The summer doldrums continue but I manage to rustle up a good chance or two every morning. Wednesday yielded a few decent keepers: Snowy Egret, Black Vulture, and Anhinga. There was a big mayfly hatch on Thursday morning at the north end of the North Field. Eight young Great Egrets, an adult Little Blue Heron, two dozen White Ibises, and two dozen very shy Fish Crows feasted on the small but juicy tidbits. <\/p>\n
I’ve been using the 400-800 more and more every day. It pairs perfectly with either the 600mm f\/4 GM and the 2X or with the 300mm f\/2.8 GM bare or with either TC. The more I use it, the more I love it. If you decide to purchase one, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links to earn a free copy of the BAA Sony 400-800mm Lens Guide. Confused? e-mail<\/a> me for details.<\/p>\n I began packing for my trip to Long Island. I take the Auto Train north to Lorton, VA on Monday afternoon. <\/p>\n Today is Friday 1 August 2025 and I will of course be heading down to the lake early in search a miracle or two. 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 you’ve been thinking of joining me for one of the two Nickerson Beach IPTs, please e-mail<\/a> for late registration discount info. See here<\/a> and scroll down for details. <\/p>\n If an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card or reader<\/a>, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a>, or a Wimberley lens plate <\/a> or low foot<\/a> — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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 BirdPhotographer’s.Net<\/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 If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025),<\/a> in San Diego<\/a> for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail<\/a> for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.<\/p>\n To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here.<\/a> The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks! <\/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. But 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 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. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts. <\/p>\n Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always 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 when your product ships. 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, or prior purchases.<\/p>\n You can 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 This image was created as I walked west on the pier at the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL: 29 July 2025 during the ILE summer doldrums. I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 553mm) and SONY A-1, (now replaced by 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 2000: 1\/2500 second at f\/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:32:06am on a sunny, hazy morning. <\/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>\nGear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn<\/h3>\n
B&H Simplified<\/h3>\n
B&H<\/h3>\n
Bedfords Simplified<\/h3>\n
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy <\/h3>\n
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\n \n \n \n Today’s Featured Image: Great Blue Heron flying away
\nImage copyright 2025: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART