Wanted to Buy

If you have a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens sitting on a shelf in your garage, unused for months, and would like to get some good money for it, please get in touch via e-mail..

Your Call

If you favor one of today’s two featured images over the other, please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.

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 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Sold Out.

San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

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

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 as well, often 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.

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. 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 2022/23 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.

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.

What’s Up?

As is typical, things started off slowly at Sebastian Inlet on Saturday. By 10:00am the action began picking up and continued at least until 1:30pm (when I left). There were a dozen or so Ospreys in the air fishing much of the time along with dozens of Royal Terns and Laughing Gulls. With mostly sunny skies and a north/northeast wind, photography was difficult at best; once the birds hit the water they flew directly away from us. I started with the hand held 600mm f/4, went to the 200-600 when it became totally sunny, and ended with the handheld 400mm f/2.8 when it got cloudy for a brief while. With the light changing drastically from minute to minute getting consistently perfect exposures was a challenge even with Zebras.

Today is Sunday 30 October 2022. I head over to DeSoto this afternoon for the 3rd DeSoto Fall IPT. The Bar-tailed Godwit continues. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred-eighteen days in a row with a new one.

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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 16 January 2022 on a Diego/Brown Pelican IPT. While seated using the knee-pod technique, 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 1250. 1/500 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 10:26:54am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. Tracking: Zone/Bird Eye-Face AF-C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Heerman’s Gull adult calling — gently backlit

Determining Your Minimum Handholding Shutter Speed for a Given Situation

When handholding a telephoto lens for bird photography, each photographer must determine the lowest shutter speed with which they can create consistently sharp images for a variety of situations. Several factors must be taken into account. Those include:

a- The focal length
b- The sharpness technique you are using
c- The potential for subject movement.

Here are my thoughts on my personal minimum shutter speeds when working at 600mm. When adding a teleconverter, you will need to increase your minimum shutter speed.

1- For birds in flight, 1/3200 sec. is preferred. I will go higher on sunny days with fast lenses. With slower flying subjects, 1/2500 and 1/2000 sec. should be fine. When trying to avoid super-high ISOs, shutter speeds as low as 1/500 sec. may produce sharp images on occasion. If you are able to perfectly match the speed of the bird in flight with your panning speed, it is possible to create sharp on the eye images at shutter speeds down to 1/60 or even 1/30 sec. On occasion, when caught with my pants down, I have followed my own advice to shoot now and ask questions later and made some sharp flight images with shutter speeds of 1/160, 1/250, 1/320, and 1/400 sec. You can call those accidental successes.

2- For walking or swimming birds I will go with 1/1000 sec in most lighting conditions. When using the knee-pod or foot-pod techniques, you can cut that in half.

3- When photographing birds that are moving slowly such as when calling, or displaying, I generally will want to be at at least 1/500 sec., even in low light situations, and even when knee-podding or foot-podding.

4- When photographing completely static subjects, I will generally try for 1/250 sec. when standing at full height. When seated and knee-podding I am comfortable at 1/125 sec. and will try 1/60 sec. in very low light situations.

You can only learn your minimum required shutter speeds by trial and error. All of the minimums above may be reduced when working with shorter focal length lenses or with shorter focal lengths when using a zoom lens. Note that some folks who may always opt for shutter speeds of from 1/2000 to 1/3200 sec. in static situations without worrying about high and mega-high ISOs so that they are always ready for flight and action.

This image was created on 16 January 2022 on a Diego/Brown Pelican IPT. While seated using the knee-pod technique, 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 1250. 1/500 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 10:26:57am on a cloudy morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect plus a bit more. Tracking: Zone/Bird Eye-Face AF-C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Heerman’s Gull adult calling — gently backlit

A High-Level Exposure Fine Point Question

Image #1 and 2 were created just three seconds apart in the same light with the same settings: ISO 1250: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3.

How is it possible that RawDigger showed no over-exposed pixels along the top of the bird’s head in Image #1, yet revealed significant over-exposure in the rim-lit area on the top of the gull’s head in Image #2?

Typos

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

The Homer IPTs

If you are considering attending one of these great trips, please contact me via e-mail. I will do my very best to make it happen.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

2023 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs

IPT #1: MON 20 FEB 2023 through the full day on FRI 24 FEB 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.

IPT #2: SAT 25 FEB 2023 through the full day on THURS 2 MAR 2023. Six full days/24 hours on the boat: $6600.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.

IPT #3: FRI 3 MAR 2023 through the full day on TUES 7 MAR 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers. Openings: 2.

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips.

These trips feature non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require a ton of good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will stay out and be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader, who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.

You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.

Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight images from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the two best and most creative boat captains on their sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck crafts.

The second and third IPTs are the only Bald Eagle workshops that feature an incredibly helpful first mate.

Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Please Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips, or 24 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the three trips is to sign up for all three. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, two, or all three trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

What’s Up?

I spent most of Thursday catching up on last weekends NFL games on TIVO and working on new images. Though my recent three-state road trip did not produce as a single good image of a bird, I had a great time doing scenics, trees, old buildings, and Prairie Dogs, and learning a ton about drive-by shooting.

Today is Friday 28 October 2022. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred-sixteen days in a row with a new one.

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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 25 February 2020 on an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. While crouching a bit, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced for me by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 500: 1/1600 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 3:27:45pm on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot (S) AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagles — juvenile and adult juxtaposition

Creating Pleasing Juxtapositions

When I first began photographing birds 39 years, 2 months, and 21 days ago, I strove to include only a single bird in the frame. Then I created an image of a momma Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear clamming with an out-of-focus, pleasingly offset bear cub clamming in the background. When that image was honored in a National Wildlife Federation contest, I realized that pleasing juxtapositions could also work well with birds. You can see that image in the Composition and Image Design Gallery of The Art of Bird Photography II. Overseas folks (and others) may wish to purchase the electronic download version here.

In many cases, pleasing juxtapositions last only a few seconds; to succeed, you need to work fast and have mastered your camera’s AF system. In more than 99% of successful pleasing juxtapositions, it is best to focus on the nearest subject. There are, however, exceptions, so be open to thinking out of the box and spotting them. In general, it is best to avoid any merges, but again, there are exceptions. Most importantly, you need to understand that you move the two subjects around in the frame by changing your perspective left or right, or up or down.

This image was created on 19 February 2022 on a Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. 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 640. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 2:00:43pm on a sunny afternoon. RawDigger showed the exposure to be perfect. Tracking: (Upper Center) Zone performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Bald Eagle — adult taking flight

AF Strategies for Vertical Shooting

When set up properly, nearly all modern camera bodies can remember different AF methods and/or different AF points for horizontal and vertical shooting. In all BIRDS AS ART camera user’s Guides I advise that you choose and save an upper center AF area so that you are good to go instantly when photographing tall birds like herons, egrets, and cranes. That strategy paid off well when this sitting tall eagle took flight. The beauty of SONY’s Tracking Zone is that it will continue to track the bird’s eye even when the eye is outside of the brackets.

Motion Blur

Even at 1/2000 second, the eagles head and eye exhibited substantial motion blur. Even with a faster shutter speed, you can often get motion blur as a result of jerking the lens in response to unexpected subject movement. Topaz Sharpen AI did a fine job of cleaning things up. I usually reduce the opacity of the Sharpen AI layer to about 80% and that approach worked well with this image.

Getting the Right Exposure

Join a BAA IPT to learn to get the right exposure on both sunny and cloudy days no matter your camera system. Even with black and white subjects like the eagles on the Homer IPTs.

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 vastly different featured images do you like best? Why?

What’s Up?

I left Boise City, OK at 4:30am, drove through the Texas Panhandle, and arrived at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to scout at 11:00am on a bright sunny day. I had lunch at 2:00pm in the very funky Medicine Park, OK.
There was beautiful scenery with prairie, low mountains, and lots of lakes along with bison and lots of great birds. As has been the case on my four-day road trip, bird photography was difficult to impossible, with the emphasis on impossible.

Today is Wednesday 26 October 2022. I am headed to Dallas Love Field for my 1:50 nonstop flight to Orlando. I should be back to ILE at about 8:00pm. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred-fourteen days in a row with a new one.

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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.

iPhone Pano Image #1: Rock wall

Scott Mountain Rock Wall

I drove to the top of Scott Mountain after lunch to enjoy the views. They were mostly spectacular, but for the wind turbine farms to the east.On the way up, I marveled at the beauty of the lichens and the patterns on the rock walls. I imagined stopping on the way down and photographing the colorful shaded walls that were in the shade with the 70-200 f/2.8 lens. A second idea popped into my head: do an iPhone pano while standing close to the wall. I found a pull-off on the shaded side of the road, spent about twenty minutes at work with the short telephoto zoom lens, and made some nice images. and then tried the pano

This image was created on October 2022 at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) with The One, the Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera ISO 640. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect: 1/1000 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 4:46:18pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Spot S/AF-C with Animal Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #2: Prairie Dog — standing at burrow entrance image

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Worn by time and nature, the Wichita Mountains loom large above the prairie in southwest Oklahoma—a lasting refuge for wildlife. Situated just outside the Lawton/Ft. Sill area, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge preserves approximately 60,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ancient granite mountains, and fresh water lakes and streams for the benefit of wildlife and the American people. Best known for its roaming herds of bison, longhorn, and Rocky Mountain elk, Wichita Mountains also offers quality opportunities for wildlife dependent recreation including fishing, bird watching, wildlife photography, hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Getting Luck with the Prairie Dogs!

Stopping at the Visitor Center, I was told that all of the Prairie Dogs, several thousand of them, had disappeared after a recent cold snap. I was happy to spot a few dozen near their burrows aside the main road. I pulled off, exited the driver’s side door, scooted around the front of my car on my butt, and sat patiently. I was rewarded when several of the cute little mammals cooperated.

With lots of light, the 200–600 with the 1.4X TC was the obvious choice. The foot-pod technique allowed me to get pleasingly low. How would this image been slightly improved had I gotten six inches higher by switching to the toe-pod technique?

I was pleased to learn that Animal Eye/Face Detection with the a1 worked perfectly. It was the first time I had used it.

Typos

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

Click on the composite to enjoy a high-res version. All images were created with the handheld SONY 200-600GM and the a1. The 1.4X TC was added for the sorghum field blur. The rattler was unfortunately road-killed. Black Mesa State Park Composite

Your Favorite?

Which image in the composite would you like to see optimized?

What’s Up?

There was a Red Wind Alert yesterday in the Oklahoma Panhandle: mean wind speeds in excess of 50 mph with gusts in excess of 80mph. After the 387-mile drive from OKC to Boise City in the Oklahoma Panhandle, I spent five hours exploring Black Mesa State Park. In a word, the winds were ferocious at times. Twice I made my way to rock ledges above the lake, and feared for my safety when returning to my vehicle just yards away. It felt as if the rock cliff were moving and as if I would be lifted up and away. Having once experienced fierce katabatic wind in Antarctica, I would say that yesterday was worse.

There were lots of birds: Common Ravens, meadowlarks, Horned Larks, Bald and Golden Eagle (the latter carrying a rabbit), juvenile Northern Shrike, Mountain Bluebird, Prairie Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk, cormorants, and many other unidentified species. Photographing any of them, even from the car, was impossible because of the high winds. Above is a sampling of images that I made with the handheld 200-600 using very high shutter speeds and very high ISOs, the latter despite the bright sunshine.

Today is Monday 24 October 2022. I am headed out to explore the ares north and west of Black Mesa. It is cooler and cloudy bright with only a breeze from the north. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 60 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred-twelve days in a row with a new one.

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.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Today is Saturday 22 October 2022. I began working on this blog post a bit before 1pm — better late than never keeps the streak alive. I just finished my “A Bird Photographer’s” Story Master Class at OKC PhotoCon. It was well received. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred-ten days in a row with a new one.

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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.

Joe McNally and yours truly chatting after his program iPhone image courtesy of and copyright 2022 StukenborgPhotography image

Joe McNally in pictures & words, but mostly words …

I have been aware of Joe McNally’s images for several decades. I knew that he had been a Nikon Ambassador and a National Geographic photographer for decades. I’d seen his images, but had never seen him speak until late yesterday afternoon. For a sampling of his best work, check out the portfolio on his website here. Immerse yourself in the 314-image slide show by clicking on the right-facing forward arrow. It is hard to believe that he has many thousands more astoundingly beautiful and creative images. Heck, surely tens of thousands more.

In short, the program turned out to be one of those the top-ten-days-in-my-life experiences. Here are some of the words that I came up with to describe Joe’s work, his images, his career, his life, and the program. Many of these adjectives describe all of those categories, in no particular order. Astounding, creative, astoundingly creative, personable, humorous, dedicated, hard-working, light-hearted, perseverant, brilliant, vast, technically & technologically-gifted, acclaimed, award-winning, oft-honored, prolific, fearless, zany, insane, visionary, friendly, inspiring, gracious, passionate, complex, adaptable, decisive, adventurous, charismatic, fiercely independent, mind-blowing, self-confident, moving, and colorful, just to list a few. Did I mention that he likes to climb to the top of very high things with a camera in his hand and that he routinely creates stunning images of everything he photographs?

Joe McNally’s website bio

The Camera is a Visa – Around the Globe with Joe McNally

Joe’s program was aptly titled “The Camera is a Visa – Around the Globe with Joe McNally.” So, what does Mr. McNally like to photograph? The world and everything in it. He has done street photography; newspaper photography; commercial and assignment photography; people, fashion, dance, & aviation photography, magazine photography (including cover stories for National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, Geo, Fortune, New York, Business Week, Life & Men’s Journal); and just about everything else.

I got to chat with Joe after the program and mentioned that when I had been a Canon Explorer of Light, I had twice gotten in trouble with the powers that be at Canon for quoting him, a Nikon shooter, on my blog. Two of my favorite Joe McNally quotes went something like these: “Here’s a roll of film, there’s the door. Everyone is equal. Let’s see what you can do,” and “Part of succeeding as a photographer is to put your lens in a spot where nobody has ever put one before.”

Typos

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

Fall 2022 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3 Late Registration Discount Info

If you are interested in learning about the late registration discount offer for the third Fort DeSoto IPT, please get in touch via e-mail

On Getting Better

Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.

Fall 2022 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3

3 1/2 Days: Monday 31 October through the morning session on Thursday 3 November 2022. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: 5.

Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds and terns in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, night-herons, and gulls that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. 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. And we will get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and 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.

On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.

There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.

This IPT will run with only a single registrant (though that is not likely to happen). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB information.

A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check two months before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the 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, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

Up Early, Stay Out Late!

Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. The length of cloudy morning sessions will often be extended. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.

Spoonbills at DeSoto

Over the past years, Roseate Spoonbills have become regular visitors to Fort DeSoto Park. I know when and where to find them and can teach you to approach them successfully. Do consider joining me on the last Fall DeSoto IPT.

What’s Up?

I left home at 6:00am to catch my flight to Dallas. I fly there rather than to OKC to enjoy a non-stop flight. Then a three hour drive up to the PhotoCon hotel. I will be staying on for a few days before flying home Wednesday afternoon. If anyone knows any spots north of Dallas that might be good for bird photography at this time of year, please get in touch via e-mail; perhaps we could meet up.

Enjoy Matt Milnes’ very fine featured z9 images and leave a comment letting us know your favorite and why you made your choice. I have a tie for first. It is obvious that the Z9 on the 500PF with the adapter is deadly when in competent hands.

Today is Thursday 20 October 2022. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes two hundred-eight days in a row with a new one.

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!

Homer IPT Multiple Trip Discounts Increased

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips. If you sign up with a friend or a spouse, please e-mail for couples’ discount info.

On Getting Better

Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.

Attention NANPA Members

If you are currently a NANPA member who enjoys and benefits from your membership and would like to see the organization grow and improve, please contact me via e-mail on a matter of urgent importance.

How Much Can You Learn in a Single Morning?

This image was created on 10 October 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT by Matthew Milnes. He used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and the vaunted Nikon Z9 Mirrorless camera body with the FTZ II Adapter Kit. ISO 250: 1/40 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop). AWB at 7:51:11am on a cloudy morning. Image #1: American Oystercatcher pair/blur Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Matthew Milnes

Matthew Milnes

I first met Matthew Milnes online when he kindly identified the egg-laying turtle in the blog post here as a Peninsular Cooter (Pseudemys peninsular). We had been in touch off and on since then. On the third day of the second Fort DeSoto IPT, a handsome young man approached me and asked, “Are you Arthur Morris? I am Matthew Milnes, the guy who helped you with the turtle ID a while back.” We got to chatting and Matthew — vacationing with his family, after watching me work with the grouped for a while, asked about joining us for a morning of in-the-field instruction the next day. Thus, we spent got to spend several hours together that Monday. He really paid attention to what I had to say.

As is the custom for all IPT and I-T-F participants, I invited Matthew to send some of his favorite images for a short critique. I chose four of those to feature in today’s blog post. My comments will flow each image.

Matt, your images are pretty darn good for a herps guy! (He is a herpetologist by trade.) The oystercatcher blur is lovely. Especially the background tones and layers. Bummer that that species rarely flaps. As there is too much blue at the bottom, I cropped this one for the blog.

This image was created on 10 October 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT by Matthew Milnes. He used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and the vaunted Nikon Z9 Mirrorless camera body with the FTZ II Adapter Kit. ISO 1250: 1/5000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:29:33am on a partly cloudy morning. Image #2: Sandwich Tern emerging with baitfish Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Matthew Milnes

How Much Can You Learn in a Single Morning?

Here’s what Matt had to say:

I learned a lot about finding and seeing photographic opportunities – even on a poor to mediocre day by Ft. DeSoto standards. You kept putting us in the best spot all morning long. I’ve incorporated a lot of tips from the blog posts and from Digital Basics II into my post processing routine. I look forward to another opportunity to join you for an IPT.

Matthew, the diving tern is spectacular. For the blog, I cropped a bit off the bottom. The splash is the highlight, and the image is very sharp.

6

This image was created on 10 October 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT by Matthew Milnes. He used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and the vaunted Nikon Z9 Mirrorless camera body with the FTZ II Adapter Kit. ISO 1600: 1/6400 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 9:50:21am on a partly cloudy morning. Image #3: Sandwich Tern — tight flight Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Matthew Milnes

The Z9 Guide

Matt purchased The Nikon Z9 Guide for Wildlife Photographers on Sunday afternoon. I sent it to him and urged him to spend some time on it that evening. He did. Here is what he had to say:

Thank you, Artie, for making the Z9 Guide available. The Setup, Photo Shooting, and Custom Menu sections offered great starting points for initial camera setup. I imagine that the guide would be immensely helpful for anyone new to Nikon, and still helpful for longtime Nikon folks transitioning from a DSLR to a mirrorless body, like me. The suggestions in the autofocus section were particularly helpful for two reasons: the Z9 has options that were not previously available in any Nikon body, and several of the default settings are likely to get in the way of shooting action.

Hey, Matt. The tight Sandwich Tern shot is excellent. It is super-sharp, and you cut the wings in just the right places (as noted in various blog posts). Maintaining accurate focus on birds in flight is a challenge for the photographer and the camera body. The Z9 rocked this one!

This image was created on 10 October 2022 on a Fort DeSoto IPT by Matthew Milnes. He used the handheld Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and the vaunted Nikon Z9 Mirrorless camera body with the FTZ II Adapter Kit. ISO 800: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 10:16:30am on a cloudy morning. Image #4: Great Egret preening — high key Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Matthew Milnes

White-on-White Delight!

Mr. Milnes, the high key Great Egret is a delight — it put a big smile on my face. I usually would not like the bird preening the far side of its neck, but the skillful white-on-white processing is so light-hearted that it works very well.

Huge thanks to Matt for joining me at DeSoto, and for sending his fine images and allowing me to share some of them with you here today.

You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store for $69.00. Or Call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. The Nikon Z9 Guide for Wildlife Photographers

The Nikon Z9 Guide for Wildlife Photographers/by Warren Hatch
Editorial Consultant: Arthur Morris

In this downloadable e-book (you will receive a link by e-mail), you’ll learn everything a wildlife photographer needs to know about the Nikon Z9. The Z9 is one of the most complex camera bodies ever made. In this guide, the brilliant Warren Hatch will teach you exactly how to set up your Z9 for bird, wildlife, and nature photography. The camera offers hundreds of settings and options. Selecting the right combination of these is essential in order to effectively use the Z9 in the field.

This 83-page guide, created in the tradition of the many mega-successful BIRDS AS ART Camera User’s Guides, includes:

Order yours here in the BAA Online Store for $69.00. Or Call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand.

Alan Murphy on the Z9 Guide

I was excited to learn that Warren had written a guide to the Nikon Z9 as I have been learning so much about the camera from him. I’ve had the Z9 for several months. Whenever I was puzzled by my new mirrorless camera body, I’d call Warren. He always had the answer. Now, everything that he knows about this great camera body — it continues to amaze me, is available to everyone. Warren’s Z9 guide is great asset for Nikon shooters.

So Who the Heck is Warren Hatch?

When it comes to Nikon camera bodies and nature photography, Warren Hatch is not chopped liver.

Warren retired from the information technology field eight years ago. He began as a computer programmer and retired as the Chief Information Officer of a multibillion-dollar consulting firm. He has been photographing full-time since then. His images have been honored by Audubon, Nature’s Best, and other international photo contests. Like me, photography is both his profession and his passion. For decades, Warren has made a concerted effort to understand what each and every camera body feature does and believes that his in-depth knowledge of his cameras’ buttons, dials, and capabilities has improved his photography.

Because of his close ties to Nikon, Warren was one of the first in the US to get his hands on a Z9. Not to mention a Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens!

For the past ten years, Warren has extracted the encrypted metadata from the Nikon NEF (raw) files for all Nikon professional camera bodies. The metadata contains the camera settings that include detailed autofocus information that is not available in Nikon’s NX Studio. He shares the extracted metadata with Phil Harvey who uses it in his hugely popular ExifTool software.

Typos

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

Homer IPT Multiple Trip Discounts Increased

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips. If you sign up with a friend or a spouse, please e-mail for couples’ discount info.

Fall 2022 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #3 Late Registration Discount Info

If you are interested in learning about the late registration discount offer for the third Fort DeSoto IPT, please get in touch via e-mail

On Getting Better

Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.

Attention NANPA Members

If you are currently a NANPA member who enjoys and benefits from your membership and would like to see the organization grow and improve, please contact me via e-mail on a matter of urgent importance.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

2023 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs

IPT #1: MON 20 FEB 2023 through the full day on FRI 24 FEB 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.

IPT #2: SAT 25 FEB 2023 through the full day on THURS 2 MAR 2023. Six full days/24 hours on the boat: $6600.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.

IPT #3: FRI 3 MAR 2023 through the full day on TUES 7 MAR 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers. Openings: 2.

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips.

These trips feature non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require a ton of good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will stay out and be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader, who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.

You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.

Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight images from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the two best and most creative boat captains on their sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck crafts.

The second and third IPTs are the only Bald Eagle workshops that feature an incredibly helpful first mate.

Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Please Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips, or 24 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the three trips is to sign up for all three. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, two, or all three trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

What’s Up?

Monday was another day of all work and no play. I’ve been swimming two half-mile sessions daily and eating very well. I was thrilled to learn that many multiple IPT-veteran John Dupps will be joining me on the second San Diego IPT and that Galapagos registrant Vasili Chernishof will be attending the first Homer IPT. With Homer now more than half full, do not wait too long if you wish to join me there.

Today is Tuesday 18 October 2022. I fly to Oklahoma City on Thursday for OKC PhotoCon. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred-six days in a row with a new one.

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!

Your Call

Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice. Thanks with love for that, artie.

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time with the puffins on Grimsey Island, Iceland — 13 days in this case! — will be realized this coming July. If anyone else would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

Two Square Sunny Bald Eagles

This image was created on 26 February 2022 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 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 640: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1 1/3-stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:43:09pm on a sunny afternoon. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle adult beginning to dive

Exposure Basics

On cloudy days, the meter in your camera is dead-solid stupid. In situations with overall light-toned backgrounds you will need to add from two to four, yes, four, stops of light to the exposure value suggested by your in-camera metering system. That is true be it Evaluative (Canon), Matrix (Nikon), Multi-metering (Sony), or whatever is the (supposedly) most sophisticated metering pattern with your current system.

On sunny days, these same metering systems are much smarter; most of the time you will need to add or subtract only one- or two-thirds of a stop of light to make perfect exposures. Remember that when using Manual exposure mode for your bird photography (or anything else), there is no “exposure compensation” (EC). Relying on Sony’s Zebras, I rarely look at the analogue scale to note how the exposure I have set compares to the exposure suggested by the camera. The difference that you note would equate to the EC.

This image was also created on 26 February 2022 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 249mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 500: 1/4000 sec. at f4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 2:46:41pm on a sunny afternoon. 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 checking things out

Homer Weather

The weather in Homer, AK in winter is incredibly variable. Daily high temperatures range from 32°F to 34°F, rarely falling below 18°F or exceeding 43°F. The daily low temperatures are around 23°F, rarely falling below 5°F or exceeding 35°F. The past few years have been unseasonably warm. Sky conditions vary tremendously and can change in minutes, and the same is true of wind speeds and directions. We do not have a set-in-stone schedule on any IPT as we adjust it daily based on the weather, the sky conditions, the wind direction and strength, and local conditions. In Homer, we meet for breakfast just as it is getting light. I look out the big window in the restaurant at Land’s End Resort, call the captain, and arrange a meeting time. And so it goes for the rest of the day as we may stay out all day or cancel. Every trip for as long as I can remember exceeds the total- hours-on-the-boat plan of four hours/day. On cloudy bright days we may photograph for as long as eight hours! And we always head out when there is a chance for decent sunset colors.

The variable weather enables you to return home with new knowledge regarding the relationship between sky conditions and the wind. In addition, and most importantly, you will learn to get the right exposure when working in conditions ranging from cloudy-dark to complete sun. Do consider joining me this winter.

Another huge learning opportunity is available to you ever day as we edit our images — pick our keepers from as many as ten thousand or more from a single session. Shooting very conservatively, I rarely exceed four or five thousand images even on a great morning. Last year some folks created from ten to more than twenty thousand images on a single day. Your understanding of ideal wing positions and flight poses will be increased exponentially. As will the total package of your photography skills.

Typos

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

Attention NANPA Members

If you are currently a NANPA member who enjoys and benefits from your membership and would like to see the organization grow and improve, please contact me via e-mail on a matter of urgent importance.

Homer IPT Multiple Trip Discounts Increased

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips. Please e-mail for couples’ discount info.

On Getting Better

Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

2023 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs

IPT #1: MON 20 FEB 2023 through the full day on FRI 24 FEB 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.

IPT #2: SAT 25 FEB 2023 through the full day on THURS 2 MAR 2023. Six full days/24 hours on the boat: $6600.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.

IPT #3: FRI 3 MAR 2023 through the full day on TUES 7 MAR 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers. Openings: 2.

Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips.

These trips feature non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require a ton of good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will stay out and be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader, who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.

You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.

Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight images from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the two best and most creative boat captains on their sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck crafts.

The second and third IPTs are the only Bald Eagle workshops that feature an incredibly helpful first mate.

Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Please Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips, or 24 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the three trips is to sign up for all three. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, two, or all three trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

What’s Up?

Take a look at today’s three features images and leave a comment letting us know which of those you feel is the strongest. While each image is sharp and technically perfect, I have a clear choice as to which one is the most pleasing artistically. What do you think?

I drove down to the lake on Saturday morning. The pools that formed as a result of the flooding from Hurricane Ian have attracted several species of shorebirds in addition to the dozen or so Greater Yellowlegs that were present for a few days after the storm. Present yesterday were well more than a dozen Common Snipe, three Pectoral Sandpipers, and half a dozen fly-by Semipalmated Sandpipers. The pectorals were new for me at Indian Lake Estates. I still have lots to do to get ready for ready for my trip to OKC next Thursday.

I was glad to learn yesterday that Monte Brown sold most of his Canon EF and Rf lenses within hours of listing. He still has a Canon R6 for sale at a great price. I was glad to learn that Charlie Curry will be joining us on the 3rd Homer IPT. Best to sign up soon if you would like to make this incredible trip.

Today is Sunday 16 October 2022.I will wake at 4:30am and head back to Sebastian Inlet in search of migrating schools of mullet and other baitfish. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred-four days in a row with a new one.

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!

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time with the puffins on Grimsey Island, Iceland — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone else would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

Is Larger-in-the-Frame Always Better?

This image was created on 26 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. While crouching, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 121mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb wheel. ISO 800. 1/1600 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3 stop). AWB at 1:36:06pm on a cloudy afternoon. Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle juvenile bird-scape

The 70-200mm Lenses in Homer

The 70-200mm lenses, especially the f/2.8 versions, are always my most valuable lens on a Homer IPT. Alone, the offer great light gathering capabilities, always a huge plus on cloudy days. At the long end, the 4X magnification is great for the diving eagles that often surround the boat. On brighter days, they perform superbly with either the 1.4X or 2X TCs. The latter was used to create today’s Image #3. The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G OSS II lens is the best I have ever had my hands on.

For this image I was 21.5 feet from the subject working at 121mm.

This image was created on 25 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. While standing, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 165mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb wheel. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 2/3 stops). AWB at 3:57:29pm a cloudy bright afternoon. Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle juvenile — whole bird facing portrait

Bigger in the Frame

When I first began photographing birds nearly forty years ago, I did my best to come as close as possible to filling the fame with the bird, It took me a few years to realize that for artistic reasons, you need to give the bird lots of room in the frame. Had I opted to get closer or zoom in further, this image would not have been very pleasing.

For this one I was 17 feet from the subject working at 165mm.

This image was also created on 25 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK.. Seated on the snow, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop). AWB at 3:56:20pm on a cloudy afternoon. Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Bald Eagle juvenile head and shoulders portrait

The Head and Shoulders Portraits

I freely admit to being a head hunter when it comes to bird photography. I love making tight images that reveal details of a bird’s head, face, and neck. Implied is that you have excellent field skills and have earned the bird’s trust in allowing you to got so close. In addition, you often feel as if you can ascertain a bit of a given bird’s personality.

For this image I was 15 feet from the subject working at 280mm. Yes, the eagles at Homer are quite tame and are comfortable around the folks who are feeding them herring.

Typos

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

What’s Up?

Well before the sun rose on Thursday, there was a Great Horned Owl perched in the dead tree in front of my house. For the rest of the day, I worked, swam, walked, and caught up with last week’s NFL games on TIVO.

Today is Friday 14 October and there is still a ton of work to be done. I may head down to the lake early for a walk and to check things out. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less about two hours to prepare and makes two hundred-two days a row with a new one.

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!

Iceland

My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

Please Remember

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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.

What to do at Sebastian with no Diving Ospreys

This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 112mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2 1/3 stops; AUTO ISO set ISO 2000: 1/250 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:04:13am, about 15 minutes before sunrise. Tracking: Spot S AF/C (with Bird-Eye/Face Detection) performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Pre-dawn cloud-scape

Plan on Arriving Early with a 70-200 Lens

The forecast had been for totally cloudy at sunrise. But I never believe them, so I arrived at 6:30 for the 7:20am sunrise. As no early color had materialized, I set up the 600 with the a1 on the tripod, stuck the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the 24-105mm in my Xtra-hand Vest, and headed out. It took a while for the color to max out. As the colors became more vivid, I mounted the a1 on the 70-200 and went to work. As the color was restricted to a small area of the sky and because there was a boat anchored in just the wrong place, I never thought of grabbing the short zoom. Note, however, that I could have used it at 112mmm and created a very similar image. Given the choice, however, I consider the 70-200 f/2.8 II GM OSS lens to be sharper than the 24-105mm G OSS lens.

The versatile 70-200 lenses are excellent for landscapes.

This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. Crouching a bit, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 400mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 8:46:54am on a then cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Wood Stork looking down — head portrait

Wood Storks at Sebastian Inlet

Wood Stork are all over the place at Sebastian. They are almost always very reliable and just a bit skittish, but often require a careful approach with long focal length lenses. On Wednesday, they were very mellow and allowed me to get uncharacteristically close with little effort. I walked back to my vehicle, grabbed the 70-200 with the 2X TC and an a1, and went to work looking for pleasing backgrounds.

Preparedness Question

With the 70-200/2X rig, I could have made sharp images at shutter speeds as slow as 1/250 second or less. Why was I set up at 1/3200 sec. when photographing a relatively static subject?

This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet. Standing on full height, I used the handheld 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: 1/8000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 10:42:91am on a variably sunny, hazy morning. Tracking: Zone/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 #3: Adult nonbreeding Caspian Tern in flight

Back-up Subjects

Like the Wood Storks, the terns, gulls, and Brown Pelicans that patrol the inlet often give you something to photograph when the Ospreys are not diving. Though there was bait around and more than a few Ospreys, they dove for fish only rarely. Royal Tern is seen most often and there are almost always a few Forster’s Terns around as well. The larger Caspian Terns do not occur regularly. There were two circling around as the tide came in. The 600mm focal length was perfect for them as the turned toward me into the very faint breeze from the east/southeast.

Caspian are as large as Herring Gulls, are much bulkier than the royals, and often fly with their bills pointed downwards. The royals fly with their bills pointed straight ahead.

David Sibley Says

In The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition (Sibley Guides), David Allen Sibley writes:

Caspian: Heavier, broader-winged, shorter-tailed, and more gull-like than Royal. Neck and bill thicker. More dark under primaries. Dark red bills with dusky tips.

Royal: Slender and long-winged, bill long and rather heavy. Streamlined and sleek, with powerful direct flight. Limited dark under primaries. Bright orange-red bill never as dark red as many Caspians).

Note that the bill of the Caspian Tern in Image #3 is uncharacteristically more orange than deep red.

The publication of The Sibley Guide to Birds, First Edition, quickly established David Allen Sibley as the author and illustrator of the nation’s supreme and most comprehensive guide to birds. Used by millions of birders from novices to the most expert, The Sibley Guide became the standard by which natural history guides are measured. The highly anticipated second edition builds on this foundation of excellence, offering massively expanded and updated information, new paintings, new and rare species, and a new, elegant design.

I consult my First Edition Sibley almost every day when I am at home. While working on this blog post, I just ordered a new copy of the Second Edition 🙂

Typos

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

Get Well Soon Jim

Longtime friend and employee Jim Litzenberg is recovering at home from a mild case of COVID. He will likely be back to work on Monday 17 October. If you placed an order and need it ASAP, please forward your receipt to me via e-mail and I will get it to you as quickly as possible.

Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS II USM Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price Reduced $200.00 on 10/12/2022

Amit Satiya is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $5698.00 (was $5898.00). The sale includes the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, lens trunk, the lens strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Amit via e-mail or by phone at 1-201-554-9820 (Eastern time zone).

Whenever I owned a Canon 500mm, I loved the 500 because it was smaller and lighter and thus easier to handhold, focused closer, and was much easier to travel with than the 600. Right now, a new one at B&H sells for $8999.00, and there is a used one in the same condition as Amit’s for a ridiculously high $7,198.95. Whichever on you compare it to, you will save a pocketful of cash by being the one to grab his lens. With a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R $99.00), this lens performs perfectly with an EOS R, R5, R6, or R7! artie

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

The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs

San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.

San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.

San Diego IPT #3: 3 1/2 DAYS: FRI 20 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers.

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

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 as well, often 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.

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. 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 $599 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 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.

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.

What’s Up?

I visited Bowd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete on Tuesday morning and walked the Yellow Trail with the 400mm f/2.8 and the 1.4X TC on the monopod. While the habitat was beautiful, there was nothing to photograph, not a bird, not a flower, not a squirrel, no interesting patterns. After serval shopping stops, I arrived home at 3:30pm. I watched a bit of Laver Cup tennis and a bit of NFL on TIVO.

Today is Wednesday 12 October. I will wake early and head to Sebastian Inlet to check on the Osprey situation. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred days a row with a new one.

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!

Iceland

If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.

Please Remember

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.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords 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, or to any prior purchases.

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.

One of the Nicest Things About Brown Pelicans

This image was created on 19 January 2022 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the 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 1250. 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 about 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 11:29:26am on a rare cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Brown Pelicans squabbling — 2X3 version

One of the Nicest Things About Pacific-race Brown Pelicans

One of the nicest, greatest things about Pacific-race Brown Pelicans for bird photographers is that the bird spend half their time perfectly still while posing with perfect head angles, and half their time doing something interesting: head throws, preening, squabbling, bathing, and yes, of course, flying. Join me in San Diego this coming winter and improve your photographic skill both in the field and at the computer.

Image #1 was a small crop from the right and from below. The thing that I like best about this crop is that the young bird on the right frame-edge seems to be looking curiously at the squabbling adults.

This image was created on 19 January 2022 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the 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 1250. 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 about 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 11:29:26am on a rare cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Brown Pelicans squabbling — boxy crop version

Cropping Options

Working from Image #1, I tried a boxy crop. The thing that I like about this crop is that it tightens things up while still leaving us with a nice view of the hind neck of the molting adult pelican on our right. To execute a boxy crop, select W x H x Resolution from the dropdown menu.

This image was created on 19 January 2022 on a San Diego IPT. Standing at full height, I used the 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 1250. 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 about 1/3-stop too dark. AWB at 11:29:26am on a rare cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Brown Pelicans squabbling — square crop

The Square Crop

To execute a square crop, select Square from the dropdown menu. This version really tightens things up with less negative space in the upper right.

Typos

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