After a 13-day hiatus, the server for the BIRDS AS ART Blog came back on line on Tuesday morning. As I never received the promised e-mail from Bluehost, I found out accidentally. I was not shocked that Bluehost dropped the ball once again. But I was thrilled to get my life’s work back.<\/p>\n
After reading the material and clicking on each image to enlarge it, consider this question: overall, Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? <\/p>\n
Photography here at Indian Lake Estates continues to be very good to excellent. It seems that one or two of the crane colts may have perished this past week. Most of the numerous Osprey nests have two or three chicks and a low platform nest on Lantana has three very large chicks ready to fledge. The parent birds are catching Bluegills nonstop. <\/p>\n
Today is Wednesday 13 May 2026. Jim and I ventured into the mud south of the pier yesterday afternoon to pull some dead, scraggly weeds from the lake. So, I will of course be headed down to the lake early to work the whistling ducks again. I fly to Islip next Monday for trigger finger surgery on my right ring finger. It will be done by the amazing Dr. Steven Populo. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have fun and enjoy life. Please remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com<\/a> <\/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>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here.<\/a> The tracking is invisible. 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. To receive a free guide or free entry into a Sony Set-up and Info Notes e-Mail group, you need to shoot me your receipt via e-mail. The B&H receipts need to include the order number. <\/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 on 12 May 2026 by yours truly down by the lake at ILE. Standing at full height near his SUV, he 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> 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 1000: 1\/3200 sec. at f\/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger<\/a> showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:21:24am on a briefly sunny 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
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 Image #1: Black-bellied Whistling Duck in flight — full downstroke wing position
\nImage copyright 2026: Arthur Morris\/Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART