{"id":94276,"date":"2025-05-19T06:14:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T10:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/?p=94276"},"modified":"2025-05-20T17:20:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T21:20:37","slug":"nice-stuff-by-teacher-and-student-on-a-not-so-great-morning-at-fort-desoto-park-tierra-verde-fl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2025\/05\/19\/nice-stuff-by-teacher-and-student-on-a-not-so-great-morning-at-fort-desoto-park-tierra-verde-fl\/","title":{"rendered":"Nice Stuff by Teacher and Student on a Not-So-Great Morning at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A DeSoto Morning with the Sony 400-800 &amp; the a-1 II By Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zL5gjTKJ2uo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>A DeSoto Morning with the Sony 400-800 &#038; the a-1 II By Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n<p>I did not want to like the Sony 400-800 when I borrowed one from Sony to try at Stick Marsh. It was too heavy at 5.45 pounds and too slow at f\/8 at the long end. Instead, I fell in love with its incredible versatility and reach.  Check out the Bird Face-Eye accuracy and the befores and afters of my favorites from that morning in this short video. Heck, by DeSoto standards, it was a pretty poor morning. And be sure to learn more about the creation of each image and see three of Mishael Voison&#8217;s three fine Canon photos from that same morning below. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Sony Alpha 1 (a-1) Mirrorless Camera Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Multiple IPT veteran and long time BAA friend Pat Fishburne is offering a rarely used Sony a-1 (ILCE-1) mirrorless camera body in excellent plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $3,298.00. This body has been updated to Firmware 3.00 that reportedly improves Bird Face-Eye tracking to levels attained by the a1-ii. The camera has my latest a-1 set-up on it. The sale includes the current Buttons and Dials Guide and the Info Sheet, the original product box, one battery, the charger, the camera strap, 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<p>Please contact Pat via <a href=\"mailto:wearefancyfree@aol.com\">e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>I used Sony a-1 bodies as my workhorse camera bodies for more than three years. They produce stunning 51MP files with vivid natural colors. The AF system is superb. They are rugged and dependable and 30 frames per second is nothing to sneeze at. With a brand new a-1 ii going for $6498.00, you can save an even $3200.00 by grabbing Pat&#8217;s nearly as good as new a- copy ASAP. Right now, B&#038;H is offering a used Sony a-1 in the same condition, 9+, for $4,674.95 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/803199469-USE\/sony_ilce1_b_a1_mirrorless_camera.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.<\/a> Don&#8217;t believe me? Click the link. Prices of some used gear items like the Sony a-1 are actually rising in anticipation of the coming tariff.<\/em><\/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>I-Phone image<\/p>\n<h2><strong>artie and Misha leaving DeSoto after a morning of sun and fun and learning<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Mishael Voison<strong<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Misha and artie<\/h3>\n<p>We had a fun week and enjoyed lots of good chances. Misha sent me this text on his drive to Miami:<br \/>\n<em>Hey Art,Thank you so much for the invitation to come to ILE, your hospitality, and persistent coaching. I\u2019ve learnt so much in these past 4 days it\u2019s amazing! Can\u2019t wait to meet up again. In the meantime God bless and keep you my brother. Much love, Mishael<\/em><\/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 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Standing at full height, I used the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 670mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2500: 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:19:06am on a then windless sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #1: Winter plumage Willet with its reflection<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>The Very First Image of the Day<\/h3>\n<p>As we approached some shorebirds feeding on a shallow flat, I noted a Willet standing in still water with a nice reflection. As I had set up for a white bird in flight (just to be ready for anything) I simply reduced my shutter speed by 1\/3 stop and made this image before getting down on the ground. It is rare that the very first frame of the day is a keeper but that was the case here as this one featured the best framing. <\/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 also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2500: 1\/2000 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:22:44am on a then windless sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #2: Dunlin molting into breeding plumage foraging for invertebrates<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Tips on Shooting Feeding Shorebirds in Still Water for Misha and for You<\/h3>\n<p>1- Get low.<br \/>\n2- Aquire focus.<br \/>\n3- Keep the bird up in the frame so as to include the whole reflection.<br \/>\n4- When the bird is relatively square to the back of the camera press and hold the shutter button and hope for the best. If you wait to see the perfect shot you will have missed it. \t <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_3_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h2><strong>Image #2A: Unsharpened 100% Crop of the <em>Dunlin molting into breeding plumage foraging for invertebrates<\/em> image<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Cripsy Eye Skins<\/h3>\n<p>When your feeding shorebirds images feature crisp, sharply focused eye skins you know that you are focusing accurately, have a sharp lens, and are using a fast enough shutter speed. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_4_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on dry sand, I used the knee-pod technique with the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 674mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1\/3200 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:37:17am on a sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #3: Ruddy Turnstone male in breeding plumage with tiny bivalve (mollusk)<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Good Foot\/Bad Foot<\/h3>\n<p>Misha, just to my right, created an almost identical frame of this bird at this exact instant. This handsome turnstone was missing a toe or two on its right foot so we were lucky that the bad foot was partially buried in the wet sand while the good foot was nicely raised. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_5_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Standing at full height, I used the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 689mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1\/4000 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 exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:43:03am on a sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #4: Snowy Egret in flight<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Tight Flight Shots<\/h3>\n<p>If a flight shot is exceptionally sharp on the eye but I have badly clipped a wing, I will always look for a pleasing crop. Such images show more detail than a flight image with the whole bird in the frame. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_6_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on 15 May 2025 by Mishael Voison during an In-the-Field session at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Standing at full height, he used the hand held <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1634484-REG\/canon_5053c002_rf_400mm_f_2_8l_is.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA40028RF\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA40028RF\" target=\"_blank\">Canon RF 400mm f\/2.8 L IS USM Lens<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1573777-REG\/canon_rf_extender_2x.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA2XRF\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA2XRF\" target=\"_blank\">Canon Extender RF 2x<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1840289-REG\/canon_6536c002_eos_r5_mark_ii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAER52\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAER52\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 1000; 1\/4000 second at f\/6.3 (stopped down 1\/3 stop) in Manual mode. <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/the-rawdigger-e-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:53:31am on a variably sunny morning.     <\/p>\n<p>Whole Area AF with Animal Detection.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #5: Great Egret bird of the year<br \/>\nImage courtesy of and copyright 2025: Mishael Voison<br \/>\nImage optimization by Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11525&#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>An Important Question for Misha and for You<\/h3>\n<p>Misha was standing at full hight when he created this image. What should he have done to gotten more of the beautiful blue water in the frame? <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_7_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on damp sand I employed the toe-pod technique with the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 544mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1\/3200 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:26:18am on a sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #6: Reddish Egret catching silversides<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Failure to Zoom In<\/h3>\n<p>Using the toe-pod technique to photograph this bird dancing with raised wings I was zoomed out to between 500 and 600mm for almost every frame. Image #6 is a large crop. Had I zoomed in to 800mm I would have had a lot more pixels on the subject. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_8_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on 15 May 2025 during an In-the-Field session at Fort Desoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL by Mishael Voison. Seated on damp sand, he used the hand held <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1634484-REG\/canon_5053c002_rf_400mm_f_2_8l_is.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA40028RF\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA40028RF\" target=\"_blank\">Canon RF 400mm f\/2.8 L IS USM Lens<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1840289-REG\/canon_6536c002_eos_r5_mark_ii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAER52\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAER52\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 500; 1\/4000 second at f\/4 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsasart-shop.com\/the-rawdigger-e-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:33:53am on a sunny morning.     <\/p>\n<p>Whole Area AF with Animal Detection.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #7: Reddish Egret basic plumage dancing<br \/>\nImage courtesy of and copyright 2025: Mishael Voison<br \/>\nImage optimization by Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11281&#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>Score One for Misha and Canon<\/h3>\n<p>I was quite impressed with the autofocus system of the R5 II; while reviewing Misha&#8217;s dancing Reddish Egret images, pretty much every one was sharp on the bird&#8217;s eye or eyes. When he joined me for a day at Stick Marsh in April, he was not even aware of sun angle. But he is obviously a quick learner and he nailed this one just to the right of perfect &#8212; note the bit of a shadow on the right on the bird&#8217;s upper neck.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_9_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Crouching a bit, I used the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 2000: 1\/4000 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:26:18am on a sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #8: Reddish Egret basic plumage eyeing baitfish &#8212; head and neck vertical portrait<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>What You Do Not Want to See If You are a Baitfish<\/h3>\n<p>If you are a baitfish swimming along peacefully you do not want to look up and see a Reddish Egret looking down right at you with a hungry look in its eyes. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_10_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on 15 May 2025 during an In-the-Field session at Fort Desoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL by Mishael Voison. Kneeing on dry sand, he used the hand held <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1634484-REG\/canon_5053c002_rf_400mm_f_2_8l_is.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA40028RF\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA40028RF\" target=\"_blank\">Canon RF 400mm f\/2.8 L IS USM Lens<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1840289-REG\/canon_6536c002_eos_r5_mark_ii.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAER52\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAER52\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 100; 1\/4000 second at f\/2.8 (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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:19:32am on a sunny morning.     <\/p>\n<p>Whole Area AF with Animal Detection.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #9: White Ibis grabbing mole crab in surf<br \/>\nImage courtesy of and copyright 2025: Mishael Voison<br \/>\nImage optimization by Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11281&#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>When the Light is Bright &#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>When the light is bright, get low and work right on sun angle. The tighter the better. This image was made nearly 2 1\/2 hours after sunrise on a clear sunny day yet the light looks just fine. Nice job Misha! And great timing getting the mole crab in midair. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><center>ngg_shortcode_11_placeholder<\/center><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image also was created on 15 May 2025 at Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde, FL. Seated on very wet sand, I used the hand held  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1881961-REG\/sony_fe_400_800mm_f_6_3_8_g.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SO400800G\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSO400800G\" target=\"_blank\">Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 705mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1861705-REG\/sony_a1_ii_mirrorless_camera.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/SOA12\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xSOA12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1250: 1\/500 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 exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:26:28am in the shade on a sunny morning.           <\/p>\n<p>Wide AF\/C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Image #10: Snowy Egret hunting in the shade of a pier<br \/>\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART<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=11495&#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>Subject in Shade, Background in Sun<\/h3>\n<p>Learn where I found shade at the beach on a bright sunny day in the YouTube video above. White subjects in the shade with the  background in bright sun presents a difficult exposure challenge. With Sony it was easy by going for lots of Zebras on the background. <\/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>\n<p> A DeSoto Morning with the Sony 400-800 &#038; the a-1 II By Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART <\/p>\n<p>I did not want to like the Sony 400-800 when I borrowed one from Sony to try at Stick Marsh. It was too heavy at 5.45 pounds and too slow at f\/8 at the long end. Instead, I [&#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":[643],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-643","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94276","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=94276"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94276\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94325,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94276\/revisions\/94325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}