{"id":89649,"date":"2024-03-25T04:34:26","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T08:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=89649"},"modified":"2025-03-07T10:29:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:29:09","slug":"not-a-bad-day-in-the-middle-of-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2024\/03\/25\/not-a-bad-day-in-the-middle-of-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Not a Bad Day in the Middle of Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Call?<\/h3>\n

Which of today’s eight featured images do you like best? Why?<\/p>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

As you will see below, Friday past was not a bad day in the middle of Florida. On Saturday at Circle B Bar the Barred Owl nest was pretty good in the morning. Story below. And I just missed on a cooperative male Painted Bunting. A small limb covered with Spanish Moss broke off a tree in the high wind and came crashing down, just missing the bunting by inches. The bird flew off and was never seen again. Sunday morning, on the other hand, was terrible. One of the baby owls came out of the nest hole briefly and then disappeared for the rest of the morning. Sunday afternoon, however, was fantastic as the two baby owls posed next to each other in the nest hole. Most of the photographers had left much too early. <\/p>\n

If you own a copy of The Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide — info below, or purchase one today, shoot me an e-mail<\/a> with proof off purchase and type Circle B Bar Barred Owl Nest Details Please into the subject line. <\/p>\n

Today is Monday 25 March. This blog post took well more than five hours to create. I am heading early to Stick Marsh. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a wonderfully happy day. Downloading and pick my keepers took less than a minute. <\/p>\n

If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera<\/a> (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide. <\/p>\n

If you would like to enjoy some incredible world class photography and photographic instruction, do yourself a favor and grab one of the few remaining spots on the t2025 Homer Bald Eagle IPTs. Better yet, save $1000.00 by signing up for both! It will almost surely be my last ever Homer trip … Both trips will surely fill soon. See the details along with all IPT info on the recently updated page here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Please remember to use the B&H 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

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

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Save 15%!<\/h3>\n

If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com<\/a> is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com<\/a> offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%. <\/p>\n

I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f\/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD<\/em>. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00\/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.<\/p>\n

Renting a Sony 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%. <\/p>\n

Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com<\/a> <\/p>\n


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B&H<\/h3>\n

To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here.<\/a> The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases. <\/p>\n

Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog <\/em><\/strong> or begin their searches with this link<\/a>, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail<\/a> and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.<\/p>\n

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Bedfords Simplified<\/h3>\n

Click here<\/a> to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly. <\/p>\n

Bedfords Amazing 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, prior purchases.<\/p>\n

Visit the Bedfords website here<\/a>, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail<\/a>, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592. <\/p>\n

Gear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. 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 22 March 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height on the South Peninsula I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f\/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E)<\/a> and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250: 1\/1250 sec. at f\/4 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger,<\/a> the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:00:06am on a cloudy morning. <\/p>\n

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

Image #1: Sandhill Crane adult flapping in place \n