{"id":58182,"date":"2018-11-04T08:20:12","date_gmt":"2018-11-04T12:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=58182"},"modified":"2018-11-04T17:17:48","modified_gmt":"2018-11-04T21:17:48","slug":"bucket-list-sea-ice-expedition-beyond-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2018\/11\/04\/bucket-list-sea-ice-expedition-beyond-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Bucket List Sea Ice Expedition: Beyond Success …"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stuff<\/h3>\n

Don’t forget to set your clocks back \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

I spent most of yesterday trying unsuccessfully to fill the single slot on the Falklands Land-based IPT (DEC 22, 2018 thru JAN 5, 2019). \ud83d\ude41 If you missed the details and are interested, please see the blog post here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Only two folks are signed up for the Early Winter DeSoto IPT; do consider joining us on that or another IPT. You can see all the current offerings here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I was glad to learn that Multiple IPT veteran Mike Gotthelf sold his Canon EOS-7D Mark II for $799.00 soon after it was listed. If you have any Used Photo Gear page business, please shoot me an e-mail<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime\/Limit 13\/Openings: 4<\/h3>\n

Right now I have nine folks committed to the 2019 Galapagos Photo Cruise. A friend who had committed to the trip learned that he and his wife might not be able to attend. Thus, I have room for one or two couples, one couple and two singles, or four singles. If the archipelago is on your bucket list, please get in touch via e-mail<\/a><\/center> asap with questions. If you might be registering with a friend or a spouse, do ask about the two at a time discount. See the complete details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. <\/p>\n


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Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n

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 here<\/a> or shoot us an e-mail<\/a><\/center> with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — 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 here<\/a> or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page. <\/p>\n

Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n

If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click 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 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. Steve currently has several D850s in stock along with a Nikon 600mm f\/4 VR. He is taking pre-orders for the new Nikon 500 P and the Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera body. <\/p>\n

Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN<\/a>, 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<\/a>. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and\/or lens choices and decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Emperor Penguin Expedition composite<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Bucket List Sea Ice Beyond Success …<\/h3>\n

After the ship was seemingly stuck in the ice for hours, the captain made good progress. When we stopped, we learned that he had gotten us within 6 miles of the Snow Hill Base camp. Everyone was elated as we were well within helicopter range. We had had several helicopter briefings and several Emperor Penguin trek briefings as well. The announced temperature on the morning of October 24 was -4 Celsius, about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The helicopter operations ran like an oiled Swiss watch. I was on the third helicopter on Day 1, the first helicopter on Day 2, and the last helicopter on Day 3 which, due to two big storms in the Drake, would be our last. The first day everyone was mega-overdressed and constantly shedding layers. My X-trahand vest has a large rear pocket and two long straps on the upper back that made it easy to store (and carry) extra layers. <\/p>\n

It was a pleasure meeting noted wildlife photographer and filmmaker Sue Flood on the trip. She has a great new book out, Emperor, the Perfect Penguin<\/a>. Pretty much everyone on the ship — including and especially me — was inspired and motivated after browsing the hard copy of her book in the library. Better yet, Sue, who has probably spent more time at various Emperor Penguin colonies than any other photographer (living or dead), was amazingly helpful. On our journey down the Drake and through the ice she answered endless questions about gear, clothing, and her favorite bird. Thanks again Sue! You can order Sue’s book by clicking on the logo-link below. <\/p>\n

In any case, Day 2 (my best single day of photography), was warmer still. And Day 3 was actually hot with many folks — including me — shedding their parkas and photographing in shirtsleeves without gloves! Having never worn sunglasses in my life, I tried without success to get a pair in the ship shop. Sue Flood kindly loaned me her back-up pair. I used them sparingly the first two days but by 9am on day 3, I could not look at the ice — sun blindness would be soon to arrive … Out of necessity, I devised a way to photograph with the sunglasses in place. That evening my eyes looked as if I had been on a six day drunken binge; they were nearly closed and bloodshot with huge dark bags under them. They returned to normal very quickly. <\/p>\n

Sue stated that in all her years of visiting Emperor Penguin colonies that our weather for the three days or landings was the best she had ever seen or heard of. Warm with little to no wind and mostly cloudy bright conditions. <\/p>\n

I will be sharing many of the images above from the trip with you here in future blog posts. <\/p>\n

Blessed<\/h3>\n

Please understand that my life continues to be one amazing blessing after another. Very few folks on the planet have ever had the privilege of traveling (however arduous) to and photographing an Emperor Penguin colony, a trip that is possible for the general public only on a helicopter-equipped ice-breaker. That I was able to make the trip, to make the 3.7 mile round trip walk each, and to make more good images than I ever dreamed possible, was and is one one of the great highlights of a very rich life. <\/p>\n

Your Favorites?<\/h3>\n

After viewing the (admittedly small) thumbnails, please leave a comment noting your three favorite images above. If you hit Command + a few times and view at 125%, you should be able to read the titles. <\/p>\n