1- Which image do you most wish was yours?
\n2- Which image is the most creative?
\n3- Which image is the most dramatic?
\n4- Which image features the most interesting light?<\/p>\n
Note: Copy editing, re-crafting, technical refinement, and formatting for this blog post were assisted by Gemini AI.<\/p>\n
With the intermittent heavy rains, there have been some large freshwater pools at Nickerson so we have enjoyed some fabulous photography. With cloudy bright skies and a wind from the east on Saturday morning past, I created 10,108 images of gulls, terns, and shorebirds. A tame Buff-breasted Sandpiper was the highlight of the morning. Since then, the pools have persisted but we’ve been dealing with wind against sun conditions so things have been tough. <\/p>\n
Tomorrow is Tuesday 25 August 2026. The forecast is for WNW winds with clear skies. Not great. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you 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>\n This image was created on 7 August 2026 at Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Seated on a Rubbermaid Roughneck Step-Stool<\/a>, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 705mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the Thumb Dial. Multi Metering -2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000: 1\/32000 second! (not a typo) at f\/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode.. AWB at 6:10:21am right after sunrise. <\/p>\n Wide\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger high-res version.<\/p>\nGear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n \n \n Image #1: Black Skimmer with killifish at sunrise
\nImage copyright 2026: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART