You are invited to leave a comment letting everyone know which of today’s featured images is your favorite, and why. If you do not like either one, you are invited to say just that and explain why.
What’s Up?
For the past few weeks, I’d seen the potential for creating pleasingly blurred images of Cattle Egrets from the pier as they leave the roost early each morning and fly south over the pier to wherever they are going. My experience so far has been that they leave well before sunrise on clear days. With a big wall of clouds to the east on Wednesday morning, I saw my chance and walked out onto the pier with the hand held 200-600/1.4X TC/a1 rig. Even though this setup is much lighter than the 600mm f/4 lens with just the a1, I have lots of trouble keeping the birds in the center of the frame at 840mm when hand holding. I do much better with the big lens on the tripod, but hand holding is a ton of fun — no large, heavy lens and no relatively heavy tripod …
My timing was excellent. The birds came, in groups of from two to twenty or more, and they kept coming for about 30 minutes. I created 801 blurs and kept 19 after the first edit. After a second pass, I was left with just three others plus today’s two featured images. Five out of 801 is not a very high percentage, but that’s how it goes with blurs. When the sun rose over the cloud bank, I was headed to the vulture trees but was interrupted by the crane family of four feeding atop the knoll just north of the parking circle. I made lots of images, but after reviewing them, felt that I should have done better. The vultures trees were productive for flight photography, and I even made a few good images of the eagle standing up on the nest when a cloud covered the sun for a bit. I finished the morning off with an Anhinga on The Perch. Those images were less than impressive. But all things considered, it was a great morning.
It was a gorgeous sunset and with the wind ‘wrong” from the west northwest, I headed out onto the pier again as the birds landing at the roost would be landing away. Buoyed by my recent success hand holding the 200-600/1.4X TC/a1 rig, I went yet again with that. For the first half hour, I was consistently in the wrong spot as most of the birds flew behind me as they headed for their evening roost. After the sun dipped below the horizon, I got really lucky. I was creating a vertical scenic of the far shoreline and the richly colored sky when a single ibis flew through the frame. After that, I got a few decent frames of the Mottled Ducks blasting off to the northwest, albeit at ISO 8000.
Today is Thursday 6 January 2022. The forecast for this morning is for dead clear with a breeze from the northwest. My plan is to get out very early and try some more Cattle Egret blurs from the pier with the tripod mounted 600mm f/4, the 1.4X TC, and the a1. In these conditions, there is a chance to work against the pink/purple/blue sky to the northwest. 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 two image optimizations and makes 57 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now until I leave for San Diego on 14 January. The best news is that we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. These sessions are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with winds that have an easterly component are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Duck, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, lodging at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
Click on the screen capture to see a larger high-res version.
Image #1: The Two Originals
Image Clean-up and Photography as Art
With Image #2 (on the left, above), I covered the third egret using a series of Quick Masks of the sky, each refined with the help of a regular layer mask. I replaced the eye of the rear bird with the better-defined eye of the front bird. And I cropped from all four sides. With Image #3, I cropped to eliminate a wingtip on each frame edge and one extraneous bird on the right side of the frame. Then, using either the Patch Tool or Content-Aware Fill, I eliminated the three Cattle Egrets (yes, they are not white bats) below the line of birds along with a single, smaller, darker, very blurred bird. Do understand that I would never enter either of these images in a contest where such enhancements are not permitted. Many will argue that these are not natural history images. I would counter by saying that the two Cattle Egrets in Image #2 were really flying by the pier in soft light, and that in Image #3, a flock of Cattle Egrets was leaving the marsh in very low light.
To me, both of today’s featured images are photographs. They surely are not paintings (though the goal when creating pleasing blurs is often to wind up with a painterly or impressionistic result). What do you think?
This image was 5 January 2022 from the pier near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Multi-metering +2 2/3 stops/AUTO ISO set ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/30 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:21:08 am on a then very cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection worked just fine. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Two Cattle Egrets flight blur
Understanding Low Light Exposure
Many might find it hard to believe that even though 2 2/3 stops of light were added to the exposure suggested by the camera, RawDigger showed that this image was about 1/3 stop too dark. That is how I live and learn.
This image was 5 January 2022 from the pier near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. 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), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Multi-metering +2/3 stop/AUTO ISO set ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/30 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:21:08 am on a then very cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection worked just fine. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: “White bats” in flight over marsh blur
Exposure Question
Note that in Image #3, I dialed the + compensation from +2 2/3 stops to +2/3, two full stops darker. Why the difference?
A Very Relevant Shutter Priority Mode Question
An e-Mail Exchange with SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group member Wells Jacobson
AM: Hi Wells,
Re:
WJ: A settings question if you please.
AM: 🙂
WJ: I know that you and your not too distant neighbor, Mark Smith, are both enamored with shooting manual and determining exposure with zebras and using the rear dial for ISO.
AM: How’s this for crazy? When I came to Florida in 1994 I lived in Deltona at 1455 Whitewood Drive. I learned recently that at that time, Mark Smith was living I was living exactly two blocks away with his young family!
I am not sure that he uses Zebras …
WJ: Occasionally you show one of your photos shot with Shutter Priority with Auto ISO and I believe exposure comp on the rear wheel, and again use zebras.
AM: Correct, but when I do that I am not relying on Zebras except for the initial Exposure compensation … Late in the day, with the sun usually on the western horizon, it is, however, a lot more complicated than that.
WJ: In practice these two methods seem almost the same and I have trouble trying to figure out when you might choose one over the other. I hope a subtlety is eluding me and I’m not just missing the boat. I would love some clarification and perhaps others might as well.
AM: You are missing the boat. In fact, the boat sank. They are not the same at all. The only time that you want to use Shutter Priority with Auto ISO and EXP COMP on the rear dial is when you have backgrounds that are of a pretty much constant tonality, like a richly colored sky at sunset. Actually, you can do well with Shutter Priority mode in most situations where the background is of a consistent tonality. Doing blurs of flocks of birds in a white sky would be another example.
I use Manual mode for more than 95% of my bird photography and so should you. Why? Because birds move and when the background tonalities change, you are out of business if you are working in an Automatic (exposure) mode …
With love, artie
A Guide to Pleasing Blurs
Learn everything there is to know about creating pleasingly blurred images in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly. This 20,585 word, 271 page PDF is illustrated with 144 different, exciting, and artistic images. The guide covers the basics of creating pleasingly blurred images, the factors that influence the degree of blurring, the use of filters in creating pleasing blurs, and a great variety of both in-the-field and Photoshop techniques that can be used to create pleasingly blurred images.
Artie and Denise teach you many different ways to move your lens during the exposure to create a variety of pleasingly blurred images of flowers and trees and water and landscapes. They will teach you to recognize situations where subject movement can be used to your advantage to create pan blurs, wind blurs, and moving water blurs. They will teach you to create zoom-blurs both in the field and during post-processing. Artie shares the techniques that he has used and developed for making blurred images of flocks of geese in flight at his beloved Bosque del Apache and Denise shares her flower blur magic as well as a variety of creative Photoshop techniques that she has developed.
With the advent of digital capture creating blurred images has become a great and inexpensive way to go out with your camera and have fun. And while many folks think that making successful blurred images is the result of being a sloppy photographer, nothing could be further from the truth. In “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs” Artie and Denise will help you to unleash your creative self.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
All are invited to leave a comment letting us know which of today’s six featured images is their favorite and why they made their choice.
What’s Up?
Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake and I had an amazing session with the white pelicans at Lakeland. Shelley has had an a1 for a few months, but never joined the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group 🙁 So we met well before dawn and working with my laptop on the tailgate shelf of my SUV, I loaded my a1 settings (via .DAT file) onto her a1. The word on the street is that the a1 menu is too complex to understand and that it is difficult to learn to use the camera. Once we had my settings on her a1, it took me all of five minutes of instruction to get her ready to go. We concentrated on the AF system (easy-peasy) and on getting the right exposure using Zebras (even easier). Before long we were photographing the American White Pelicans. For whatever reason, the birds were quite Copacetic. We worked them in the shade at first, then in early morning light, and finally in full sun. We worked on choosing the best perspective to get the most pleasing backgrounds, and I double-checked Shelley’s exposures and image designs on the rear monitor of her camera.
Shelly could not believe how amazingly well the Bird Face/Eye Detection AF worked once her Alpha 1 was set up correctly. As for the photography, she said, Artie, this was way beyond anything I could have expected. I leave for San Diego on 14 January. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at Lakeland before then, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The weather is looking best for this coming Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. The details are below.
I was pleased to learn yesterday that three new folks joined the a1 group. Conditions were perfect at sunset but for the most part, the birds were flying in too low.
Today is Wednesday 5 January 2022. The forecast for this morning is for cloudy and still. 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 six image optimizations and makes 56 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
This image was created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland, just one hour from my home. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens(at 600mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1250. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:44:34am in the shade on a clear morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Small flotilla
The Flotilla
The yellow reflections are available at this spot before the sun makes its way over the buildings and trees. I would have liked this better without the pelican on the frame edge, but I loved the ducks in the background so I executed a small crop from the left and from below while maintaining the 3X2 proportions. The duck in the center is a drake ring-necked and the two darker ones are likely hens of that species. Though there were lots of Ring-necked Ducks at close range in nice light, the pelican photography was so good that we rarely glanced at them!
This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens(at 600mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:58:57am in the shade on a clear morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: American White Pelican head and shoulders portrait
Subject in Shade, Background in Sun
I espouse here often on the beauty of images made with the subject in the shade with the background in the sun. Here, after crouching down for the background that I wanted, I went with a ton of Zebras on sunlit water in the background to ensure a perfect exposure for the bird. In such situations, the subjects seem to glow. They are not easy to find, but when you do succeed, be sure to make lots of images.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: American White Pelican vertical head and shoulders portrait in early morning light
Sony 200-600 Hand Held Versatility!
Here again, I got low to introduce some of the red reflections into the top of the frame. The ease of hand holding the 200-600 (with or without the 1.4x TC) makes it a deadly weapon when working large, relatively tame birds. I was able to move quickly and get higher or lower as needed to control the background. If you get too low at this spot, you introduce the very distracting far shoreline into the image …
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: American White Pelican young bird preening
The Young Birds
The adults far outnumber the young birds at this location. They stand out with their pinker bills. I am not sure as to how to separate birds of the year from the two or three year old birds … In addition to the differences in bill color, the younger birds have grayer feathers about the head and neck. See also Image #6 below.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: American White Pelican adult face portrait
Consider the Exposure Data
If you look carefully at the exposure data for Images #2-#5, you will see that as the light got stronger, the shutter speeds got higher and the ISOs got lower. With Image #5, made in full sun, I was able to stop down 1/3 stop for a slight boost in depth of field. I worked on the BLUEs in Images #4 & #5 during the raw conversion in ACR. I moved the BLUE Luminance slider to the right to get the BLUEs just right.
This image was also created 4 January 2022 at my favorite white pelican spot in Lakeland. 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), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 1600. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:52:51 in the shade of a tree on a clear morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: American White Pelican — feather detail on back of juvenile
Just Peachy
Birds of the year of this species feature brown streaks on the back when they first arrive at Fort DeSoto. I have never seen that in Lakeland. But some of the younger birds have swatches of peach on their backs. I could not resist trying to create some feather pattern images when I saw this bird in the shade.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. This week, two folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 102 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that all who wish, can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Special thanks to Jordan Cait who has been doing an awesome job of proofreading the blog recently and getting in touch via e-mail.
Which of today’s featured images is the strongest. Please leave a comment letting us know which image you like best and why you made your choice.
What’s Up?
Monday morning was cold and cloudy with a stiff NW wind. I took a nice walk with the Sony 70-200 II, the 1.4x TC, and the a1. No good pix. When the sun rose above the big cloud to the east at 8:00am, I headed home. Monday sunset was not much better as it was dead clear with a north wind. Most of the birds were flying too high or too low. Right at sunset, I had one good chance when a single White Ibis flew slowly into the wind right through the richest color.
I usually swim 44 to 60 lengths of the pool. Though it was a bit chilly midday on Monday, the pool was a very pleasant 89° (thanks to the heater/chiller). Not sure why, but the water felt so good and I was so relaxed that I swam an easy mile — 88 lengths. Tomorrow is supposed to be 15° cooler! Maybe I will take the day off …
Today is Tuesday 4 January 2022. I am looking forward to working with multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake early today in Lakeland for a Your Pick In-the-Field session. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland in the next ten days or so, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The details are below.
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. This post makes 55 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Price Drop
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Price Reduced on 1/4/22 BAA Record-low Price for Near-mint
Blog regular Elinor Osborn is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM in like-new condition (except for “On/OFF” written on the lens foot) for a BAA record low $1396.00 (was $1425.00).. The sale includes the original box, the Lens Case LZ1326, the Lens Hood ET-83D, the lens strap, the instruction sheet and booklet, the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping via FedEx to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until I receive a bank (cashier’s) check and confirm its validity via a phone call to the issuing bank.
Please contact Elinor via e-mail or by phone at 1-802 586-9994 (Eastern time)
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is fabulous with an R5! The lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save some hard cash by grabbing Elinor’s copy now. artie
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 346mm) 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 200: 1/25 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:38:38pm just after sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Icterid blur
In the New Kid on the Block: Versatile, & Deadlier Than Ever blog post here, I asked, Does anything about Image #2 (now above) bug you? One thing about it bugs me. What is it?
Neil Hickman
December 18, 2021 at 7:46pm ·
Could it be the one colour boring background? I think the cyan colour is fine for close to the horizon, but a few wispy clouds could have made a more interesting background.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
December 21, 2021 at 8:27am
Hi Neil,
I do not mind solid sky backgrounds. And yes, a few puffy clouds would have been nice. But what bugs me is the color of the sky; it is too CYAN and not BLUE enough. I worked on the sky color but could not come up with anything that made me happy. I far prefer the BLUE sky in Image #3. with love, artie
BTW, my favorite of the four images in that post was Image #1: Icterid blur. My second fave was Image #3: Turkey Vulture braking to land.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2021: Brian Sump Photography. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Common Goldeneye — drake floating in early morning light
My Favorite Goldeneye
In the Extraordinarily Uncommon R5 Goldeneye Images. And, if someone held a gun to your head … blog post here, I wrote, If someone held a gun to your head and asked, Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest, would you go with Image #1 or with Image #2? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.
I chose the portrait (above), over the action shot. While I love the raised foot and the splashes in Image #2, the sun on the bird in Image #1 is to die for. It lit up the colors of the bird and the background beautifully. In addition, Brian Sump did a superb job with the processing so that both the whites and the dark tones revealed lots of detail. If I could say that one of those images were mine, I’d go with the sunlit portrait in an instant.
Note: I am against gun violence.
You can see what folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
This image was created on 22 December 2021 down at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL Standing at full height, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 204/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 125. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/20,000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 1 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23:47 am on a then very sunny morning.
Focusing information will the revealed in a future blog post soon. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1A: Yes, a preening Anhinga
Mega-blasting Silhouette Lessons
In the What Gives? ISO 125: 1/20,000 second at f/8! blog post here, I wrote:
If you think that you can explain the exposure data — ISO 125: 1/20,000 second at f/8, please leave a comment. What was the background? What was the lighting?
Jake Kneale left a comment that hit the nail on the head:
My guess is a preening anhinga against the specular highlights of water in full sun
Yes, I was shooting into the blasting highlights of the full sun on the water. On a clear day, when the sun is in the frame, if you avoid over-exposing the sun, the rest of the image will be black. Period. Beware, however, of trying to include the un-muted sun in the frame as you risk eye damage. There is a way to do it without endangering your vision, but it is quite tricky.
If you want to try this, see the section on Photographing the Bright Sun in The Art of Bird Photography II (on CD). An electronic download is available here. If you are really serious about attempting this difficult shot without hurting yourself, you need to look carefully at a 5-stop, or better yet, a 10-stop ND filter that fits the drop-in filter drawer of your super-telephoto lens.
This last bit of advice is super-important: when shooting into the blasting highlights of the sun,you must focus manually. All AF systems are blinded by the brightness of the scene. If you camera offers a Focus Peaking feature, use it in these situations.
This image was created on 12 January 2020 at San Diego, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the Sony a9 ii(now replaced, for me, by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:15:10am on a mostly sunny morning.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #2: American Coot in holiday reflections
Image #2 for Me
In the Happy Holidays! Christmas Coots Times Two blog post here, I wrote:
I feel that one of today’s featured images is by far the stronger of the two. Which one is it? And why?
Like many who left a comment, I feel that Image #2 is by far the better image. Several folks explained why they made the same choice:
Mo
#2 is much better. I like the position of the coot in the frame, the background color is better, & the tilted head position gives the image more interest.
Chris Davidson
Mo, summed up my thoughts perfectly! The curious pose is wonderful, and the lighter and brighter colors really amp up those glorious red and green reflections in the water. I agree. low is not always the way to go. A BIRDS AS ART holiday classic IMO!
Are the folks who preferred Image #1 wrong? Not at all. Judging art is 100% subjective and 100% personal. It’s that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” thing.
This image was created on 24 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my stepladder, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +1.7 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 1600. 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:36:44pm right after sunset on a clear afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed well enough. As this is a healthy crop and two birds were removed from the frame, let’s call this one a photo illustration. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #2: Cattle Egret landing at evening roost
Loving the Action Shot
In the Late Afternoon Sunset Quickies blog post here, my favorite was Image #2: Cattle Egret landing at evening roost. I definitely like both images, but the richer colors, the inclusion of the far shoreline, and the dramatic flight pose were the deciding factors.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? Everyone is invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice. Note: be absolutely sure to click on each image to view a larger, high-res version.
What’s Up?
The sun broke through the fog just before 7:30am on Sunday morning and disappeared behind a large cloud at 8:15am. I started with a Great Blue Heron on The Perch
in the fog. I was further blessed as the bird stayed on the perch for 15 minutes. Then I worked the crane family of four with the new, hard-to-get-your-hands-on Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the 1.4X TC and the a1.
Engaged in watching several NFL games on TIVO, I was very late getting down to the lake. Most of the Cattle Egrets and Little Blue Herons had already gone to roost, but I’m glad that I made it as I learned something new. With a fairly brisk wind from the southwest, the surface of the lake was rippled and ruffled. As a result, there was no color in the water. I had been spoiled by the dead calm conditions and the still water for the past week when the sky colors were reflected by the mirror-like surface of the lake.
There was not much action, but I had another good chance on the Mottled Ducks blasting off — I had one miraculously good one out of a burst of 25. And I got some nice stuff on Boat-tailed Grackle and White Ibis. That said, I created less than 200 images, far below average for a sunset session.
Today is Monday 3 January 2022. There is a small front passing by this morning as the forecast is calling for mostly cloudy with a brisk northwest wind and falling temps. I will almost surely head down to the lake for at least a bit. 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 prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. This post makes 54 consecutive days with a new one.
Special thanks to Jordan Cait who has been doing an awesome job of proofreading the blog recently and getting in touch via e-mail.
I am looking forward to working with multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake on Tuesday morning in Lakeland for a Your Pick In-the-Field session. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland in the next ten days or so, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The details are below.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 2 January 2022 at Indian Lake Estates. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 500. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/250 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:29:28am just as the sun broke through the light fog.
Small Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
It is hard to believe that after nearly 38 1/2 years of doing bird photography, there are still new lessons to be learned almost every day. On Sunday morning, I refined a BLUBB sharpness technique that I have been working on for a while. I am planning on doing a short video on that topic soon. Next, I discovered a new button setting that will improve the AF system of the world’s best bird photography camera body, the Sony a1. I will be sharing that with the a1 group this week via SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes e-mail #27. I am continually astounded by the complexity of the a1, and the degree to which it can be customized to best meet your needs.
Eagle-eyed Image Question
There is a small distracting element in Image #1 that was eliminated in Image #2. If you can spot it — it bothers the heck out of me, please leave a comment.
This image was created on 2 January 2022 at Indian Lake Estates. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 800. The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/320 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:37:28am, less than 10 minutes after the sun had broken through the light fog.
Small Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
I am not sure when I first wrote, Add green whenever possible. It might have been in the original The Art of Bird Photography, or in the digital follow-up, The Art of Bird Photography II (on CD). An electronic download of the latter is available here. If you do not own both of these classics, you can do yourself a lot of good by ordering the Two-Book Bundle.
In any case, I try to add green whenever possible. Note that in Image #1, made with the 600mm lens alone, I could have worked horizontally and still included lots of green. Twenty years ago I would have done just that so that the image might have sold for a two-page magazine spread … Unfortunately, creating image designs for specific book and magazine usages is a thing of the past. With Image #2, I needed to work vertically to include the tops of the reeds in the bottom of the frame. The soft, early morning light did not hurt either image.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. This week, two folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that the all who wish can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
George Lepp on TCs
While creating the New Species: Fan-tailed Vulture! Why No Teleconverter? blog post here, I thought a lot about old friend and colleague George Lepp. George writes a great Tech Tips column for Outdoor Photography magazine, and like me, was a Canon Explorer of Light, one of the original fifty-five. Learn more about George here.
Anywho, I sent this to him via e-mail the other day:
Hey George,
I hope that all is well and that you have a great 2022.
I remember clearly you saying (or writing) that images made with TC will never be as sharp as images made with bare super-telephoto lenses. You’d say something very much like this, “Images made with a 1.4X TC will be 14% less sharp than this made with the bare lens along; those made with a 2X TC will be 28% less sharp.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject today. Have things changed?
With love, artie
George kindly responded (in part):
Artie:
I stand by some of what I used to say, but the change is that the new lenses are so good that the small loss in sharpness will not be noticeable. I’m getting away with 2x extenders on my Canon RF100-500mm zoom because the high ISOs are so good and when I get the file into Photoshop and then Topaz Sharpen AI, no one can tell I was at 1000mm with a zoom and at ISO 1600 or 3200. Mirrorless in the new cameras is just so good. I’m using two R5 cameras and not planning on an R3. Maybe when the R1 shows up, I’ll look at it. The 2x and even the 2x and 1.4x together on the EF600mm f/4L MK III is professionally sharp, and I can do the cover of the magazine with no excuses! I did a Bald Eagle cover with that combo with the R camera for Outdoor Photographer two years ago. It’s all just gotten better and if you use good technique, there is no reason to not use 1.4x or 2x extenders as professional tools. Not to mention that at 45 MP you even crop to some degree and get away with it!
I’m pretty much retired. Not an Explorer of Light as of last July (they cut me loose), but they gave me status as a member of the Canon Legends Group so I still get some benefits on gear purchases and with CPS. I have no complaints. I was done with the social media so they replaced me with a younger person. It used to be that between the magazine (OP), photo stock, and work I’d do for Canon (lectures and workshops), I made a very good living. I’m still a pro, but now it is mostly “Pro-Bono”. I do work for local nature organizations. My next project will be a 4K video for a local nature center that has a pair of resident Trumpeter Swans on a small lake. I’ll document the life cycle from eggs to the cygnets being ready to fledge. I did it with stills two years ago. The two swans can’t fly (injuries), so they stay on the small lake that has plenty of food. When the young swans are about to fly, they are captured and taken to a lake in eastern Oregon where there is a resident wild flock of swans that will teach them what else they need to know. The trumpeters are very rare in the western states and this helps to rebuild the numbers.
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Special thanks to Jordan Cait who has been doing an awesome job of proofreading the blog recently and getting in touch via e-mail.
Been thinking of joining me on the San Diego IPT? It is getting very late. Consider taking advantage of the largest-ever late-registration discount. Scroll down here for details.
The Stronger Image?
Which of today’s images do you like best? Do understand that Images 2 and 2A are different versions of the same image. Everyone is invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice. Note: be absolutely sure to click on each image to view a larger, high-res version.
What’s Up?
Apologies for not realizing until this morning that many of the comments on yesterday’s post were being held for moderation. I just approved all of them without comment. I was glad to see that all of the comments were civil, and was (happily) surprised that I did not receive a lot more flak than I did. IAC, you might find some stuff of interest by revisiting the comments.
Saturday morning was decent as the light fog lifted early. I had another Little Blue Heron on The Perch, and got some more nice images of the vultures. Sunset was not bad, but I did not get anything spectacular (as had been the case for the two previous evenings) he said modestly.
I was glad to learn on Saturday afternoon that multiple IPT veteran Shelly Lake will be joining me Tuesday morning at Lakeland for a Your Pick In-the-Field session. If you would like to join me for some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland in the next ten days or so, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. The details are below.
Today is Sunday 2 January 2022. The forecast for this morning is for decreasing cloudiness with a breeze from the South. As almost always when I am home, I will be heading down to the lake for a bit. 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 prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. This post makes 53 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 30 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working off the pier, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +1.3 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 3200. 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:40:16pm several minutes after a nice sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Mottled Duck departing at sunset
The Situation
The weather for the past week has been fairly consistent. It has been foggy in the mornings, partly cloudy during the day, and mostly clear in the late afternoons. With the winds (or breezes) from the south or southwest, the birds coming into roost would be landing away from me so I have been working from the pier as the birds fly over it and toward the roost, from south to north. The most commonly available shot features one or two or three silhouetted Cattle Egrets. I usually create several hundred of those each evening. The size of the bird or the birds in the frame, the wing position or positions, and the background color — water or sky, determine the very few keepers.
I really get excited when something different flies through the color. Every day, a pair of Mottled Ducks feeds on the south side of the pier in the evening, pretty much in the dark. They blast off headed west soon after the sun disappears. On Friday evening, I happened to get on the birds as they took flight and flew through the color. Image #1 is a decent crop to eliminate the second (out-of-focus) bird. On Sunday night I was on some Cattle Egrets when the ducks left. I was too late to get on them …
This image was created on 31 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working off the pier, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +2 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 5000. 1/2000 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:38:47pm several minutes after a nice sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Great Blue Heron dorsal view at sunset/MORE YELLOW version
More Excitement!
I saw the great blue coming at about 500 yards. It was headed right for the richest water color. I stayed on it for quite a while. Conservative me fired off more than one hundred images. Even at 1200mm, every single one was sharp. I kept seven. The one above, one of the last that I made, was best by far. One image with an almost identical wing position had some vegetation at the bottom of the frame. I did not like that, but I do love the dorsal views that can be had when you are working from the pier. This was my alternative version.
This is the same image as above, processed differently.
Image #2A: Great Blue Heron dorsal view at sunset/MORE ORANGE version
Processing Silhouettes
Because I always strive to expose to the right, the colors in the raw files often look washed out. When processing silhouettes, you have lots of options when it comes to the look of the image. You have many tools at your disposal. During the raw conversion those include but are not limited to the Color Temperature and Exposure sliders, setting the white and black points, the Highlights and Shadows sliders, and the Vibrance and Saturation sliders. Most mar conversion engines allow you to work on the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of the individual colors. In Adobe Camera Raw, you can find those sliders under the Color Mixer tab.
You can tweak the colors of your .TIF file in Photoshop after the raw conversion with a Vibrance adjustment. Hue/Saturation allows you to work on the individual color channels. I often use a Levels adjustment to further blacken the BLACKs and to control the midtones. As I final step, I will often try Image > Auto Tone or Auto Color, almost always reducing the Opacity significantly. The results can be magical. Which color version do you prefer with the GBH image?
1200mm Sharpness
I could never have conceived of the fact that I would one day be shooting flight off a tripod at 1200mm and making consistently razor sharp flight images … Even more scary is the fact that others, far more skilled and younger and stronger than I, are routinely creating sharp flight images at 1200mm while hand holding their Sony 600 GM lens with the 2X TC and the Alpha 1. It is a whole new world out there. I am glad to be part of it.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above for working on the color of your images, and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
This image was created on 3 November 2021 at Indian Lake Estates. Talk about being lazy? This image was created from the driver’s seat of my SUV. Talk about versatility? I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens(at 248mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 2500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/800 sec. at f/16 (stopped down 2 2/3 stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:49:10am on a soon-to-be sunny morning.
Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
To the Dawn of a New Year
Happy New Year
Today is 1 January 2022. My right-hand man, Jim Litzenberg, my older daughter and BAA Executive Director & accountant, Jennifer Morris, and I wish you nothing but the best in the coming year. May all of you and your families enjoy good health and prosperity.
I am hoping that our country gets back on track in the coming year. If you think that everything is just dandy, you might want to stop and ask yourself: just exactly where are we with all the restrictions, mandates, shutdowns, vaccinations, joblessness, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and increasing rates of depression and suicide?
While I strive to keep the blog free of COVID-related and political topics, I am making an exception today. Why? I feel that I some point, someone has to speak up. I truly wish all of us the best …
What’s Up?
Jim and I enjoyed another 2 1/2 mile walk at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland on a cool, very cloudy morning. I continue to work on small-in-the-frame mostly Great Blue Heron bird-scapes with the tripod-mounted Sony 70-200 II and the a1. Yesterday, I made one at 70mm! At some point, I will share the best of those with you here. Sunset color was great again last night. Working from the pier has been challenging with very few keepers, but almost every night I have come up with one spectacular image. Last night it was a late Great Blue Heron that flew by right through the brightest color.
The forecast for this morning is for mostly to partly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the south. I will be heading down to the lake soon. 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 51 consecutive days with a new one.
New Laws Proposed in New York State
If you think that the video above is completely bogus, below is a section of the proposed bill, A416, cut and pasted from the New York State Senate website here.
2. UPON DETERMINING BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE HEALTH OF OTHERS IS OR MAY BE ENDANGERED BY A CASE, CONTACT OR CARRIER, OR SUSPECTED CASE, CONTACT OR CARRIER OF A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE THAT, IN THE OPINION OF THE GOVERNOR, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER, MAY POSE AN IMMINENT AND SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESULTING IN SEVERE MORBIDITY OR HIGH MORTALITY, THE GOVERNOR OR HIS OR HER DELEGEE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE COMMISSIONER OR THE HEADS OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, MAY ORDER THE REMOVAL AND/OR DETENTION OF SUCH A PERSON OR OF A GROUP OF SUCH PERSONS BY ISSUING A SINGLE ORDER, IDENTIFYING SUCH PERSONS EITHER BY NAME OR BY A REASONABLY SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUALS OR GROUP BEING DETAINED. SUCH PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS SHALL BE DETAINED IN A MEDICAL FACILITY OR OTHER APPROPRIATE FACILITY OR PREMISES DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR OR HIS OR HER DELEGEE AND COMPLYING WITH SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION.
(Bold italics mine.)
All civil comments are welcome.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Been thinking of joining me on the San Diego IPT? It is getting late. Consider taking advantage of the largest-ever late-registration discount. Details below.
The Stronger Image?
Which of today’s two featured images appeals to you more? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.
What’s Up?
It was so foggy on Thursday morning that you could barely see one short block. I went down to the lake anyway. For the first time since The Perch was erected more than six months ago, I had an Osprey on it. When it comes to using the perch, the birds have taken their sweet time. But I have had some decent action for the past two weeks or so. I made lots of images of the handsome raptor from my SUV using the BLUBB. I deleted more than 100 and kept 9. After processing the best image, I deleted seven more.
I was about four minutes late getting down to the lake for sunset. As I was walking out on the pier, about 50 Cattle Egrets flew by right through the color. Then, when I was adjusting the settings on my a1, another 100 birds did the same thing. I had a very few good chances after that. A surprise was one killer frame of a Mottled Duck leaving the scene through an incredible patch of deep yellow water.
Today is Friday 31 December. With a forecast for mostly cloudy in the morning, Jim and I are heading to Lakeland, probably to Circle B Bar Reserve. If you would like some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland in the next ten days or so, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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 prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. This post makes 51 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 4 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 493mm) and Sony a9 ii (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) ISO 640. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:25:53am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment OF exposure and worked just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version.
Image #1: What is It?
Head Throw Strategies
Ever since I created a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition-honored head throw image (with Fuji Velvia pushed one stop to ISO 100!) at La Jolla in the mid-1990s, I have been trying to do better. It ain’t easy. Creating good head throw images is a huge challenge. My best advice is to frame wider than you think is necessary. Much wider. If you are doing verticals (as I was for image #1), you will clip the bill as the first one second usually works best as a horizontal. If you start off working in horizontal format, you will surely clip the bill at the apex of the throw.
So what’s the answer? Frame wider than you could ever imagine and then crop as needed. Sometimes to a square, as with Image #1 above. If you zoom in in an effort to create tighter images, you will always clip something … Though you might miss some of the action with that approach, you might wind up with a contest-winner as the bill pouches of the Pacific race birds in California feature incredible colors — fire-engine red and olive-green for starters, along with incredible detail. On the San Diego IPT I will do my best to teach you the behavioral signals that usually signal that a head throw is coming.
BTW, head throws are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication.
The Lesson
When attempting to photograph Brown Pelican head throws, framing wider rather than higher will lead to lots more keepers.
This image was created on 4 January 2020 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and Sony a7R IV (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 400. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:26:47am on a on a mostly sunny morning.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican Pacific race in breeding plumage with bill pouch distended
The Classic Head and Shoulders Portrait
For me, images like this are one of the main reasons to visit San Diego. The distant Pacific-blue backgrounds complement the colors of the breeding plumaged bird perfectly. And the sweet early morning light is a given on most days.
Lesson
The greater the distance from the subject to the background, the softer the background will be rendered.
Shorter Focal Lengths Yield Greater Depth of Field
The bird in Image #1 is the same individual as in Image #2. I made both images while standing pretty much in the same spot. Note that the ocean background in image #1 has some detail in the waves (especially toward the bottom of the frame). In Image #2, however, the ocean background is super-smooth, completely defocused. That despite the slightly smaller aperture, f/7.1 as compared to f/6.3.
Lesson
When the photographer-to-subject distance is constant, the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth-of-field (at a given aperture).
San Diego, California: A Bird Photographer’s Paradise!
I’ve been visiting San Diego, California for more than 50 years, and photographing there for almost four decades. It truly is one of my favorite bird photography locations on the planet. The Pacific race Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches, are indeed the stars of the show, but there are lots of other great birds there that are relatively easy to photograph. Check out this five minute video to see the potential.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.
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.
The 2022 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPT. Monday 17 January thru the morning session on Friday 21 January 2022. Four full and one-half day: $2999.00. Deposit: $899.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 6
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 with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; 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 (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions. 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 click here for more info and registration details.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Early on Wednesday, I tried some pre-sunrise Cattle Egrets-leaving-the-roost blurs from the pier with some interesting results. But nothing spectacular. A quick drive-around did not turn up much in the way of birds, so I headed for the always-dependable vulture trees. Conditions were perfect for flight, but the vultures were not in much of a flying mood. I did some perched vultures and came up with a few interesting frames, including and especially today’s featured image. The color at sunset was gorgeous as the sun peeked in and out from behind some clouds on the western horizon. But very few birds flew by the pier until after the sun was down and the color had faded. None-the-less, it was a peaceful way to spend a half hour.
Today is Thursday 30 December 2021.The forecast for the morning is for foggy then partly cloudy turning sunny with a gentle breeze from the south. I will surely head down to the lake for a least a bit. The female eagle continues to sit low on her nest, incubating her clutch. If you would like some In-the-Field instruction at either ILE or Lakeland on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday — the weather looks good for all three mornings, shoot me an e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours minutes to prepare, including the time spent on the image optimization. This post makes 50 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your-Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 29 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:41:39am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #1: The Photo Mechanic screen capture for the original Turkey Vulture preening primary feather image
Photo Mechanic Screen Capture
Note how much I have exposed to the right. Then compare the washed out original with the richly colored optimized image below, Image #1B. Note also the relatively large crop. If you compare the color in 1A with the color in 1B, you will see that I reduced the YELLOWs considerably while striving to leave the early morning light look. I did some of that reduction during the raw conversion via the Color Mixer tab, and some after the conversion by going Command J/Command U to bring up the Hue/Saturation dialogue box and then choosing YELLOWs from the drop-down menu. All (and tons more) as detailed in Digital Basics II.
Shutter Speed Question
Why do you think that I was at 1/3200 second when I could have easily dropped down to 1/1600 second at f/5.6 and double my depth of field? There are actually two reasons …
Why No Teleconverter?
The question has been around forever: are you better off adding a teleconverter (TC) to get more pixels on the subject or shooting your bare super-telephoto and then cropping? As regular readers know, I have long been a big fan of TCs. But with the incredible image quality of sharp Sony Alpha 1 files, I am now somewhat on the fence. And today’s featured image is one reason why. But there are more. Using the bare lens and then cropping will allow you to work at the wide open aperture. This gains you one full stop of either shutter speed or ISO as compared to losing one stop when you add the 1.4X TC, or losing two stops with the 2X TC. In addition, it is a lot easier getting the whole bird in the frame so as to avoid clipping wings, heads, and tails.
The huge advantage of working without a TC is that it is far easier to make sharp images than it is when adding a TC. Why? Gear shake errors are a factor of the square of the focal length. Add the 1.4X TC to your super-telephoto lens and sharpness problems will almost double. With the 2X TC, your gear shake errors are magnified by a factor of four.
With today’s featured image, I could have gotten a lot closer, but doing that would have increased my angle of inclination. Thus, I opted to stay well back, leave the 1.4X TC in my pocket, avoid shooting up at a steep angle, and then crop. See the result immediately below, Image #1A.
This image was created on 29 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:41:39am on a clear,sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
There has been a preening Turkey Vulture on the tippy-top perch of the dead tree for a week. I am not sure that it has been the same bird, but I would not be surprised if that were the case. Anyhoo, I have created hundreds of images of preening vultures on the same perch over the past few days. This one, with the tail spread so beautifully and a nice view of the bird’s head, was the best by far.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #1B: The RawDigger screen capture for the original Turkey Vulture preening primary feather image
Fine-tuning Your Exposures
When you work with the same subjects day after day, often in the same light, evaluating your raw files in RawDigger allows you to fine-tune your exposures to perfection. With the vultures, it is important to expose as far to the right as possible to open up the darkest feathers so that they reveal the fine feather detail. But you need to do that without burning (over-exposing) the very light-toned bill tip of the Turkey Vultures or toasting the legs of either species. RawDigger has enabled me to do that consistently.
In the screen capture above, note that there are a total of 822 OvExp pixels. Out of 51 million, that is close to zero. By enlarging the image, I was able to see that the Pink OvExp warnings were on the very bright shafts of three feathers. Those were eliminated easily during the raw conversion by moving the Highlight to the left. All in all, I would call this a perfect exposure.
RawDigger — not for the faint of heart …
Nothing has ever helped me learn to create perfect exposures to the degree that RawDigger has. I think that many folks are reluctant to learn that most of their images are underexposed by one or more full stops and that highlight warnings in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and your in-camera histogram are completely bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for several years … Once you get over that feeling, RawDigger can become your very best exposure friend no matter what system you are using. On the recent IPTs and In-the-Field sessions, we have demonstrated that fact. Convincingly.
The RawDigger (pink) Adapted Histogram
In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me when I struggled with R5 exposures and when learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.
RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman
The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.
Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We could not figure out why the Max G values varied by camera system. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.
The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to quickly and easily evaluate your exposures and raw file brightness using an Adapted RawDigger histogram.
The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.
If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
On Tuesday morning, Joe and Jenny Casey enjoyed a second wonderful session at Indian Lake Estates. Joe, inspired by the Blurs and Moons and Suns gallery here, fell head-over-heals in love with creating pleasing blurs. You can see his neat landscape blurs here. Anyhoo, we started off by doing some vertical cattail pan blurs. Early on in the sweetest light, we had a gorgeous Great Blue Heron on The Perch, but when I stopped the car, it flew off 🙁 Next we worked the crane family of four, and then visited the vulture trees. We visited The Perch again and photographed the Little Blue Heron that had replaced the GBH. The Caseys headed back to DeSoto and found and photographed a Great Horned Owl nest on the way! All in all, we had a great time. Joe learned a ton and Jenny was excited by seeing several new species.
Today is Wednesday 29 December 2021. The forecast for the morning is for clear, sunny, and still with a slight breeze early on from the S/SE. I will try something new this morning in what looks to be very good conditions. 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, including the time spent on the image optimization. This post makes 49 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below is that I am free most days from now till mid-January and we can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; crane chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
I created this image on 27 December 2021 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing near the edge of a canal at the bird’s eye level, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens (at 144mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:01:26am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment of exposure and kept switching between the left and center birds. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version.
Image #1: Serendipitous Serenading Trio
Serendipitous Serenading Trio
We were working the crane family of four from down by the edge the canal so that we were right on the bird’s level. We talked a lot about crouching down a bit and a lot about perspective. When the family of three flew in the family of four began calling. When three of them lined up pretty much on the same plane, I fired off about twenty images. As I was in Tracking Zone, AF-C Bird/Eye Detection, the system switched from the eye of the bird in the middle to the eye of the bird on our left. (This turned out to be a Godsend.) The bird on our left was on the same plane as the bird on the right. As a base image, I chose the best frame with both outer birds sharp. Then, using a Quick Mask refined by a Regular Layer Mask, I borrowed the sharp head of the center bird from another similar frame and dragged it roughly into place on the base image. After a bit of fine-tuning, everything looked Kosher.
So yes, this is another photo illustration. Do understand two things: One, I have not entered a major international (or any other) photography contest in more than a few years; Two, when I used to enter such contests, I always made it a point to read and re-read the contest rules very carefully, and to abide by them.. Most — but not all, prohibited adding or removing anything from the original image capture. And all of the big contests required that folks submit the raw file for images that had made the final round of judging.
So when I improve the artistic or technical qualities of an image using Photoshop, I am doing it for me.
The Young Bird?
Today’s image depicts two adults and one young bird, less than a year old. After clicking on the image to view the high-res version, can you figure out which bird is the juvenile? How did you know?
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The technique mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s three featured images do you like best? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.
What’s Up?
I enjoyed a fun early morning in the fog on Monday. When it cleared, I did lots of vulture flight. Joe Casey and Jenny came over in the afternoon. We had a great time down by the lake. They got to see lots of new birds and Joe got to make some good images. The highlight was a pair of Crested Caracaras. As Joe loves blurs, we stayed until well after sunset. He learned when and why it is OK to use Shutter Priority with Auto ISO and Exposure Compensation to create blurs.
Jim prepared a great pool deck meal for us: grilled veal burgers, baked butternut squash, and a nice salad. The Caseys stayed overnight in their Winnebago Travato camper van parked in my driveway. We will be heading down to the lake at 6:45am sharp.
Today is Tuesday 28 December 2021. The morning forecast is for mostly sunny with a gentle southeast breeze. I am hoping for some more fog to start! 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 prepare, including the time spent on the three image optimizations. This post makes 48 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Joe Casey and his wife, visiting from Texas, will be joining me tonight and Tuesday morning for two In-the-Field sessions plus a pool deck dinner. We are all looking forward to having fun.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
I created this image on 27 December 2021 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 400. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:26:50am on a foggy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment exposure and worked just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version.
Image #1: What is It?
What is It?
If Image #1 is not a photograph of a dead tree, and it is not a photograph of a fog-muted sun, then what the heck is it? Hint: it is a riddle of sorts …
I also created this image on 27 December 2021 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated in the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 559mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:38:31am on a foggy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment exposure and worked perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane foraging — backlit by mild fire in the mist
Seeing the Situation
I hustled down to the lake to look for some more foggy situations. I saw a family of three cranes feeding on the edge of the South Peninsula. The background was ground fog in the canal that separates the South Peninsula from the South Field. I created 156 images of the backlit cranes and kept seven. When you are working with a 30fps body, you need to edit brutally.
I also created this image on 27 December 2021 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Again, Seated in the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 332mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/5000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:41:58am on a foggy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) AF-C Bird/Eye Detection AF was active at the moment exposure and worked perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version.
Image #3: Bald Eagle nest tree in backlit fog
The Sitting Eagle
Viewed at 400%, I can just make out the top of the eagle’s head and the upper part of its bill. Is there another bird in the frame? What is it?
I did a lousy job of framing the original; I should have zoomed in more. I did my best with a crop from three sides (all but the right). I’d love to make a similar foggy image with a large eaglet flapping its wings on the edge of the nest while facing me …
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
In all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.
A Late Afternoon Quickie
I am blessed in that I can run down to the lake most afternoons to enjoy short, but often productive shooting sessions. Today’s featured images were created in a 22-minute window!
What’s Up?
On Sunday morning I spent some quality time with the vultures and some quality time with a Great Egret on The Perch. After lots of NFL games fast-forwarded on TIVO, I did get down to the lake for a short sunset session as well. The wind from the west precluded any landing silhouettes so I tried a new tack by hanging out on the pier for some fly-by photography. I got a few nice ones.
Today is Monday 27 December 2021. The forecast for this morning is for cloudy early followed by clear skies. That usually translates to dead clear at dawn so I will be heading early to the lake.I peeked out at the eastern sky at 6:54am to see that it is a bit foggy. I love working in the fog so I am outta here now! 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 prepare, including the time spent on the two image optimizations. This post makes 47 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Joe Casey and his wife, visiting from Texas, will be joining me tonight and Tuesday morning for two In-the-Field sessions plus a pool deck dinner. We are all looking forward to having fun.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 24 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my stepladder, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +2 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one stop) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:14:20pm on a clear afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #1: Great Egret on The Perch at sunset
Relatively Early Means Lots of Light
On dead clear days, the sun is still well above the horizon 30 minutes before the time of sunset. Thus, there is a ton of light when compared to later on a clear evening (see Image #2 below), or when compared to the same time frame with some light clouds or haze on the horizon. Though I did not leave the house till after 5pm, the sun was still relatively high in the sky. I chose a spot on the slope that leads down to the lake where I could get a dark strip at the bottom of a vertical frame while still working the sky below the sun. Here you can see that the sun was out-of-frame upper left. With more light than usual, I opted to work at f/11 rather than wide open at f/8.
This image was created on 24 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my stepladder, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). Multi-metering +1.7 stops/Auto ISO set ISO 1600. 1/1250 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:36:44pm right after sunset on a clear afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed well enough. As this is a healthy crop and two birds were removed from the frame, let’s call this one a photo illustration. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #2: Cattle Egret landing at evening roost
Relatively Late Means Less Light
When the Great Egret left the scene, I threw my gear into the back of my SUV, drove a few hundred yards north to the sunset roost spot, set up the stepladder, and went back to work. As this image was made just a minute or so after the sun dipped below the horizon, there was a lot less light than there was for Image #1. Therefore, I cheated a bit on the shutter speed (dropping from 1/2000 to 1/1250), and I cheated just a bit more on the amount of plus compensation (dropping from +2 to +1.7). As noted above, this is a healthy crop and two birds were removed from the frame. Thus, Image #2 fits my definition of a photo illustration.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Do you consider Image #1B to be photography? Why or why not?
What’s Up?
Despite the forecast of “cloudy till 9am,” Saturday dawned clear and still. I spent a solid hour at the vulture trees. I promised myself to concentrate on flight, but the birds were not flying much and the gentle breeze was from the southwest …. I was back down at the lake in the evening and there was some gorgeous color in the western sky. A singing Ba-tailed Grackle on The Perch provided some fine images despite the west wind.
Today is Sunday 26 December. The forecast is for dead-clear and warmer with the breeze from the northwest increasing throughout the day. 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. Most of that time was spent on the complex image optimization: A + B = C. This post makes 46 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I was glad to learn that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to an afternoon/dinner/overnight/morning combo In-the-Field session here at ILE right after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41:01am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly by acquiring the eye of the lower vulture (just as I wanted). Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.
Image #1: Turkey Vultures sunning/the original
The Problems …
All of the problems were in the lower right corner. The first was with the framing; I wanted to include some room below the spot where the lower of the two perch branches met the main trunk. But I did not have any room above the bird on the top. Then there were the two extra vulture wings, one just peeking its way onto the main trunk, and the other behind the aforementioned lower perch. Both were mega-distracting to me. What to do? I could eliminate the two extra vulture wings but that would not provide the desired room below. What to do?
This image was created on 25 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:47:34am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #1A: The Source Material
The Source Material
Without moving the tripod or changing the settings, I waited until the vultures at the top of the tree flew off. I point the lens down a bit so that I could have the extra room that I wanted bottom right. Fortunately, the light had not changed much at all so the sky in the original image matched up pretty nicely with the sky in the source material image.
The Lesson
Thinking ahead and creating extra images to provide source material can save you a ton of time in Photoshop …
This image was created on 25 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT305XXL Grand Series 5 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/11 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41:01am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C Bird Face/Eye detection performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #1B: Turkey Vultures sunning/the optimized version
The Optimized Version
First, I went with Content-Aware Crop, but when I created the JPEG of the final version, I saw that I had created a mess with lots of posterization. So I started over and used about 25 Quick Masks refined by Regular Layer Masks to get the job done correctly.
It was the first time I had ever had a chance to photograph two sunning vultures that were very close to being on the same plane. I did got to f/11 in an effort to render the head of the upper bird fairy sharp. That worked well.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About three years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One and did that for two years. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a joyous one. I hope that Santa brings you and yours exactly what you’ve been hoping for.
Today is Saturday 25 December, Christmas Day. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than an hour to prepare. It makes 45 consecutive days with a new one.
This image was created on 5 January 2020 at San Diego, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the Sony a7R iv (now replaced, for me, by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:43:28am on a mostly sunny morning.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #1: American Coot in holiday reflections
The Stronger Image?
I feel that one of today’s featured images is by far the stronger of the two. Which one is it? And why?
This image was created on 12 January 2020 at San Diego, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the Sony a9 ii(now replaced, for me, by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). ISO 640. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:15:10am on a mostly sunny morning.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger higher-res version.
Image #2: American Coot in holiday reflections
Why Stand at Full Height?
I love water-level perspective duck shots as much as the next guy. But when you want to see the patterns of the reflections, standing is often best.
The Saving the WHITEs (and lots more!) Video image
The Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video
If you are photographing coots, you had better have your saving the whites game in order. My #1 go-to technique for restoring detail in the WHITEs of an image worked to perfection with today’s feature photographs at Opacities of 50 and 80% respectively.
My two biggest challenges when optimizing images are getting the BLUEs just right, and restoring detail to the WHITEs and highlights of properly exposed raw files. There are four things that I do to accomplish the latter. All are covered in detail in this 21+ minute video, along with a dirty trick to try if the first four do not work perfectly. Sit with me at my laptop as I teach you how to save the WHITEs. I begin with the raw conversions of two different raw files, today’s featured Snowy Owl image, and Joe Usewicz’s spoonbill image that was featured in the Extraordinary Over-Exposed (?) Spoonbill/Saving the WHITEs Optimization blog post here.
In addition to learning how to save the WHITEs (in both images), you will learn how to expand canvas using the amazingly convenient Content-Aware Crop Tool, to set the White Balance (color temperature), to set the WHITE and BLACK points, see Digital Eye Doctor and RawDigger in action, learn to make a Color Range Selection, and lots more.
To purchase your copy of the Saving the Whites Video (and lots more!) video, you can send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net, call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand, or visit the item in the BAA Online store by clicking here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
With dead clear skies and a brisk west wind Thursday morning was a bust, as was my late afternoon silhouette session; heck, I did not even try. I did make a few nice head portraits while working in the last light with the crane family of four. It was clear and still on Friday morning, but there was not a lot about. I spent some quality time at the vulture tree, but was back in the house before 8:30am.
Today is Friday 24 December. 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 prepare. and makes 44 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I was glad to learn that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to an afternoon/dinner/overnight/morning combo In-the-Field session here at ILE right after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
Composite of the nine-frame takeoff burst
All Nine Sharp But …
As seen above, I kept all nine frames in the lift-off sequence (for educational purposes). Each one was razor sharp on the owl’s eyes. That in part because of the great AF system of the Alpha 1, and in part because the bird was so far away (and so small in the frame), that depth-of-field was more than enough to cover the whole bird. But, most of the images had dune grasses covering the bird’s face and wings, and several frames had the bird intersecting with the white walkway railings in the background.
Only one frame, _A1B0180, had a chance … There are advantages to 30 frames per second!
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough to produce two sharp eyes. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: The Original for the Snowy Owl taking flight from dunes image
The Original
The JPEG above represents the full frame original capture from which the Snowy Owl taking flight from dunes PANO image was created. That image was featured in the Best Snowy Owl Image From My Northeast Trip? blog post here.
A single image, the one above, _A1B0180 Westhampton Beach — LI — NY, had the bird in the clear. But there were two serious problems:
1- There was very little room above the bird. The walkway railings and the shadow of the walkway were right above the bird.
2- The shadow of the bird on the dunes was way less than pleasing …
The Image Optimization
My first and main job was to cover the offending shadows and the walkway with a series of Quick Masks refined by Regular Layer Masks. I warped most of the Quick Masks in an attempt to have the background above the bird look as natural as possible. I snuck that work by most everyone but for Joe Usewicz who left this insightful comment:
Wonderful image. Truly wonderful. No need to crop. The colors, the eyes, the wings. Fantastic.
Regards to Photoshop: I’m trying to convince myself that there is a repeat section on the horizon behind the owl and to the right corner. Also some work at the left center section. But maybe not. If so, incredible touch.
Image #1A: This is a horizontally flipped version of the Snowy Owl taking flight from dunes PANO image
To Flip or Not to Flip?
Bob Turner wrote:
Today’s image of the Snowy Owl is OUTSTANDING! And I especially like the bird’s eye alignment/contact. There are no obvious signs of Photoshop tampering. However, I’d like to see this image with a horizontal flip. That is, Westerners typically read from L-R, vs Asians who read from R-L. That adjustment may be preferred, if you want my opinion.
I’ve heard this reasoning before. To tell the truth, it has never bothered me as to which way the bird is looking. And furthermore, birds do not read 🙂 IAC, I prepared a flopped version just for Bob. Do you have a preference?
Image #1B: This is a ridiculously huge, 3X2 crop, of the Snowy Owl taking flight from dunes PANO image
The Crop to 3X2
Several folks commented that they would like to see the image cropped higher. I made this one for them.
Consider That …
The flattened 8-bit TIF file for the original image is 142.4M. Each of the PANO versions are 17.3M. Thus, Image #1A represents only 12% of the original pixels. It gets even worse, or better. Image #1B is only 9.9M. Amazingly, it is only 7% of the original pixels. From where I sit, it looks amazingly good.
Can a sharp file from your camera stand up so well to such huge crops?
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. This week, two folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that the all who wish can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
The weatherman was a bit off on the Wednesday morning forecast for Lakeland. It was supposed to be totally cloudy for much of the day, but the cold front came through early and the sun was out by 8:15am at Circle B Bar Preserve. It is an intriguing and beautiful spot with dozens of birds, but making a good image when the sun it out is challenging. Not to mention that the wind was from the west creating photographer’s nightmare conditions: wind against bright sun. What to do?
Yesterday I sent e-mail #26 to the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes group. It detailed several button changes that I made recently via Custom Key Settings, and included an offer for an up-to-dated CAMSETA2.DAT file so that those who have updated to Firmware V1.20 can load my setting to their a1 bodies. The button changes improved the user friendliness of the a1. David Pugsley wrote back: Great stuff artie. I love the setup flexibility of the a1 buttons, as we all like to do things a bit differently. I agree but only 100%!
I went down to the lake for a bit last night but with wind and sun together silhouettes were off the table. It is difficult to shoot front-lit down by the lake at ILE in perfect conditions as most of the backgrounds are houses …
Today is 23 December 2021. At 46°, it is the coldest morning of the year. The pool temp was down 4° overnight, 7° in the past two days … I will take a photo ride this morning despite the NW wind but, am not expecting anything great. But heck, “terrible” conditions enabled me to create today’s featured image …
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. Again, this blog post took less than an hour to prepare. It makes 43 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I was glad to learn that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to an afternoon/dinner/overnight/morning combo In-the-Field session here at ILE right after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 22 December 2021 down at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL Standing at full height, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 204/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 125. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/20,000 sec. at f/8 (stopped down 1 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23:47 am on a then very sunny morning.
Focusing information will the revealed in a future blog post soon. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: What Is It?
What Is It?
It sort of looks like a black and white, one-eyed Oscar the Grouch. But it is not. If you think that you know what it might be, please leave a comment. The shutter speed, 1/20,000 second, is not a typo.
What Gives?
If you think that you can explain the exposure data — ISO 125: 1/20,000 second at f/8, please leave a comment. What was the background? What was the lighting?
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. This week, two folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that all who wish can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Is today’s featured photo as good as I think it is? Be sure to click on the image to see the spectacular high-res pano version.
What do you think of the image? Of the image quality? What are the strong points? Does anything bug you? Is there any evidence of PhotoShop hanky-panky?
What’s Up?
Tuesday was a rare day at ILE — with rain in the morning and dark clouds for the rest of the day, I never made it down to the lake. Before yesterday, the last day that I did not make a single photograph was on December 2, the day I flew from Long Island back to MCO. Today is Wednesday 21 December 2021. I did my swim in the afternoon. That made 18 of the past 19 days I’ve done at least my 44 lengths. The weather has been amazingly warm for the past month; the pool today was at 91°. The forecast for today is for cloudy early, turning partly sunny and colder in the afternoon with a west/northwest wind all day. The temps, however, will be in the high forties by Thursday morning … With the cloudy forecast and the NW winds, Jim and I are headed back to Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland early for our three-mile photo walk.
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than an hour to prepare, and makes 42 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I was glad to learn that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to an afternoon/dinner/overnight/morning combo In-the-Field session here at ILE right after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed well enough to produce two sharp eyes. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Snowy Owl taking flight from dunes PANO
The Situation
I found the owl perched in a decent spot on the dunes at Westhampton Beach on Long Island. I was approaching slowly with the big lens on the tripod when I spotted a resident on his walkway just past the owl. He was heading to the beach. With his dog in tow on a leash. I planted my tripod firmly in the sand and got ready for a takeoff sequence. The owl saw the dog right after I got my tripod down. It took flight and turned away to the east. I fired off nine frames before the bird turned. All were in sharp focus. This one was the only usable image as the bird was blocked by the tall grasses in all the other frames.
Par for the Course Alpha 1 AF Performance
In e-mail #25 to the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes, I detailed two amazing AF techniques that I discovered only recently. One of these techniques makes the world’s best AF system for birds in flight even better. The other teaches folks working with lenses with DMF (direct manual focus) to acquire and maintain AF when shooting through reeds! In e-mail #26, I made one small change in my set-up and am offering an up-to-date CAMSETA2.DAT file so that those who have updated to Firmware V1.20 can load my setting to their a1 bodies.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. Yesterday, two a1 folks in the group ordered their third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that the first e-mail you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! (Note: I am now offering updated .DAT files).
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
I spent some time on Monday morning with the crane family of four. After lunch, Jim and I drove over to Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland and enjoyed a three mile walk through the Pond Cypress. I brought the 200-600 G lens, the 600mm f/4 GM, and both teleconverters. An Alpha 1 was mounted on each lens. I went light with the no longer available GIT 204 topped by a Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Mini. There were dozens of birds at close range — Common Moorhens, Great and Little Blue Herons, Great and Cattle Egrets, and Anhingas. The wind was from the east by slightly north. The gentle backlight with the sun in the southwest was do-able, but almost every bird was facing into the wind, directly away from us. I created very few images.
The forecast for today, Tuesday 21 December 2021, is for thunderstorms pretty much all day long, with the heaviest rain in the morning. It is not likely that I will get out to do much photography. Maybe …
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took more than 40 hours to prepare, including the time spent on trying to figure out what is going on at Stick Marsh, and makes 41 consecutive days with a new one.
If, after reading today’s post, you have any ideas as how I might proceed, please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. It would seem that the next likely stuff would be to contact the Orlando Sentinel and perhaps other Florida newspapers. The single question that really needs to be answered is this: Why didn’t FL DEP or the USFWS respond to the e-mailed requests for input from FWC? At the very least, the FWC knew of the rookery as they designated it as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA).
December 6, 2021. The two rookery islands can be seen directly behind the piles of steel beams that are about 50 yards from the closest point of the rookery islands.
So What’s Up With Stick Marsh?
First off, let me say that I have no idea if the breeding birds at Stick Marsh will be negatively affected by the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project currently underway at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area. It seems very likely that at least some disturbance will occur. Is there a chance that the entire colony might abandon the site at some point (assuming that they build nests and lay eggs in the first place)? Yes.
In short, I have been trying to learn why it seems that the rookery there was not considered at all during the permitting process. The project is being done under the auspices of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
I learned on Monday morning that Indian River County Stick Marsh was designated as Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) by the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In addition, I learned that Tricolored Heron, like Roseate Spoonbill, is protected as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Tricolored also breed at Stick Marsh. You can learn more here and here.
Ironically, I found this at the first link: Disturbance is a major factor affecting nesting success.
If you would like a copies of the two permits, please shoot me an e-mail with S-96 Permits as the Subject Line.
I sent the e-mail below on Monday morning. It summarizes my concerns and frustrations. At the time of publication, I have heard back only from Greg Workman, Regional Director, FWC. He wrote via e-mail:
I will follow-up with our biologist to see if someone can contact you to assist you with your concerns.
Jerry Lorenz
State Research Director
Everglades Science Center
Audubon Florida
Hi Jerry,
I hope that you are well and safe. Do you know about the S-96 Control Structure Rehabilitation Project at Stick Marsh?
I have been trying to gather information on the permitting for this project. Gretchen Kelley, Senior Professional Engineer, Bureau of Projects and Construction, for the St. Johns River Water Management District has been very helpful. Most others, including folks at Audubon Florida, FWC, FL DEP, and USFWS have been anything but responsive to my queries.
Daniel Shideler of FWC wrote in part, We sent an email out to state agencies on 4/15/21 and then one on 4/28/21, and we did not receive any comments or conditions from Florida Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
A document entitled S-96 Rehab FDP ERP GP makes no mention of any threatened species.
I did find the following in a document entitled S-96 Rehab FDEP 404 GP:
(k) Listed species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or a species proposed for such designation, or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any general permit which may affect a listed species or critical habitat, unless the Agency has consulted with, or been provided technical assistance by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service under their respective authorities and appropriate measures to address the effects of the proposed activity have been implemented or are required as a specific condition to the general permit.
As Roseate Spoonbill is protected both by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, and because Stick Marsh is an FWC designated Critical Wildlife Area, I am baffled that FL DEP granted permits for this project and equally baffled that USFWS did not play any role in the permitting.
Considering the timing, the proximity (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is at least the potential for disturbance of the nesting colonies?
Considering the timing, (the scheduled project almost perfectly overlaps the breeding season), the proximity, the pile driving, and the scale of this project, do you feel that there is a possibility that the birds might abandon the site this season? Please see the photos here.
Is there any way to stop this project?
Do you have any idea as to how FL DEP could have issued permits for this project?
Do you have any idea why a USWFS permit was not required for this project?
Do you have any idea why neither FL DEP nor USFWS responded to the e-mails from FWC?
Do you have any idea why I am being stone-walled by most of the folks mentioned above?
Is there any baseline research data on the nesting spoonbills Tricolored Herons at the two tree islands in the St. John’s Water Management Area’s Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir in Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach where hundreds of state-imperiled Roseate Spoonbills and Tricolored Herons join Snowy and Great Egrets to nest from January to July each year?
At this point I am begging you for help. Feel free to call me at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Thanks with love, artie
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Cc: Julie Wraithmell (Audubon Florida); Gretchen Kelly (St. Johns River Water Management District); Daniel Shideler (FL DEP); Annie Dziergowski (USFWS); Mark Smith; Greg Workman (Regional Director, FWC)
December 6, 2021. There will be lots of pile driving done during this reconstruction project. At the very least, the bird’s flight paths to and from the rookery will be altered.
Description of the Project
Adapted from e-mailed information kindly provided By Gretchen Kelly of the St. Johns River Water Management District
Good afternoon, Mr. Morris. Thank you for your inquiry. The project you are referencing is the rehabilitation of Structure S-96. This critical flood control structure is over 50 years old and is due for major repairs. The contractor is installing a sheet pile cofferdam (*) on the east and west sides of the structure. The structure will be pumped dry so that repairs can be made to the concrete structure, steel gate, and wingwalls. Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the Environmental Resource Permit and the State 404 Permit. Please see the attached permits. The project complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
Installation of the west cofferdam is currently under way and is located over 100 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. Installation of the west cofferdam is scheduled to be complete by mid-January. The east cofferdam is a couple hundred yards further east of the rookery and is scheduled to be complete by late February. The cofferdams will be removed in May 2022, and the entire project is scheduled to be complete by late July 2022.
cofferdam (*): /ˈkôfərˌdam. Noun. A watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit construction work below the waterline.
The general, anticipated sequence of construction is as follows: After completion of the west cofferdam in mid-January, the crane will be used to remove the hydraulic hoists and steel gates from the structure. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure and used to install the east cofferdam, which will be located about 200 yards from the nearest point of the rookery. After the cofferdam is complete, the structure will be pumped dry and kept dry while the contractor preps, patches, and recoats the concrete and exposed steel wingwalls. Additional dirt and rocks will be placed near the bottom of the structure where erosion may be present. The gate will be renovated off-site. The renovated gates and new hoists will be re-installed before removal of the cofferdams (with the crane). Repairs to this critical, federal flood control structure can only be conducted during the dry season and should not be out of operation during hurricane season.
As with any construction project, the schedule is subject to change due to adverse conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
The contractor is and will be using the crane, which is equipped with a vibratory hammer, to drive the steel beams (piles) and steel sheet piles for the cofferdam. The sheet piles are shown in the picture that you included in your 12/6 email. The contractor will use the same crane and vibratory hammer to drive steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges; that will likely be done in late May at the earliest.
We anticipate that the steel piles west of the structure will be gone (in the water) upon completion of the cofferdams. Many have already been used on the west cofferdam, the remaining ones will be used on the east cofferdam. Any new steel piles for the east cofferdam will likely be stored east of the S-96 structure until that cofferdam is complete. Based on my site visit today, the west cofferdam is progressing faster than expected and will likely be complete before the New Year. The steel piles for the boat barriers and staff gauges (about 10 total), will be delivered and staged somewhere on site at a later date, probably in April or May. The crane will be moved to the east side of the structure shortly after completion of the west cofferdam, and before mid-January.
An EIS (Environmental Impact State) was not conducted for the S-96 Rehabilitation Project
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
At 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon, there was some gorgeous color in the western sky but with a brisk wind from the west/southwest, I did not even bother setting up my sunset silhouette stepladder. Why not?
After clicking to see the high-res versions, compare the optimized Bald Eagle image, Image #1, with the raw file, Image #2, and leave a comment detailing the differences that you see. There are at least three or four fairly major ones.
In-the-Field Workshop veteran Joe Usewicz, the only person to respond, wrote:
Hi Artie,
I figured I’d give it a shot.
It looks like you cropped both the left side and right side to remove some branches. Probably had to clean up the lower left with clone stamp. And removed the moss at the top of the photo. Also removed some of the white poop spots.
Let me know what I missed. Now back to the games.
Joe
I responded:
Thanks for leaving a comment, Joe. And well done. Actually, I cropped proportionately from the left, right, and below, using Original Ratio.The rest of your comments are spot-on. Most of the white stuff was poop. One small white feather was eliminated as well. Note: I rarely use the Clone Stamp Tool for image clean-up. As detailed in Digital Basics II, most of that is done with the Patch Tool and with Content-Aware Fill.
with love, artie
What’s Up?
It poured for 30 minutes at 5:00am on Sunday morning. It dawned very foggy so I did not head down to the lake until about eight. There was not much around and I was ready to head home. I took a ride out to the end of the South Peninsula and found an acre of Black Vultures with their wings spread, sunning themselves in sauna-like conditions. I spent an hour with them and made a very few good ones. Aside from a few cranes, sunset was close to a bust.
Today is Monday 20 December. The forecast for this morning is for mostly to partly cloudy with a breeze from the northeast. I will head down to the lake in a bit to check on the eagle nest and see what’s about. 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 and makes 40 consecutive days with a new one.
If you are thinking of an R5 after reading today’s blog post, you might wish to visit the Top Ten Reasons to Love the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body and the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens blog post here. As detailed below, using one of my affiliate links to purchase your Canon RF gear earns a nice discount on the BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission on items priced at $1,000 or more. With items less than $1000, there is a $50 flat-fee. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. If you are interested, please click here, read everything carefully, and do what it says. To avoid any misunderstandings, please read the whole thing very carefully. If you agree to the terms, please state so clearly via e-mail and include the template or templates, one for each item you wish to sell. Then we can work together to get your stuff priced and listed.
Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice only to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past years, we have sold many hundreds of items. Do know that prices for used gear only go in one direction. Down. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Sony Alpha 1 (free card offer!) and Canon EOS R5 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know on Saturday that he has several Sony a1 bodies and several Canon R5 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. If you purchase and R5, 3% of the purchase price will be refunded to your credit card when the body ships. Right now with the Alpha 1, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value! Either way, be sure to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex.
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2021: Brian Sump Photography. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Common Goldeneye — drake floating in early morning light
Looking at Great Images
Looking at as many good and great images as possible is one of the best ways to improve your own bird photography. I visit BPN often both to learn and to be inspired. Thanks to Brian Sump for allowing me to share his very fine Common Goldeneye images with y’all here on the blog today.
To see more of Brian’s images and to learn more about him — he was a college and an Arena League football star, see the blog post here. If you missed the Morris to Sump video, you just might enjoy it. That Brian has been photographing birds for only a very few years is very hard to believe.
You can see what I, and other folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
High Shutter Speed/High ISO Question
Why do you think that Brian went with such a high shutter speed (1/6400 sec.) and such a high ISO (ISO 1600) in bright sunny conditions? There are three intertwined answers.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2021: Brian Sump Photography. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Common Goldeneye drake — a running start for take-off
Extraordinarily Uncommon R5 Goldeneye Images
It is easy to make lots of images of common bird species. Goldeneye is fairly common in Colorado. Creating images that are truly outstanding is a huge challenge. I came across both of today’s featured images in the Avian Forum on BPN.
Amazingly, Brian created this take-off image while working off the tilted rear screen of the R5 with the lens at ground level … Please do not try this at your local lake without parental supervision.
You can see what I, and other folks in the Avian Forum on BPN, had to say about this image here.
If Someone Held a Gun to Your Head …
If someone held a gun to your head and asked, Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest, would you go with Image #1 or with Image #2? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Fernando Ramos
The excellent Canon EOS R5/R6 Camera User’s e-Guide is unlike anything I’ve encountered. Your detailed instruction supported by excellent reasoning is exactly what I needed to help me set-up my Canon EOS R5. Thank you for sharing your expertise with me; as a result, you saved me immeasurable time. Fernando
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Joel Eade
Thank you so much for the R5/R6 guide and I am honored to have had an image included! It is a wonderfully written, extremely comprehensive document that would benefit any R5 user. It is evident that a tremendous amount of time and effort was required to create it. After reading through, I can say it that flows in a logical fashion and that each item is carefully described in a way that is not difficult to follow. I agree with 99% of your set up suggestions 🙂 Joel
Cover Image courtesy of and Copyright 2021 Brian Sump (Sump scores!)
The BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5/R6 Camera User’s e-Guide: $75.00
Purchase your RF body and or lenses using either my B&H links or from Bedfords, using the BIRDSASART code at checkout, and enjoy a discount on this great guide. You’ll earn a $1 discount for very $10 you spend.
The guide is 82 pages long: 21,458 words. There are more than 50 DPP 4 Autofocus-depicting screen captures. And a 31 minute 44 second educational video. This guide took three and a half months of hard work and a ton of help from at least seventeen very helpful and generous folks.
The guide covers — in great detail — all Menu Items that are relevant to bird, nature, and wildlife photography. It does not cover video. The section on AF methods and the AF Gallery has been expanded from the R5/R6 AF e-guide. It remains the one of the great strengths of this guide. I share my thoughts on what I am sure is the single best AF Method for photographing birds in flight. As most of you know, the guide includes a simple and easy way to change AF Methods that was introduced to me by Geoff Newhouse. In the AF Gallery you will see exactly how Face Detection plus Tracking AF works. In the Educational R5 Gallery video, I share my favorite R5 images along with dozens of bird photography tips and techniques.
In addition, I teach you how to get the best exposures with your R5. Detailed instructions on using the great In-camera HDR and Multiple Exposure features will be appreciated by creative folks who like to have fun. The three shutter modes are explained in detail as well. Bruce Dudek solved the can’t-get-to-Auto ISO problem that had stumped everyone at Canon. This information is of course shared in the guide. You will learn how to set up your EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) and Screen toggle options. Not to mention that the mysterious performance of the Q Button is revealed and simplified. Brian Sump’s images reveal how well you can do when using the R5 with EF lenses using one of the three Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapters (as Donna did with Image #1 below). You will learn how I use Customize Dials to put either ISO or EC on the Thumb Dial and how to set up and save Custom Shooting Modes (C1-C3) that can remember both your Customize Dial and Customize Button settings! That is something that none of the SONY bodies do. 🙁 Near the end of the guide I share my all-important MY MENU items with you.
Like all BAA educational materials, the R5 guide is written in my informal, easy-to-follow style. I am quite proud of this guide and look forward to hearing your thoughts on our hard work.
You can purchase your copy of the BIRDS AS ART Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide for $75.00 here in the BAA Online Store or by calling Jim in the office weekday afternoons at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
After clicking to see the high-res versions, compare the optimized image, Image #1, with the raw file, Image #2, and leave a comment detailing the differences that you see. There are at least three or four fairly major ones.
What’s Up?
I had no clue that had I made a nice image of the female eagle on the nest, but when I reviewed my images from Saturday morning, I was in for a nice surprise — today’s featured image. Saturday sunset looked like a cloudy bust, but when I looked down toward the lake at 5:12pm from the pool deck, I saw a bright orange sky. I hustled to the car and hustled down to the lake, only to arrive just as the sun disappeared for good behind a huge dark cloud. I hung around to do some white sky grackle flock blurs, but all in all sunset was a bust.
Today is Sunday 19 December. The forecast for this morning is for mostly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the southwest. I will likely take a spin down to the lake to see what’s up. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less than two hours to prepare and makes 39 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
I am glad that Joe Casey, visiting from Texas, has committed to a morning session after X-mas.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and lots more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more. If you wish to mix and match, loving at ILE is available.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 18 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver’s seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 800. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:06:55am on a mostly sunny day with a light cloud in front of the sun.
Tracking: Spot S with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly by tracking and nailing the bird’s visible eye. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle on nest
A Very Nice Surprise
I barely remember making this image …
When I saw the male Bald Eagle fly to the nest carrying a large stick, I followed in my SUV. The male was sitting in filtered light on the large branch to our left of the nest. I made a few images knowing that they would be bad. They were. For several weeks, the only part of the female I saw was the top of her head as she sat low in the nest on her clutch of eggs. When I saw her stand up in the nest in a big pine tree, I swung the lens on the BLUBB, adjusted the exposure, and fired off a few frames. I thought nothing of them. But when I saw them on the laptop I thought that they were pretty cool as the nest was incredibly large and intricate. And the lady was calling.
Most of the time when I create a good image, I know it when I press the shutter button. But not always …
If …
If you own the BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide and would like to learn the location of the eagle nest, please shoot me proof of purchase via e-mail with the words Eagle Nest Location Please as the Subject Line.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Image #1A: The active AF point for the Bald Eagle on nest image
Par for the Course Alpha 1 AF Performance
With relatively static subjects, Bird-Eye/Face Detection AF performance is consistently hard to believe. And this true with the bare lenses as well as with either teleconverter.
In e-mail #25 to the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes, I detailed two amazing AF techniques that I discovered only recently. One of these techniques makes the world’s best AF system for birds in flight even better. The other teaches folks working with lenses with DMF (direct manual focus) to acquire and maintain AF when shooting through reeds!
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. The group is now up to an astounding 99 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that the first e-mail you will receive includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience!
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
In today’s blog post we again see the incredible versatility of the 70-200 lenses, more specifically today, the brand new Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II, a huge improvement in virtually all areas from the previous version. All four of today’s featured images were created in a span of less than 15 hours, and for eight of those I was sleeping. If you are inspired by what you read below, please purchase your copy using either my B&H affiliate link or from Bedfords, using the BIRDS AS ART code at checkout. Doing so will not cost you a penny more and helps me to keep all the great educational stuff coming. And please consider selling your Sony 100-400 and your version one Sony 70-200 via the Used Gear Page. Click here to learn how to do that.
While you are marveling at versatility of this lens, take a moment to leave a comment letting us know which is your favorite image and why you made your choice.
Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions
The beauty of the Your Pick In-the-Field Sessions plans below are that I am free most days from now till mid-January. We can schedule sessions to coincide with the perfect weather forecast. They are ideal for central Florida locals or folks visiting the region for whatever reason. Interested? Get in touch via e-mail or better yet, try my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. Inquire for couples and group rates.
Indian Lake Estates In-the-Field Sessions
Two hours of intensive instruction: $300.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Sunset shoot: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best. Likely subjects include ridiculously tame Sandhill Cranes along with Black and Turkey Vultures, Crested Caracara, Limpkin, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and more. Bald Eagle possible; chicks coming soon.
Lakeland or Circle B Bar Preserve
Two hours of intensive instruction: $325.00. Add a working brunch with image review: $100.00. Guest room lodging available. Mix and match.
Sunny mornings with east winds are best at Lakeland. Likely subjects include point-blank American White Pelican, Anhinga, Limpkin, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, a variety of wintering ducks including Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, and more.
Cloudy mornings or afternoons (shooting session only) are best at Circle B Bar Preserve. Likely subjects include Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Alligator, Wild Boar, and more.
What’s Up?
Sunset Icterid flock flight blur photography was superb last night for ten minutes after the sun set as there was some nice sky color and the flocks were quite cooperative. The new Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens, the subject of today’s post, is superb for flock blurs with the 2X TC and the a1. When I first half-pressed the shutter button on this rig a few nights back, I knew instantly that I would be selling my Sony 100-400. As I priced the lens to sell, that happened quite quickly — well sale pending anyhoo.
Today is Saturday 18 December 2021. Despite the mostly cloudy forecast the sun rose in a hazy sky and I had some fun down by the lake, mostly with a Great Egret hunting in the marsh. I was two minutes late getting to the vulture tree. As I drove up the resident male Bald Eagle flew buy, scared the the beejeezus out of about 40 vultures, and then flew off with a large stick for its nest. The female has been sitting low on eggs for about two weeks now. The worst part of the whole thing is that the wind and light were perfect and the bird flew a perfect flight path. If only I had been two minutes earlier …
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 38 consecutive days with a new one.
Please remember that 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 save 3% 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.
Sony Alpha 1 Bodies in Stock at Bedfords/free card offer!
Steve Elkins of Bedfords let me know late yesterday that he had several Sony a1 bodies in stock. If one of them has your name on it, please click here and be sure to enter the BIRDSASART coupon code check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. Right now, in lieu of the 3% credit refunded to the card you used for your purchase, you will receive a Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card, a $399.99 value!
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 wait lists 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 immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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… 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 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 346mm) 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 200: 1/25 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:38:38pm just after sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Icterid blur
Amazing Autofocus
From the moment that I pressed the shutter button on the a1 with the new Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM lens attached I was blown away by the speed and responsiveness of the AF system, and that was with the 2X teleconverter on! I knew that Sony had done something different and had come up with something really special. I was not at all shocked when I found this in the product description:
Among the biggest improvements with the 70-200mm II is a vastly superior autofocus system. Now comprised of 4 XD Linear motors, the lens now performs up to four times faster.
It is always a pleasant surprise when the reality lives up to the hype.
This image was created on 17 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. 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.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/640 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1 2/3 stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:42:52am on a clear morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Sandhill Crane, about 9 months old — head portrait
Fast, Small, and Light!
This super-fast (f/2.8) lens is absolutely tiny. And, at just under 2.3 lb (reduced by approximately 29% to previous model), it is a veritable feather. It is so small and light that I found myself using it with my gripped a1; the rig handled like a dream. With the 2X TC and an a1 with one battery and a card the rig tips the scale at 4.6 pounds making it eminently hand holdable for just about everyone.
Superior Zooming
The zoom mechanism is fast and smooth. Best of all, a simple twist of the wrist enables you to zoom through the entire focal length range. From 70 to 200 requires less than 85° of rotation. And I just love the internal zoom; the length of the lens does not change as you zoom.
I can’t wait to get this lens to San Diego and to Homer!
So Why f/10?
With the incredible close focusing of the 70-200 GM, I was sitting very close to the cranes and was trying to create some super-tight feather detail pattern images. I failed in those efforts, but when the opportunity arose for a head portrait, I stuck with the f/10 aperture.
What Don’t I Like About Image #2?
Does anything about Image #2 bug you? One thing about it bugs me. What is it?
This image was created on 17 December 2021 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates. 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.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 800: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:17:19am on a clear morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed very well. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Turkey Vulture braking to land
As a Flight Lens
Though I only had a few chances to photograph birds in flight, I was thrilled with the results. Bird-Eye/Face Detection performance was superb with this lens with static subjects, with slowly moving subjects, and with birds in flight. Despite the ease of hand holding and the relatively short focal lengths of 140-400mm, I managed to clip a few wingtips by being too greedy.
Filling a Big Hole …
One of the huge holes in the Sony telephoto lens line-up has been the lack of a 300mm f/2.8 lens. Adding the 1.4X TC to the 70-200GM II comes close to filling that hole with a 98-280mm f/4 zoom lens … Though this combo is one full stop slower (f/4 vs. f/2.8), it is about half the weight and half the price of a typical 300 f/2.8 …
This image was created on 17 December 2021 on the lot across the street from my home at Indian Lake Estates. 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.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/200 sec. at f/8 (stopped down one sstop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:36:27am in the shade of my torso on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection set performed very well. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Baby katydid on yellow wildflower
Outstanding Close-Focusing
The lens alone focuses to less than 16 inches at 70mm and to about 32 inches at 200mm. With the 2X TC at 400mm, the rig focuses to less than 34 inches — substantially closer than the closest-focusing of the 100-400 lenses. That makes it ideal for all manner of medium-sized and large flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and just about all subjects about 2 inches or larger.
Foot and Rotating Collar
The new Sony 70-200 comes with a removable lens foot. The rotating lens collar is built in. A P-10 plate is best for this lens. If anyone tries to sell you a low foot for this lens, have them arrested. It is plenty low enough as it comes out of the box.
Lazy …
I spotted the situation for this image as I was pulling into my driveway. I had not yet put a P-10 plate onto the lens foot that was left on the dining room table anyway. So I hand held. I was lucky to make one very sharp image out of about twenty. Next time in similar conditions I will put the lens on a tripod and focus manually.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
