Mullet; Mullet school under attack from below; Wood Stork landing; Tarpon jumping; Reddish Egret landing; Osprey turning to begin dive; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART |
Sebastian Inlet in Fall
Sebastian Inlet in the fall attracts schools of migrating saltwater fish that in turn attract dozens of Ospreys — we’ve counted 61 in the air at once, along with hordes of hungry birds including Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, and Laughing Gull. Other species of birds feed on smaller baitfish; those include Wood Stork, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue heron, Little Blue Heron, and White Ibis. Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone are easily photographed. American Avocet is an uncommon visitor. Rare gulls have included Lesser Black-backed Gull (all ages), Franklin’s Gull (first winter), and in 2024, a spectacular young Sabine’s Gull that remained for several weeks.
As this location provides world class action for at least two months each year, bird photographers travel to Florida’s East Coast from all over the planet. You are invited not only to join me but to learn a ton about bird photography. Remember that the more time you spend at great locations, the more chance you have to enjoy perfect weather conditions and opportunities that leave you in awe.
The shared AirBnB approach has proven to be tremendously popular and is hugely beneficial to learning.
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From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with fish at dawn; Osprey with menhaden; Sanderling flock bird-scape blur; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Brown Pelican diving silhouette; 1-second breaking wave blur; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden blur; Osprey in flight/full downstroke; Snowy Egret/double overhead wingstretch. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART |
2025 BIRDS AS ART Sebastian Inlet Ospreys and More In-the-Field Sessions
Available Dates: Friday 26 September (arrive on Thursday 25 September) thru the morning session on Mon 24 November 2025.
Limit: four photographers.
In 2024, I had an AirBnB in Vero Lake Estates for 26 nights. I had so much fun and enjoyed so many great opportunities that I am returning next fall for two full months; the AirBnB is just 22 minutes from the inlet.
Getting There
You can fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and rent a car or fly to Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and explore the possibility of airport pick-up and drop-off or a taxi or uber ride to and from the AirBnB. Rides with me are available for $15/day on a space available basis. Folks who ride with me do not need to purchase a park pass but will need to kick in $2.00/day when we are charged.
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From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey diving; Osprey with menhaden; Brown Pelican with Yellow-tailed Menhaden in bill pouch; Sabine’s Gull/juvenile top shot; Osprey landing on Cabbage Palm stump; Wood Stork sunrise silhouette; American Avocet running with wings raised; Osprey diving with talons outstretched; Peregrine with wings fully raised. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART |
What You Will Learn
The very best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever you are and whenever you photograph.
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From upper left clockwise around to center: Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey overhead with bunker; Osprey with Yellow-tailed Menhaden; Osprey chase; Great Egret with pinfish; Osprey emerging with flounder; Great Egret taking flight; Osprey kiting; 1/8 second sunrise Atlantic Ocean blur. Click on the composite to see a larger, inexplicably sharper high res version. All images copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART |
Trip Costs and Booking Details
Change Your Life
Book any 3-6 Days: Lodging is $175/night. Instruction is $600/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are usually daily.
Please note: Folks who sign up for an odd number of days of instruction will enjoy half + 1 afternoon sessions (more are possible if conditions are good) Those who sign up for an even number of days will enjoy at least 1/2 that number of afternoon shooting sessions (more are possible if conditions are good)
Book any 7-10 Days: Lodging is $160/night. Instruction is $575/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.
Book any 11-14 Days: Lodging is $150/night. Instruction is $550/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.
Book any three weeks: Lodging is $130/night. Instruction is $525/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.
Stay for one month (28 nights): Lodging is $120/night. Instruction is $500/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.
Stay two months (60 nights): Lodging is $100/night. Instruction is $475/day. There is a morning session every day. Afternoon sessions average every other day. Image review and Photoshop sessions are almost daily.
Brunch is on me. Dinners are provided for $20/day. I am an excellent chef and the food both healthy and of high quality.
Please note: your day of arrival is not a day of instruction.
Deposit Information
Payment in full is due now. Please make the check out to:
BIRDS AS ART
And send it via US Mail to
BIRDS AS ART
PO Box 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855
I hope to spend some quality time with you at Sebastian Inlet in the fall of 2025 and to change your life. If you have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail or with a text to 863-221-2372.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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