{"id":66764,"date":"2020-04-01T07:43:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T11:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=66764"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:47:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:47:46","slug":"switching-back-to-nikon-clean-tight-and-graphic-and-thinking-wide-for-a-bird-scape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2020\/04\/01\/switching-back-to-nikon-clean-tight-and-graphic-and-thinking-wide-for-a-bird-scape\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching Back to Nikon!  Clean, Tight, and Graphic.  And Thinking Wide for a Bird-scape &#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Goodbye SONY!<\/h3>\n<p>Yesterday, I decided to sell all of my SONY gear and return to Nikon because I miss the 500 PF too much! SONY fire sale coming soon.<\/p>\n<h3>What&#8217;s Up?<\/h3>\n<p>I went back down to the lake on Tuesday afternoon. With a stiff west wind, there were whitecaps on the lake. I had some good chances with Crested Caracara; two have been hanging around for the past few days. I will be heading down to the lake again this morning, WED 1 APR 2020.<\/p>\n<h3>COVID-19<\/h3>\n<p>Below is a comment by award-winning photographer Paul Mckenzie at the blog post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2020\/03\/30\/stunned-twice-crane-colt-video-and-one-ntg-image\/#comments\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>There needs to be a complete mind-shift in the US\/EU. Here in Hong Kong where I live, more than 99% of the population has been wearing masks since January. We have had relatively few cases and single-digit numbers of deaths. The vast majority of positive cases are from persons that have recently been in the US and EU. Masks work big time especially if everyone uses them. However, I do appreciate that there are shortages of masks in many geographies. I cringe when I see un-masked US politicians speaking into microphones &#8230;<\/em><\/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 over $1000.00, click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bedfords.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" 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 has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&#038;H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f\/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please. <\/p>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez_banner_container_211_10\" class=\"HYPE_document\" style=\"margin:auto;position:relative;overflow:hidden;\"><script src=\"https:\/\/ajax.googleapis.com\/ajax\/libs\/webfont\/1\/webfont.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/ez_banner\/?b=211&#038;v=1.0&#038;aff_num=7226&#038;sid=homecompEZBANNER\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p><\/center><\/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\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">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 29 MAR 2020 at Indian Lake Estates. I used the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorphotogear.com\/search.php?search_query=indurogrand&#038;rfsn=132487.5cf37.9906\">Induro<\/a> GIT 304L\/<a href=\"http:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/flexshooter-pro\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">FlexShooter Pro<\/a>-mounted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1485539-REG\/sony_sel600f40gm_fe_600mm_f_4_gm.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO6004GM\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO6004GM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1222777-REG\/sony_sel14tc_fe_1_4x_teleconverter.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOTC14\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOTC14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter<\/a> and the 61-MP monster, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1494679-REG\/sony_ilce7rm4_b_alpha_a7r_iv_mirrorless.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA7R4\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA7R4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body.<\/a>. ISO 500. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1\/3500 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:07am early on a sunny morning. <\/p>\n<p>Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt, head portrait<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=10035&#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>Clean, Tight, and Graphic<\/h3>\n<p>Clean, tight, and graphic has been the hallmark of my BIRDS AS ART style for well more than three decades. I do my best to follow my own oft-given advice: <em>When the light is bright, think tight.<\/em>. Since I&#8217;ve always been a head-hunter, Image #1 put a big smile on my face. <\/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 also created om 29 MAR 2020. For this one I used the handheld <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1485540-REG\/sony_sel200600g_fe_200_600mm_f_5_6_6_3_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO200600G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO200600G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony FE 200-600mm f\/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens<\/a> (at 220mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1509600-REG\/sony_ilce9m2_b_alpha_a9_ii_mirrorless.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA92\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA92\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body.<\/a> ISO 1000.  Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/500 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode; I went for lots of Zebras on the white sky. AWB at 8:18am on a suddenly cloudy morning. <\/p>\n<p>Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly.  <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Sandhill Crane colt and pine tree bird-scape<strong<\/h2>\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=10058&#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>Thinking Wide &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>The colt in Image #2 was about 30 feet from me. When it was a bit closer to me, I made some very lovely 3\/4-frame vertical portraits of the whole bird at 353mms. I am not sure how I conceived this image, but I zoomed out, decided where to cut the pine tree, used Tracking Flexible Spot M to place the bird in the lower-left corner of the frame, and made only two images, almost as an afterthought &#8230; Bird-scapes rarely excite me. I kept only this one with the bird&#8217;s bill slightly open. <\/p>\n<h3>Which is the Best Image?<\/h3>\n<p>Which of today&#8217;s two featured images is the best? Be sure to let us know why you made your choice. <\/p>\n<h3>840mm and 200-600 Versatility<\/h3>\n<p>When I first got the SONY 600 GM, I assumed that there would be a lot of focal length overlap with the 200-600. But once I realized that I almost always used the 600 with a teleconverter &#8212; usually the 1.4X, it became obvious that having the 200-600 on my shoulder via an Black Rapdi Curve Breathe strap with the 600\/1.4X TC rig on the tripod was a deadly, effective, and hugely versatile combination &#8230; To bad I am ging back to Nikon. Or is today April Fool&#8217;s Day? <\/p>\n<h3>If In Doubt &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>If you are 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\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">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=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/promotion\/10363\/sony-dslr-lens-rebates.html?BI=6633&#038;KW=&#038;KBID=7226&#038;img=bh_sonylenssave_w.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/bh_sonylenssave_w.jpg\" border=\"0\"><\/a><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/showban.asp?id=7226&#038;img=bh_sonylenssave_w.jpg\" border=0><\/center><\/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=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/promotion\/11810\/canon-dslr-lens-rebates.html?BI=6633&#038;KW=&#038;KBID=7226&#038;img=CanonSaveBig-728x90.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/CanonSaveBig-728x90.jpg\" border=\"0\"><\/a><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/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 noreferrer\" 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 or Bedfords, 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 or Bedfords 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 regularly visit 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>Goodbye SONY! <\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, I decided to sell all of my SONY gear and return to Nikon because I miss the 500 PF too much! SONY fire sale coming soon.<\/p>\n<p> What&#8217;s Up? <\/p>\n<p>I went back down to the lake on Tuesday afternoon. With a stiff west wind, there were whitecaps on the lake. I had some [&#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":[648],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-648","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66764","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=66764"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66775,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66764\/revisions\/66775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}