{"id":94566,"date":"2025-06-14T10:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/?p=94566"},"modified":"2025-06-16T05:30:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T09:30:48","slug":"nickerson-beach-early-season-overview-and-a-wet-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2025\/06\/14\/nickerson-beach-early-season-overview-and-a-wet-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Nickerson Beach Early Season Overview and a Wet Birthday!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 2.22mm f\/2.2: ISO 1250: 1\/30 sec at f\/2.2. <\/p>\n

Birthday cake, no candles\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Birthday Cake!<\/h3>\n

On Friday evening, we celebrated my 79th birthday at the fabulous Wild Ginger in Rockville Center. For dessert, I enjoyed a chocolate Sunday with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream atop a scrumptious hot brownie. <\/p>\n

Your Call?<\/h3>\n

Which two of today’s featured images are your favorites? Why did you make your choices?<\/p>\n

In the Last Blog Post<\/h3>\n

In the last blog post, thanks to Pat Fishburne and Cliff Beittel, the two folks who commented. My favorite was the Boat-tailed Grackle followed closely by the Green Heron followed closely by the crane colt. <\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

Amazing BILD Discovery: BILD EXPO Presented by B&H<\/h3>\n

I just learned yesterday that all BILD programs are 100% free. All you need to do is register and show up. See you there!<\/p>\n

Why Attend? BIRDS AS ART Appearances, Speakers, Gear, Deals, and more<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I am pleased to announce that I will be doing four round table sessions at BILD this June. Here are the round table topics:<\/p>\n

1- Systems, Lenses, and Camera Bodies for Bird Photography <\/p>\n

2- Creating Sharp Bird Photographs<\/p>\n

3- Bird Photography Hotspots<\/p>\n

4- Creating Bird Photographs that depict Flight, Action, and Behavior <\/p>\n

Bild Expo is back! Join B&H at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world\u2019s greatest creative community. B&H\u2019s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you\u2019re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> or on the logo link above for more information.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to register.<\/p>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

As expected, bird photography at Nickerson Beach in mid-June has not been as exciting as it is in August. As noted previously, there are lots of oystercatcher families on the beaches, nesting Common Terns (some with chicks), and many hundreds (if not a thousand or two) Black Skimmers scooping out territories and creating nest scrapes. That said, we have had some excellent opportunities. Scroll down to see nine of my favorites from this short trip. <\/p>\n

Today is Saturday 14 June, 2025, AKA, artie’s birthday. I am not 79 years old and still at it and loving life and bird photography. This morning, we headed to Nickerson at 5:45am. The weather mentioned drizzle at 8:00am and rain by 9:00am. Anyhoo, by 6:45am it was pouring cats and dogs. Soaking wet and sandy, we headed back to our AirBnB a few minutes after seven. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you stay dry. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I head into the city after a Monday morning session to check into my Manhattan hotel for three nights and the two days at BILD. I fly home at oh dark hundred on Friday. <\/p>\n

If an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card or a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro — 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

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 save 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

Don’t Just Shoot: Learn<\/h3>\n

To learn of the late-registration discounts and AirBnB availability for the Jacksonville Royal Terns with chicks and more extended IPT late June\/early July, or if you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on an Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025) or in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), please e-mail<\/a> for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Both offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and ground transportation during your stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Peter Kes is job hunting\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Peter Kes<\/h3>\n

Peter Kes, friend of 3 decades and longtime BAA blog webmaster, is a brilliant IT (information technology) and computer expert. He is currently living on and running a Bushveld Farm in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA (Republic of South Africa) and is looking to re-locate. You can learn more about Peter and check out his impressive resume at his LinkedIn profile page here<\/a>. You can contact Peter via e-mail<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on 10 June 2025 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, New York. Seated on dry sand I used the instep-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 715mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 1600: 1\/1250 second at f\/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 6:39:02pm on a then sunny afternoon. <\/p>\n

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

Image #1: Common Tern on nest with eggs
\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART\n