When attempting to photograph erratic flight or action, I will often choose AAFPS, All AutoFocus Points Selected as in most cases this make it easier to track the bird or to maintain focus on two birds that are interacting.\u00a0 On my last trip with James Shadle on the Hooptie Deux, we were headed back to the dock at Gibsonton at about 10:15 am when we passed some feeding pelicans.\u00a0 I arose from my stupor and screamed, “Stop the boat!”\u00a0 James did and we spent almost an hour with the diving birds.\u00a0\u00a0 The neatest thing was that they stayed in a relatively small area, the area that held the school of bait!\u00a0<\/p>\n
James did a great job of keeping the boat in perfect position relative to the wind and the light.\u00a0\u00a0 After trying central sensor only for a while, I switched to AAFPS; with the 50D, this entails activating all 9 AF sensors.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nikon users should try Dynamic in these situations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you would like to get out on Tampa Bay with James, try e-mailing him at\u00a0 james@wildflorida.net<\/a> or\u00a0 james@birdphotographers.net<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0James is the BAA\u00a0Nikon Answer-Man and will be glad to answer your Nikon-related questions via e-mail.\u00a0 He takes dozens of folks out each spring aboard his photo-customized pontoon boat.\u00a0\u00a0To learn more about James and his spoonbill trips, click here: http:\/\/www.wildflorida.net\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n