What’s Up?

Again, studying the wind and sky conditions carefully, we sailed only in the afternoon and did pretty darned well. I spent the morning helping Bear Bob and Monte with Photo Mechanic. I was glad to learn of the sale of Anthony Ardito’s Sony 600mm f/4 GM lens and the pending sale of Dennis Westover’s Sony a9 II body (about five minutes after it was listed yesterday and on the Used Gear Page).

My favorite pelican flight shot from yesterday’s blog post was #1, the flat-flying pelican with the aqua-colored breaking-wave background.

Today is Monday 27 February 2023. The forecast for this morning is for clear skies with a light northeast breeze, pretty much perfect but for the predicted low of 12° F. We will be dressed for it. We will likely do a long session in the morning and a short session at sunset. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare (including the time spent on the two image optimizations) and makes three hundred thirty-four days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

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. 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.

Induro GIT 304L Tripod

Price reduced $50.00 on 16 FEB 2023

Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for only $649.00 (were $699.00). The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now by clicking here to avoid being disappointed.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

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.

This image was created on 26 February 2023 on the second Bald Eagle Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 249mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 500: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 4:59:15pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle striking right down the lens barrel

The Continuing Quest for Different

Whenever the wind direction is less than ideal, I let the group know to be on the lookout for banking birds and for eagles that are flying the “wrong” way, i.e., those that <em>are not flying directly into the wind (as they do most often). On the last two afternoons, with the sun in the southwest and the wind from the north, we did great with banking birds, but the birds striking the bait were most often angling slightly away from us. Whenever a bird jumped off the rock wall and headed straight at us, a bird coming from the right would almost always beat it to the bait. The key words being almost always. You had to be persistent. The bird shown in Image #1 jumped off the wall and flew directly at us, unimpeded. Bingo!

This image was created on 26 February 2023 on the second Bald Eagle Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. Seated on frozen mud, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 300mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. Multi-metering +1.7 stops in S (Shutter Priority mode) at 1/2500 second with AUTO ISO: ISO 2500 at f/5.6 (wide-open). AWB at 6:24:16pm (four minutes after sunset) on a mostly clear afternoon. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Silhouetted adult Bald Eagle landing at me

The Continuing Quest for New and Different Situations

As I’ve said here many times, I pride myself in being able to figure out where to be when in varying weather conditions. Being able to do that is a huge key to becoming a successful bird photographer. The very best way to do that is to sign up for several IPTs.

Shooting silhouettes from the boat on breezy or windy afternoons can be challenging because the boat is always rocking. While we were in Sadie Cove shooting flight in the late afternoon, I tried and succeeded in figuring out a spot where we could shoot sunset silhouettes after landing on the beach. We got a bit lucky as the wind shifted slightly east of north. But we were in the right place at the right time, and it is a strategy that will continue to pay dividends over time.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

The versatility and usefulness of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens in a great variety of situations is unmatched. I went to the 2X here because I needed the extra reach at times and, shooting toward the setting sun, we had

Typos

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

The Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: Practically Private

The Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1. Tuesday 28 March through the morning session on 31 March 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

With no-one signed up for the first DeSoto IPT, you can sign up right now and be assured of a private or near-private trip. Shoot me an e-mail if you would like to join me or if you have any questions and scroll down for additional details. There is an excellent chance that we could share an AirBnB in Gulfport. DeSoto in late winter can be spectacularly good.

What’s Up?

On Friday, the last day of the first Homer IPT, we did a ton of image review and Photoshop work. I created Camtasia screen recordings of all the raw conversions and image optimizations and will be sending them to everyone in the group. Only Vasili is heading home today.

I ranked yesterday’s images as follows: #3, the striking eagle blur, because I got the eye sharp and I love the colors and the degree of blurring; tied for second: #4, the scenic, in part because I use Viveza for the first time in a long time to bring the bland, washed out raw file to life, and #1, for the color and graphic design. Strangely, #2, the banking eagle images used to be honored in the most prestigious photo contests, but today, with the great mirrorless cameras, they are now so easy to create that they have become almost commonplace.

Today is Saturday 25 February 2023. We will be sailing at 2:30pm and staying out late in hopes of a sunset. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimizations) and makes three hundred thirty-two days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 1000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #1: American Oystercatcher with tidbit Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

A Little-Known Fact About Fort DeSoto

In the Fort DeSoto/Sarasota Site Guide, I write that this Pinellas County Park has the potential to offer great photography every day of the year. It is not that the photography is great every day, but that you can have a great day in winter, spring, summer, or fall. Be sure to stay away on mornings with clear skies and a strong NW wind. On Sunday July 4 many years ago, folks got fantastic images of a breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper, a very- rare-in-the US shorebird breeds in the Siberian Arctic and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Last fall a Bar-tailed Godwit was present at DeSoto and was easily found and photographed for several months.

It is not, however, the occasional rarity that makes DeSoto great. It is the very tame, regularly occurring species that have made it one of the top North American bird photography hotspots.

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: Willet with baby crab Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

Lying Flat versus Foot- or Ankle Podding

All of the above allow you to work with very low perspectives.

Lying flat on the ground with a big lens makes it easier to find the bird in the frame and to photograph walking, running, and birds taking flight. Some folks are even able to shoot flight while prone. The two main disadvantages are back strain and muddy, wet, and/or sandy clothes. With a Panning Ground Pod or working off a flattened tripod topped with a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, following moving subjects is relatively easy.

Sitting and placing the lens on an ankle or between your feet or toes only gets your butt wet and muddy. When supporting the lens on some part of your foot or feet and working off the tilted rear monitor, it can be very difficult to find even a still subject in the frame. Panning and staying level is close to impossible. Sitting and working on a Panning Ground Pod or a flattened tripod with the tilted rear screen allows for panning, but it is not as easy to follow moving subjects as it is when lying flat. When I work off the tilted rear screen, I need my reading glasses so that I can see the AF icons and tracking.

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #3: Forster’s Tern ruffling Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

The Panning Ground Pod

The Panning Ground Pod currently shows as out of stock in the BAA Online Store. We can, however, have one drop shipped to you from Chris Klapheke of OPG. To order yours, please Call Jim in the office Monday through Thursday at 863-692-0906.

This product gets you super-low and enables you to pan easily with moving subjects. Can you say intimate?

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #4: Non-breeding Laughing Gull taking flight after bath Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

David Pugsley

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, David took a keen interest in photography back in 1986. The catalyst? The appearance of Halley’s comet. As an avid astronomer, he wanted to capture the comet on film, and he did just that.

That first venture into the world of photography lead to many classes and countless images during his high school years, followed by acceptance into Ohio University’s prestigious School of Visual Communications. While attending OU, he developed a love and appreciation for capturing a moment in time. Unfortunately, his path into a photography career would take a detour upon completion of his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Happily, that detour — many years in the worlds of graphic design and marketing, came to an end in 2008 when he reignited his passion for both photography and the outdoors and its inhabitants. His goal is to capture wildlife (including and especially birds), nature, and landscape images that you would be proud to display on the walls of your home, office or business. You can see more of David’s images on his website here, on Instagram at pixels_by_pugs or on his FaceBook page: David Pugsley Photography.

David and wife Michelle will be traveling with me to the Galapagos this coming August.

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #5: Ring-billed Gull preening Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

Low Perspective Verticals

Creating low perspective verticals can be challenging even with a vertical grip can be challenging. It is easier with cameras that have monitors that can be tilted vertically. That feature is not available with the Sony a-1. If you have your face to the viewfinder rotating the lens clockwise in the tripod collar can help as this puts the shutter button on the bottom where it is easier to reach.

This image was created on 10 February 2023 by multiple IPT veteran and Galapagos 2023 registrant David Pugsley. Lying flat on his belly, he used the Panning Ground Pod-supported 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 500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #6: Black-bellied Plover in non-breeding plumage pulling seaworm Image courtesy of and copyright 2023: David Pugsley Photography

Strongest?

Which of David Pugsley’s six featured images is the strongest? Why?

Unsolicited via e-mail from Pete Myers

I just spent 4 days in the field in a graduate course in bird photography taught by Artie Morris at Fort DeSoto. After almost 50 years of experience pointing cameras at birds from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, New Zealand and beyond, I thought I was good enough. But what I learned from Artie in just four days has taken me to a whole new level. As he aptly puts it, “birds as art,” not simply bird photography. One of those 4 days was the most satisfying I’d ever experienced, anywhere. The IPT left me euphoric about what I’d learned, and frighteningly committed to recreating my portfolio with the techniques and insights he taught me.

Unsolicited via e-mail from IPT veteran Eugen Dolan

Arthur, Thank you very much for your overwhelming infectious enthusiasm that helped get me up on some mornings. Also, your ability to express yourself- and explain in great detail why you like or may not like an image – was very helpful in allowing me to better analyze my images. Eugen

Via e-mail from Jim Miller

I can’t stop thinking about how much fun the DeSoto IPT was, and how much I learned. There were so many things that suddenly made perfect sense after I had been confused for so long. Thank you very much for the wonderful trip, and for being a great teacher. As I worked through the raw files last week, I realized what a fantastic lens the 600 IS is. Thanks for the rental! Maybe someday I will be able to afford one. Some images for critique are attached. Thank you again, Artie. It was really wonderful to be with you and learn from you.

Via e-mail from Lee Sommie

I want to thank you for making the Fort DeSoto IPT; it was a fun and educational experience for me. I truly did not want the adventure to end. I now look through the viewfinder with an artist’s mindset. And the real bonus was making new friends with fellow students. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. I had a great time with you and look forward to more adventures on future IPTs.

Via e-mail from Muhammad Arif

I had a great time at Fort De Soto. Thank you for all the instruction, for your help and pointers; my photography has already improved tremendously, and I’ve never made such good bird photos before. I wish I could’ve joined you on Monday and Tuesday morning as well, but work got in the way. It was also nice meeting the folks on the IPT. Thanks again for everything and I hope to join you at a future IPT sometime again.

Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, many in full breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull landing on head of Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull in flight, Reddish Egret sunrise silhouette, Great Blue Heron with needlefish, Yellow-crowned Night Heron with ghost crab, Roseate Spoonbill, Sanderling in breeding plumage, and white morph Reddish Egret in glorious breeding plumage.

The 2023 Spring Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #1: Tuesday 28 March through the morning session on 31 March 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #2: Tuesday 11 April through the morning session on 14 April 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Spring Fort DeSoto IPT #3: Tuesday 9 May through the morning session on 12 May 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 4.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for terns and gulls, wading birds, and shorebirds in spring. Many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage. Simply put, DeSoto is the new Ding Darling. Migrant shorebirds are in abundance, and many are exceedingly tame. We should have great chances on Royal and Sandwich Terns and both white- and dark-morph Reddish Egrets. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two along with some American Oystercatchers. We will enjoy lots of great flight photography, especially with the Brown Pelicans.

Again, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Laughing Gull in flight, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Sandwich Terns copulating, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret with reflection, breeding plumage Short-billed Dowitcher, American Oystercatcher, Royal Tern, white morph Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret in marsh.

In Addition!

We should also get to photograph a variety of other shorebirds including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, Snowy, and Piping Plovers, Willet, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and most especially, Red Knot, with many individuals in their handsome breeding plumages. In spring the T-shaped peninsula and the newly formed sandbar, Outback Key, are literally packed with avian treasures.

With just a bit of luck, we may get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable species: Roseate Spoonbill. And we will surely get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. With luck, they will have Laughing Gulls landing on their heads. And though not guaranteed, Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.

Yes, Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: breeding plumage Dunlin, dark morph Reddish Egret displaying, Laughing Gull vertical front-end portrait, Laughing Gull with prey item, landing on head of Brown Pelican, breeding plumage Royal Tern displaying, Royal Terns — pre-copulatory stance, Laughing Gulls copulating, Laughing Gull head portrait, breeding plumage Sandwich Tern with fish, and a rare treat, a breeding plumage White-rumped Sandpiper.

What You Will Learn on a DeSoto 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.
• 5- To age and identify many species of shorebirds including various sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, and possibly yellowlegs.
• 6- To spot good 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 affect bird photography.
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

You got it by now! Fort DeSoto in spring is rife with tame birds, most in breeding plumage. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version. Clockwise from upper left around to center: Roseate Spoonbill, immature Brown Pelican in flight, the heron/egret hybrid, American Oystercatcher feeding, immature Royal Tern on railing, Great Egret morning silhouette, Black Skimmer in surf, and underside head portrait of Great Blue Heron.

The Details

Morning sessions will run two and one-half to three hours; afternoon sessions about two. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till noon and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy. We may opt to visit a great North Tampa rookery if conditions warrant that.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each of the three full days. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field as early as possible and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:30am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We will be getting wet.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check three months before the trip begins. If you wish to pay in full right off the bat, you can make your check out to BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice two months before the trip. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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

Your Call

All are invited to leave a comment stating their preference for each of today’s three featured images. Please put them in order with your favorite image first and your least favorite of the three last. Ambitious folks can comment on why they made their choices. I will share my list and my reasons with you here tomorrow.

What’s Up?

The first Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT continues to be incredibly successful beyond-belief. My blog buddy and room-mate Bob Eastman created 5980 images including at least a few spectacular ones. Using the most valuable rig on the trip, a Sony 70-200mm II with the 1.4X TC on an a1, he created a killer image of a young Bald Eagle picking up a dead Black Scoter. Bob is nailing his exposures and his flight photography keeps improving at each session. Seventy-nine year-old Carolyn Johnson continues to amaze everyone with her spirit and her youthfulness; she has no problem handholding the Sony 200-600! Robert (“Bear Bob”) Sabin is still quietly killing with his Canon R5/RF 100-500 rig. Vasili (“The Sponge”/AKA “Machine Gun Kelly”) “) Chernishof has created an astounding 40770 1DX III images after only five shooting sessions!

In yesterday’s blog post, seven of Matthew Huras’s images were tied for first place. In my book, the spectacular bittern in flight is alone in second place. Yes, the Bufflehead in flight was amazing as noted by many. The soft light, the colors, and the action in the mating Kestrels are all nothing short of perfection. In the loon swallowing large fish vertical, I loved the pattern of the spray and the wake behind the bird’s neck as much as the fish. The pink sky in the SEO image is something we can all only dream of. The image design of the Northern Pygmy Owl image that showed off the tiny size of the bird so well is brilliant. The flapping baby grebe shot was simply too cute and too beautiful. If you held a gun to my head, I would have had to pick Image #8 as my very favorite because of the low angle and the fact that one fish was eating another fish. Are you kidding me? Anyhoo, thanks again to Matt for allowing me to share his work with you.

Today is Thursday 23 February 2023. There is midday drizzle in the forecast, so we will do two sessions today, one early and one in the afternoon. This blog post took about two hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimizations) and makes three hundred thirty days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

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. 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.

Induro GIT 304L Tripod

Price reduced $50.00 on 16 FEB 2023

Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for only $649.00 (were $699.00). The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now by clicking here to avoid being disappointed.

Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.

Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂

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.

This image was created on 21 February 2023 on the second afternoon of the first Homer IPT. Sitting on the snow after we landed at McKeon Spit, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be about 1/2 stop under. AWB at 3:25:32pm on variably cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle about to strike, talons extended

Learning About the Wind

With the nonstop flight photography, the Homer IPT offers a virtual nonstop education on the effect of the wind on flying birds. With the wind foremost in my mind, I sat the group on the edge of China Poot Bay with the wind behind us to try for images of the birds striking directly at us. In the morning, we were faced with the dreaded wind-against sun conditions, so I taught the group to study the patterns of the birds in flight and learn to anticipate them banking. The eagles offer a variety of dramatic flight poses as they turn and begin to dive.

This image was created on 21 February 2023 on the second afternoon of the first Homer IPT. Standing at full height after we landed at McKeon Spit, Kachemak Bay, I again used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (a mistake!) (stopped down 1-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 3:25:32pm on variably cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Adult Bald Eagle braking to land

A Big Mistake

Study the EXIF and leave a comment letting me know what error I made when setting the aperture. Does anything about this image bug you?

This image was created on 22 February 2023, the third afternoon of the first Homer IPT. While standing on the boat at Franklin Flats, Kachemak Bay, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 560mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/800 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 4:14:34pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: The Three Amigos — adult Bald Eagles on snag, one calling

Our Captain

When advertising the Kachemak Bay IPTs, I state that the captain of the boat that I use is the best in Homer. He continues to prove that every session. On Thursday afternoon, he took us into Franklin Flats, a spot I had never been to in 20 years of visiting Homer. It was a calm lagoon with a large stand of gorgeous dead tree skeletons on the spit. Likewise, on the landmark side of the bay, there were lots of dead snags, most of them adorned with from one to eight eagles. His knowledge of the tides and the locations is unequalled. He knew that we needed an incoming heading for high tide to visit this gorgeous and productive spot. Everyone loved it!

The Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM Lens

Boy, am I glad that I purchased the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens last May. After trashing the lens for bird photography, I have come to love it for its handhold-ability and its super-wide f/2.8 aperture. I have been equally thrilled with my decision to bring the 400 and leave the 600mm f/4 GM lens at home. With image #3, I added the 1.4X TC to provide extra reach.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s five, all very excellent images is your absolute favorite? By participating, you will actually learn a lot. If you do leave a comment, please let us know why you made your choice. If anything in any of the images bugs you, let us know that too.

What’s Up?

The first morning of the first 2023 Homer Bald Eagle IPT got off to a very good start. Keep reading to learn of our good fortune.

In yesterday’s blog post, Image #2, for me, was the worst of the lot by far. Even though I eliminated a lot of clutter during image clean-up, the image was still messy. (Not Lionel). My favorite was the crane in the tickseed blossoms. The main reason that I went to manual focus was as follows: when the crane lowered its head to feed, AF had no chance. Using Focus Peeking with a total depth of field of more than two meters on the relatively distant subject, I knew that I would have no problem getting the crane sharp. Some folks were in the vicinity of the correct answer to the “Why manual focus? question.”

Today is Tuesday 21 February 2023. We will be meeting our captain and mate at the dock at 8:15am. The forecast is for partly cloudy skies Turning completely cloudy early with a barely perceptible breeze from the northeast. The temps will be in the low 20s F, a bit warmer than yesterday.

If you have some cold weather gear, are free from about 23 or 24 February through March 3 or 4, and would like to join the second Homer IPT, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP as I am practically giving that one away for free.

This blog post took about three hours to prepare (still on Florida time, I get up very early!) including the time spent on the five image optimizations and makes three hundred twenty-eight days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use m B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

This image was created on 20 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 186mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:22:05am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle adult turning left in flight

A Sunny Morning!

Sunny days are a rare commodity in Homer in winter. With the clear skies, we left the harbor early on Monday. The breeze was from the northwest but was very slight. So, some birds slightly away from us while other flew right at us. The group was totally amazed as we had as many as three dozen eagles in the air at once, with many dozen more taking a break on the beach at low tide. After our long working brunch, we had time only for a short rest before heading for what we had hoped would be a sunset silhouette session. When we exited Land’s End we were smacked by a strong northwest wind and the temps had seemingly dropped by 20°. My cell rang; it was Captain Gabe. Our afternoon session was cancelled because of high winds with 8-foot waves. We retired to the bar and did a lengthy image review session. The group is really into learning to get better as they asked about a zillion questions during our knockabout meeting.

With Image #1, I took full advantage of the single, large dark cloud just to the south of us (and urged the group to do that same).

This image was also created on 20 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. Again I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (this time at 197mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1000: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 27:47:05am on a sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle adult banking

Improving Your Flight Photography

After studying and understanding the principles of flight photography, the next step to success is practice, practice, and practice. On extended flight photography trips folks — including me — cannot help but to see their panning and framing skills improving day by day. During our image review I said this often: Universal advice for becoming a better flight photographer: pan faster! We came across many otherwise perfect images where the bird was simply too far forward in the frame. Pan faster!

Everyone got some great images. Newbie Vasili Chernishof led the league by firing off more than 10,000 frames with his Canon EOS 1D-X Mark III. That despite my repeated cautions advising him to quit shooting once the bird was flying away from him. Vasili will be joining the group in the Galapagos this summer.

Image #2 was created from a horizontal original.

This image was also created on 20 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. 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 1000. 1/2500 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 10:20:37am on a mostly sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Bald Eagle adult — pure face shot against snow

2-6 MFD!

The Sony 200-600mm G lens features an excellent Minimum Focusing Distance of 7.87 feet. Compare that with the MFD of the 600mm f/4 GM lens at 14.8 feet and you see another factor in the 2-6’s incredible versatility. For this one, I must have been at 7.88 feet! I love the images with the fresh, undisturbed snow backgrounds.

This image was also created on 20 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. 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. 1/2000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 10:30:15am on a mostly sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Bald Eagle adult — regal eagle

Backgrounds On the Beach

With everyone barely able to lift their lenses, I had declared our morning flight photograph session over just before 10:00am. We grabbed longer, handhold-able zoom lenses, landed and walked up the steep beach to do some head shooting. Again, all were amazed, this time by how tame the birds were. We began working with pure snow backgrounds (as above) and then graduated to out-of-focus black backdrops.

This image was also created on 20 February 2023 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. 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. 1/2000 second at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 10:37:49am on a mostly sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye Detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Bald Eagle adult female with dried blood on forehead

Big Momma!

The huge eagles with the blocky, almost square heads are the females.

Typos

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

Be Honest!

Like it or hate it, share your thoughts on today’s featured image.

What’s Up?

After getting to bed very early on Friday evening, I was up at 3:00am in plenty of time to catch the 4:30 am shuttle. My six-hour five minute flight to Seattle was blessedly uneventful. After my five-hour layover, I flew to Anchorage. With the really long travel day, and having been up since 11:00am Anchorage time, I slept for 3 solid hours on the final three-hour 48-minute leg. IPT veteran Carolyn Johnson and I arrived on time in Anchorage at 6:45pm and soon met up with blog regular Bob Eastman. We grabbed our SUV and headed to the Lakefront Hotel where we had a nice dinner. We celebrated Carolyn’s 79th birthday a day early with a shared Crème Brûlée.

In yesterday’s blog post, I liked all four images a lot, but the first image, the mega-breeding plumage white morph Reddish Egret was my pick of the litter.

Today is Sunday 19 February 2023. Carolyn, Bob Eastman, and I will be driving down Highway 1 from Anchorage to Homer in a big SUV. Wish us luck, (i.e., no blizzard).

If you have some cold weather gear and are free from about 23 or 24 February through March 3 or 4 and would like to join the second Homer IPT, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP as I am practically giving away the second IPT for free.

This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred twenty-seven days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use m B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

This image was created on 23 December 2022 on the first San Diego IPT. Seated on the upper cliff, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 518mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 7:43:34am on a sunny morning. As blow, RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be 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: Heermann’s Gull/Brown Pelican juxtaposition

Think Fast and Act Faster When Creating Juxtapositions

I envisioned seeing the pelican in the perfect spot in the background, but only if I leaned well to my right over the edge of the cliff. So, I saw the shot, zoomed out, leaned to my right (without putting myself in any danger), acquired focus on the gull’s eye, and created seven images as the gull turned its head away. I was happy to have two virtually identical frames with a good head angle.

Many times in nature photography, a second, out of focus subject in the background can wreck an image. But, if it is offset perfectly from the subject and is nicely out of focus, it can add rather than detract. I love looking for and creating them, but good ones are few and far between.

The Image Clean-up

Though the image clean-up looks relatively insignificant, I put in a solid 30 minutes of work on this image while working on the plane on my flight to Seattle. I use the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, the Clone Stamp Tool (!), and Content Aware-Fill for the clean-up work. Most but not all of that was done on the rock the gull is standing on. I did some work on the specular highlights on the bill and in addition, did just a bit of Eye Doctor Work. Last was a Gaussian Blur on the background, refined with an Inverse (Black, or Hide-All) Mask.

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.

Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the 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.

Image #1A: The RawDigger screen capture for the Heermann’s Gull/Brown Pelican juxtaposition image

Ho Hum, Another Perfect Exposure

What can I say? The combination of Zebras live in the viewfinder (with your camera set up properly) and post-capture study of the raw files in RawDigger makes it pretty much child’s play to come up with perfect exposure after perfect exposure. It would be impossible to overstate how much I have learned by studying RawDigger and how much better my exposures have become since I started with the program almost two years ago. The raw file brightness for today’s featured image is perfect with the G channel just past the 8000 & 2/3rds line. Most of the 103 OvExp pixels are in the specular highlights on the bill. The rest are in the specular highlights in the eye’s catchlight.

RawDigger — not for the faint of heart …

Nothing has ever helped me learn to create perfect exposures to the degree that RawDigger has. I think that many folks are reluctant to learn that most of their images are underexposed by one or more full stops and that highlight warnings in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and your in-camera histogram are bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for several years … Once you get over that feeling, RawDigger can become your very best exposure friend no matter what system you are using. On the recent IPTs and In-the-Field sessions, we have demonstrated that fact. Convincingly.

The RawDigger Adapted (pink) Histogram

In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me as I have struggled with R5 exposures and learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.

RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos

by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman

The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.

Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first, we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We puzzled as to why the Max G values for different cameras were different. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.

The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.

We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to evaluate your exposures and the raw file brightness quickly and easily the Adapted RawDigger histogram.

The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.

If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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

Your Call?

Which of today’s three featured images is the strongest? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice. Though I love all three, I do have a clear favorite and will share that here with you tomorrow.

What’s Up?

Thursday morning on the Hooptie Deux was about the best ever for pelican flight. With cloudy bright skies followed by mostly sunny and a brisk southeast wind we had one pelican after another coming in high with beaks full of nesting material. It was pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel. Right before — filling a Delkin Devices 160GB BLACK CFexpress Type A Memory Card –(something that I rarely do), we had an adult pelican fly in carry a large branch from a live tree replete with leaves and seed pods. It hung in the air above the mangroves seemingly forever. That turned out to be well less than 3 seconds, an eternity when photographing birds in flight. During that brief time, I held the hammer down and created 68 images, every one sharp on the bird’s eye. I created 3400 as yet un-culled images. I got some great images of an incoming oystercatcher and am pretty sure that I got a few other good ones as well.

Huge thanks to Mike and Norma De Rosa and Garry Chappel for joining me. The four of us shared a gorgeous spacious AirBnB and had a wonderful time along with some great meals (cooked by me). Mike continued to work on improving his basic skills: getting the right exposure for JPEGs, and properly framing flight shots. Gary is an excellent photographer who arrived never using a teleconverter. I quickly had him working successfully with his Sony 600 f/4 and the .4X TC.

Today is Friday 17 February 2023. I still have a ton of packing to do for my trip to Alaska for eagles. Jim will be dropping me off at an airport hotel on his way home on Friday afternoon. I have an early flight to Seattle and then continue on to Anchorage. I will pick up a big SUV at the airport and then overnight there with participant Bob Eastman and Carolyn Johnson. We are planning on having dinner at the amazing So Thai and then driving down to Homer leaving early the next morning. Wish us luck (i.e., no blizzard).

If you have some cold weather gear and are free from about 23 or 24 February through March 3 or 4 and would like to join the second Homer IPT, please get in touch via e-mail ASAP as I am practically giving away the second IPT for free.

This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes three hundred twenty-five days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use m B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

Induro GIT 304L Tripod

Price reduced $50.00 on 16 FEB 2023

Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for only $649.00 (were $699.00). The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now by clicking here to avoid being disappointed.

This image was created on 2 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/1320 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:35:13am on hazy, sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelican on final approach

Why Wide-Open?

An e-mail Conversation with William Gingras

WG: Hi Artie

I noticed that with a majority of the pictures you post to your website, no matter the lens selection, you tend to shoot wide-open. Is there a particular reason for that?

AM: Thanks for writing, Bill. The short answer, as I am pretty sure is detailed in both the original The Art of Bird Photography and in the digital follow-up on CD, The Art of Bird Photography II, is that since bird photographers are always fighting for shutter speed while avowing high ISO, the wide-open aperture is often best. Remember, that is the short answer so keep reading.

WG: Am I missing something?

AM: Actually, you have been missing a lot as I have covered this topic on the blog very often in the last few months. Here is some of what you missed:

a- If the bird is relatively distant, you have a lot more depth of field than you think. I have recommended many times that folks consult the PhotoPills DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF) CALCULATOR and do some serious studying. Here is how I would do that for today’s featured images, each shot at the wide-open aperture — f/2.8. The distance to the subject was 39.88 meters (from a7INFO). With a focal length of 400mm on a full frame sensor body, the dof in front of the point of focus is 0.82 meters (2.7 feet!) and 0.85 meters (2.8 feet!) behind. That totals to more than five feet, are more than enough to cover virtual any pelican wing position. And that goes double when the bird is flying right at us.

When most folks see an aperture of f/2.8 they think “narrow depth of field” because they do not consider the distance to the subject.

b- As above, depth of field increases exponentially as the distance to the subject increases.

c- What you see is what you get. If the entire bird looks sharp through the viewfinder it will be sharp in the final image.

d- The only time that you need to be concerned about using smaller apertures to gain additional depth of field is when you are relatively close to a subject.

e- Unless you can clearly state a reason to stop down (use a smaller aperture), use the wide-open aperture.

I hope that the above helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

WG: Hope you are having a wonderful day. Thanks, Bill G

AM: Thanks. I did! B sure to scroll down to the next item for an additional dof tip.

This image was created on 2 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/1320 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:35:13am on hazy, sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Brown Pelican braking to land

A New Approach to Understanding DOF

I have been meaning to share this tip with you here for some time. Thanks to Bill Gingras for reminding me to do that with his e-mail question.

Every once in while, when you are working on a tripod with a long lens, photographing a bird at some distance, and already have a few good images, take a moment to learn a ton about depth of field. You will need to have your camera’s Focus Peaking feature turned on. Use autofocus to focus on the bird’s eye and then turn off autofocus by moving the AF with to MF (manual focus). This will activate the color overlay that shows the parts of the bird that are in focus. Unless you are pretty close to the bird, the color overlay will show that the entire bird is well covered by the available depth of field.

It’s a great way to learn about depth of field.

This image was created on 2 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000. 1/1320 sec. at f/2.8 (wide-open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:35:13am on hazy, sunny morning. Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Brown Pelican “orchestra leader pose”

The 400mm f/2.8 in San Diego

When I chose to ship my 600mm f/4 GM lens to San Diego and carry the 400 f/2.8 in my Think Tank rolling bag, I had no idea that there would be more clouds and more stormy weather in San Diego than I had ever experienced, and had no idea that the 400 f/2.8 would be so valuable, especially for flight photography. When I stood well back from the landing area, the focal length was perfect for framing the incoming pelicans and with the super-wide f/2.8 aperture, Bird Face/Eye detection works considerably better than with an f/4, f/5.6, or f/6.3 lens. The tiny green box picks up and tracks the bird’s eye with astounding speed and accuracy.

Not to mention that the super-fast f/2.8 aperture allowed for fast shutter speeds on lousy weather days without having to use ridiculously high ISO settings.

Though the 400 f/2.8 is only four ounces lighter than the 600 f/4, it is light-years easier for me to handhold for flight photography. Why? The 400mm is shorter and far less bulky than the 600mm. In addition, it is far better balanced with more of the weight to the rear of the lens. When I get on the plane on Saturday morning, the 400mm f/2.8 will be in my rolling bag while the 600 f/4 will be sitting in my air-conditioned garage. Aside from most of my Galapagos trips, it will be the first time in several decades that I will be getting on a flight without my longest telephoto lens.

This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT morning sessions.

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

I discovered some really neat spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Deposit Info

A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

I picked up Gary Chappel early on Tuesday morning in Winter Haven at his home on Lake Roy. We got to Lakeland well before sunrise and enjoyed a great morning of photography with about 40 very cooperative American White Pelicans. That was followed by a long working brunch nearby at a place called Keke’s Cafe South: great omelets and great coffee.

We met Mike De Rosa and wife Norma at the North Tampa Rookery. The winds were from the east with sunny skies, began to turn to the west and then died. Flight photography, therefore, was difficult. We did have a very few chances and things were looking dire until some teenage picnickers decided to share their leftover pizza with the Wood Storks. After dinner at an Outback in Carrolwood we drove down to our AirBnb in Riverview. Tomorrow is day one on the Hooptie Deux in hopes of spoonbills. And more.

Today is Wednesday 15 February 2023. The forecast for Alafia Banks is perfect: clear skies with an east breeze. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred twenty-three days in a row with a new educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera Body

BAA Record-low Price!
Price Reduced $200 on 14 FB 2023

Chip Schilling is offering a Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera Body in like-new condition with the latest firmware update for a BAA record-low $1699.00. The sale includes the original box, the front cap, one battery and the charger, the strap, the manual, and insured ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Chip via e-mail or by phone (or text him) at 315-481-0916.

The R6 is virtually identical to the R5 but for the 20 MP raw files and the smaller price tag. The Menu is easy to navigate. The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. One of three different Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R6 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. With an R6, a Standard Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, and the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, you will have a great rig for bird and nature photography.

Purchase Chip’s body and enjoy a $25.00 discount on the R5/R6 Camera User’s Guide. artie

This image was created on 14 February 2023 at Lakeland, FL. While seated on wet grass, I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1600. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 7:08:20am in the shade on what would be a clear morning. Tracking: Spot S/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #1: American White Pelican set against salmon-colored water

Pre-dawn Light

If you know where to be in Lakeland, the predawn light is very sweet as are the backgrounds. Before the sun comes over the trees and buildings to the east, there are no shadows to deal with. A fast lens, high ISOs, relatively slow shutter speeds, and tripods are the tickets to success. It is one of my favorite times of day.

This image was created on 14 February 2023 at Lakeland, FL. While seated on wet grass, I used the lowered, no-longer available (except from BAA) Induro GIT 304L 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 400. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1600 second at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:44:56am on sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version. Image #2: American White Pelican scratching

When Something Unexpected Happens …

Yes, you have heard it here before. When something unexpected happens, push the shutter button. Do not attempt to change anything. Trust the AF system and fire away. In less than one second, I created nine frames of this bird scratching. Had I tried to change any settings or to frame the image more carefully, the action would have been over. Once I saw the images, the square crop was an obvious choice.

Your Call?

Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice. I am on the fence.

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

Nancy Fischer

IPT veteran Nancy Fisher enjoyed a wonderful Tuesday morning at ILE with the eaglets and Ospreys. Please e-mail me proof of purchase for directions to the eagle nest.

The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide

126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.

Purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.

I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:

• Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
• Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
• The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
• Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
• Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
• Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
• West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
• Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.

Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.

You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Despite the relatively poor (for photography) weather forecast, I had fun down by the lake on Saturday morning and made a few nice images as well. I will share the full story in tomorrow’s blog post.

Condolences to blog-regular Anthony Ardito as his favored Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35. The Eagles crushed KC in the first half that ended with Patrick Mahomes re-injuring his right ankle. I headed to bed early hoping to change the Chiefs karma. It worked. My heart was pounding for all of the fourth quarter as I watched the Chiefs amazing comeback on TIVO on Monday morning.

The second half was all Chiefs as coach Andy Reid’s team scored on every possession. The vaunted Eagles pass rush never laid a hand on Mahomes who was named the game’s MVP. And the Chiefs ran the ball well (158 yards) against the Eagles’ vaunted run defense. Patrick Mahomes carved up the Eagles’ secondary with his deadly accurate passing and ran for two key first downs on his injured leg including a 26-yard scramble/sprint up the middle to spark the game-winning drive.

Yesterday I posted: BTW, good luck to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in today’s Super Bowl game: Chiefs 38, Eagles 21. I apologize for missing the Eagle’s total. But I did nail the Chiefs winning point tally. 🙂

Lastly, to Pardon the Interruption’s highly respected Michael Wilson, I say, Shut up! With their second Super Bowl win in four years, Mahomes and the Chiefs are now a dynasty of two. Wilson has relentlessly referred to Mahomes and Kansas City as “A dynasty of one.”

Today is Monday 13 February 2023. I will be getting ready for my two upcoming trips. The first over to the west coast of Florida, the second to Homer, Alaska for the three Bald Eagle IPTs. The forecast for this morning is for cold, clear, and sunny with a NW breeze, a perfect morning to stay in and get some work done. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes three hundred twenty-one days in a row with a new educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

Brown Pelican head throw sequence

Too Much Lens

A 600mm fixed focal length lens is a bit much when attempting to photograph single pelicans on the main cliff at La Jolla. Working with the bare 600mm lens on a tripod, I stayed as far back as possible from the birds on the ridge. You can see that in the first image above, I was (barely) able to fit the whole pelican in a vertical frame as it began a head throw. I knew that I needed to raise to lens to avoid clipping the bill tip. So that’s what I did. Note that in the subsequent frames I did indeed cut off the bird’s feet. So, I elected to add the ridge and the feet from the first blue-coded image to the second one. As many folks figured out in yesterday’s blog post, I added canvas on all four sides. I could have done a lot better by expanding the canvas in small, even tiny increments.

Several folks commented on the telltale “Clone Stamp marks.” I rarely if ever use the Clone Stamp Tool for image clean-up, and did not use it once when botching yesterday’s featured image. 🙂
If I ever re-do the composite, I will post the surely improved version here.

The entire head throw sequence was completed in less than two seconds.

This image was also created on 12 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Standing at full height, I used the 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 and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 7:45:30 on a sunny morning. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. A cropped version of the Brown Pelican Pacific-race head throw image

The Simple Solution

As I pointed the lens up to avoid cutting off the end of the bill at the height of the head throw, I was not worried about cutting off the bird’s feet. I figured that I would simply execute a crop and create a tight head, bill pouch, and shoulders portrait. As above.

Please note that aside from the crop, not a single pixel was changed in the image above. Thus, the bill pouch was not “manipulated” in any way.

This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: photographers.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT morning sessions.

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

I discovered some really neat spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Deposit Info

A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

As you can see below, I had fun on Friday morning at the eagle nest. Neither of the young birds has branched yet. I’ve also been getting some good stuff on Mottled Ducks from the car. My daughters’ families got me a nice gift certificate for the holidays from some seafood joint in Alaska. I ordered scallops and salmon. I had the former for brunch. They were so amazingly delicious that I had them for dinner last night and will have them for brunch this morning. Then I will break out some King Salmon. Thanks Jen and Lissy!

I got some online shopping done. I finally broke down and ordered the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens from B&H. It is not a lens that I will use a lot, but there have been a several occasions over the past few months when I really wished I had it.

Today is Saturday 11 February 2023. The forecast is for cloudy early with a southeast breeze. It is not likely that I will be doing any backlit sunrise stuff, but it might be a good morning for video. Or perhaps, to photograph one of the eaglets flapping and jumping up on the perfect perch right next to the nest. I do not have much time left for that. This blog post took about 90 minutes hours to prepare and makes three hundred nineteen days in a row with a new educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then go back to posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

What I’ve Learned About Video

1- You do not want any Zebras or blinkies when you are shooting video as you are really shooting JPEGs. And that is true even with dark birds against white skies.
2- I might have to improve my processing game as iMovie is limiting in many respects.
3- Folks like sound to go with their videos.

Thanks again to the few who commented on the videos. I am not giving up yet.

White Pelicans in Lakeland, the secret North Tampa Rookery, and 1 1/2 DAYS on the Hooptie Deux for Spoonbills

If you would like to join Gary Chappell and me in Lakeland on Tuesday morning for American White Pelicans, at the secret rookery in North Tampa that afternoon, and on the 1 1/2 day Spoonbill IPT beginning on Wednesday, get in touch via e-mail or text me at 1-863-221-2372.

This image was created on 10 February down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp mud, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 125. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:22:48on a partly cloudy morning. Manual Focus with Focus Peaking worked perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle landing after jumping out of nest

Comparing the Two Exposures

Image #1: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 using ISO 125.
Image #2: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 at ISO 500.

So, the shutter speed for #1 is 1/3-stop faster (1/3-stop darker). The aperture for #1 is two stops brighter. The ISO for #1 is 2 stops darker than for Image #2. The last two exposure parameters cancel each other out. If my reckoning is correct, the exposure for the first image was 1/3 stop darker than for the second image. How can you explain that RawDigger showed that Image #1, the image that received 1/3-stop less light, was dead solid perfect while #2 was a full stop too dark?

To come up with the answer, all you need to do is look at each image.

This image was created on 10 February down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp mud, I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 504XL tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 500. 1/2500 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be almost one full stop under. AWB at 7:22:48on a partly cloudy morning. Manual Focus with Focus Peaking worked perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle landing after jumping out of nest

How Did I Do It?

Today’s featured images illustrate the new methodology I have been working on. I think that it is pretty neat, and cannot understand why I had never thought of it before. Do understand that both images were created in virtually the same instant. Image #1 was created at 560mm. Image #2 was created at 1200mm. Image #2 is not a crop of Image #1. They are two separate and distinct images. How did I do it? Please be specific.

Your Call?

Which of the two images of the same moment do you like best, the wide image or the tight image? Why did you make your choice?

All images on this card were created by Arthur Morris on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks

2023 Spoonbill Boat 1-1/2 DAY MINI-IPT: $1199.00.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 2.

A full day on WED 15 FEB and the morning of Thursday 16 FEB 2023: 1 1/2 days.

Two morning and one afternoon photo session (weather permitting) via customized pontoon boat.

For early-arriving folks, artie is throwing in a free afternoon In-the-Field session at a little-known but very active rookery in North Tampa on Tuesday 14 February.

We will be leaving the dock in Gibsonton, FL very early for the morning sessions in hopes of photographing a pre-dawn White Ibis blast-off and creating some dramatic silhouettes or pleasing blurs. The morning sessions are planned for the Alafia Banks Roseate Spoonbill Rookery. We have several options for the afternoons including returning to Alafia. We may spend one afternoon on foot at the North Tampa rookery mentioned above. There will be lots of opportunities for flight photography of several species including and especially Roseate Spoonbill. Also likely for flight photography are nesting Brown Pelican, Great Blue Heron, and Double Crested Cormorant, many carrying nesting material. This IPT includes all boat and guide fees, in-the-field instruction from two great leaders, chest waders (feel free to bring your own of course to assure a perfect fit), and three working lunches (Monday thru Wednesday). For the most part we will be standing in mid-calf to knee-deep water behind our tripods. We help you get in and out of the boat safely with your gear. This is likely not the best trip for folks with mobility or balance problems. Note however that some folks opt to stay on the boat to photograph. They usually have lots of chances for flight photography of spoonbills and other species but are almost always pretty far away from the spoonbills that land.

Mid-February is prime time for photographing spoonbills at the absolute peak of breeding plumage. For unknown reasons, the spoonbills at Alafia are much more colorful than the birds that breed at Stick Marsh later in the season. The Hooptie IPT represents an incredible opportunity and I do hope that you can join us. All of the images on the cards were made on the Hooptie Duex during the last two weeks of February, prime time for the spoonies in mega-breeding plumage.

You may hold your spot with an e-mail request. Then, you may either secure your spot by calling Jim or Jennifer at the office at 863-692-0906 and leaving the $599 deposit on credit card or sending your check for payment in full to us as follows with the check made out to:

BIRDS AS ART

Please send it via US mail here:

BIRDS AS ART
PO BOX 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855

If you call to leave your deposit, you will be asked to mail your check for the balance ASAP. Be sure to give us your e-mail address.

Images courtesy of our guide; copyright 2017 Captain James Shadle (aka Froggie). All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

Everybody Wants Spoonbills!

Roseate Spoonbill is one of if not the most sought after avian photographic subjects in Florida. They are generally hard to find and somewhat difficult to approach. They are relatively easy to find at Alafia Banks—heck, you can’t miss seeing them, but even there they can on some days be somewhat difficult to approach. On some days we may be able to get ridiculously close to them. The huge incentive to get out to Alafia Banks in mid-February is the chance to photograph this species at the height of its spectacular breeding plumage…. with long telephoto lenses. A 500 or 600 with a 1.4X TC is perfect for flight.

As above, there will — weather permitting — three boat trips — 2 mornings and 1 afternoon — on this MINI IPT. All to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and Brown Pelicans (with lots of flight photography often with the birds likely carrying nesting material), Double-crested Cormorants, ibises (both Glossy and White) in breeding plumage. Many of the White Ibises will be sporting their spectacular, distended, red, naked (un-feathered) throat pouches—typically larger in the females. In addition, we may get to photograph egrets including Great and Reddish, both in full breeding plumage, shorebirds, and more. There will be lots of flight photography opportunities. Afternoon trips either to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and more or to a more sheltered inland rookery location for a variety of nesting birds. In the event of horrific weather artie will either take the group to Fort DeSoto or will conduct an image review/Photoshop session. This IPT includes lunches on the full day with small group image sharing and review and some over-the-shoulder Photoshop instruction.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

I had another good morning down by the lake and came up with some exciting new ideas. If they work, I will be sharing them with you here soon. I got my 2022 taxes off to the accountant early for the first time ever. I enjoyed an afternoon swim, and began packing for my trip to Homer, AK.

Today is Thursday 9 February. I will run down to the lake to see what’s about and then continue getting ready for my Alaska trip. If you would like to join Gary Chappell and me in Lakeland on Tuesday morning for American White Pelicans, at the secret rookery in North Tampa that afternoon, and on the 1 1/2 day Spoonbill IPT beginning on Wednesday, get in touch via e-mail or text me at 1-863-221-2372.

This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes three hundred seventeen days in a row with a new, educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.

Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases.

The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then go back to posting every other day.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.

San Diego Brown Pelican Video

When I was talking about a zillion pelicans this season in La Jolla, I am sure that many assumed that I was exaggerating. The first clip, created with the tripod-mounted Sony 70-200mm f/2.8II GM lens, will convince you that I was not. I have never seen anything like it. The second clip was created with the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4 GM. The Levered-clamp FlexShooter worked well for shooting video of birds in flight. Be sure to check out the gorgeous pelican that bites the head of the landing bird. The last clip, the preening clip pelican, was made with the tripod-mounted 400mm f/2.8.

I forgot to mention that in Mark Smith’s Sony A1 Video Capture Guide Online Course (below), he teaches you to set up the a1 so that you can start and stop video capture with the shutter button! This enables you to shoot video with your eye to the viewfinder.

Sony A1 Video Capture Guide – The Complete Online Course by Mark Smith

On sale for $297.00

Mark Smith has posted many astounding videos on YouTube. As a result, he has been asked hundreds of times: How do you capture great video with the Sony a1? Early on, he spent hundreds of hours shooting video right after the a1 was released. He has had dozens of videos go viral and amass millions of views. It took an unbelievable amount of time and effort to unlock the a1’s full video potential. In his online course, he shares everything he’s learned along with the techniques that he has developed.

To order the course or to learn more, click here, click on Online Courses, click on the access the course link, and then scroll down to see the course contents. There are 46 lessons with just under three hours of video telling you everything you could possibly want to know about capturing breathtaking video using the Sony A1. Included is a great cheat sheet that simplifies the various settings. I am currently studying the lessons so that I can better understand how Mark set up my a1 and consider a slew of options!

Your Call?

Which of the three video clips did you find most interesting? Why?

This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The 2023/2024 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 27 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 30 DEC 2023. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: TUES 9 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 13 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: TEUS 23 JAN thru the morning session on SAT 27 JAN 2024: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT morning sessions.

Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.

I discovered some really neat spots on my 2022/23 visit. As a result, the first and second IPTs may include an afternoon or two of landscape photography.

Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not

Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

It Ain’t Just Pelicans

With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning, there is usually some excellent flight photography, at times with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego. Each IPT will include one or two duck sessions.

Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

The San Diego Details

These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon shoot. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.

San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Deposit Info

A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2023/2024 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.

Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late

On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.

Typos

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