After getting drenched on my birthday, we headed back to Nickerson on Sunday morning. It was cold and a little bit wet with a brisk northeast wind. At times, I had the chills. But the photography was fantastic and the tern chicks got fed many times; there was lots of action. Note: photographing tern feedings is a huge challenge as 99% of the time either the chick or the adult is facing away and\/or there is blocking vegetation and\/or there are extraneous subjects in the frame. I started with the 600 and the 1.4X TC on my flattened tripod and switched to the 2X TC once it brightened up a bit. When the dust cleared, I had created 5,476 as yet un-edited images. I cherry-picked one as a teaser for a future post that will feature my best images from what was a most wonderful morning. We returned to the same spot on Sunday afternoon in similar and seemingly perfect conditions — very cloudy with a dead east wind, and pretty much came up empty. <\/p>\n
Today is Monday 16 June 2025. We drive into the city to attend a pre-BILD gathering at B&H at 4:00pm so I am fervently hoping for early check-in at my midtown hotel. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day and that you have fun too. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com<\/a>. <\/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 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 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 I learned recently that all BILD programs are 100% free. All you need to do is register and show up. See you there!<\/p>\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 This image was created on 15 June 2025 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on damp sand behind my flattened tripod, I used the Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod<\/a>\/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a>-mounted Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens<\/a> with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter<\/a> and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. ISO 2500. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1\/500 second at f\/9 (stopped down 1\/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 9:46:09am on a cloudy morning. <\/p>\n Tracking: Zone\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.<\/p>\nGear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn<\/h3>\n
Amazing BILD Discovery: BILD EXPO Presented by B&H<\/h3>\n
Why Attend? BIRDS AS ART Appearances, Speakers, Gear, Deals, and more<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n \n \n Image #1: Common Tern chick running