{"id":99563,"date":"2026-09-25T07:29:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T11:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/?p=99563"},"modified":"2026-09-25T07:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T11:29:33","slug":"lessons-from-the-ile-freshwater-pier-avian-studio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2026\/09\/25\/lessons-from-the-ile-freshwater-pier-avian-studio\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons from the ILE Freshwater Pier Avian Studio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/h3>\n

With the all fields at ILE flooded and much too soft to drive on, the pier at ILE has been where all the action has been. In today’s post, I share ten recent pier favorites with you, each accompanied by light angle, depth of field, and compositional lessons. Eight of the photos were created with the 400-800, two with the new 100-400 and the 1.4X TC. And seven of the ten were perched on sun angle on the right hand (north) railing. <\/p>\n

Note: General information, copy editing, re-crafting, technical refinement, and formatting for this blog post were assisted by Gemini AI.<\/p>\n

Your Call<\/h3>\n

Which three of today’s featured images do you feel are the strongest? Why did you like each one. <\/p>\n

In the Last Blog Post<\/h3>\n

I was pleased and almost shocked at the large number of comments at the last blog post, the one that featured the Barn Swallow flight photos. So thanks a stack for those, and consider keeping up the great work by commenting on each and every post. <\/p>\n

Most folks went with #3 as the strongest while #2 also got lots of mentions. Cliff Beittel noted that the lake background in Image #1 also deserved some love. Most recently, David Pugsley went with #1, the juvie, as his first pick. <\/p>\n

My original pick of the litter was #2, but over the course of a few days I realized that #3, the consensus pick, was even stronger. That said, they are all quite good. <\/p>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

The last two mornings have been foggy or cloudy (or both) early on. Thursday BIRDS AS ART 100-400mm f\/4.5 GM Lens guide is finished and the PDF has been created. I will be sending a link this afternoon to the many who used one of my two affiliate links to purchase their copy of this amazingly versatile super-telephoto zoom lens. <\/p>\n

Today is Friday 25 September 2026 and the forecast is the same so I will head down to the lake just after 7:30am. I need to get back to work on my 2025 tax return so that I can get it to my accountant before the end of the month. 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

Gear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\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

Price Drops!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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BIRDS AS ART SONY A9 iii Images\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Sony a-9 iii Mirrorless Camera Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Price reduced $500.00 on 4 September 2026<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n

Multiple IPT veteran, Used Gear Page regular, and dear student and friend Pat Fishburne is offering a Sony a9 iii Mirrorless camera in like-new condition for a ridiculously low $3,798.00. The sale includes the original product box, the body cap, the battery charger, one battery, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.<\/p>\n

Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.<\/p>\n

Your purchase will also include my two a9 iii Set-up e-mails.<\/p>\n

Please contact Pat via e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n

At one point I loved my a9 iii so much for flight and action that I sold two a-1 bodies and purchased a second a9 iii. Working at 120fps gives you four times as many wing positions and flight poses as any other mirrorless camera body. Most every single image will be sharp on the eye. The raw files can stand up to decent crops and in addition, Topaz Gigapixel does a fabulous job of upsizing a9 iii TIF files. A new a9 iii sells at B&H for $$6,398.00. B&H has a used one in stock in 9 condition for $$4,911.95. If you have been dreaming of 120 fps with global shutter for flight and action, grab Pat’s pretty much brand new one right now and save an absolute ton of dollars.<\/em> artie <\/em> artie <\/p>\n

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Price reduced $150.00 on 23 SEPT 2026<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n

Used Gear Page regular, IPT Veteran, and BAA friend Larry Master is offering a Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS in like-new condition for $458.00 (was $598.00). There are no dings or dents, or signs of wear on the lens barrel, and the front element is pristine. The sale includes the product box, the front and rear lens caps, the lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Please note — these items are not included: the manuals, the long-expired USA warranty card, and the lens pouch. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.<\/p>\n

Please contact by Larry by e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n

This great macro lens sells new at B&H for $1048.00. Save a handsome $500.00 by grabbing Larry’s pretty much new lens today.<\/em> artie<\/p>\n

G Lens, Macro Versatility<\/h2>\n

Get up close and personal with the 1:1 magnification ratio of the full-frame compatible Sony FE 90mm f\/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens. As a G series lens, it perfectly balances sharpness and bokeh and, as a macro lens, close and controlled focusing performance is prioritized with advanced AF and intuitive handling.<\/em><\/p>\n

Close-Up Capabilities<\/h2>\n

True macro design affords a life-size, 1:1 magnification ratio along with an 11″ minimum focusing distance for working with close-up subjects. The focusing distance and magnification scale is printed on top of the lens to aid in more technical applications. The focus range limiter switch allows you constrain the usable focus range between 11-19.7″, 19.7″-infinity, or full. This lens’ focusing ring can be slid forwards and backwards to quickly shift between manual to autofocus modes. The internal focusing design maintains the overall lens length during use, benefitting focus accuracy and ease of use when working distance is a concern.<\/em><\/p>\n

G Series Optical Design<\/h2>\n

Two extra-low dispersion elements, including one Super ED element, are featured in the lens design to reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality. Tne aspherical element helps reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations. The Nano AR Coating has been applied to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions. The Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.<\/em><\/p>\n

Above by B&H and Sony.<\/p>\n

Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yours truly is offering a Robus RCM-439 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod, 65 in like-new plus condition for $74.95 plus the shipping, an even $25.00 less than B&H. In the box with everything that came with it. Never used. <\/p>\n

If interested, get in touch with artie via e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Post Autumn Equinox Morning Pier Sun Angle
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The Autumnal (Fall) Equinox<\/h3>\n

In the northern hemisphere, the Autumnal (fall) equinox occurs around September 22 — it marks the start of fall. The sunrise rises due east and sets due west. Both day and night have nearly equal length. The word comes from Latin words meaning “equal night.”<\/p>\n

The Fall Equinox and the ILE Pier<\/h3>\n

If you stood on the pier for several days on either side of the autumnal equinox while looking east on clear days at sunrise, the sun would rise pretty much right over Park Boulevard and your shadow (behind you) would run right down the center of the pier that points a very few degrees north of due west. As the sun gets higher in the sky, it moves to the south. The opening image above shows the sun angle at 8:33am on 22 September. It should be obvious why birds sitting on the north railing, the one on our right, make ideal subjects in late September and for the next few months as well — birds on the right hand railing will be on sun angle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created by yours truly on 16 September 2026 on the pier at Indian Lake Estates. I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a> (in full frame mode). The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel. ISO 2500: 1\/1250 second at f\/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:46:00am on a partly sunny morning. <\/p>\n

Tracking: Zone\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger high-res version.<\/p>\n

Image #1: Turkey Vulture with wings raised on pier railing
\nImage copyright 2026: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART\n