{"id":81399,"date":"2022-07-24T06:11:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T10:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=81399"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:26:20","slug":"wings-down-wings-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2022\/07\/24\/wings-down-wings-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings Down? Wings Up?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

I was glad to learn that San Diego IPT veteran and good friend Carolyn Johnson signed up for the first Homer Bald Eagle IPT. She has a big Africa trip coming up in a few weeks. I advised her on Thursday that making a big trip with a single camera body is a risky endeavor. So, on Friday, she purchased a second Sony A1 from Bedfords. Thanks, CJ!<\/p>\n

With nine deposit checks in hand, and with good friend Ed Dow grabbing a single cabin, there are only three openings left on the 2023 Galapagos Photo-cruise of a Lifetime. The trip is now a go. If you have any interest in joining us, it would be best to get in touch via e-mail<\/a> ASAP. <\/p>\n

Speaking of IPTs, I am still looking for someone to do all three Homer Bald Eagle trips and driving the round trip from Anchorage to Homer and back with me. Toward that end, I am offering a ridiculously high discount of $4500.00, $1500 off each trip. The offer may not last long because there are only two slots left on the second IPT. If you are interested, or would like additional details, please contact me via e-mail<\/a><\/p>\n

Today is Sunday 24 July. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes one hundred twenty-three days in a row with a new one. <\/p>\n

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT<\/a>. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! <\/p>\n

The First DeSoto IPT<\/h3>\n

If you are interested in the first DeSoto IPT, 3 1\/2 Days, Tuesday 27 September through the morning session on Friday 30 September 2022, know that I just reserved a three-bedroom AirBnB in Gulfport. Share it for four nights with many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown and me and save a ton on lodging: $83.69\/night\/person for a whole home. AirBnB photos available upon request. If interested, shoot me an e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n

Instagram<\/h3>\n

Follow me on Instagram here<\/a>. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.<\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)<\/h3>\n

Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net<\/a> or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail.<\/a> I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.<\/p>\n

Induro GIT 304L Price Drop<\/h3>\n

Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.<\/p>\n

Please Remember<\/h3>\n

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange\/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.<\/p>\n

Please remember that if an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head \u2014 for example, that is available from B&H and\/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and\/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.<\/p>\n

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy <\/h3>\n

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.<\/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 like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air 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 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists 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 a 1, 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

Important Note<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

If You Enjoy the Blog …<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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 (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times \u2014 I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — 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, are invited to help out by clicking here<\/a> to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.<\/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> If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on 23 July 2022 from Clemens Van der Werf’s flats boat on Lake Woodruff near Deland, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f\/2.8 GM OSS lens<\/a> with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter<\/a>, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera<\/a>). The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: ISO 1600 — 1\/4000 sec. at f\/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger,<\/a> the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:40:26am on a sunny morning. <\/p>\n

Tracking: Zone\/AF-C with Bird Face\/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. <\/p>\n

Image #1:
\nSwallow-tailed Kite — wings down flight pose\n