{"id":70088,"date":"2020-11-07T04:19:16","date_gmt":"2020-11-07T08:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=70088"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:43:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:43:44","slug":"sony-200-600-g-lens-with-the-a9-ii-on-the-laguna-seca-ranch-the-crested-caracara-bank-is-open-bosque-bad-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2020\/11\/07\/sony-200-600-g-lens-with-the-a9-ii-on-the-laguna-seca-ranch-the-crested-caracara-bank-is-open-bosque-bad-news\/","title":{"rendered":"SONY 200-600 G Lens with the a9 ii on the Laguna Seca Ranch: the (Crested Caracara) Bank is Open! Bosque Bad News?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bosque Bad News?<\/h3>\n

It’s official. Because of the drought, neither crane pool at Bosque del Apache NWR will be filled with water this season. Photography-wise, that is an absolute crippler. Ed KranePool, the southern-most of the two (former) pools — which has been filled in recent years, has been consistently very good to fantastic in the pre-dawn for as large flocks of white geese dropped in to join hundreds of roosting Sandhill Cranes. From 7am to 8am, the cranes and geese took flight heading for the farm fields to feed. Winds with an easterly component usually provided fabulous opportunities. And just before sunset, the crane pool was the place to be as the cranes returned to their evening roost. In addition, there is presently little water on the refuge. If you visit in the next week or so, please let us know what’s going on. <\/p>\n

As New Mexico is once again accepting a negative COVID test within 72 hours for entry, Anita and I are undecided as to whether to get tested and see what’s up at the refuge that holds a very special place in my heart. <\/p>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

Today is Saturday, 7 November 2020. We are spending yet another morning at the raptor blind at Laguna Seca Ranch<\/a> with Gene Gwin. In the afternoon, we will photograph at Estero Llano Grande State Park, also in Hildago County. On Sunday we return to Santa Clara Ranch<\/a> for a farewell visit. We will spend Monday morning at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and then head a bit north and spend a few days on South Padre Island. <\/p>\n

Topaz Still on Sale!<\/h3>\n

Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale for an amazingly low $199.95. Click here<\/a>, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $249.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $212.49!<\/p>\n

Please Remember<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here<\/a> if they see fit. <\/p>\n

The BAA Used Gear Page<\/em><\/h3>\n

The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page<\/a> is the<\/em><\/strong> place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n

James Paula is offering a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital camera body in excellent plus condition for $1098.00. But for several all scratches on the the (flash) hot shoe, the body would be near-mint. It has about 7200 activations and operates flawlessly. The sale includes the front cap, the strap, the battery & charger, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.<\/p>\n

Please contact Jim via e-mail<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Distinguished by its updated sensor design, the Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera from Sony is a well-rounded camera suitable for both photo and video applications in a variety of working situations. Refined for improved speed and low-light performance, the full-frame 24.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor pair to realize an impressive 10 fps continuous shooting rate and improved autofocus performance for faster, more reliable subject tracking along with wide frame coverage. This updated Fast Hybrid AF System employs a combination of 693 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection areas for quicker acquirement of focus in a variety of lighting conditions, and also maintains focus on subjects more effectively. In addition to speed and AF, the processing improvements also help to realize greater image clarity and reduced noise throughout the sensitivity range from ISO 100-51200, which can further be expanded to ISO 50-204800. Video recording capabilities have also been extended for enhanced quality when recording UHD 4K video with the full width of the full-frame sensor to minimize moir\u00e9 and aliasing. Additionally, benefitting both stills and video operation, the a7 III utilizes a 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift image stabilization, which is now effective to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to 5 stops.<\/p>\n

Beyond just updates to the imaging system, the a7 III’s body design has also been revised to include a rear 3.0″ 922k-dot touchscreen LCD, which has a tilting design to better support working from high and low angles. A 2.36m-dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF is also featured for bright and clear eye-level monitoring. For greater shooting flexibility, dual SD memory card slots are now featured, and a larger NP-FZ100 battery is also employed to achieve up to approximately 710 shots per charge. Suiting the camera’s use in trying conditions, the magnesium-alloy chassis and weather-sealing also render the a7 III dust- and moisture-resistant.<\/em> B&H and the manufacturer<\/p>\n

This body, which sells new for $1698.00, was the first SONY body to feature a killer AF system.<\/em> artie<\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Great Topaz News!<\/h3>\n

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Topaz Stuff<\/h3>\n

As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link<\/a> to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI<\/a> and Topaz DeNoise AI<\/a>. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price. <\/p>\n

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link<\/a>, can e-mail<\/a> to request a short Getting Started with Topaz<\/em><\/strong> e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide. <\/p>\n

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!<\/h3>\n

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.<\/p>\n

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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120 sold to rave reviews.<\/p>\n

The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)<\/h3>\n

Click here<\/a> to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here<\/A> to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video. <\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here<\/A> to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.<\/h2>\n

Click here<\/a> to learn more about the SONY e-Guide. <\/p>\n

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Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here<\/a>, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail<\/a> or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please. <\/p>\n


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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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This image was created on 5 November 2020 at the Laguna Seca Ranch<\/a> in Hidalgo County, TX. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f\/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens<\/a> (at 600mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body.<\/a> ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/2500 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:14am on a sunny morning with just a hint of moisture in the air. <\/p>\n

Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Click the image to see a larger version. <\/p>\n

Image #1: Crested Caracara banking \n