{"id":56067,"date":"2018-06-09T02:38:40","date_gmt":"2018-06-09T06:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=56067"},"modified":"2018-06-11T00:27:59","modified_gmt":"2018-06-11T04:27:59","slug":"amy-runs-to-the-ruffs-and-when-to-be-beware-of-group-af","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2018\/06\/09\/amy-runs-to-the-ruffs-and-when-to-be-beware-of-group-af\/","title":{"rendered":"Amy Runs to the Ruffs! And When to Be Wary of Group AF &#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Stuff<\/h3>\n<p>After a great Thursday, Friday was a bust until late in the day. We went out behind the hotel at about 7pm. Amy and Anita found the black Ruff that has been regular at the pond along with the Red-necked Phalaropes and a few pairs of Tufted Ducks. I walked to the eastern end of the island and concentrated on Common Gulls n flight with the 600 alone and one of my two D850s. I got a few killers &#8230;<\/p>\n<h3>BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n<p>BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. <\/p>\n<div id=\"ez_banner_container_101_10\" style=\"margin:auto;position:relative;overflow:hidden;\">\n  <script src=\"https:\/\/ajax.googleapis.com\/ajax\/libs\/webfont\/1\/webfont.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n  <script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/ez_banner\/?b=101&#038;v=1.0&#038;aff_num=7226&#038;sid=EZBANNER\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n<p>Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. 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%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2016\/09\/01\/a-man-not-of-his-word-so-whats-the-deal-with-item-4-and-the-complete-items-for-sale-info-e-mail\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> or shoot us an <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a><\/center> with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly &#8212; I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms &#8212; usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page. <\/p>\n<h3>Seven D850s Available Right Now!<\/h3>\n<p>Contact Steve below to get yours. <\/p>\n<h3>Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n<p>If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&#038;H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bedfords.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via <a href=\"mailto:Steve@bedfords.com\">e-mail<\/a> or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!<\/p>\n<p><center><A href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/buy\/Photography-Deals\/ci\/18560\/ipp\/48\/N\/4143096970\/view\/GRID?BI=6633&#038;KW=&#038;KBID=7226&#038;img=bestdeals-am.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/bestdeals-am.jpg\" border=\"0\"><\/a><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/showban.asp?id=7226&#038;img=bestdeals-am.jpg\" border=0><\/center><\/p>\n<h3>Booking.Com<\/h3>\n<p>Several folks on the DeSoto IPT used the Booking.Com link below, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/s\/ea1bab74\">here<\/a> and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service. <\/p>\n<h3>Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n<p>Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.birdphotographers.net\/forums\/content.php?s=52d51423c223b39bdca1765c6839ffc2\" target=\"_blank\">BPN<\/a>, are&#8211;out of ignorance&#8211;using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads&#8230; Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a>. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and\/or lens choices and decisions.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was also created on June 7 at Vardo, Norway. I rested my rig on the lowered window of the van: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1166859-REG\/nikon_af_s_nikkor_600mm_f_4e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI6004EEDVR\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI6004EEDVR\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f\/4E FL ED VR lens,<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1052071-REG\/nikon_2219_af_s_teleconverter_tc_14e_iii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NITC14EIII\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNITC14EIII\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1351688-REG\/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NID850\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNID850\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon D850.<\/a> ISO 1000. Matrix metering +2\/3 stop as framed: 1\/250 sec. at f\/6.3. CLOUDY WB at 5:36PM on a cloudy afternoon. <\/p>\n<p>One below the center, Group (grp)\/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the right flank of the Ruff in the middle.<br \/>\nClick on the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n<p>Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1: Six Ruffs: The Ruffians<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=7604&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Amy Runs to the Ruffs!<\/h3>\n<p>Amy Novotny runs pretty much every day. I do not know her complete running history but I do know that she has run in and completed four Boston Marathons. So she is not just running around the block. She set out on a run from our hotel in Vadso on Thursday and returned with news: she had found lots of Ruffs. <\/p>\n<h3>An Exception to the Rule &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>When photographing groups of birds, I have long advised that folks focus on the closest bird. Here, I chose to focus on the second closest bird and it worked out perfectly. I thought of switching to a lower left AF point, but when the arrangement presented itself momentarily, I had no choice but to push the shutter button. I guess that all rules are made to be broken when the opportunity presents itself. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on June 7 at Vardo, Norway. I rested my rig on the lowered window of the van: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1166859-REG\/nikon_af_s_nikkor_600mm_f_4e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI6004EEDVR\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI6004EEDVR\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f\/4E FL ED VR lens,<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1052071-REG\/nikon_2219_af_s_teleconverter_tc_14e_iii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NITC14EIII\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNITC14EIII\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1351688-REG\/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NID850\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNID850\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon D850.<\/a> ISO 800. Matrix metering plus 1\/3 stop: 1\/800 sec. at f\/6.3. CLOUDY WB at 4:06pam on a cloudy afternoon. <\/p>\n<p>Center Group (grp) AF point\/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the bird&#8217;s front end. Click on the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n<p>Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Victorian Royalty Ruff<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=7604&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Brushane<\/h3>\n<p>Brushane is the Norwegian name for Ruff. The correct pronunciation is quite baffling to Americans: say &#8220;bruce-HON-uh. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_2_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on June 7 at Vardo, Norway. I rested my rig on the lowered window of the van: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1166859-REG\/nikon_af_s_nikkor_600mm_f_4e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI6004EEDVR\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI6004EEDVR\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f\/4E FL ED VR lens,<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/337511-USA\/Nikon_2151_TC_17E_II_1_7x_Teleconverter.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NITC17E2\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNITC17E2\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1351688-REG\/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NID850\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNID850\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon D850.<\/a> ISO 800. Matrix metering minus about 1\/3 stop: 1\/500 sec. at f\/7.1. CLOUDY WB at 5:00PM on a cloudy afternoon.  <\/p>\n<p>One to the right of the center Group (grp)\/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the bird&#8217;s face. Click on the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n<p>Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +1. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #3: Rusty-headed, black-chested Ruff feeding<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=9365&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>When to Be Wary of Group AF &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>While Group (grp) AF is superb for flight photography, it can hurt you when using it for photographing single birds. If the bird is large in the frame as with Image #3, you are OK if you can place the array on the bird&#8217;s face. But with subject that are not so large in the frame, the array is often confused (for lack of a better term), and may focus on the bird&#8217;s breast (or somewhere else) that is in front of the plane of the face and the eye. It is much, much better to go with single point or d-9 (at most) with birds that are filling about half the frame.  For me, lesson learned. <\/p>\n<p>I made many unsharp images on Thursday, in part due to using Group AF when I shouldn&#8217;t have, in part because long effective focal lengths and relatively slow shutter speeds are not a good mix, and in part because I do not have a <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/blubb-big-lens-ultimate-bean-bag\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BLUBB<\/a> with me. Resting the 600 on the lowered van window is a problematic strategy at best. And using  pillow or a rolled up sweatshirt simply does not offer the stability of a <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/blubb-big-lens-ultimate-bean-bag\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BLUBB<\/a> with its concave top that allows the bag to solidly cradle your long lens.  <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_3_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was also created on June 7 at Vardo, Norway. I rested my rig on the lowered window of the van: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1166859-REG\/nikon_af_s_nikkor_600mm_f_4e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI6004EEDVR\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI6004EEDVR\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f\/4E FL ED VR lens,<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1052071-REG\/nikon_2219_af_s_teleconverter_tc_14e_iii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NITC14EIII\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNITC14EIII\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1351688-REG\/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NID850\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNID850\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon D850.<\/a> ISO 1000. Matrix metering plus about 2\/3 stop:  as framed: 1\/500 sec. at f\/6.3. CLOUDY WB at 5:20pm on a cloudy afternoon.  <\/p>\n<p>Center Group (grp) AF point\/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the bird&#8217;s ruff; this image is cropped from the horizontal original. <\/p>\n<p>Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #4: Queen Victoria Ruff<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=7604&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Ruffs and Reeves<\/h3>\n<p>The male of the species bears the English name, Ruff. The females are called reeves. In breeding plumage, the males feature spectacular ear tufts and ruffs or boas of shaggy, colorful feathers. Color-wise there is so much variation &#8212; as you can see with today&#8217;s images &#8212; that it is difficult to find two that are even pretty much the same. The females are quite plain and resemble a stock Pectoral Sandpiper. I have yet to make a good image of a reeve. Thanks to Amy, we had a banner days with Ruffs (and also with Eurasian Golden Plover).  <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_4_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was also created on June 7 at Vardo, Norway. I rested my rig on the lowered window of the van: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1166859-REG\/nikon_af_s_nikkor_600mm_f_4e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI6004EEDVR\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI6004EEDVR\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f\/4E FL ED VR lens,<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1052071-REG\/nikon_2219_af_s_teleconverter_tc_14e_iii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NITC14EIII\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNITC14EIII\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1351688-REG\/nikon_d850_dslr_camera_body.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NID850\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNID850\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon D850.<\/a> ISO 800. Matrix metering +1 stop: 1\/250 sec. at f\/6.3. CLOUDY WB at 5:20Pm on a cloudy afternoon.  <\/p>\n<p>Center Group (grp) AF point\/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The array was centered on the bird&#8217;s chest. Click on the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n<p>Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +4. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #5: Rough and Ready Ruff<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=7604&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>The Image Optimizations<\/h3>\n<p>Because I was fighting to keep a relatively low ISO while maintaining a halfway decent shutter speed, most of Thursday&#8217;s images were about one-third stop underexposed. I began each conversion in ACR by increasing moving the Exposure slider to the right. Once I finished working all the sliders and got the TIFF into Photoshop a healthy dose of one of my NIK Color Efex Pro Detail Extractor\/Tonal Contrast recipes was applied. Having use CLOUDY WB I moved the color temperature slider to the left a few hundred degrees with each RAW conversion. But the GREENs of the grass were still too intense so I put the whole thing on a layer, hit Command + U (Hue\/Saturation), picked the YELLOW channel from the dropdown menu, and reduced the Saturation about 15-20 points to tone down the color of the grass. Then I applied a Regular Layer Mask, hit B, D, X, and erased the effect from the bird. <\/p>\n<p>If anything above does not make sense to you, consider getting a copy of my <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/digital-basics-ii\/\" target=\"_blank\">BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)<\/a>, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Click on the link to learn more about this comprehensive e-Guide. <\/p>\n<h3>Your Favorite Ruff?<\/h3>\n<p>Which Ruff do you like best? Do let us know why. <\/p>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/cm?o=1&#038;p=12&#038;l=ur1&#038;category=amazonhomepage_2017&#038;f=ifr&#038;linkID=0c7fef03053dd77e48962ef7b0b832a5&#038;t=biasar0c-20&#038;tracking_id=biasar0c-20\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" scrolling=\"no\" border=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<h3>Help Support the Blog<\/h3>\n<p>Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie<\/p>\n<h3>If In Doubt &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>If in doubt about using the BAA B&#038;H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/?BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><center><A href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/buy\/Nikon\/ci\/9811\/N\/4288586282+4291315846\/view\/GRID?BI=6633&#038;KW=&#038;KBID=7226&#038;img=bh_nikon_14-728x90.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/bh_nikon_14-728x90.jpg\" border=\"0\"><\/a><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/showban.asp?id=7226&#038;img=bh_nikon_14-728x90.jpg\" border=0><\/center><\/p>\n<p><center><A href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/promotion\/12352\/canon-rebates.html?BI=6633&#038;KW=&#038;KBID=7226&#038;img=CanonSaveBig-728x90.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/CanonSaveBig-728x90.jpg\" border=\"0\"><\/a><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/showban.asp?id=7226&#038;img=CanonSaveBig-728x90.jpg\" border=0><\/center><\/p>\n<h3>Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store \ud83d\ude42<\/h3>\n<p>To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&#038;H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/\">New BIRDS AS ART Online Store<\/a>, especially the <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/mongoose-action-head\/\">Mongoose M3.6 tripod head<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/plates-and-replacement-feet\/wimberley-arca-swiss-style-lens-plates\/\">Wimberley lens plates<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/digital-media\/\">Delkin flash cards and accessories<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/lenscoat-covers\/\">LensCoat stuff<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>I would of course appreciate your using our B&#038;H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. <font color=red><strong>For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. <\/strong><\/font> Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/\">New BIRDS AS ART Online Store<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<h3>Facebook<\/h3>\n<p>Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.<\/p>\n<h3>Typos<\/h3>\n<p>In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a><\/center> or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stuff <\/p>\n<p>After a great Thursday, Friday was a bust until late in the day. We went out behind the hotel at about 7pm. Amy and Anita found the black Ruff that has been regular at the pond along with the Red-necked Phalaropes and a few pairs of Tufted Ducks. I walked to the eastern end [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[626],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-626","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56067"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56067\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}