Next we were on to the amazing and seldom-visited Ndutu where the lion- and cheetah-fest got into full swing.  We spent five nights at Ndutu and pretty much enjoyed excellent game drives twice each day.  The highlights for me included two sessions with an 18-lion pride that included 8 cubs.  These lions were with a zebra kill both mornings. (Lions do most of their hunting at night.) Aside from the lions, the group made great images of Lilac-breasted and European Rollers, Common Zebra, Maasai Giraffe, and Cheetah.  Our last and once again spectacular stop was the famed Ngorongoro Crater where the highlights were the African Elephants (two of our five vans got to photographed the famed Big-Tusker) and, you-guessed-it, lots more lions.  In addition most of the group had good chances with hippos, newborn Wildebeests, very young zebra foals, Abdim's Stork, and Grey-crowned Crane among others.  On our next-to-last morning came upon a pair of hippopotami mourning the death of a tiny baby hippo.  It was the saddest thing I have seen since my Ndutu zebra experience two years ago.  (Wes and Patti Ardoin and I came upon a zebra stallion nuzzling his dead mare while attempting to fend off the vultures and hyenas.  We stayed with it for several hours and eventually a hyena pulled the unborn young zebra from the mare; she had died during the birthing process.)

During our wrap-up slide show both Todd and I were blown away by the quality of the images presented by the group members.  IPT veteran and good friend James S. White brought along his wife Linda and to his surprise she borrowed a 20 D body and a 400 DO lens from Hal DuPont.  Linda would up making some truly great images.   While digital does allow beginners to create good images almost out of the box (with just a bit of instruction) it was obvious to all that Linda White has some talent!

With my Antarctica trip coming up in January 2007, I will not be returning to Tanzania until 2008.  Todd is running a Tanzania trip in February 2006 but it is already oversold.  Our Kenya trip next August was sold out but two couples planning to travel together have cancelled so we have room for four more folks.  As we have this safari thing pretty much down pat we expect the Kenya trip to fill quickly.

 

This image was made in the shade late one afternoon.  It was converted with Shade White Balance. We had waited for more than two hours for the little guys to come out of the bushes...  It was well worth the wait.

 

THE CRATER BIG FIVE STORY

 

Africa's much sought-after "Big Five" consists of African Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and rhinoceros.  Though Todd was born in Tanzania and has made more than a dozen trips to Africa, he has never seen the Big Five in a single park even on an extended visit in the same year.  Most times Leopard is the spoiler, and in addition, it is the most difficult photographic specialty.  On our last full day at Crater, we were headed early to the picnic area by the lake where you are allowed to get out of the vehicles. As we headed down the hill to the grassy area where we always parked, we were astounded to see two lions sitting below the big fig tree under which most folks eat their lunch.  The Yellow-billed Kites, which steal sandwiches and fried chicken from the hands of many an unsuspecting tourist, roost in this tree when they are not in the air getting ready to pilfer. As we were photographing the two lions, one began to climb the tree.  After a bit, the lions gave up and began walking towards us.  I saw a hippo quite close to shore with an African Jacana on its back so we drove a short way to our usual parking area and made some images.  There was no getting out of the vehicle as the two lions had joined another five that had been sleeping by a bush at the edge of the picnic area.  Todd noted that there was an elephant in the marsh just to the left of the picnic area.  Moments later we were alerted that there was a rhino walking up the hill adjacent to and just behind the picnic area.  We were still photographing the hippo when suddenly our driver started the van and yelled, "Leopard."   It crossed the picnic area exit road and hid in a bush near the marsh on the side near the bathrooms and the fig tree.  We drove up the hill to try and get position on the leopard which was never to be seen again.  As we were waiting and hoping that the big cat would show itself, everyone spotted a big Cape Buffalo walking right through the picnic area.  There were several vans in close proximity waiting for the Leopard when Todd yelled out, "Hey gang.  We just had the Big Five in five minutes an the picnic area!" 

 

As I was watching the Cape Buffalo I saw that the lions were stalking it.  I said to Todd, let's head back down the hill.  The lions may kill the buffalo."  "No," he said, "photographing the Leopard is more important."  After two minutes, I spoke up again:  "Even if it does show itself, the sun angle is all wrong for the Leopard.  Let's go for the best possible picture."  Todd relented.  As we were making our u-turn one of the lions jumped on the back of the Cape Buffalo, but the Buffalo easily shook it off and the lions gave up the hunt.  All in all it was an amazing seven minutes...

 

 

Olive Baboon yawning, Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 400.

Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/60 sec. at f/8. Fill flash at -2 stops with Better Beamer.

 

Some of the group did not enjoy photographing the baboons, but when the light is harsh, it is best to find some subjects in the shade...  In addition, they are like gulls: if you point your lens at them, they will generally do something really interesting in short order.

 

We have sold 59 of the sixty BLUBBs that we received from John Stanford.  We have received only positive feedback so far.  I will have 20 BLUBBS for sale at NANPA and we will be receiving 20 more from John before he and his wife head for Australia and New Zealand for six weeks after NANPA.  He will not be sewing again until early April so if you would like to get your hands on a BLUBB before mid-April it would be best to pre-order one now so that you can get one of the final twenty that will be available soon.

BLUBBS are $100 (shipped empty, no beans included) plus $6 shipping and handling (US Priority Mail/signature required).   If you would like additional BLUBB information please e-mail us at birdsasart@att.net and request same. 

When I arrived in Tanzania I filled my BLUBB with 16 pounds of local beans and it was pretty much useless because of the configuration of the top of the van.  I removed about 6 pounds of beans and voila, it was perfect for many uses.  Filled, it could not fit over the railings atop the van.  Partially emptied, it could be draped over the railing or even better, one of the flaps could be tucked in under the rail.  The concave upper surface made a BLUBB-supported lens about 500 times more stable than one supported by a standard beanbag.  Standard beanbags have convex surfaces.  When you place a round lens barrel on a convex surface, the lens tends to rolls off to one side or the other.  When you place a lens barrel on a concave surface, it stays put. Solidly.  Most folks on the Photo-Safari came equipped with Todd-Pods, but Doug Holling brought a standard beanbag for his Nikon 200-400.  Once I got him to try my BLUBB he purchased one from me on the spot. 

WORKING IN MANUAL MODE

Many professional and serious amateur photographers work in Manual mode most of the time.   I do not because working in Av mode and entering exposure compensation is faster whenever the background is of a relatively constant tonality.  When the background tonality is changing from moment to moment but the light is constant, it is best, however, to work in Manual mode.  In either case, I rely on Evaluative Metering.  Here are some examples of rapidly changing backgrounds:  a shorebird on a rock along the edge of the ocean with waves breaking behind it.  Birds flying against a blue sky with occasional white clouds.  Cranes flying by in front of a variety of backgrounds that might include sky, mountains, yellowed grasses, or water.

As many folks are confused as to how to work in or set exposure compensation when working in Manual mode, I offer the following basic tutorial.

#1: When you work in Manual mode you select and set the shutter speed and you select and set the aperture.  With my Canon cameras the default has you changing the shutter speed with your index finger dial and the aperture with the thumb wheel. 

#2: After selecting Manual mode, point your camera at a scene or stationary subject and lock your tripod head so the framing remains constant.  Next select and set the desired aperture.  Then adjust the shutter speed until the analog scale in the viewfinder nulls out to zero.  With Canon pro bodies this scale is laid out vertically along the right side of the viewfinder display (when you are working in horizontal format).  With many of the pro-sumer bodies the analog scale is laid out horizontally at the bottom of the viewfinder display.  The zero or null indicator is at the center of the analog scale.  The three full stops above the null symbol (marked in 1/3-stop increments) indicate overexposure.  The three full stops below the null symbol (also marked in 1/3-stop increments) indicate underexposure.  If you change the aperture and you do not see the small square moving, check either the top or the bottom of the analog scale.  You will note a small triangle at the top if you are way overexposed or a small triangle at the bottom if you are way underexposed.  If the former, rotate the dial and choose faster shutter speeds, if the latter, choose slower shutter speeds.  In either case, you will soon see the small square moving up or down the analog scale.  At first, you will simply want to practice nulling the meter, that is, getting the small square to rest on the null symbol.  This indicates that you have now set the metered exposure (as determined by the camera's Evaluative Metering system.

#3:  When you work in Manual mode it is not possible to set exposure compensation.  To come up with the exposure that you wish, simply change the aperture or shutter speed as above until the small square indicates the amount of over- or under-exposure that you desire.  If you wish to work at +2 stops, you need adjust either the shutter speed or the aperture until the small square rests on the symbol that is two full stops above the null symbol.  If you wish to underexpose by 1/3 stop, you need adjust either the shutter speed or the aperture until the small square rests on the symbol that lies just below the null symbol. 

With a bit of practice you should quickly become comfortable whenever the need to work in Manual mode arises.

 

European Bee-eater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 800.

Evaluative Metering +1 stop in Program Mode: 1/250 sec. at f/13. Flash at zero with Better Beamer.   

 

With this (new and) beautiful bird backlit against a light-toned background, I added one full stop of light to the ambient exposure and set the flash to zero in an effort to light the shadowed side of the subject.  

 

SITE GUIDE AND GENERAL BAA KUDOS

 

After working on this Bulletin for nearly eight hours, I checked e-mail and found this one:

 

Good Morning Artie,

 

Carol and I have been to Florida quite often and I debated whether or not to purchase your new Southwest  Florida Site Guide.  Since I have found all your books and site guides to be of so much help I did purchase the new Site Guide and as usual I was amply rewarded.  Just the info regarding Grande Tours and the link to Norman Bateman resulted in many great pictures and were worth the purchase price alone.  As I have found in the past, the dollars that I have spent with you have been worth their weight in pictures.  Thanks for all the help and also for all the great info in your bulletins.  Can't wait for your next site guide! 

 

Mike Conlon

 

 

Blue Monkey leaping, Lake Manyara National Park, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II.  ISO 400.

Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/320 sec. at f/2.8.   

 

I missed this image several times and almost missed it again as I was tempted to double the ISO.  The 70-200 f/2.8 is great on safari.  I used it a lot with the 1.4X II TC (which was removed here to gain shutter speed).

 

SAN DIEGO IPT KUDOS

Here are two e-mails that I received recently:

#1: Hi Artie,

Well, you did it again.  After attending five IPTs I am still amazed by the number and variety of subjects that you put your groups on.  I would never work as hard if I were out alone.  As usual I came home with more quality images than I thought was possible.  Hanging out with the other photographers was great and it only took me a week to recover from the sleep deprivation.  The tremendous amount of education and opportunities that you crammed into 4 days is truly amazing.  Thanks for yet another world-class outing.  I ended up keeping the panning ground pod that I borrowed in San Diego.  I will send a check to your office on Monday.  See you at NANPA.

Jack Panzeca

#2: Hi Artie,

 

The San Diego IPT was superb.  The birds were great and the learning experience was exceptional.  In spite of my being an obvious novice, you were patient and always willing to help. Besides being the world's foremost bird photographer, you are an excellent teacher.  Thank you so much for all your help!

 

Ned Schroeder

 

 

African Elephants, young males playing, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 800.

Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/125 sec. at f/4.  

 

On the last full day of each Photo Safari, Todd and I get to photograph together, call it "Leaders Day Out."  Once again we were blessed, this time with a group of seven young male elephants greeting and play-fighting for nearly an hour.

 

BOSQUE SENILITY ANNOUNCEMENT

In BAA Bulletin 189, we proudly announced four Bosque IPTs for 2006.  Soon after that we announced that the last two had to be cancelled because of my commitment to lead a very special Africa trip.  I realized last week while talking to Janie Bullard that the Africa trip will run in late November 2007, not late November 2006.  As a result, I am reverting to my original plan :

What can I say?  I love this place.  It makes such a great learning laboratory that I am scheduling four IPTs next year instead of the usual three.  In addition, Ellen will be doing a Photoshop ITF Workshop after the 1st IPT (see below) and I am planning on doing a weekend BIRDS AS ART "The Art of Nature Photography; It Ain't Just Birds!" How-To Seminar in Albuquerque on the weekend of December 2-3.

Here are the dates and information for the four Bosque 2005 IPTs as well as some additional and relevant information. 

Bosque #1: "The Fall Color IPT"  NOV 14-16, 2006.  Slide Program on the evening of NOV 13.  3-DAY: $929.  Limit 14.  Co-leader Ellen Anon.  This IPT should feature a better chance for a day or two of the rare south winds that drastically improve flight photography and will definitely feature the brightest fall-color cottonwoods. 

Ellen's 2006 Bosque In-The-Field Photoshop Workshop will be scheduled for NOV 17-18, 2006.   Ellen's ITF Workshops have sold out,  but only 100% of the time.  Folks wishing to attend should sign up for either Bosque IPT #1 (above) or #2 (below).

Bosque #2:  "The Pre-Thanksgiving IPT"  NOV 19-21, 2006.   Slide Program on the evening of NOV 18.  3-DAY: $929.  Limit 14.  Co-leader Ellen Anon.  This and the next IPT have sold out for the past eight years.  In 2006 I may once again be hosting a Thanksgiving day luncheon buffet. If it goes, folks will need to reserve a spot and pay in advance.  Details TBA. Dinner will be strictly limited to 50 folks.  This IPT will feature increasing numbers of geese and cranes with lots of great opportunities.  

Bosque #3:  "The Post-Thanksgiving IPT"   NOV 25-27, 2006.  Slide Program on the evening of NOV 24.  3-DAY: $929.  Limit 14.  Co-leader Ellen Anon.  This IPT has sold out for the past eight years as it is scheduled on dates that I consider peak for Bosque. 

Seminar: DEC 2-3, 2006.  BIRDS AS ART "The Art of Nature Photography; It Ain't Just Birds!" How-To Weekend Seminar in Albuquerque, NM.  Details TBA.  Folks wishing to combine an IPT with the Seminar should sign up for either Bosque #3 (above) or Bosque #4 (below).  Details TBA.

Bosque #4:  "The Full Moon IPT"  DEC 4 (mid-day) through DEC 7 (mid day), 2006.  3-DAY: $929.  Slide Program mid-day on DEC 4.  This IPT includes a half day of photography on the 4th, two full days of photography on the 5th  and 6th, and a final half day on December 7th.  Limit 14.  Co-leader to be announced. This IPT has been scheduled to maximize the opportunities to include the rising and setting full (DEC 5) and near-full moon in your images.  There will be lots of the usual chances as well, and this time period has provided more than its share of spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the years. 

To register for any of the Bosque IPTs above, you can send a $200 deposit check made out to "Arthur Morris" to us at: BIRDS AS ART, 4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855, send us a Paypal (use any Paypal link on our web site), or call 863-692-0906 with your credit card info.

Hippopotami mourning their dead baby, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 400.

Evaluative Metering -1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/7.1. 

 

These guys were nuzzling the dead baby and looking so, so sad that many of us were brought to tears.  I used a bit of extra depth of field to ensure that both of the adults would be rendered sharp.

 

 

IPT UPDATES

 

HOMER EAGLE IPTs, MAR 3-7 and 8-12, 2006.  Due to a cancellation, I have one opening on the second.   There may be more openings as there are lots of complications at present... If you are at  interested, please call or e-mail immediately.  This may be the last year that anyone gets to photograph Homer's famed eagles...

 

FORT DESOTO/SARASOTA IPT, with co-leader Ellen Anon, MAR 24-26, 2006  3-DAY: $899  (LIMIT: 12 Openings: 9)  ROYAL & SANDWICH TERNS  & LAUGHING GULL: COURTSHIP BEHAVIORS, REDDISH EGRET (dark and white phases),  OTHER HERONS  & EGRETS, LONG-BILLED CURLEW & OTHER TAME SHOREBIRD SPECIES. 

LAKE MARTIN, LA SPOONBILLS, APR 8-10 (5 openings) & 28-30, 2006 (6 openings) 3 -DAY: $949 (Limit 12)   ROSEATE SPOONBILL (& GREAT EGRET) ROOKERY IN CYPRESS SWAMP; COURTSHIP & NEST BUILDING.  500 or 600mm LENSES RECOMMENDED, RENTALS AVAILABLE.   ALSO GREEN & LITTLE BLUE HERONS, BOTH NIGHT-HERONS, SUNRISE SCENIC; FLOWERS.  INCLUDES A COMPLIMENTARY CRAWFISH ETOUFFE DINNER: HOSTS: WES & PATTI ARDOIN

ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM IPT  MAY 12-14, 2006.  2 1/2 DAY IPT  (Limit: 12, 9 openings): $649     HERON AND EGRET ROOKERY.  NESTING GREAT EGRETS WITH CHICKS, NESTING SNOWY AND CATTLE EGRETS AND TRICOLORED HERONS.  COURTSHIP BEHAVIORS, COPULATIONS, EGGS, NESTS AND POSSIBLY TINY CHICKS.  INCLUDES TWO CLASSROOM SESSIONS.   

GALAPAGOS PHOTO CRUISE/YACHT BELUGA JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2006.  E-MAIL FOR DETAILS.  Wait list only.                                                                                                                      

KENYA FLY-DRIVE PHOTO SAFARI, AUG 2006.  SAMBURU, MAASAI MARA, AND MORE.  Leave the US AUG 21.  Amsterdam to Nairobi: AUG 22.  Amsterdam to US: SEPT 7.  $9499 per person (round trip airfare to Kenya not included).  Please e-mail for itinerary.  4 slots left.

BOSQUE IPTS: please see same above.

Cheetahs with baby zebra kill, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 1.4X II TC and EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 1600.

Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/160 sec. at f/5.6.  Fill flash at -3 stops with Better Beamer.  

 

Our drivers were skilled at spotting kills from great distances.  One of them spotted these guys on a kill as we were headed back to the lodge.  I do not hesitate to raise the ISO when it means getting the image.

WIMBERLEY HEAD V2s SHIPPED

We received our first twenty Version Two Wimberley heads and shipped them to the first twenty lucky folks on our list.  We are still accepting pre-orders. Your card will not be billed until your head is shipped.  It will be a tough item to get your hands on for a month or two until supply catches up with the high demand...  We are expecting our second batch soon.

In the next Bulletin, I shall include a complete report on this brand new head. 

Plains Agama Lizard, Ndutu, Tanzania

Image copyright 2006: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC, 25mm extension tube, and EOS 1Ds Mark II.  ISO 500.

Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/16. 

 

One afternoon when we were a bit hard-pressed coming up with interesting subjects I spotted this lizard at the top of a 30 foot high dead tree.  Lacking anything better to do we began photographing it with stacked teleconverters fall the while marveling at its beauty.  Suddenly, it came halfway down the tree, and minutes later, it scampered quickly down to eye-level!  The driver was able to get us closer and closer until I came up with this one. The moral:  "Never give up!"

Best and love and great picture-making to all,

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 BAA sponsor as it Delkin Devices.  Back issues of all BAA Bulletins are archived in the Bulletin Archives which may be accessed from the home page at www.birdsasart.com