More Blessings. Toys for Tots 2025: Please Donate Now

Additional Blessings

In the last blog post, I hit “Publish” with some trepidation thinking that I was surely leaving someone or something off my list of blessings. (The original list appears immediately below). To my list of countless blessings I must add:

11- Serendipitously meeting Dr. Cliff Oliver nearly 30 years ago on a Bosque IPT. Cliff is a chiropractor/nutritionist who is far smarter than any doctor I have ever met or know of. I have no doubt at all that had I not met Cliff all those years ago I would have been pushing up daisies (or Leavenworth’s Tickseed blossoms here at ILE) for quite some time. Cliff inspired me to quit killing myself with food and to this day remains a great friend and my #1 health advisor.

Dr. Oliver has been involved in complimentary holistic medicine since 1972, working with nutritional and structural therapies for the last 33 years. He has presented numerous times at facilities such as UCSD Neurology Conference, Scripps Clinic, and SDSU.
Currently in private practice, Dr. Oliver has treated thousands of patients with major health issues ranging from acute to chronic. He has treated both professional and amateur athletes assisting in the facilitation of improved performance. Dr. Oliver also served on the Advisory Task Force for the Gerson Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to the holistic treatment of degenerative diseases
Dr. Oliver’s extensive education and experience has provided him with the knowledge to make a major contribution in the creation of all three of the Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching Classes for the Chek Institute. He has integrated the holistic model of mind, body, and spirit into his teaching. For the last several decades he has been presenting international lectures in Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
In addition to his scientific and clinical background Dr. Oliver is an award winning and published nature (and surfing) photographer and an accomplished musician (having composed and performed the sound score for a documentary film) Having has shaped thousands of surfboards for some of the world’s elite surfers he holds several U.S. patents in surfboard design and has shaped thousands of surfboards for some of the world’s elite surfers.
He is in demand internationally by trainers, coaches and clients for his thought provoking, entertaining and practical approach to attaining and maintaining wellness. His patients, students and clients have nicknamed him “Doc Wellness” for his enthusiastic and passionate approach to helping them solve their problems and achieving their wellness goals. I call him “Doctor, doctor.”

12- The many thousands of folks over the past three decades who have commented on a blog post, attended a BAA Instructional Photo-Tour (or a seminar), assisted me on IPTs, purchased an item from the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, sold or bought used gear on the Used Gear Page, and those who have simply said “Hi” to me in the field.

13- The many supportive businesses who have kindly helped me out over the decades. Those include but are not in any way limited to B&H Photo and Video, Bedford Camera and Video, Canon USA (including especially Rudy Winston, Steven Inglima, the late Dave Metz, the late Michael Newler, and the late Chuck Westfall), Think Tank, and Delkin Devices.

From the previous blog post:

So what’s so wonderful in my life? In no particular order, here is the original (but incomplete) list:

1- I spent two months at Sebastian Inlet photographing birds every day.
2- I got to spend Thanksgiving my two truly wonderful daughters and their equally wonderful families.
3- While there, I learned that my grandson Idris, a high functioning autistic, was accepted to his first choice college, Pace University, and offered a four year, very generous scholarship.
4- I will be 80 years old this June. My health is pretty darned good. I have been a well controlled (for the most part) diabetic (on insulin) for about three decades. I have less than two pounds to go to get back to my fighting weight — 174. Almost seven months ago, I signed up for Body Magic Method, a course offered by Bruce Scott. It is a movement based practice that I have been following religiously since I signed up, never missing more than two sessions a month. Both shoulders have been problematic for at least twenty years. Eight years ago I slipped on a swim suit puddle in the hallway outside my bedroom and really messed up what had been my good shoulder, the left one, with a torn rotator cuff and more. My left knee (two arthroscopic surgeries thank you very much) has been giving me trouble for well more than five decades. The Body Magic program has helped a lot with both shoulders. Most importantly, it has — over time, become easier and easier for me to get up and down off the ground. This is of huge importance as getting low is an integral part of my photographic style. My left knee? Not so much, but I am keeping the wolf at the door. Recently the bone on bone discomfort and the restricted range of motion has improved (unexpectedly) seemingly as a result of taking Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder Unflavored Collagen Powder in hopes of strengthening the thin skin on my arms that rip and tear every time I brush against a wall or a door frame. Or the steering wheel of my BMW! There is lots of great free stuff on Bruce’s Instagram Body Mechanics Institute page here.
5-I have a comfortable home at Indian Lake Estates, FL where there is some decent bird photography pretty much 365 mornings a year (except leap years). The last two mornings here at ILE have been fantastic. And my lap pool is heated in winter and chilled in summer.
6-As noted here recently and often, I am enthralled by the autofocus capabilities of the mirrorless gear that I am using. I enjoy my time in the field immensely and somewhat strangely, I enjoy the heck out of processing my images and bringing them to life.
7-Being able to make a decent living doing what I love most is perhaps #2 on the list (after #4, above). I have, however, been mystified for years as to why so few folks have been signing up for IPTs. Why? Most but not all photography trip leaders do very little if any teaching.
8- Jim Litzenberg, who has worked for me for 22+ years, makes my life easier in more ways than you could imagine.
9- My ability to see the shot: to see a subject, evaluate the light and the wind, and then be able to put myself in position to create the image that I had visualized.
10- A closely related blessing is my ability to design an image instantly and utilize the a-1 ii’s AF system to pull it off.

(Please note: the best way for you to improve #9 and #10 is to join me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour.)

What’s Up?

Multiple IPT veteran and long time friend Ed Dow, visiting from California, stopped by ILE on Thursday afternoon. After a pool deck seared tuna dinner, we headed down to the lake for a bit. It was not great but Ed Was amazed at how tame the cranes are. We did photograph the rising super moon for a bit. Today is Friday 5 December. We rose early and headed back down to the lake. In short, we had an amazingly fabulous morning with a sunrise silhouetted tree full of vultures, a crane family and the setting super moon, dancing cranes, crane head portraits, a Little Blue Heron, a bathing Killdeer is early morning light, three foraging Limpkins, and a pied-billed Grebe in still blue water. We ended out morning by working several crane pairs in the North Field. I created 2490 as yet unedited images that include a few very good ones. Ed took off at noon for Fort Lauderdale to visit family. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you choose to have a wonderful day.

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.

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.

This image was created on 2 December 2025 down by the lake at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld peashooter rig, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 112mm) 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 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:06:23am on a variably 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: Sandhill Crane adult dancing as last year’s colt looks one Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Help A Child Jump for Joy This Holiday Season

via e-Mail Martin Wood CEO, President, and founder of Delkin Devices

Toys for Tots is good for everyone! There is no better feeling than making a kid happy at the holidays. It is about love and giving back. It is non-denominational, non-nonpolitical, and tax deductible; everyone can participate. 100% of the contributions go to the kids. The Marines volunteer and not one penny is deducted for anything.

The San Diego event is tomorrow as below. Donations are at $32,589.50, only $12,410.50 short of our last year total donations. The Marine Corp Crane is up and running and will make a showing at this year’s event. Along with a Troop Carrier, a Willys Jeep and whatever else the Marines bring. There are already 55 boxes of toys in the lobby (valued at $24,750) and 26 Bicycles with helmets (another $3,250). My math says we are right now about $60,000 in toys and donations. Last year we reached $185,000.00 and this year’s goal is $200K. That means that we are very short we need toys and donations. Please. If you have not given yet, please do, if you have people you can e-mail, please send them over. If you are in San Diego and have toys to drop off, we look forward to seeing you.

Martin Wood (in the Santa hat) with Delkin CFO Frank Provost, two San Diego Marines, a huge Toys For Tots check for $147,520!

To make it easy to donate you now have many options.

1] You can donate via PayPal by clicking here. That goes to us to buy toys on our big company buying spree.
2] You can purchase toys from Amazon by clicking here; they will be shipped to Delkin.
3] You can send us a check, made out to us or Toys for Tots here: (Delkin Devices Inc., 13350 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA 92064-7117 or drop one off at the Delkin offices or at the event.

Date: Saturday December 6th, 2025
Time: 11:00AM to 3:00PM (we will be there earlier and later)
Location: In the parking lot at Poway Wal-Mart off Poway Rd and Community.

There will be music all day and coupons for free food. If you are in the area please invite your neighbors, your friends, and your family and all those you know to help us out this year. Please remember, every penny and barbie doll goes to the kids through the US Marines.

The Marine Troop Carrier at the Delkin Office

Please Help/Toys For Tots

Martin and Delkin need your help to reach their goal this year. As above, he has always put his money where his heart is for the needy children of San Diego. Please stop what you are doing and help by clicking on one of the convenient Donate Links above; nobody but you will know that you have donated, but it is guaranteed that you will be enveloped by a warm glow if you do.

The 2025 BIRDS AS ART Toys For Tots donation check.

Please Give What You Can Comfortably Afford

A donation of as little as $5.00 can put smile on the face of a child this holiday season. Please Donate whatever you can afford. Every little bit helps but you need to act fast.

Thanks with love, artie

Hanukkah

Hanukkah (also spelled “Chanukah”), is an eight-day winter “festival of lights,” which begins each year on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar month of Kislev. Because the Hebrew calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the dates of Jewish holidays according to the Gregorian calendar change yearly. For this reason, the beginning of Hanukkah can range from late November to late December.

In short, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the occupying Greek armies. The festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and spirituality over materiality.

This festival commemorates events in Judea more than 2,000 years ago when the Syrian king Antiochus ordered the Jews to abandon the Torah and publicly worship the Greek gods. This act provoked a rebellion led by Judas Maccabeus, climaxed by the retaking of the Temple in Jerusalem, which the Syrians had desecrated. The army of Jews won despite their small numbers. In an eight-day celebration, the “Maccabees” (as the rebels came to be known), cleansed and rededicated the Temple.

According to the Talmud, there was only enough consecrated oil to re-light the candelabra for one day, yet, miraculously, it remained lit for eight days until a new supply of pure oil (likely olive oil), was made.

Adapted from the article by Catherine Boeckmann on the ALMANAC website here.

Typos

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