{"id":62915,"date":"2019-07-05T05:09:40","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:09:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=62915"},"modified":"2019-07-05T02:10:47","modified_gmt":"2019-07-05T06:10:47","slug":"anticipation-and-dramatic-jet-black-backgrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2019\/07\/05\/anticipation-and-dramatic-jet-black-backgrounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Anticipation.  And dramatic jet-black backgrounds!"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>What&#8217;s Up?<\/h3>\n<p>Tuesday on the puffin boat was mega. We could not land on Wednesday morning because of a nasty swell and that afternoon was lousy with an east wind against bright sun. Thursday on the puffin boat was mega-mega. We have been eating well (and too much), learning a ton, and having fun. I went 100% SONY on lousy Wednesday and fabulous Thursday; I have lots to share on that, some of it quite surprising. <\/p>\n<p>BPN is still down, with apologies. We suffered a phishing attack that is so bad that right now not even the service provider had been able to get into the back-end to do the clean-up. My understanding is that progress is being made. <\/p>\n<h3>Coming Soon<\/h3>\n<p>I will be announcing the Fort DeSoto Fall Sandbar Secrets IPT soon. Both Bosque IPTs and the San Diego IPT are wide open. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/ipt-update-page\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> to see the IPT listings. <\/p>\n<h3>Publication Delay \ud83d\ude41 <\/h3>\n<p>Publication of the <em>The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide<\/em>, co-written and co-illustrated by Joe Przybyla and yours truly has been delayed as yours truly screwed up the PDF. Once that new e-Guide is released, the publication of <em>Focus on Frogs \u2013 An Illustrated Guide to Great Photography<\/em> was written and illustrated by Andrew McLachlan and edited for readability by yours truly will follow. Each of these new e-Guides is lavishly illustrated with images that will educate and inspire. Both will sell for $50.00 via electronic download. <\/p>\n<h3>FlexShooter Pro Update<\/h3>\n<p>We currently have FlexShooter Pro heads in stock <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/search.php?search_query=flex\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. We are sold out on the newly-arrived FLN-60 BigFeet recently re-designed for the Nikon 600 VR. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2019\/06\/26\/flex-shooter-pro-fine-points-bigfeet-info-and-lots-more\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> to  access the pretty much complete FL SH Pro story.  <\/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>BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n<p>BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.<\/p>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/center><\/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. 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<div id=\"ez_banner_container_155_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=155&#038;v=1.0&#038;aff_num=7226&#038;sid=nphotomonEZBANNER\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\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_1_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on July 2 on the first of our puffin boat trips on the 2019 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT. Again, I used the handheld <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1431717-REG\/nikon_20082_af_s_nikkor_500mm_f_5_6e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI50056E\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI50056E\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f\/5.6E PF ED VR lens<\/a> and my souped-up <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> AUTO ISO: 400. Matrix metering at about -2\/3 stop as framed: 1\/1250 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 12:15pm on a cloudy-bright day. <\/p>\n<p>Center d-9 AF was active at the moment of exposure. The center point was squarely on the puffin&#8217;s eye.  <\/p>\n<p>Nikon Focus Peaking fine-tune value: +4. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide <a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/the-nikon-af-fine-tune-e-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1: Atlantic Puffin with sand eels &#8212; flapping in place<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"468\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"60\" 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=468x60&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=9600&#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<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=9215&#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>Anticipation<\/h3>\n<p>On Tuesday morning we landed at an alternate site. There were lots of close puffins on the rocks with nice backgrounds, but the sun was shining just a bit too much in our faces. &#8220;Let&#8217;s pass on those for now and get them on the way back after it clouds up.&#8221; So we did. There is a single location on Staple Island where you can consistently enjoy jet-black backgrounds. But you need a west wind and cloudy skies. I got lucky when the isolated bird with sand eels in its bill flapped. <\/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 was created on July 2 on the first of our puffin boat trips on the 2019 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT. Anita North used the handheld <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1431717-REG\/nikon_20082_af_s_nikkor_500mm_f_5_6e.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/NI50056E\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xNI50056E\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f\/5.6E PF ED VR lens<\/a> and her souped-up <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> AUTO ISO: 1600. Matrix metering at about -1\/3 stop as framed: 1\/2500 sec. at f\/8 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 12:15pm on a cloudy-bright day. <\/p>\n<p>One up from the center Group (grp) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Atlantic Puffin with sand eels &#8212; vertical portrait.<br \/>\nImage courtesy of and copyright 2019: Anita North<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"468\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"60\" 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=468x60&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=9600&#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<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=9215&#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>Math Quiz<\/h3>\n<p>Which settings let in more light, Image #1 or Image #2? No guessing &#8212; please share your math.<\/p>\n<h3>600VR<\/h3>\n<p>I have yet to use my Nikon 600 VR. And prospects for doing so are not looking good &#8230;<\/p>\n<h3>Comments?<\/h3>\n<p>Any and all questions and\/or comments on today&#8217;s two images are of course welcome. <\/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 <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BAA Online Store<\/a> \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. <\/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>What&#8217;s Up? <\/p>\n<p>Tuesday on the puffin boat was mega. We could not land on Wednesday morning because of a nasty swell and that afternoon was lousy with an east wind against bright sun. Thursday on the puffin boat was mega-mega. We have been eating well (and too much), learning a ton, and having fun. I [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[628],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-628","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62915","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=62915"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62932,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62915\/revisions\/62932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}