{"id":90368,"date":"2024-05-23T11:53:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T15:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/?p=90368"},"modified":"2025-03-07T10:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:28:16","slug":"theres-more-than-one-way-to-skin-a-duck-in-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2024\/05\/23\/theres-more-than-one-way-to-skin-a-duck-in-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"There&#8217;s More Than One Way to Skin a Duck in Flight"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Your Call?<\/h3>\n<p>Is larger in the frame always better? Why or why not?<\/p>\n<p>Which two of today&#8217;s featured images is the stringer image? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice?<\/p>\n<h3>Important Notice<\/h3>\n<p>After an update on 4 May, WordPress stopped sending post notifications. We are aware of the issue and are working on rectifying it. You can always visit the blog by visiting or bookmarking <a href=\"http:\/\/www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n<h3>Supporting My Efforts Here<\/h3>\n<p>If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&#038;H by beginning your search <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/?BI=6633&#038;KBID=7226\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here.<\/a> Or, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bedfords.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a><\/center>.<\/p>\n<p>In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And\/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear. <\/p>\n<h3>Live Life to the Fullest<\/h3>\n<p>Join an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/ipt-update-page\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instructional Photo-Tour<\/a>. Consider sharing a great AirBnB with me on the Jacksonville IPT.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on 22 May 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the driver&#8217;s seat of my SUV, I used the <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/blubb-big-lens-ultimate-bean-bag\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BLUBB<\/a>-supported <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> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1222778-REG\/sony_sel20tc_fe_2x_teleconverter.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOTC2\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOTC2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter<\/a> and the ridiculously amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1794764-REG\/sony_ilce_9m3_a9_iii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA93\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA93\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/2500 second at f\/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/the-rawdigger-e-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RawDigger<\/a> showed that the raw file brightness was perfect. AWB at 7:49:28am on a sunny morning with just a hint of a cloud in the eastern sky. <\/p>\n<p>Zone\/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1: Black-bellied Whistling Duck &#8212; incoming flight<\/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=11262&#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>Nearly Impossible<\/h3>\n<p>Shooting flight off the <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/blubb-big-lens-ultimate-bean-bag\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BLUBB<\/a> at 1200mm is nearly impossible. When I saw the incoming duck, I struggled getting the bird in the middle of the frame. I saw that I was clipping the wings with most of the images. So I released the shutter button, re-gripped the lens, re-acquire focus, and got a few decent images. Image #1 above was the best of the lost.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1 Flight Shooting Statistics for 1200mm off the <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/blubb-big-lens-ultimate-bean-bag\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BLUBB<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Degree of Difficulty: 9+ out of 10.<\/p>\n<p>Chance of Sharpness Success with the a9 iii: 80%<\/p>\n<p>Chance of Sharpness Success with the a1: 10%<\/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 23 May 2024 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL.  Standing at full height, I used the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1383160-REG\/robus_rc_5558_c_5558_tripod.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/RORC5558\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xRORC5558\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/levered-clamp-flexshooter-pro\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Levered-Clamp 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> with 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 ridiculously amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1794764-REG\/sony_ilce_9m3_a9_iii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA93\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA93\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 1250. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/3200 second at f\/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/the-rawdigger-e-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RawDigger<\/a> showed that the raw file brightness was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:16:38am on a clear sunny morning. <\/p>\n<p>Zone\/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Black-bellied Whistling Duck &#8212; wings fully down flight<\/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=11277&#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>Plan B<\/h3>\n<p>As there have been about 30 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks flying in to the left of the pier each morning, I decided to get out of the car and set up the tripod with the 600mm f\/4 and the 1.4X TC with the a9 iii. I took off my shirt to catch some vitamin D and took off my socks while standing on the &#8220;beach&#8221; sand to do some grounding. <\/p>\n<p>I set the shutter speed to 1\/3200 second early on and went to 1\/4000 sec. I started at ISO 1600 early on and wound up at ISO 1000. Most of the images were made at +2 off the low blue sky. I set the Limit Range Switch to Not Full for faster initial focusing acquisition and moved the Direct Manual Focusing switch to ON so that I could pre-focus manually. I had only a few good chances on the whistling ducks in flight. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Flight Shooting Statistics\/840mm off the tripod with the <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/levered-clamp-flexshooter-pro\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a>.<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<p>Degree of Difficulty: 6 out of 10 for relatively unskilled folks like me: 6 out of 10.<\/p>\n<p>Degree of Difficulty for skilled folks on a tripod with the same gear: 3 out of ten.<\/p>\n<p>Degree of Difficulty for skilled folks handholding at 840mm: 1 out of ten.<\/p>\n<p>Chance of Sharpness Success with the a9 iii: 98%<\/p>\n<p>Chance of Sharpness Success with the a1: 60%<\/p>\n<p>By 8am, the flight action petered out, so I drove around looking for different subjects &#8212; best was an osprey with a whole fish perched by its nest (851 images). <\/p>\n<p>At 8:30am I headed back to the sand beach. As expected, at least another two dozen whistling ducks had flown in while I was gone. <\/p>\n<h3>High Level Question<\/h3>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<h3>Plan C<\/h3>\n<p>Stay tuned to learn of my new strategy (provided that the east wind and sunny skies continue). <\/p>\n<h3>Typos<\/h3>\n<p>With all blog posts, feel free to <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a><\/center> or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your Call? <\/p>\n<p>Is larger in the frame always better? Why or why not?<\/p>\n<p>Which two of today&#8217;s featured images is the stringer image? Please leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice?<\/p>\n<p> Important Notice <\/p>\n<p>After an update on 4 May, WordPress stopped sending post notifications. We are aware of the issue [&#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":[644],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-644","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90368","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=90368"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90395,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90368\/revisions\/90395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=90368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=90368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}