Fort DeSoto in fall is rife with tame birds. All of the images in this card were created at Fort DeSoto in either late September or very early October. I hope that you can join me there this September. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.<\/p>\n Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Caspian Tern, Great Egret, Sandwich Tern with fish, Willet, Black-bellied Plover threat display, Snowy Egret, 2-year old Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n The trip above and the trip below can be combined. <\/p>\n Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds and terns in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, night-herons, and gulls that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With luck, we may get to photograph two of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit and the spectacular Long-billed Curlew. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher almost guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. We may very well get to see and photograph the amazing heron\/egret hybrid that has been present for three year. And we should get to do some Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two. <\/p>\n On the IPT you will learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). <\/p>\n There will be a Photoshop\/image review session after lunch (included) each day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.<\/p>\n This IPT will run with only a single registrant (though that is not likely to happen). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with the hotel information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same hotel (rather than at home or at a friend’s place).<\/p>\n Because of the late date you may pay in full by credit card. Register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please remember that the meet and greet will take place at 7:30 on the evening of Sunday, September 23. Please shoot me an e-mail<\/a><\/center> if you plan to register or if you have any questions. <\/p>\n
\n![\"desoto-fall-card-b\"](\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/general\/desoto-fall-card-b.jpg\" "\\"desoto-fall-card-b\\"")
<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \n The 2018 Fort DeSoto Fall Weekend IPT\/September 22-23, 2018: 2 FULL DAYS: $949. Limit 8\/Openings 7.<\/h3>\n
The 2018 Fort DeSoto Fall IPT\/September 24 (MON) through the morning of September 27 (THURS), 2018: 3 1\/2 DAYS: $1749. Limit 8. Meet and Greet at 7:30pm on the evening of September 23 (SUN) <\/h3>\n
\n
\n \n