Jim Litzenberg dropped me off at Orlando Airport early on Monday morning for my flight to Islip. The first time that I reached for my cell phone, I realized that I had left it on the charger in my X5. It should be arriving via Fed Ex before 9am today :-). That was a first. <\/p>\n
Today is Tuesday 8 May 2026. I see Dr. Poupolo this afternoon and will likely need to have some pre-surgical testing done. Alissa and husband Ajinyiaz are flying to Spain on Thursday for a ten-day vacation. I am staying at their home it Ronkonkoma and hanging with their younger son Idris. I hope to get in some bird photography at Nickerson Beach both before and several days after the trigger finger surgery that I hope will be done next week. I have lots of work to catch up on so a brief respite from 2 years of nonstop morning photography will not be the worst thing in the world. 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 Be sure to scroll down to see the befores and the afters for each of today’s four featured images in the new You Tube video. Don’t you hate it when a few twigs ruin an otherwise perfect photo? <\/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 16 May 2026 by yours truly at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height near my SUV, 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 1.4x Teleconverter<\/a>, and the Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 1600: 1\/4000 sec. at f\/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 7:20:38am on a sunny morning. <\/p>\n Wide AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper and warmer 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 braking to land
\nImage courtesy of and copyright 2026: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART