Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images best tells the story? Why?

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post everyone chose Judy’s soft light landing spoonbill as their top pick (and that included me as well). My second pick was image #1, the tern with its wings raised and the nice blue sky.

What’s Up?

Steve Shore made it safely back to Dallas on Saturday after spending seven days with me at Nickerson Beach. His photography has improved dramatically since Sebastian Inlet last fall. Vasili Chernishof arrived safely from Pasadena and arrived at the AirBnB even before we got back from our morning session that day. He will be here for eight days. We attended the Mets game at Citi Field last night, got to witness a great game, and saw Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean go behind-the-back to begin a wicked ending inning double play. His first ever major league appearance got him his first major league victory. Check out the smile on his face after he makes the amazing play below. And check out the smile on the face of Mets first baseman Pete Alonzo; he thought it was a pretty darned good play! The batter: not so much.

Today is Sunday 17 August 2025. Vasili’s first session went quite well, again despite the wind against sun conditions. We did lots of backlit flight. We will be headed to the beach at about 6pm for some more fun and learning. Whatever you opted to do today, I hope that you chose to have fun and be happy.

I still have room at the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $2299.00.

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.

This image was created on 16 August 2025 on the second 2025 Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing on the beach, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78 at 6.8mm. ISO 64: 1/480 sec. at f/1.8. 7:26:30am on a cloudy bright morning. Image #1: Fledged and flying young Black Skimmer Image Copyright 2025 by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART<

My First Instinct

My first instinct when I saw that the handsome and healthy young skimmer had been run over by a beach vehicle, most likely while it slept on the beach, was to go in tight with the I-phone and shoot straight down. Note the blood drops in the image above.

My first emotion was anger as such deaths occur pretty much every day. When I ask the research about preventing all driving on the beach in the vicinity of the colony I’m told that such a move would be impossible (for a variety of reasons mostly having to do with local ordinances. The number of vehicles on the beach seems to have been reduced over the years but there are still way too many — police cars, safety officers, garbage trucks, and beach cleaning machines are a common sight.

This image was also created on 16 August 2025 on the second 2025 Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Standing on the beach, I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78 at 2.2mm. ISO 40: 1/340 sec. at f/2.2. 7:28:29am on a cloudy bright morning. Image #2: Fledged and flying young Black Skimmer run over by vehicle Image Copyright 2025 by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART<

On Second Thought …

On second thought, I realized that a wide angle bird-scape might work well so I went to .5X. Note the three photographers sitting peacefully by the colony ropes in the top left corner of the frame (properly positioned for the cloudy skies and southeast breeze) as well as my unattended tripod on the beach. Note also the almost countless sets of tire tracks.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which two of today’s nine featured images do you like best? Please let us know why you made your choices.

Please note that to better guide you, the nine images are arranged by time of capture (without regard to the date).

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post here, I loved both of the avian images but if I could have kept only one, it would be the bird-scape, Image #1. I love the placement of the bird, the relatively soft light, the nest image design, and the included beach vegetation. IMHO, Patrick Sparkman’s comment put a smile on my face. That and my response are worth reading.

Nickerson Gear

I have been heading to the beach most sessions with my new love, the Sony 400-800mm G Lens. On some afternoons, I grab only the 300mm f/2.8 lens with both TCs in my beloved fanny pack. By Monday I had used the 600mm f/4 L GM lens only once, that in the afternoon. But the last two mornings I have headed out with the 600, both TCs, and my tripod. After shooting the backlit stuff on the tripod I grab the 600 and have been handholding it up and down the beach for feeding oystercatchers, flight, and more. The funny thing is that after doing so much handheld work with the relatively 400-800 I am much more capable of handholding the six! Go figure.

What’s Up?

Despite the continuing sunny mornings with south and southwest winds (bad), Steve and I have been doing quite well. In today’s post, the first of two parts, I share nine images from Sunday and Monday that can give you some ideas as to what to try when things are looking bleak because of wind-against-sun conditions. On Tuesday, Mr. Shore got a killer image of a backlit skimmer chick digging a scrape; you should be seeing it in the next blog post. This morning, we had some decent chances on getting a few red light district photos …

Today is Wednesday 13 August. We will be headed to the beach at about 6pm for some more fun and learning. I still have room at the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $1899.00.

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.

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.

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 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Standing at full height, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported 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 using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Shutter Priority +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1000. 1/30 second at f/8 (wide-open). AWB at 6:05:24am on a clear day before sunrise. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Wide/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Canada Goose flock blur (with one Common Tern) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Number One Rule for Dealing with Challenging Wind-Against-Sun Conditions in the Morning

The first thing you need to do to have a chance when the forecast is calling for clear skies and west or southwest winds in the summer is to get out early, well before sunrise. This gives you chances for creating blurs and, if there is some color in the eastern sky, a few pleasing silhouettes. Some light clouds, fog, or haze in the east will often yield some nice sky color at sunrise, and, in addition, create opportunities for using gentle backlight. On dead-clear mornings, you have a chance for the Red Light District photos. We have been trying for those without success.

As folks who have been on an IPT and those who study the blog regularly know, I am a huge fan of using Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Wheel for predawn blurs. I set that up on my a-1 ii so that I can be ready instantly when something interesting flies by. As with Image #1.

Keep reading for some additional tips on succeeding in wind-against-sun conditions.

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported 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 5000!: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:54:55am 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 #2: Common Tern landing at nest site — peach sky silhouette Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Hazy Sunrises!

For traditional front lit flight photography, you want the wind and the sun behind you so that the birds are flying, landing, and taking off towards you. When faced with wind-against-sun conditions, the wind will be behind you and the rising sun in your face. Throw in some haze as we had on Sunday morning and you can experience some magical sky colors. Handheld flight with the handheld Sony 400-800 is a great option. But for some or many folks like me, your shoulders (my right) will feel it after a while.

On Monday afternoon I did a long flight session with the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported supported Sony 400-800. The funny thing is that the more I practice with that combination the more comfortable I become and the more successful I am. Go figure.

This image was created on 11 August 2025 by student/friend Steve Shore on a wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Lying flat on dry sand, he used the flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, 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: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:34.14am with the sun fronted by haze. 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 #3: Gently backlit Black Skimmer on two-egg scrape Image courtesy of and copyright 2025: Steve Shore

Knowing Bird Behavior Helps All the Time

After I spotted this two-egg clutch, we sat down about 20 feet from the scrape just as the sun was breaking though the haze. With the nest lined up with the sun, this provided the gentle backlight you see in Steve’s fine image. Once we got on the ground, the bird came back to sit on her eggs in less than a minute. With the southeast breeze, it was highly likely that the skimmer would be facing us as she nestled down. And that is exactly what she did. I love Steve’s choice of height perspective and background. I made about 200 images of this same bird but none were as good at Mr. Shore’s.

This image was created five seconds after Steve Shore created Image #3 (above) on 11 August 2025 on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT. Seated on dry sand, 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 1600!: 1/400 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 6:34:19am on a sunny morning with a west wind. 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: Black Skimmer on ridge with beach grass background Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Subjects Facing the “Wrong” Way

This advice usually applies to birds in flight but is equally applicable when looking for subjects on the ground; for whatever reasons, birds do not always face into the wind. A universal tip for improving your bird photography is to get in the habit of checking behind you every once in a while. While Steve was creating Image # 3, I happened to look behind me and was surprised to see this handsome skimmer sitting on a ridge facing pretty much to the south rather than the expected southwest. I pointed the situation out to Steve and said, “All we need now is a slight head turn toward us.”

This image was created on 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 600mm) 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 6:52:09am on a sunny morning with some haze in the eastern sky. 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 calling in flight — golden sky silhouette Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

A Bad Flight Wind Direction is Best for Silhouettes

As the sun was already about 15 degrees above the horizon, my directions to Steve were to look for birds flying above the grasses but below the sun. I added, “Though the sky there looks pretty white to us, there is a ton of gold in it.” The haze, of course, helps with the color.

This image was created on 11 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Seated on dry sand, 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 1600: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:01:31am on a sunny morning with some haze in the eastern sky. 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 attacking sleeping chick (not its own) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Watch For Backlit Action

I turned back around too the gentle backlight and when an adult skimmer approached a chick to our left that had been sleeping in its scrape for more than half an hour. I swing the lens around just as the adult began whacking at the chick with its bill. Adult skimmers will instinctually attack and even kill chicks from other nests that wind up in their territories. I acquired focus and fired away before the check scooted. As the chick did not respond to the first few pecks, Steve, for a few seconds, thought that it was dead !

Had it been a bright sunny morning, this backlit image would not have worked because the contrast would have been too great. A little bit of haze never hurts!

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Standing in the shallow surf to stay close to sun angle, 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 7:15:14am on a fully 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: American Oystercatcher with mole crab Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Feeding Shorebirds in the Surf

Though foraging shorebirds are affected by the wind direction to some degree, they will at times feed, run, or pose parallel to the imaging sensor. With the morning high tides, we have been having a hard time with the oystercatchers feeding in the surf. Every time we approach a foraging family, they run up onto the beach above the berms before we even get near them. This was the first one we had any luck with. We did quite well on Tuesday morning on an adult with a handsome juvenile in the gorgeous white foam of breaking waves.

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Sitting on damp sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 715mm) 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 1000: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:23:35am 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 #8: Great Black-backed Gull on berm at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Keep Looking for Subjects Facing the “Wrong” Way

Rather than looking to the southwest into the relatively strong breeze, this bird — for reasons unknown, stood facing southeast and thus, was perfectly square to the back of the camera. I made lots of frames in search of the best breaking wave. The ghost of a Common Tern with its wings raised was the icing on that cake!

This image was created on 10 August 2025 on another wind-against-sun morning on a Nickerson Beach Extended IPT with multiple IPT veteran and good friend Steve Shore. Sitting on dry sand and facing into the wind, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 445mm) 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: 1/3200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:45:07am 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: Black Skimmer with Striped Killifish for chick(s) Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Look for Subjects Flying the “Wrong” Way (or Banking)

Later in the mornings when the backlight is too harsh, turn around, put the sun at your back, and see if you can get on a bird or two that is flying toward you. You need to be fast as the bird will be flying with the wind behind it and thus will be traveling much faster than birds flying into the wind. At times with wind against sun conditions, you can make some good images of birds turning in flight. To improve your chances for those, study the flight patterns carefully. And, with really strong winds blowing right in your face, you can always try for the back shots of birds braking to land. Though made on a cloudy day, the Common Tern landing away images in the blog post here (#s 6, 7, & 8), are superb examples of what you might be looking for.

Image #9 is not the greatest flight shot ever. The light is getting harsh and I do not like the placement of the horizon line. But it is a good example of what to look for when trying to create front-lit flight shots in wind-against-sun condition.

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.

Typos

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

Nickerson Beach in August is a bird photographer’s paradise. Clockwise from top left back to the center: Black Skimmer with tiny fish for chick (400-800 at 800mm); Great Black-backed Gull juvenile playing with seaweed (400-800 at 800mm); American Oystercatcher head portrait (400-800 at 800mm); Common Tern landing at nest with fish for chick (400-800 at 750mm); American Oystercatcher in fresh juvenal plumage (400-800 at 457mm); small Common Tern chick (400-800 at 800mm); Common Tern fledged flying young (400-800 at 800mm); Black Skimmer adult with needlefish for chick (300mm f/2.8 GM w/1.4X TC at 420mm); Common Tern on snow fence post at sunset (300mm f/2.8 GM w/2x TC at 600mm). Be sure to click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

From the First Three Days

After two pretty good cloudy sessions, conditions the last few mornings have been good: sunny with a northeast wind usually switching to east. A strong east wind has made sunny afternoons challenging. I’ve managed to make a few good ones each day and so did multiple IPT veteran Judy Stepanaskie who just waved goodbye. I will be heading to JFK in a few minutes to pick up multiple IPT veteran Steve Shore who is here for a week. Note that seven of the images in the composite were created with the Sony 400-800 GM, even those made in overcast conditions.

Nothing New

On a sunny Saturday morning, there were at least 20 bird photographers at Nickerson Beach. One or possibly two of them had a clue as to how to create a good bird photograph. Most everyone was shooting 90 degrees of sun angle. Simply put, they were not in position to create a pleasingly lit image. Every ne I am talking about was carrying gear that cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 or more. But, spend a few dollars to learn how to improve? Out of the question.

Scroll down to learn about joining me at Nickerson Beach before I head home in a month.

On our way back to the car I spotted a nice juvie oystercatcher just posing. I got on the ground to soften up the tire track background. Here comes a guy with a Nikon 600 on his shoulder walking right down the tire track toward my bird. I could have said something, but opted not to. Anyhoo, the guy, 100% oblivious, kept coming and of course flushed the bird I was photographing. He turned around and still standing, began to photograph a band adult AMOY on the beach. I got up, intentionally walked right in front of him, and flushed the bird. I was hoping that he would have something to say. But he did not.

Sony 400-800 GM Lenses

Steve Elkins of Bedfords texted me yesterday and let me know that he has six of my favorite lenses in stock. To grab yours, click here and choose standard shipping. 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. Best of all, you will earn a free copy of the BAA Sony 400-800mm GM Lens Guide.

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 a month 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.

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.

This image was created on 8 August 2025 on the first Nickerson Beach IPT. Seated on dry sand behind my lowered Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 1200mm) 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/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:28:45am on sunny afternoon when our shadows were long. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: Black Skimmer on scrape with one of its two chicks

Wish That I Had Been a Bit Wider

This image was made on Friday afternoon as Judy and I sat by the colony ropes. After I pressed the shutter button on this one, I said to her, I just got a very good one!. I was right. I would have liked to have been a bit wider so as to include the complete shadow of the adult’s bill. But I love all the sharp detail that I got at 1200mm. I could have expanded canvas tried to re-create the shadow but opted to go to bed instead.

Too Bad That They Do Not Award Nobel Prizes for Image Cleanup

I used my usual cadre of cleanup tools to create a more pleasing image. Those primarily included the Patch Tool and the Remove Tool. I finished up by applying a 65-pixel Gaussian Blur that was painted in judiciously (I hope) after the addition of a Hide All (Inverse, or Black) Layer Mask. While the results are quite impressive (he said modestly), the process is actually very easy to learn. All you need to do is master the use of the Tools.

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II). You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.

The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)

The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with my complete digital workflow, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, and all my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.

Please note: the Divide and Conquer technique was inadvertently omitted from DB II. It is detailed in a free excerpt in the blog post here.

Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: most of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.

You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here. Today, I convert my Sony raw files in Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.

You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.

The Digital Basics III Video Series

The Digital Basics III Video Series

I realized two years ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.

As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born.

You can order your copy here. The videos will be most valuable for folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom along with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Summer bird photography at Nickerson Beach is excellent.

Nickerson Beach 2025 Educational Opportunities

Please note that prices for both the IPTs and the ITF sessions have been reduced in an effort to attract new blood. Please e-mail for late registration discount info.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $1899.00.

Three afternoon sessions, three morning sessions, two brunches with Image Review & Photoshop sessions. AirBnB lodging and rides with the leader possible. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Morning BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS) followed by brunch and an Image Review & Photoshop session: $449.00/per session

Available dates: AUG 10-31, SEPT 1-5, 2025. Please get in touch with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net (and please BCC birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) and/or via a text to 863-221-2372 with questions or to register.

Afternoon BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS): $299.00/session.

Available dates: AUG 10-15 & 17-31, SEPT 3-5, 2025. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

Morning and afternoon sessions may be combined and multiple days of instruction are feasible.

Morning In the Field Instruction at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge may be available — 7/21-22/25.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they combine to affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

Typos

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

Peter Kes is job hunting

Peter Kes

Peter Kes, friend of 3 decades and longtime BAA blog webmaster, is a brilliant IT (information technology) and computer expert. He is currently living on and running a Bushveld Farm in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA (Republic of South Africa) and is looking to re-locate. You can learn more about Peter and check out his impressive resume at his LinkedIn profile page here. You can contact Peter via e-mail.

Add Green Whenever Possible

I think that those words were first penned in the original The Art of Bird Photography. If you are doing bird photography, they are just as true today as they were three decades ago. As you view today’s three featured images, consider the use of green in the backgrounds and in the last two photos, note the placement of the line of demarcation.

Please do not be fooled by thinking that the placement of the line of demarcation is either “what it is” or is accidental. You change the placement of the quasi-horizon line by getting your lens a few inches higher of lower. But only if you notice it while designing the image.

Your Call?

Which of the three is the strongest image? Why?

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post that featured the Tricolored Heron/dragonfly images, most folks preferred the second image for a variety of very good reasons. I preferred Image #1 because of the elegant position and “pose” of the dragonfly that resulted in the photo having a lovely flow to it. In addition, I like the wider view in the first image. And I far prefer the background in the first image because the line of demarcation does not merge with either the bird’s bill or the dragonfly in it. And yes, Add Green Whenever Possible!

What’s Up

The Auto Train trip so far has been blessedly uneventful so far. We should be arriving in Lorton, VA a bit early at 8:30am I pay the $65 extra for Early Off — they guarantee that your vehicle will be among the first 30 off the train. I cannot say that I am lookin forward to the drive to Lido Beach. Google Maps shows it as “typically 4 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes.” In other words, you might hit some nasty delays. I will try to get out of the car every 90 minutes or so to loosen up. Throw in a stop for brunch and gas and I would be thrilled to get to my AirBnB by 6pm. If that happens and it is sunny with a west wind, I might actually head out to the beach to see how the birds are doing.

I did get lots of work done on the train. First, I consolidated all of my June and July 2025 images from Jacksonville, ILE, and Nickerson Beach (on my BILD visit). Then I did second edits on the three new folders along with Homer 2025. The result: I gained .15TB of space by getting from 4.75 TB available down to 4.9 TB available by deleting many thousands of pretty much perfect photographs.

I learned on Monday (!) that multiple IPT veteran Judy Stepenaskie was taking advantage of the late registration discount and will be joining me for the mini IPT; she is driving up from Philadelphia on Wednesday.

I still have room in the AirBnB for the last Nickerson Beach IPT:

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $1899.00.

Today is Tuesday 5 August 2025 and I have lots of driving to do. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

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.

This image was created on 17 July 2025 on the North Field near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 700mm) and the SONY a-1, (now replaced by The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera). The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2500: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:29:50am 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 #1: Sandhill Crane large colt about 4 months old. Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sweet

Sweet early morning light, a distant background, the nice clean bill, and one of the (at least) two surviving lakefront colts combined here to create a dramatic head and neck portrait of the handsome young crane. How did zooming out for 800 to 700mm help with the depth of field?

Speaking of zooming with a super-telephoto lens, I will often go with the much slower Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) and leave the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens in the back of my SUV (or on the passenger side front seat). Why? Being able to fine tune the image design by zooming in or out adds tremendous versatility.

This image was created on 19 July 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Walking on the pier, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (at 1200mm!) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter 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: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:10:41am 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 #2: Crested Caracara on pier railing Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

A Rare Second Chance

With large piles of dead mayflies at the base of the pier, a pair of caracaras had been hanging around for several days. On the 18, I put my 1200mm rig on the monopod for the first time ever, and attempted to get in position for a shot by sneaking out from behind the corner of the small pump house just north of the base of the pier. I was too aggressive and both birds flew. Next day: same deal. Only this time I was much more cautious and poked my lens just out from the corner of the structure with me mostly hidden behind it. The second time was the charm.

Sharp at 1200mm at 1/800 sec. on a monopod is nothing to sneeze at. I leaned my right side onto the small building and took care to held as still as possible by bracing the lens against the corner of the structure. The Optcial Stabilization System OSS) on the lens and in the camera (IBIS) insured a sharp image in iffy conditions.

If I had been on the tripod I would have scared the birds for sure and gone home empty-handed. As much as I am not a huge fan pf monopods, there are certain situations when they cannot be beaten.

Why the tall, skinny crop? I do not like including the pier railing in an image unless it is absolutely necessary.

This image was created on 19 July 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Walking on the pier, I used the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65/Wimberley MonoGimbal Head-supported 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 1600: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:59:23am 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 #3: Limpkin on pier railing calling Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Monopod to the Rescue — Again!

By no stretch of the imagination is the Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) a lightweight. When photographing birds, the battle is often waiting for the bird to do something neat. Or exciting. Or both. When head hunting handheld on the pier with the 4-8, keeping the shot frame indefinitely is an impossibility for me. Fatigue becomes a problem in about a minute. Oftentimes, the moment you take a break, the bird does something fabulous. So, when I begin to hurt, I need to lower the lens for a few seconds, raise it again, and the hope that something good happens. Rinse and repeat. With the lens supported by a decent monopod with the world’s best monopod head, I can wait all morning. On the morning of the 19th, the monopod was the right tool for a variety of jobs.

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 a month 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 send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

The summer doldrums continue but I manage to rustle up a good chance or two every morning. Wednesday yielded a few decent keepers: Snowy Egret, Black Vulture, and Anhinga. There was a big mayfly hatch on Thursday morning at the north end of the North Field. Eight young Great Egrets, an adult Little Blue Heron, two dozen White Ibises, and two dozen very shy Fish Crows feasted on the small but juicy tidbits.

I’ve been using the 400-800 more and more every day. It pairs perfectly with either the 600mm f/4 GM and the 2X or with the 300mm f/2.8 GM bare or with either TC. The more I use it, the more I love it. If you decide to purchase one, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links to earn a free copy of the BAA Sony 400-800mm Lens Guide. Confused? e-mail me for details.

I began packing for my trip to Long Island. I take the Auto Train north to Lorton, VA on Monday afternoon.

Today is Friday 1 August 2025 and I will of course be heading down to the lake early in search a miracle or two. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If you’ve been thinking of joining me for one of the two Nickerson Beach IPTs, please e-mail for late registration discount info. See here and scroll down for details.

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.

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.

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 as I walked west on the pier at the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL: 29 July 2025 during the ILE summer doldrums. I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 553mm) and SONY A-1, (now replaced by 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 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:32:06am on a sunny, hazy morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Today’s Featured Image: Great Blue Heron flying away Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Great Blue Heron Pier Party

Early on Tuesday past, there was a young Great Blue Heron in the bay south of the pier. I made a few images with both the 400-800 and the 600mm f/4 with the 2X TC. When it flew up to the pier railing, I drove around the lakefront for a very few minutes but came up empty. So I headed back to the base of the pier. Not only was the handsome young heron still on the railing, there were four adult great blues farther out on the pier, all standing on the railing. I had never seen more than two before that. There was also a Great Egret, a Limpkin, several Anhingas, a young Green Heron, and a half dozen vultures. I took off my shirt to get some Vitamin D, put on my sun hat, and grabbed the 400-800. I created a variety of head and neck portraits of the young great blue and kept nearly two dozen of those (out of about 400). The best of those will be featured in a future blog post showing some of the options available when working a tame subject.

With the sun behind me and coming over my right shoulder, a brisk wind from the west was right in my face. On occasion, one or more of the GBHs (including the young bird), would take flight and re-alight on the railing farther out on the pier. With the lessons from Quintessential firmly in my head, I realized that there was a tiny chance of making a very good image as the bird flew away from me and braked to land. So I did exactly what I wrote and came up with one very special flight shot.

Note that zooming out to 553mm with my now favorite and most-used lens, the Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E), saved the day as the image as presented in nearly full frame. The a-1 did a fine job by getting the focus point on the heron’s neck; the distance took care of the depth-of-field so that the bird’s eye was sharp at the wide open aperture.

Continue reading to check out the advice that I followed.

Sample Page #1. Image copyright 2024: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, the senior author. Page 254 of The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

Sample Page #1

Birds in flight that are flying away from you may at times provide spectacular views of the dorsal wing surfaces.

Image copyright 2024: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, the senior author. Sample pages #2 & 3. Pages 106 & 107 of The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

Sample pages #2 & 3

It is — for many reasons, imperative that you shoot aggressively when doing flight photography. If you wait for it to be perfect, you will usually wind up with nothing. That said, most of my flight sequences rarely consist or more than seven or eight frames; I do not blast away at specks and once the bird is past the light and flying away from me I quit shooting.

Image copyright 2024: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, the senior author. Sample page #4 Page 108 of The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

Sample page #4

Sometimes you need to press the shutter button just in case the bird or birds turn back to look at you. The Great Egret above was flying directly away from me but turned abruptly when the gull grabbed the fish. With today’s featured image, the bird was landing and looking away. It raised its crest and turned it head because there was an adult great blue chasing it from below right. About and inch of the tip of the adult bird’s bill was in the original uncrossed frame.

Shooting flight aggressively can enable you to make images that on the surface, would seem impossible.

The title says it all. Purchase your copy here. The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight by Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D., and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

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.

Flight photography is a skill that can be studied, practiced, and learned. Learn to get better in 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):

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 purchase your copy here.

Typos

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

Need You Help Twice

#1:Have you ever purchased a new Nikon, Canon, Olympus, or Sony camera body that came with a battery that could not be charged with the stuff that came in the original box? If yes, which one?

#2: The Sony a-1 ii costs $6,998.00 new. It comes with a double charger, Sony BC-ZD1 Battery Charger. However, no cord or plug is included with your purchase. (I did not notice until Friday past when I began setting up Alvin Stevens’ camera body.) I called Sony Pro Support to verify that I had not misplaced the cord. I was told that they no longer included a cord or a plug for the charger because “everybody has one and other companies are doing the same thing.” So, I asked exactly what was needed. First, I was told to purchase Sony Part Number 1-912-742-21 for $13.95. That cord is perhaps six inches long at most. I also encountered this notice: This item is currently out of stock until 08/06/2025 (or 9 days). But, this cord does not come with any sort of plug. So, I called back and was told to purchase a Sony 30W Fast charger XQZUC1/B- for $49.99. It comes with a cord that looked to be about six inches long (but nobody could verify that).

So, the question is, what are your thoughts on a $7,000 camera body that comes without a usable charger and requires you to make an additional purchase if you wish to charge the camera body?

What’s Up?

I was hoping to have my laptop back before this is published. I sent it to Apple in Memphis, TN by Fed-Ex on Monday 21 July. As I never look at or work my images on a desktop computer, I have been keeping all the images from my morning shooting sessions on Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Cards, one in each of my two Sony a-1 bodies. I am hoping to get laptop back very soon. As always, you can get in touch by e-mail. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

The last two mornings have been typically slow but with (at least) one miracle per session. On Saturday, I ran into a very handsome, ridiculously tame Black-bellied Whistling Duck. After getting out of the car and making head and neck portraits with the 400-800, I stood up, went back to my SUV, and switched that for the 600mm f/4 and the 2X TC so that I could create some nice head portraits. On Sunday, I photographed a handsome adult Tricolored Heron in the bay south of the pier. Every time it ran to grab a tiny fish it either ran away from me or ran well off of sun angle. After a bit, it flew to the pier and landed on the railing. Long story short, I grabbed the 400-800 and walked right up to the bird. Amazingly, it snatched a medium sized dragonfly out of midair. It had trouble swallowing it breakfast so I created several hundred images. I am, as always, hoping for one really good one.

Today is Monday 28 July 2025 and I will of course be heading down to the lake early in search of yet another miracle. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If you’ve been thinking of joining me for one of the two Nickerson Beach IPTs, please e-mail for late registration discount info.

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.

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.

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 5 July 2025 at Hueguenot Memorial Park, Jacksonville, FL. Standing at full height I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel; 1/2000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was 1/3 stop short of dead solid perfect: AWB at 6:47:51pm on a cloudy afternoon. Manual focus trick performed perfectly. Learn more below. Image #1: (Handsome) Royal Tern chick on crowded beach with terns, gulls, and pelicans. Image copyright 2025 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Bird-scape Tips

1- Always focus on the closest bird.
2- In a perfect world, the closest bird will have something special about it, a neat pose, or in this case, a handsome plumage. I call the plumage of this young royal “checkerboard.” It is my favorite of the many, many variations.
3- Whether you are shooting horizontally or vertically, always place the closest bird in a corner of the frame.
4- Work wide open so that depth is added to the image as focus falls off with the distance.

A Handheld Bird-scape Focusing Trick

As noted above, focusing on the closest bird is of utmost importance; that is why it is #1 above :-). For years I have always moved a small focusing point so that it falls right on the (small in the frame) subject and attempted to focus actively when making a short series of images. This is much easier to say than to do — especially when handholding. If the lens moves a smidgeon, the selected AF point will fall of the subject and focus will be thrown off.

I say often that every time I am in the field (in other words, pretty much every day recently), I am striving to learn or figure out something new. One afternoon at Huguenot I had a revelation. While creating the bird-scape above I got tired of struggling with the focus. So, with the smallest AF point in the middle of the frame, I focused on the handsome bird and then reached up and turned the AF switch to M. Standing in the same spot — I did not need to be terribly precise at all as depth of field at a distance is large, I simply reframed the image and made a few photos. All of them were sharp on the subject bird. And, if your camera is set up for focus peaking, the subject will be overlaid in whatever color you have set in the menu. In my case, red.

If you are handholding, why will this trick work only with distant subjects?

I’ve used manual focus before for bird-scapes when working on a tripod but never realized how effective it can be when handholding (until recently) :-). If you have already tried focusing when creating handheld bird-scapes, I tip my hat to you.

Bird-scape?

If you look for a formal definition of the word bird-scape, you will come up empty. Why? It is one of the many bird photography terms coined by artie in his 42-years of doing what he loves.

Summer bird photography at Nickerson Beach is excellent.

Nickerson Beach 2025 Educational Opportunities

Please note that prices for both the IPTs and the ITF sessions have been reduced in an effort to attract new blood. Please e-mail for late registration discount info.

Nickerson Beach 3 Day Mini IPT: WED AUG 6 afternoon thru the morning session on SAT AUG 9, 2025: $1899.00.

Three afternoon sessions, three morning sessions, two brunches with Image Review & Photoshop sessions. AirBnB lodging and rides with the leader possible. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $1899.00.

Three afternoon sessions, three morning sessions, two brunches with Image Review & Photoshop sessions. AirBnB lodging and rides with the leader possible. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Morning BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS) followed by brunch and an Image Review & Photoshop session: $449.00/per session

Available dates: AUG 10-31, SEPT 1-5, 2025. Please get in touch with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net (and please BCC birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) and/or via a text to 863-221-2372 with questions or to register.

Afternoon BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS): $299.00/session.

Available dates: AUG 10-15 & 17-31, SEPT 3-5, 2025. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers. You can also shoot me a text to 863-221-2372.

Morning and afternoon sessions may be combined and multiple days of instruction are feasible.

Morning In the Field Instruction at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge may be available — 7/21-22/25.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they combine to affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

Typos

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

Wanted to Buy

Looking for a Sony a-9 iii in Excellent plus or better condition for a friend. If you have one that you would like to sell, please shoot me an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and I will put you in touch with the potential buyer.

Great News!

Both Bedford and B&H have a1 II Mirrorless Cameras in stock. Order yours using one of my two affiliate links to earn a free copy of both the camera setup guide. Then join an IPT to learn to use your new camera body like a pro. Please e-mail if you need help with an affiliate link.

All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide

I continue to be amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking and the overall performance of the camera. Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, the rear screen that tilts both horizontally and vertically is a huge plus, as is Pre-capture that allows me to create take-off images that I missed! The resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. And the 51MP files are to die for.

If you plan on purchasing Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the Sony a-1 ii, please click here to purchase from B&H and earn your free a-1 ii e-Mail Guide. Or, get 3% back on your credit card by purchasing from Bedfords using this link and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout. Folks who use one of the two affiliate links above to purchase their Sony a-1 ii will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up), a Buttons and Dials Guide, and the a1- ii Info Sheet for free.

If you have already purchased an a-1 ii, you can join the e-mail group by sending a PayPal for $227.43 to us at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.. So, yes, it never hurts to use my affiliate links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail. before you make a major purchase, I can always advise you and often save you some money.

What’s Up?

I am still without my laptop 🙁 I sent my MackBook Pro M1 to Apple in Memphis, TN by Fed-Ex on Monday morning past. On Tuedsay, I got the dreaded e-mail: Your repair is on hold. We’ve ordered a new part that’s required to complete the repair. As I never look at or work my photos on a desktop computer, everything from my photo sessions is on one of two Delkin Devices 960GB BLACK CFexpress Type A 4.0 Memory Cards, one in each of my two (back-up) Sony a-1 bodies. I sent my two a-1 ii bodies to Sony to be cleaned and checked before I leave for New York via the AUTO Train on 4 AUG.

If you need to get in touch, please shoot me an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and/or a call a text to 863-221-2372.

Tuesday morning began slowly. I found a scruffy young Great Egret preening on the tiny dock near the boat ramp. It suddenly jumped down, snatched a Bluegill from the canal, and flew back onto the dock where it posed for tight head shots. I am hoping for one good head angle. When I got out of the pool that afternoon it began to rain. As I drove down to the lake the rain was coming down in sheets and the wind was strong from the north. I just missed getting into position on a bathing Osprey but soon thereafter had a ball with two Black-bellied Whistling Ducks as it continued to pour. Next up was a great blue that unfortunately did not catch anything. With the heavy rain and the wind from the north, the trick was to point my car west and shoot out the driver’s window off the BLUBB. That way, only your lens gets wet; the camera stays dry.

Though the summer doldrums continue and the breeze on Wednesday morning was from the W/SW (bad), I enjoyed an excellent morning with lots of tight stuff on the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (again working off the BLUBB at 1200mm). After that, a young Great Egret grabbed a large dragonfly with a green head — I worked that with the handheld 400-800. I can’t wait to see all of my images. I am hoping against hope to get my laptop back on Friday but that is not looking good.

Today is Thursday 24 July 2025 and I will be heading down to the lake early to see if I can make a good image or two. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If an item — a Delkin flash card, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate — 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.

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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

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) in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh mid-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.

This image was created on 3 December 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Crouching a bit, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 12500. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:44:29pm on a mostly sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane pair

Under-appreciated Zebra Technology

For most camera systems, this exposure situation is quite difficult, even nightmarish. You have two subjects lit by the sun, each with a small area of bright white cheek and neck feathers, and a deeply shaded background. So, at risk of missing the perfect combination of poses, you make a test exposure, check for blinkies (highlight warnings), and evaluate the histogram (hoping not to be tricked by a lying histogram).

Using a Sony camera with Zebras set up correctly and the wide open aperture in place (as is usual for bird photography), you simply select a reasonable shutter speed and then raise the ISO until you see some Zebras on the white feathers through the viewfinder before you make an image! There is no need to make a test image. No need to check for blinkies or evaluate the histogram. You can make perfect exposure after perfect exposure even in extremely difficult situations.

If you are creating raw files and over-expose the highlights, you cannot save the image. I find it difficult to understand so many folks pooh-pooh Zebra technology. “It’s not a great advantage.” “I don’t need them.” By using Zebras so that I can expose well to the right while avoiding toasting the highlights I can create clean images with minimal noise and true, vibrant colors. Another thing that often baffles me is the steadfast brand loyalty that I see so often among nature photographers.

Typos

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

Nickerson Beach Summer Bird Photography

There are several thousand pairs of beach nesting birds at Nickerson Beach every summer including Common Terns, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, and Piping Plover. Nearly all of the terns and skimmers are in one of two colonies that are about 400 yards apart. There are lots of chicks and tons of flight photography. Not to mention predation. Viewing good images is a great way to improve your bird photography. There are a few good ones in this 21 minute video. Enjoy. Below are a few of my favorite Nickerson Beach photos and information on joining me there this summer.

Summer bird photography at Nickerson Beach is excellent.

Nickerson Beach 2025 Educational Opportunities

Please note that prices for both the IPTs and the ITF sessions have been reduced in an effort to attract new blood.

Nickerson Beach 3 Day Mini IPT: WED AUG 6 afternoon thru the morning session on SAT AUG 9, 2025: $1899.00.

Three afternoon sessions, three morning sessions, two brunches with Image Review & Photoshop sessions. AirBnB lodging and rides with the leader possible. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if I will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Nickerson Beach 4-Day Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): MON AUG 25 afternoon thru the morning session on FRI AUG 29, 2025: $2299.00.

Four afternoon sessions, four morning sessions, three brunches with Image Review & Photoshop sessions. AirBnB lodging and rides with the leader possible. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if Will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers.

Breeding Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers with young.

Morning BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS) followed by brunch and an Image Review & Photoshop session: $449.00/per session

Available dates: AUG 10-31, SEPT 1-5, 2025. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if I will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers.

Afternoon BAA In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (ITFIS): $299.00/session.

Available dates: AUG 10-15 & 17-31, SEPT 3-5, 2025. Please get in touch with questions or to register with an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if I will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers.

Morning and afternoon sessions may be combined and multiple days of instruction are feasible.

Morning In the Field Instruction at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge may be available — 7/21-22/25.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they combine to affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

What’s Up?

Keep reading to learn about joining me at Nickerson Beach this summer. There are lots of educational opportunities, and tons of great photography. And please understand that there is no-one on the planet better than me when it comes to helping you learn to create better images. Just the facts, ma’am.

As the summer doldrums continue, I’ve been spending my early mornings down at the lake with the cranes and a very few Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. There has not been a lot around.

Today is Saturday 19 July but — please do not be confused, I will not be sending the post notifications via Newsletter until Sunday morning. I will be heading down to the lake early as when I arrived late at 7:20am on Thursday the Great Blue Heron was standing by the shore with a huge bulging throat; it had just eaten something really large 🙁

I am FED-EX-ing my MacBook Pro to Apple on Monday morning for a cleaning and some minor but much-needed maintenance. I am hoping against hope to have it back no later than Friday. They are generally pretty quick. If you need to get in touch this coming week, please send an e-mail to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and please copy birdsasartstaff@gmail.com) just to be sure. It looks as if I will have access to webmail on one of the two office computers.

Without my laptop, I will start packing for my trip up to Long Island this week. I will be on the Auto Train on Monday 4 August. I head south on Monday 8 September, an even five weeks. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If an item — a Delkin flash card, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate — 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.

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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

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) in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh mid-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.

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 also created on 20 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. While still seated on damp sand I used the lowered, no-longer available except from BIRDS AS ART, Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 2000: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6. AWB at 7:45:44am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #1: Piping Plover — worn juvenile plumage eating tiny worm

Foot Trembling

This young Piping Plover would stand in one spot on one leg with the other leg extended. It would rapidly tap the surface of the sand with toes of the extended foot. I made a video of this behavior. I knew that it had something to do with improving the bird’s foraging success. I shared the video with Marc Wortsman when I ran into him at Bagel Chalet in Merrick on Saturday morning. He did some work online and sent me a link to a great paper on foot trembling in a related species, Ringed Plover. I read it (here) with great interest, and learned that there are actually two theories as to the purpose of the behavior.

This image was created on 30 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach. Standing on the beach, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial. Shutter Priority +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 125. 1/13 second at f/6.3 (wide-open). AWB at 6:50:35am on a very cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Spot S/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Black Skimmer early morning blastoff

What’s Good About This Image?

Zoom lenses are great for doing blurs. When you need to, you can zoom out to ensure a clean upper edge and a clean lower edge, as seen above. Other plusses include an almost surreal degree of blurring on the birds taking off, the inclusion of some skimmers that are still on the ground, and a perfectly level (and somewhat interesting horizon). Note that by standing I was able to include a large expanse of light blue water in the background — Jones Inlet. Had I been sitting that would have been greatly reduced.

This image was created on 23 August 2022 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/4000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:48:04pm, late on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird/Face-Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Black Skimmers/midair chase

Skimmer Midair Battles

Adult Black Skimmer aerial chases and fights are most common at both breeding colonies on Nickerson Beach June through August most years. Though hot, sunny afternoons often offer the most action, such squabbles may occur any time of day. There are more aerial chases when the birds are setting up territories and then again when the eggs hatch and there are chicks about. There are fewer battles when the birds are on eggs. I am pretty sure that most such interactions are territorial disputes.

To photograph such battles, you can stand well back from the colony ropes. They usually begin when two birds fly up a short distance –five to ten feet. When you notice that, try to get your lens on the birds as they will often fly up much higher and interact, sometimes spectacularly with the birds pecking at or grabbing the other bird’s feet, tail, wing, head, bill, or neck with their bills. Some battles seem to last forever (at least in terms of action photograph), perhaps 20-30 seconds. Others last only a few seconds. Don’t quit when the birds break apart as they may circle around in flight and then resume their antagonistic behavior.

At times, you might be able to photograph one bird and at times you will go for both birds. If the latter, the odds are 4-1 against your getting two good head angles, and much slimmer than that to capture a stunning image with the two birds nicely portioned in the frame, the faces of both birds visible, and both subjects pleasing oriented to the imaging sensor. In other words, getting a truly outstanding image of two birds battling in midair is like winning the lottery. On some occasions, one bird might have a sharp interesting flight pose while the second bird is clipped or facing the wrong way. Creating really good images of a single bird involved in aerial chase is much, much easier than photographing two birds engaged in battle. But the latter are far more rewarding. In some cases, creating a composite with battling birds from two different frames of a sequence may be the best option. If that fits with your personal ethics.

This image was created on 30 July 2024 on the Nickerson Beach (extended) IPT. Seated on wet sand (at best) I used the flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 6:41:40am on sunny morning with just too much moisture in the air. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed amazingly well. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #4: American Oystercatcher — the un-banded family of four

A 10,000 to 1 Against Head Angle /Juxtapositional Miracle

Though the image looked completely washed out, the image design thrilled me. Getting two perfect head angles is difficult enough — four is too much to even dream of. And you could not paint the juxtaposition of the four birds any better. And since I knew that I could improve the color and contrast, this was a 100 percent keeper for me.

I thought that I would need to use more Dehaze than usual to bring this one to life, but simply setting the White Point and the Black Point as I always do as the first step in the raw conversion was all that was needed to improve the color and contrast. I cropped from below and from the right, added canvas in front of the birds, and worked hard to clean up the wet, ratty looking head of the closest bird, one of the two juveniles.

If you would be lost trying to optimize foggy looking images, check out the two offerings immediately below.

The un-banded family of four has given us many, many hours of enjoyment as they are absolutely tame and feed along the surf line in the same spot every morning. On Thursday, I was sitting in the water to photograph them and when I big wave came along, I needed to lift my rig with one hand to avoid having it get inundated by saltwater.

This image was created on 2 August 2024 on the last morning of the first Nickerson Beach (extended) IPT. Seated on dry sand behind my flattened Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi metering + 1 stop — AUTO ISO set ISO 2500. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 6:11:40am on a then barely sunny morning. Image #5: Backlit Black Skimmer with killifish — juiced up pano crop

Bold, Bright, and Graphic

This image was created from a much blander raw file. It is a somewhat radical, seriously jazzed up version and was my first effort with this photo. Getting the clean, bright, tight, high contrast, colorful, graphic look was the result of following my basics workflow and juicing up the color several different ways.

The way we choose the look of our images is determined by the artist within each of us.

This image was created on 4 August 2024 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY on the 2nd Nickerson Beach (extended) IPT. Seated on dry sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1600. 1/3200 second at f/4 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:54:01am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #6: Black Skimmer — large chick, short practice flight

Orvilles

For fairly obvious reasons, avian researchers studying tern and skimmer chicks that are struggling to learn to fly call such young birds “Orvilles.” That in honor of the efforts of American aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright. The Wright brothers crashed many early versions of the Wright Flyer in the sandy hills south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. When the young birds are first learning to fly, their landings are often comical wrecks.

Pat Fishburne and I were seated on the sand in range of several young skimmers. The bird in the photo ran toward us twice flapping its wings. When it walked back to the rusty fence post again, we got ready. The third time was the charm and the a9 iii nailed the eye!

This image was created by Arthur Morris at Nickerson Beach while leading the first (extended) Combo IPT. Seated on damp sand he used the heel pod technique with the I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/1250 second at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual Mode. AWB at 6:54:34pm late on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C AF with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #7: American Oystercatcher male atop a mound of sand in gorgeous light

Art for artie

Some folks call images like this beauty shots. I call them BIRDS AS ART — clean, tight, graphic, and colorful with a lovely, de-focused background. And the somewhat patriotic color scheme works for me as well. When I saw this bird pause atop a clean mound of sand, I hustled to my right to get on sun angle, flipped out the rear screen, put on my reading glasses, and prayed for the bird to stay for a few moments as I sat down slowly so as not to scare him off. I supported the lens with between my heels quickly found the bird in the viewfinder, and fired about two dozen frames, the first 12 at the exposure above, and then another 12 1/3 stop lighter. Only two of the slightly darker frames had the perfect head angle.

The key to the success of this image was that with the bird elevated on a rise, the Atlantic Ocean blue background was a relative mile away from the bird. The resulting image was exactly what I had envisioned when I saw the bird on the smooth mound of sand.

Typos

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

Easy Peasy Help Needed

With zero comments at the last blog post (until early WED morning), I am wondering if folks are getting the Newsletter post notifications. If you received the post notification via e-mail, please be so kind as the RSVP by clicking here and hitting send. Not much effort is required. Thanks.

The Answer to the South Wind Question

Two posts back, I published this:

Conditions Question

Early on a sunny morning in early summer on the east coast of the USA, why is a north wind much better for bird photography than a wind from the south?

Answer

On the east coast in summer, the sun rises well north of east so with a south wind, the birds will be flying, landing, and usually facing away from the light; if you are on sun angle, you will be shooting up their butts. Learn more about the importance of wind direction and speed and how the relationship between sky conditions and wind direction affect flight photography in the just published The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight. Scroll down for lots more info on this new and comprehensive work.

What’s Up?

With few birds most mornings, and hot, dreary weather conditions, the summer doldrums are here. On the last three mornings, a west wind (bad) came up as the skies cleared early. I have amazed myself by coming away with at least one interesting image that has made me happy each morning. The streak started on Sunday morning with the GBH/siren and preening crane images and continued on Monday with an Osprey bathing at the edge of the lake on a heavily overcast morning. Yesterday, a large mayfly hatch made things interesting and I stayed with a single Snowy Egret for more than 30 minutes. I was eventually rewarded with a single, tight, head-on photo of the bird gulping down a juicy mayfly.

Today is Wednesday 16 July and I will again be heading down to the lake to see if today will be the day that I come up empty. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.

If an item — a Delkin flash card, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate — 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.

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.

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn

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) in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh mid-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.

The title says it all. Purchase your copy here. The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight by Arash Hazeghi, Ph.D., and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

I have 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.

You can purchase your copy here.

Sample Page #1. Image copyright 2024: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, the senior author. Page 28 of The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

Sample Page #1

Image copyright 2025: Arash Hazeghi, the junior author. Page 237 of The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight

Sample Page #2

The guide consists of 267 pages, 21,013 words with two screen captures. There are 82 illustrative photos scattered throughout the text and a 112-image gallery that includes examples created by Canon, Nikon, and mostly Sony gear. As above, each of the 194 inspirational photos is labeled with an educational caption.

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.

Flight photography is a skill that can be studied, practiced, and learned. Learn to get better in 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):

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 purchase your copy here.

Typos

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

In the Last Blog Post

In the last blog post, I liked both images equally, the first for the unusual wings down display flight pose and the second for the neat dorsal view. I needed the square crop for the second image because I failed to follow my own oft-given advice: “Pan faster.” Thus, the bird was much too far forward in the frame.

Special thanks to Tom Redd, the only reader to comment on the images.

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? Why? For me, this one is a no-brainer. See my thoughts in the next post.

The In-Stock Sony Miracle

For the first time ever, both the a1 II Mirrorless Camera and the Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) were in stock on Friday afternoon at B&H. And Bedfords has two of the latter in stock as well. Order one or both right now using one of my two links to earn a free copy or copies of both the camera setup guide and the lens guide. Then join an IPT or meet me at Nickerson Beach to learn to use your new gear like a pro.

All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide

I continue to be amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking and the overall performance of the camera. Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, the rear screen that tilts both horizontally and vertically is a huge plus, as is Pre-capture that allows me to create take-off images that I missed! The resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. And the 51MP files are to die for.

If you plan on purchasing Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the Sony a-1 ii, please click here to purchase from B&H and earn your free a-1 ii e-Mail Guide. Or, get 3% back on your credit card by purchasing from Bedfords using this link and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout. Folks who use one of the two affiliate links above to purchase their Sony a-1 ii will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up), a Buttons and Dials Guide, and the a1- ii Info Sheet for free.

If you have already purchased an a-1 ii, you can join the e-mail group by sending a PayPal for $227.43 to us at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.. So, yes, it never hurts to use my affiliate links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail. before you make a major purchase, I can always advise you and often save you some money.

The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide

The combination of reach, versatility, and handhold-ability of the Sony 400-800 is unmatched.

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 three 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. It has quickly become my all time favorite lens because it simplifies my life and allows me to go without a tripod in most situations. 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. Others, please send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.

New “Used” Gear Listing

Yours truly is offering a Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65 in like-new plus condition for $74.95 plus the shipping, an even $25.00 less than B&H. In the box with everything that came with it. Never used.

If interested, get in touch with artie via e-mail.

This image was created on 10 July 2025 at the beach left of the pier down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp sand and working vertically off the tilted rear monitor, I used the toe-pod technique with 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 800: 1/1250 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:27:13am on a sunny morning with a bit of haze in the air. 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: Green Heron in fresh juvenile plumage — vertical. Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

After My Walk

Things have been relatively slow in the July heat so I have been taking my shirtless pier walk early every day. On Thursday morning past, I began the walk with the 400-800 mounted on the Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65 topped by a Wimberley MonoGimbal Head. (Learn more about using a monopod in the blog post here and be sure to check out the YouTube monopod video as well.) After working some Black Vultures and an adult Green Heron on the pier railing, I laid my gear down on the wooden boards and walked out to the end and back. As I headed to my car, I saw a juvenile Green Heron on the beach to the south of the pier. My first thought was to work the bird from my SUV at 1200mm, but since lower is almost always better, I decided to take my rig off the monopod and try to get on the ground and get close.

The bird seemed quite at ease as I approached so I continued walking to within about 18 feet and got down on the ground as slowly and as gracefully as possible. I was quite happy that the bird stayed. Some avian youngsters can be very accepting of humans. Once I was on the ground I grabbed my reading glasses from my pocket, the better to see the dancing AF points my dear. When the bird stood up tall and faced me, I quickly rotated the rear screen and flipped it down vertically. I placed the lens on my toes to get over some foreground grasses. Six Sandhill Cranes flew over north to out and caught the attention of my young friend as they landed. The result? The elegant pose in Image #1. Sometimes things go even better than planned.

Aside from the vastly improved Bird Face-eye Tracking with the a-1 ii, the vertically tilting rear monitor is my favorite feature as it allows for ground level verticals there were impossible to create with the original a-1.

This image was also created on 10 July 2025 at the beach left of the pier down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp sand I used the knee-pod technique with 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 1600: 1/3200 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 8:31:58am on a sunny morning with a bit of haze in the air. 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: Green Heron in fresh juvenile plumage — horizontal head and neck portrait. Image copyright 2025: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Doubling Up

Hoping to get some head shots, I followed the small heron as it moved to my right by butt-crawling/shuffling. Thinking that the bird might take flight, I doubled both the ISO and the shutter speed in case it decided to fly to the pier. The bird, however, remained unconcerned with my presence so I kept going and got even closer than I had previously, surely within 13 feet — the MFD of the 4-8 is 11.5 feet.

Still thinking that the bird might fly, I put my glasses away so that I could work from the optical viewfinder. I crouched and bent forward as far as possible while using the knee-pod technique. Why? In order get a more pleasing background than if I had opted to sit up tall. How does that work? By getting as low as possible, I effectively moved the background farther from the bird.

Typos

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