HAPPY NEW YEAR
BIRDS AS ART IS NOW A DELKIN DEALER
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME;
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
NATURESCAPES.NET ARTICLE
HUNT'S SPECIALS
Photo Theme: images made on my recent Texas trip.
Crested Caracara, Ramirez Ranch, Roma, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 250. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/11.
Roel regularly feeds beef liver tied to a tree to attract a variety of raptors.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BIRDS AS ART
Lois Smith, my daughter Jennifer, and I would like to wish you the very best of luck in 2004. May you and your loved ones experience peace, joy, happiness, good health, safe travels, and lots of fun and great birds in the coming year. I am sending out peace and love and energy to each and every one of you.
Northern Cardinal, Ramirez Ranch, Roma, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 250. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/125 sec. at f/8.
The sun was so low when I made this image that there is a shadow across the end of the tail; now that is sweet light!
BIRDS AS ART IS NOW A DELKIN DEALER
We are proud to announce that BIRDS AS ART is now a Delkin dealer. As is our custom, we will offer only those items that I own and use every day, and as is usual, we will offer these items at prices that are lower than those of any dealer who has them in stock in numbers. The incredible CardBus 32 Adapter, the world's fastest card reader, was sold out within days of its introduction in November 2003; we now have twenty in stock.
Delkin CardBus 32 Adapter
When I first heard of this product, I was quite skeptical: downloads to your laptop in one-quarter of the time than it took with a PCMCIA card reader???
Then I tried one and was amazed. Downloads that had been taking me 10-12 minutes with a PCMCIA card reader now took less than 3 minutes even when the laptop was not plugged in, and closer to 2 minutes when it was plugged in. I can download my images at lunch while waiting for service and placing orders and be editing the images and sharing them with the IPT groups while waiting for the food to come! (Note: high transfer speeds guaranteed only with premium memory cards such as e-film Pro cards.)
The use of a card reader rather than an external USB or FireWire device is more elegant as there is nothing to plug in or two carry on your travels as the reader remains in the PCMCIA slot. Serious photographers on long or overseas trips will wish to have a back-up system in place should their primary system fail.
We are pleased to offer the Delkin CardBus 32 Adapter for $59.99 plus $3.00 shipping = $62.99. Shipping will be by first class mail/delivery confirm.
Please read the specs below before ordering:
The BusCard 32 Adapter is for PC users only.
System requirements:
1: CD Rom or internet connection for driver installation.
2: 32-bit CardBus Type II (PCMCIA) Slot--standard on most post-1998 laptops.
3: Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98/98SE
Harris' Hawk, immature. Cozad Ranch, Linn, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 250. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/11.
John Cozad was a prince, climbing up into the dead perch tree to saw off distracting branches.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME;
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
I am again working with several private ranch-owners in Texas's Rio Grande Valley who are in the process of developing their properties as eco-tourist locations designed specifically for bird photography.
As many of you know, the "Valley" offers incredible photographic opportunities for many colorful and interesting bird species, several of which are found only along the Rio Grande. When I first worked with Roel Ramirez I was thrilled to have a chance to photograph the Mexican specialties like Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Chachalaca, and White-tipped Dove among others as well as a host of migrant and wintering passerines (like Phyrrhuloxia and Lincoln's Sparrow) from his feeder-blinds.
Aside from getting lots of great images of hard-to-photograph species, your choosing to visit these locations helps the land-owners protect valuable habitat from development.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph on the ranches of Jane & John Cozad and John & Audrey Martin.
Crested Caracara, immature. Cozad Ranch, Linn, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds with 500mm f/4L IS Lens and 1.4X TC.
ISO 250. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/11
With all the improvements that John Cozad is making, there should be many good opportunities to photograph both adult and young Caracaras.
The Cozad Property, Linn, TX
At the Cozad's my primary targets were Harris' Hawk and Caracara. John Cozad is really serious about attracting photographers to his property and was willing to work with me to the nth degree, and the Cozad's were fabulous B&B hosts. I did well with the Harris' Hawks and upon leaving, made several suggestions that should improve the photography for both species. There are two (very large, portable) blinds and both species of raptors are attracted to the perch tree with deer and javelina carcasses. In addition, there was a wonderful pond right by the house that I did not discover until the morning I left. There were lots of passerines--including Greater Kiskadees--flitting about and it seemed like a great place to work in the early morning.
Here are the rates for the Cozad ranch:
Single Photographer: $125/day. Two Photographers: $225/day
Three Photographers: $300/day. Four Photographers: $375/day.
(In my opinion, two photographers per day would be optimal.)
If you would like to photograph alone or with a partner, you can secure exclusive rights to the ranch for $250.00/day.
Lodging in a private bedroom (double occupancy) with all meals is $100.00 a night.
Price decreases as follows:
If you elect to stay elsewhere, meals are optional as follows: Lunch $10.00 Dinner $30.00
To contact the Cozads or to book a trip, call Jane at 877-417-5053 or e-mail her at jacoz@granderiver.net
Cozad Ranch
Great Kiskadee, Martin Ranch, Edinburg, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
I somehow wound up in Spot Metering, so this image was well underexposed at 1/500 sec. at f/11. (ISO 250) I lightened it when converting the RAW image, and then again using both Levels and Shadow/Highlight (the latter an incredible tool available only in Photoshop CS).
Many kiskadees, and an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk landed when my lens was totally fogged up... I was lucky to have more chances once the lens warmed up completely. I had kept the lens in the trunk of the car, not realizing that it would "warm up" enough to cause condensation when the sun came up. The overnight temperatures were only in the mid-forties... In similar situations in the future, I will bring the big lens into the room with me.
The Martin Properties, in Edinburg, TX.
John and Audrey Martin have two properties, the Javelina and the Homestead. I did fairly well at the former, and very well at the latter, though I did strike out on Green Kingfisher. Other visiting photographers including Brian Small and Alan Murphy have had great luck at the Martin's with this species, often by using a throw-over blind. Highlights for me included a wonderfully cooperative male Golden-fronted Woodpecker and some great kiskadee opportunities among others.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker, male, Martin Ranch, Edinburg, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 250. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/800 sec. at f/11.
This bird was so tame that I was able to stand in plain sight while photographing it.
Here are the rates for the Martin ranch:
$100/day per photographer with discounts for repeat customers.
You can contact the Audrey Martin by phone at 956-381-1264 or by e-mail at martinrefuge@aol.com (Note: John Martin founded the Texas Valley Land Fund Contest and the Martins were its driving force for many years. At his Homestead property, John converted acres of barren farmland into what is now a tropical paradise, and he did it with his own hands, one plant at time. John is a NANPA Board Member.)
Pyrrhuloxia, male, Ramirez Ranch, Roma, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/80 sec. at f/8.
This image was made from a new afternoon blind that Roel erected during the past summer.
For information on the fabulous Ramirez Ranch, click here:
You can contact Roel Ramirez by phone at 956-849-1777 or by e-mail at
PLAN YOUR TRIP NOW!
Bird photography in the Valley will continue to improve over the coming months. To get a real taste of the incredible photographic opportunities in South Texas, serious bird photographers should consider planning a trip that includes at least two days at each of the ranches mentioned above. If you do plan a trip to any of the private ranches in the Rio Grande Valley, be sure to mention BIRDS AS ART.
South Texas Lens and Land
For information on these and other private ranches in the Rio Grande Valley, visit http://www.lensandland.com/page0037.html
Green Kingfisher, Martin Property, Edinburg, TX
Image copyright 2004, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon EOS 1Ds body, Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 2X TC.
ISO 400. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop: 1/250 sec. at f/10.
This beautiful little bird would not come to the perch in front of the blind where I waited for several hours so I made an environmental portrait...
NATURESCAPES.NET ARTICLE
See my photo-illustrated article, "The Pure Background" at:
is the premier educational nature photography site on the web, and their Avian Gallery is tops in my book. You must register to visit and join to be able to post images on the site.
Click here to visit: http://www.naturescapes.net/
HUNT'S SPECIALS
Canon EOS 10D digital camera body: $1399.99
Canon EOS 1Ds digital camera body: $7095.00
Canon 550 flash: $329.99 before rebate
Canon 17-40: $679.99 USA in stock
Canon 24-70: $1159.99 USA in stock
Canon 100-400mm IS L Zoom lens: $1399.99 USA in stock
28-135mm IS zoom lens: $409.99 USA in stock
Call or write for competitive price quotes on any all Canon USA products and accessories including long lenses.
BIRDS AS ART Bulletin subscribers waiting for the next generation Canon Digital camera can e-mail Gary who will get back to you as soon as any info becomes available.
Digital accessories
Sensor Cleaning Fluid: $7.25
Pec Pads: $5.90
Rocket Blower: $10.99 large
Epson 2200 printer: $639.99
Epson 2200 inks: $9.49 each. Ask for price for 32 or more.
Epson 4000 printer call for Birds as art subscribers prices
Epson 7600 and 9600 printer inks and roll paper call for BIRDS AS ART Bulletin subscriber special price.
Free shipping ground on all inks, roll paper, and 7600 and 9600 supplies over $500.
Provia F 100-36 USA (4/04 dating): $3.39/roll. (100+ rolls: $2.99/roll)
Velvia 100-36 USA: $5.49/roll. (Ask for volume discount for 60+ rolls.)
Fuji mailers: $3.75/each.
Lowepro Road Runner AW: $349.99
Ask about pricing for Linhoff ballheads.
BIRDS AS ART Bulletin subscribers can contact me at 1-800-221-1830 ext 2332 or email me at filmguygary@aol.com.
Visit the Hunt's web site at www.wbhunt.com
Artie
Note: Arthur Morris has been a Canon contract photographer since 1994 and continues in that role today. Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BIRDS AS ART sponsor, as is Delkin Devices. Do feel free to forward this Bulletin to one or more photographer-friends. Those wishing to subscribe click here mailto:http://birdsasart.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=94ad23bd96f48a1de2ca612b3&id=bdb4a511a0?subject=subscribesubject=subscribe If you received this bulletin in error, or would like your name removed from the subscriber list click here birdsasart@verizon.net?subject=unsubscribe Back issues of relevant Bulletins are archived on the web site at: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn.html