What’s Up?
About a week ago, I had three Greater Yellowlegs fly in left of the pier as I was driving away 🙁 I had never seen even one before. On Tuesday and Wednesday, a first-ever Sanderling visited the beach left of the pier, SOP (South of Pier) Bay. It has been difficult to keep track of the crane colts as some of the families are beginning to disperse. I am pretty sure that at least seven of the 12 chicks that hatched this season are doing well.
While clearing space on my laptop, I checked my ILE folders from last spring and learned that I was right: good sized flocks of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were present until early July. They have been very scarce for the past two weeks but I did have some good flight chances when a small group flew in at about 7:30am on Friday morning.
Today is Saturday 24 May 2025 and I will be heading down to the lake early as is usual when I am home. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
If an item — a Delkin flash card or a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro — 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.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
To learn of the late-registration discounts and AirrBnB availability for the Jackonsville Royal Terns with chicks and more extended IPT late June/early Julyl, or If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on an Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025) or in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Both offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and ground transportation during your stay.
BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
Why Attend? BIRDS AS ART Appearances, Speakers, Gear, Deals, and More!
I am pleased to announce that I will be doing portfolio reviews and four round table sessions at BILD this June. Here are the round table topics:
1- Systems, Lenses, and Camera Bodies for Bird Photography
2- Creating Sharp Bird Photographs
3- Bird Photography Hotspots
4- Creating Bird Photographs that depict Flight, Action, and Behavior
Stay tuned for a definitive schedule. I hope to see you there.
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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These two images were created on 21 May 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported/hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 476mm) 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: 1/1250 second at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. Top image: AWB at 7:10:22am on a windless, hazy, sunny morning. Tracking: Spot XS AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly Click on the composite to better be able to read the fine print Image #1:The two raw files for the Black-bellied Whistling Duck stitched pano below |
Creating a 2-Frame Stitched Panorama with a Super Telephoto or Super-telephoto Zoom Lens
1- Visualize the image.
2- Set the exposure in Manual mode.
3- If using a zoom lens, zoom to the desired focal length.
4- Create the frame with the bird in it with autofocus active, i.e., turned on. Note that for frame _DSC6105 I used the joystick to move the AF point to cover the bird.
5- Being careful not to change anything, move the AF switch to Off, reframe, and create the second image after allowing for 15% or so overlap.
6- Use your post processing skills to bring the two images together seamlessly. As below.
Note: this is a lot easier to do when you are on using a zoom lens on a tripod than when hand holding or working on a BLUBB- as there is less chance of changing the focal length when you move the AF switch to go to Manual focus. The added advantage of being on a tripod is that it is much easier to keep the lens square to the world when you pan.
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These two images were created on 21 May 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported/hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 476mm) 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: 1/1250 second at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. Top image: AWB at 7:10:22am on a windless, hazy, sunny morning. Tracking: Spot XS AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to view the larger, inexplicably sharper high res version Image #2: Black-bellied Whistling Duck stitched pano |
Elevation Question
When I visualized this two-frame stitched pano, my vehicle was on the beach. Fortunately, there is a small hill, perhaps 10 or 12 feet high, behind the bathroom building near the parking circle. Most conveniently, the hill was right on sun angle. What is the main reason that I drove to the top of the hill to create the two images that I needed to create the stitched panorama?
Note: I could have grabbed the 70-200, made a single image, and cropped to a pano? I did not that for two closely related reasons:
1- to get a lot more pixels on the subject.
2- to create a much larger image file.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Primarily, you raised your elevation to place the bird’s body within the water background. Secondarily, the elevation rise eliminated any distant, and potentially distracting, background.
Gorgeous. I don’t think out of the box enough. This gives me the incentive to think panorama more.
Artie
That is a cool photo stitch thingy wish I knew how to do that. It would be a great over the sofa picture.
You were on the hill so the head of the Duck was below the grasses as if you were 10 feet lower the head would have been much more into the grasses. The hill is a much Gooder Composition
Always with love b