BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN 203

BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN 203

JUNE 7,2006

Visit www.birdsasart.com

GETTING RID OF THAT BRANCH!

THE POSSE

ANNOUNCING THE 2007 SAN DIEGO IPT

UTAH/MONTANA TRIP REPORT

MY CANON GEAR FOR SALE≈ONLY SOME OF IT <smile>

SHOULDER SAVER TRIPOD PAD

KWIK-CAMO THROW-OVER BLINDS

ALBUQUERQUE SEMINAR

AVIAN BEAUTY UPDATE

MORE BAA KUDOS

BLUBB UPDATE

LensCoats^TMNOW AVAILABLE FROM BAA

DELKIN e-FILM PRO COMPACT FLASH CARDS/CRAZY LOW PRICES

IPT UPDATES

GALAPAGOS 2007 PHOTO CRUISE/YACHT BELUGA

Contact us by phone at 863-692-0906 (Eastern Time Zone) or by e-mail at birdsasart@att.net or birdsasart@verizon.net. The att address is best from overseas.

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Photographic Theme: Some of my favorite images from my UT/MT trip.

American Avocets in Roadside Pond, near Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 1.4X II TC (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/80 sec. at f/8.

The county road that leads to the entrance of Bear River is usually more productive than the refuge itself. I would have loved to have made this one from ground level but a) I did not want to get wet and mucky, and b) it was cold and I did not want to disturb the brooding chicks, and c) the property was posted <smile> With the BLUBB, I did not hesitate to drop down to 1/18 sec at f/8 for some extra depth-of-field.

GETTING RID OF THAT BRANCH!

Here is an e-mail exchange that I had recently with subscriber Art Hoover:

AH: Hi Art, I purchased Digital basics some months ago. I have found it very informative and well organized. In the introduction, there is a photo of the spoonbill (see the before and after photos here: http://www.birdsasart.com/digitalbasics.htm) used as an example of what can be done with proper technique. Of particular interest to me is the removal of the distracting branch. I have many photos taken from the backyard blind that suffer from distracting foreground or background branches. In the text there is no definitive process as to how to deal with their removal. Am I missing something? A step by step instructional demo on this technique is what I need to save my otherwise great images. You are the GURU! Can you help, or point me in a direction to master this seemingly simple process? Art

AM: All of the skills that you need to remove a branch were in the last few versions of DB but with the Patch Tool (covered in the most recent update) doing so is tons easier. And you are correct, I did not outline the necessary steps.

Here is how I do it:

If the branch in question passes in front of the bird's body, begin here to remove the section of branch that has the bird's body behind it. (You will--of course--be working on the background copy, or on an empty layer.)

1-Choose the Patch Tool. Use it to draw a fairly tight shape around the branch without working close to the edge of the bird. Then click-drag the selected area to a section of the bird's plumage that roughly matches the area that you want to replace, i.e., the branch. (Be sure to follow the directions in Digital Basics so that you are using the Patch Tool correctly.) Remember that the patch tool blends; a perfect match of pattern is not mandatory. When what you see looks good, release the cursor. If the results are somewhat smudgy, use the Clone Tool and then repeat the process above with the Patch Tool.

2-Now you are ready to remove the last bit of branch that lies atop the bird's plumage close to the edge of the bird. To do this cleanly, use the magnetic lasso; there is almost always enough contrast to do this. Begin along the edge of the bird's body well to one side of the spot where the branch intersects the bird and continue well past that spot. Now you need to complete the selection. Do so by dragging the cursor into the bird's body a bit (an inch or two on your monitor) and then circling back to make a roughly rectangular shape. You want to wind up back at the spot where you started. Then release the cursor and you will see the marching ants defining the selected area. You will effectively have selected a chunk of the bird. Any cloning that you do now will be confined to the area inside of your selection.

3-Click on Select/Save Selection. Name the selection; in this case ⌠Chunk of Bird would be fine. Then click OK.

4-Now feather the selection (Select/Feather) one or two pixels. Use the Clone Tool to clone out the remaining bit of branch by selecting an area of plumage that matches the feathering beneath the branch. You can clone right up to the edge of the bird as the background is not included in your selection. The background is in a sense protected.

5-Click on Select/Deselect (or hit Control D, the keyboard shortcut).

You will now have successfully removed the section of branch that was on top of the bird's plumage. Your next job is to remove the remaining section of the branch from the background. Continue as follows:

6--Choose the Patch Tool. Use it to draw a fairly tight shape around the branch, again without working close to the edge of the bird. Then drag the selected area to a section of the background that roughly matches the area that you want to replace, i.e., the branch. You will see the selected area change from branch to background as you drag the shape around. When what you see looks good, release the cursor.

7-- If there is other ⌠stuff (areas with detail or strong patterns) around the branch, you might needto work in sections and then clean up the spots at the ends of the branch with the Clone Tool.

8-- The most difficult part of the process is getting rid of the section of branch where it intersects the bird's body (or with anything else that is clearly defined). To do this cleanly, hit Select/Reselect. Then hit Select/Inverse. Now use the Clone Tool and the careful cloning techniques that are outlined in Digital Basics to get rid of the branch. The bird's body will be ⌠protected from the clone stamp by the inverse selection so you can clone past the border between the bird's body and the background without worry.

9--Click on Select/Deselect (or hit Control D, the keyboard shortcut). Finis.

If the branch in question passes behind the bird's body, follow these steps:

1- Without working close to the edge of the bird, draw a fairly tight shape around the branch and then drag it to a place on the background with the pattern and texture that you want. This will most often be the area adjacent to the branch. You will see the branch change as you drag the shape around. (Be sure to follow the directions in Digital Basics so that you are using the Patch Tool correctly.) Let go of the cursor when what you see looks good, and presto: no more branch.

2-If there is other stuff around the branch, you might have to work in sections and then clean up the ends of the branches with the Clone Stamp.

3-The most difficult part of the process is getting rid of a branch where it intersects the bird's body (or anything else that is clearly defined). To do this cleanly, use the magnetic lasso; there is almost always enough contrast to do this. Begin along the edge of the bird's body well on one side of the spot where the branch intersects with the bird and continue well past that spot. Now you need to complete the selection. Do so by dragging the cursor into the bird's body a bit (about an inch or two on your monitor) and then circling back until you get back to the spot where you started. Release the cursor and the marching ants will out-line your selection. You will effectively have selected a roughly rectangular chunk of the bird. Then click on Select/Inverse and feather the selection one or two pixels. Now use the Clone Tool and the careful cloning techniques outlined in Digital Basics to remove the branch. The bird's body will be ⌠protected from the clone stamp by the inverse selection so you can clone past the border between the bird's body and the background without cloning any of the background onto the bird.

4- Click on Select/Deselect (or hit Control D, the keyboard shortcut). Finis.

It sounds complicated but is not too tough to do once you get used to it. Do it a few times and you will own it. Best, Artie

Yellow-headed Blackbird, singing male, Benton Lakes NWR, Great Falls, MT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 1X II TC (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark.. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering -1/3 stop set manually:1/800 sec. atf/8.

I decided long ago that when photographing action I would always boost the ISO enough to ensure an action stopping shutter speed, and that is just what I did here. This is one image that looked much better≈especially the yellows-- with a Breezebrowser conversion than it did with an Adobe Camera Raw conversion. I am now using ACR for about 90% of my conversions. You can learn how I use ACR effectively in our latest version of Digital Basics: http://www.birdsasart.com/digitalbasics.htm

THE POSSE

I am blessed to be surrounded by a bevy of excellent photographers and assistant teachers on pretty much every IPT. Robert O'Toole, the original Posse member, has been joined recently by Robert Amoruso and Alfred Forns. Posse members attend various IPTs when they are able to fit them into their busy schedules. If I know in advance that a Posse member will be joining us on a given IPT, you will find that noted in the IPT Updates. John Shaw and Carl Sams & Jeannie Stoick are honorary Posse members, as is Todd Gustafson who will be joining us for the 2007 Ft. DeSoto IPT.

Robert O'Toole is a full time professional fashion and travel photographer from Southern California. He is currently on assignment for two months in South Africa. He often travels to Asia on assignment. He is an incredibly talented and creative nature photographer who is always coming up with something new and he is really good with a fish-eye lens. He is also a computer and digital expert, especially in the technical areas where I am so weak. This Robert is a bit on the shy side when he is with a group so folks need to ask him questions in order to get him going. You can see a small sampling of Robert's nature photography here:

http://robertotoolephotography.com/artist.asp?ArtistID6318&AKey8T5M8YEK

Alfred Forns, a Miami dentist, is also an excellent nature photographer (he is really getting into bugs lately), a skilled instructor, and just about the nicest guy that you would ever want to meet. He will give you the shirt off his back or the lens that is on his camera and will do it with a smile (but only 100% of the time). Like me, Al is gregarious though not so opinionated <smile> You can see some of Al's work here:

http://www.avianscapes.com/detected.php?page&pass

Alfred's images are the ones that say by Al.

Robert Amoruso is an up and coming bird photographer and a good instructor who comes at some bird photography-related things a bit differently than I do. This can be a huge plus as folks can compare the two viewpoints, especially when it comes to exposure. Robert has many images that I would be very proud of (if only they were mine!) He offers individual and small group instruction at various Florida locations. He is currently working on the Merritt/Vierra/Great Blue Heron Wetlands BAA Site Guide. You can learn more about Robert and his work here:

Robert Amoruso Nature Photography Portfolio

ANNOUNCING THE 2007 SAN DIEGO IPT

The 4-day San Diego IPT will be held a month later than its traditional early January time-frame as I will be in Antarctica then. There will be lots of California Brown Pelicans many in full breeding plumage with their amazing red bill pouches. And lots of great gulls, shorebirds, and ducks. Gull species expected include Heerman's, Western, California, and Ring-billed Gulls. Mew and Glaucous-winged are possible. Among the shorebirds we should find Marbled Godwits, Black and Ruddy Turnstones, Black-bellied Plover, Willet, and Spotted Sandpiper. Duck photography should be outstanding with Wood Duck and Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup pretty much guaranteed.

San Diego IPT: FEB 3-6, 2007.4-FULL DAYS: $1359. Introductory slide program on the evening of Thursday, FEB 2. (Limit 12.) Robert O'Toole is a likely co-leader. La Jolla, La Jolla Shores Beach, Coronado, and Santee Lakes. Includes, introductory slide program, Photoshop sessions, in-the-field instruction, and two three hour photo sessions daily. Please send a $200 deposit to hold your spot.

Western Grebe with crawfish, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/8.

I was having lots of trouble making sharp images with the 2X in low light, low contrasts situations so I switched to One-Shot. Talk about the right move at the right time. Who knew that there are crawfish in Utah?

UTAH/MONTANA TRIP REPORT

I had a great time in Utah and in Montana. The weather and the bird photography were great in Utah and not so great in Montana, but I loved all of it. It was great meeting so many nice folks at the Great Salt Lake Birding Festival. The three programs that I did were well received. Brian Currie was my local host and guide and took me to lots of great places. In Montana I met old friend Nick Fucci. Nick hung around for a few days with me first at Freezeout Lake and then in Great Falls. . When it was cold and raining I holed up in my motel room in Great Falls and got lots of work done. When he finally bailed on Benton Lakes NWR, the weather got better and so did the photography. Sorry Nick! <smile> When Nick lived in Anchorage he was the premier moose photography guide up there. The great news is that he will be returning to Anchorage this fall for several weeks during prime time for the mooses <smile>. We will announce additional details when they become available. If you are interested, you can contact Nick via e-mail at: njfoto@montanasky.us.

Cliff Swallow, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/320 sec. at f/10.

Fill flash at -1 stop with Better Beamer.

It was a thrill to get lots of great images of what was a new species for me. I tend to use more flash with birds that have dark faces or masks in an effort to reveal the detail in the darker areas.

MY CANON GEAR FOR SALE≈ONLY SOME OF IT <smile>

Canon 28-135mm IS lens in very good to excellent condition: $300. (Original box.) The lens hood is optional with the 28-135.) Buyer pays shipping.

Please call 863-692-0906 ASAP as these items are priced to sell.

Also: one old style Wimberley head in near-new condition. Just a few tiny nicks. Used twice. $525 plus $15.00 shipping.

Northern Shoveler Drake, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop: 1/60 sec. at f/4.

ETTL flash effectively as Main Light at -1/3 stop with Better Beamer.

I ran into this guy in a pond right next to the road after the sun had set. I was, in retrospect, amazed by the quality of the optimized file and the lack of noise in the image. Just another example of why digital is amazing.

SHOULDER SAVER TRIPOD PAD

A while back, Chas Glatzer handed me a triangular pad designed to ease the pain and strain of carrying a large lens on your shoulder. It laid in the back of my car for a few months until I finally got curious. I attached the Tripod Pad to my Gitzo Carbon Fiber 1325 via the Velcro straps. It took me a while to position the pad perfectly, and it took a bit of getting used to, but now I am totally comfortable with the pad. When you are wearing a great vest with good shoulder pads--like my X-tra Hand Magnum vest-- (http://www.birdsasart.com/bn61.htm or http://www.vestedinterest.com/about.htm)--the Tripod Pad is a nice plus adding extra padding to protect your shoulder. I came up with a way to position the tripod on my shoulder so that the Tripod Pad rests on my shoulder while the legs of the tripod do not. The Tripod Pad acts sort of like a cradle.

There are many times, however, that I love to set my vest down on a beach or a boardwalk and take a stroll with just my big lens and a teleconverter or two. Before the Tripod Pad, such short journeys were agonizingly painful as the legs of the tripod would dig into my shoulder with each step. With the Tripod Pad, things are different now: I plop the tripod on my shoulder and hardly notice the rig at all as I search for subjects.

You can order your Shoulder Saver Tripod Pad now for $36.95 plus $6.00 shipping and handling. (My understanding is that there is a $3.00 price increase coming soon┘)

HEALTH TIP: It is best to alternate shoulders every few hundred yards or so when you are expecting action. If you face a long walk to get in position it is even better to un-mount your big lens, carry it (by holding the lens foot) in one hand, and carry your tripod in the other hand.

Notes: I position my Tripod Pad lower on the tripod than is shown in the images above.

In addition, when on the move, I always carry my tripod much higher on my shoulder and more parallel to the ground than is shown in the image above right.

KWIK-CAMO THROW-OVER BLINDS

Though I rarely rely on throw-over blinds, I do recognize a great product when I see one. Living in Florida, many of the birds are--on average--quite tame. In other areas of the country however, being able to cover up quickly and effectively is a huge plus. Kwik Camo blinds can be used at backyard set-ups, water drips, or in the forest. They are great for reducing stress on the birds when working nests in the woods, at the beach or on the tundra. Lastly, the can be used effectively to hide the human form when you are attempting to work skittish birds from you vehicle. All three blinds are lightweight and portable, and are large enough for most NBA players.

There are currently two models available, the Kwik Camo Original, for most applications in cool to moderate temperatures. And the Kwik Camo Summer, made of a light weight mesh material for use in warmer weather. This model allows for maximum air flow keeping you both cool and camouflaged. This model works great as a cover too! Each is available for $139.95 plus $8.00 shipping and handling. Be sure to specify the model.

The Original Kwik Camo Throw-over Blind is on the left, the Kwik Camo Summer Throw-over Blind in its carrying case is on the right.

Each model is available only in the pattern shown above for that model.

ALBUQUERQUE SEMINAR

The Albuquerque The Art of Nature Photography; It Ain't Just Birds Weekend Seminar will take place at the Carlisle Hotel, 2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE in Albuquerque on December 2-3, 2006. Saturday will be devoted to learning the techniques needed to create pleasingly designed, technically perfect images of natural history subjects. Saturday topics will include getting the right exposure, advanced composition and image design, making sharp images, creating effective motion and zoom blurs, using flash as fill and as main light, and tips for getting close to free and wild birds and animals. Sunday will be devoted entirely to Digital Photography and Photoshop with much of the time being spent on live Photoshop demonstrations. On our IPTs I see many great photographs that are ruined because folks have no clue as to how to effectively optimize their images. Join us to learn how to make your images look great in minutes.

We are now accepting registrations. Paypal is best but we will be glad to take your credit card information by phone (863-692-0906) or to cash your check. If sending a check, please make it out to ⌠Arthur Morris and send it to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7145, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Be sure to include your snail mail and e-mail addresses and your day, evening, and cell phone numbers.

The cost of the weekend seminar will be $159. The cost of a single day will be $99. Register with a friend or spouse and take $10 off each registration. Here is our Cancellation Policy: If for any reason you need to withdraw, please notify us ASAP. Once we receive your e-mail, phone call, or written notice of your cancellation the following fees apply: cancel before September 2, 2006 and your fee will be refunded less a $20.00 cancellation fee; cancel by November 2, 2006 and your fee will be refunded less a $50.00 cancellation fee; cancel after November 2, 2006 and there will be no refund.

White Pelican, Salt Lake City, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II.ISO 400. Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/125 sec. at f/10.

Fill flash at -2 stops with Better Beamer

Brian took me to a little park right next to I-15 where we had a great morning with the White Pelicans and the Caspian Terns. I cloned out lots and lots of schmutz in the water to ensure a dreamy look to this image. You can ensure that your reflection images are square to the world by using the level tool in PS or in ACR (as described in Digital Basics) and connecting an eye from the bird with the corresponding eye in the reflection.

AVIAN BEAUTY UPDATE

I have been in close touch with Scott Bourne lately. Scott was working on the Avian Beauty book project (http://www.birdsasart.com/bn174.htm). He currently has some serious health problems and has had to cancel most of his workshops. The Avian Beauty project will of course be delayed. If you have already sent images for consideration and wish to have the images returned or withdrawn from consideration, please notify Scott's company with an e-mail to info@mountainschoolpress.com.

Scott is an excellent photographer, a Photoshop and publishing expert, and an accomplished author and photo tour leader. He was a guest leader on one of last year's Bosque IPTs. I will keep everyone updated as Scott progresses with his medical care. Those who would like to send along get well wishes or some extra love, strength, and/or energy may write Scott at scottbourne@mac.com.

California Gull, Syracuse, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L ISlens with2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark.ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/10.

Though I photographed these birds in gorgeous light, this image, made when it clouded over, is my favorite; there is little contrast and no shadows.

As detailed in The Art of Bird Photography II, Exposure Simplified: When it is cloudy and the scene averages to lighter than a middle tone, the meter is dumb; you need to add light to keep the light tones light.

MORE BAA KUDOS

DIGITAL BASICS

From Jim Howell via e-mail:

Jennifer, Instead of getting free Digital Basics updates every so often, I think that all of us should be sending in a stipend for what is the absolute deal of the century. The $20 that I sent you for this guide has been the best money I have ever spent on photography. Artie is an amazing man to essentially give away all of this information. Now I must get on-line and order the ABP II! Best, Jim

ABP II

From Glenn Bartley, via e-mail: Dear Arthur, I just received my CD copy of The Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II) and was blown away. Its predecessor, the original ABP, has long been a companion of mine and I revisit its pages frequently. You have provided so much new information, insight and inspiration throughout this 918 page masterpiece that I look forward to reading and re-reading its contents for years to come. Thanks so much for sharing your passion and helping photographers like myself along the way. All the best Artie! Glenn

Bank Swallow, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC (on BLUBB) with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop: 1/320 sec. at f/11.

Fill flash at -2 stops with Better Beamer.

Bank Swallows rarely perch and almost never land on the ground. This one joined bunches of Cliff Swallows that were gathering mud for their nests. I love that its main field mark, the distinct breast band, is clearly visible. For a one-shot wonder (one chance for a second) like this was, you had better be prepared and confident of your skills.

BLUBBs

As the word spreads, we are once again seriously back-ordered Twenty Blubbs were shipped to us today. They are all sold. We should be receiving the first 20 of our third hundred in about ten days. If you have a long lens and photograph from your vehicle, there is nothing like a BLUBB

White Pelican in Bear River, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L ISlens with 2XII TC (on BLUBB) withEOS-1Ds Mark. ISO 250. Evaluative Metering +1 stop:1/640 sec. atf/8.

I was a bit disappointed that nearly all of the pelicans were past prime breeding plumage. This one still had the horny plate on the bill and some black on the head and the distal end of the lower mandible. Making this one with the central required that the sensor was placed and kept right on the bill just behind the horny plate. Note that with a Canon pro body, the central AF sensor is the only active sensor when a 2X TC is used with an f/4 lens (or when the 1.4X TC is used with an f/5.6 lens).

LensCoats^TM NOW AVAILABLE FROM BAA

BIRDS AS ART is proud to announce that in addition to carrying JRF Lens Covers, we now offer the complete line of LensCoat^TM protective neoprene covers. LensCoats^TM are available in four distinct patterns for virtually all modern Canon and Nikon lenses. And, LensCoat^TM offers a set of covers for both the Canon and Nikon teleconverters. My favorite LensCoat^TM feature is the flexible UV-PVC window that covers the lens controls; it is thin and flexible enough so that you can--as long as you have a decent finger nail on your pointer finger--work the controls without having to pull back the cover.

Like the JRF covers, LensCoat^TM covers protect the finish of your lenses, provide camouflage, and provide a thermal barrier that makes it easier to handle your lens in unusually hot or cold conditions. You can check out (and order) the great variety of LensCoat^TM covers and patterns here:

http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#LensCoat

Marbled Godwit, breeding plumage, Benton Lakes NWR, MT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2XII TC (on BLUBB) withEOS-1Ds Mark. ISO 640. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop:1/500 sec. atf/8.

The first time that I went to Montana I was stunned to see that the base of the bill is bright orange during the breeding season (rather than pink as it is in the winter). Note that in lousy weather digital images can look pretty good even without flash┘ This bird looks as if it were standing on the prairie but is in fact standing on a gravel road. I lowered the window to the max so that the grass would hide the road as much as possible. It's the little things┘

DELKIN e-FILM PRO COMPACT FLASH CARDS/CRAZY LOW PRICES

As most of you know, I have used Delkin e-Film Pro Compact Flash Cards for more than 3 + years now and have found them to be fast and dependable. I have been using the Delkin 2gb and 4gb cards exclusively now for more than two years and have experienced one card failure, that with a very old 2gb card about a month ago. Delkin promptly replaced the card. Do remember that I take tens of thousands of images in a given year. We have joined with Delkin to ensure that we can offer you the great e-Film Pro Cards at very low prices in any quantity that you might need:

1gb Delkin e-film Pro Card: $49.98

2gb Delkin e-film Pro Card: $80.98

4gb Delkin e-film Pro Card: $144.98

8gb Delkin e-film Pro Card: $299.98

Please add $7.00 per order shipping and handling. Florida residents please add 7% sales tax to the cost of the cards only.

Cliff Swallow, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 400mm f/5.6 L lens with EOS-1Ds Mark.ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop:1/500 sec. atf/9 in Tv Mode. Flash at zero on camera with Better Beamer.

I have stopped using a flash bracket when hand-holding for flight photography as the bracket is heavy and introduces torque which makes it even more difficult to hold the lens for a considerable period of time. Trust me, I was hurting after this session was over. Thanks to Alfred Forns who inspired me to try my hand at swallow flight photography. Though I try to use the central sensor for flight whenever possible it was just not possible here. 45-Point made it easier to acquire and hold focus and worked perfectly here.

There is no substitute for keeping your eyes open and your brain working. There were dozens of these birds nesting on a permanent bathroom structure near the entrance of the refuge. With a strong east wind in mid morning I quickly saw the possibilities. I utilized the flash flight technique that we had perfected on the St. Augustine IPT and it worked perfectly.

IPT UPDATES

All four Bosque IPTs are almost all filled. If you want to join us in New Mexico, you need to act right now to avoid being disappointed.

GALAPAGOS PHOTO CRUISES/YACHT BELUGA: SUMMER2006. (BOTH SOLD OUT)

KENYA FLY-DRIVE PHOTO SAFARI, AUG 2006. SAMBURU, MAASAI MARA, AND MORE. With co-leader Todd Gustafson. 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. Two slots left.

Bosque#1:"The Fall Color IPT" NOV 14-16, 2006. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 13.3-DAY: $929. (Limit 14, Openings: 1) Co-leader: Robert O'Toole. 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.

Bosque#2: "The Pre-Thanksgiving IPT" NOV 19-21, 2006. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 18.3-DAY: $929. (SOLD OUT) Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole and Alfred Forns. This and the next IPT have sold out for the past eight years. This IPT will feature increasing numbers of geese and cranes with lots of great opportunities. I will be hosting a Thanksgiving day lunch (strictly limited to 50 folks). If you would like to attend, please send a check for $30 per person and mark the check "Thanksgiving Lunch".

Bosque#3: "The Post-Thanksgiving IPT" NOV 25-27, 2006.Slide Program on the evening of NOV 24.3-DAY: $929. Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole and Alfred Forns. (SOLD OUT)This IPT has sold out for the past eight years as it is scheduled on dates that I consider peak for Bosque. I will be hosting a Thanksgiving day lunch (strictly limited to 50 folks). If you would like to attend, please send a check for $30 per person and mark the check "Thanksgiving Lunch".

Bosque#4: "The Full Moon IPT" DEC 4 (mid-day) through DEC 7 (mid day),2006.3-DAY: $929. (Limit 14 Openings: 3)Slide Program mid-day on DEC 4. Co-leaders: Manuel Presti (2005 Wildlife Photographer of the Year) and Robert Amoruso. 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.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.

SW FLA Post X-mas IPT: DEC 27-29, 2006.Slide program on the evening of Tuesday, DEC 26. 3 -DAY: $1029. (Limit 14 Openings: 12.) .) Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole, Alfred Forns, & Robert Amoruso. Sanibel Island, Little Estero Lagoon, Venice Rookery, Cape Coral. Herons, egrets, gulls, terns, skimmers, shorebirds, both pelicans, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, and lots more.

San Diego IPT: FEB 3-6, 2007.4-FULL DAYS: $1359. Introductory slide program on the evening of Thursday, FEB 2. (Limit 12.) La Jolla, La Jolla Shores Beach, Coronado, and Santee Lakes. Brown Pelicans, Heerman's & Western Gulls, Marbled Godwits & lots more shorebirds, Wood & Ring-necked Ducks & Lesser Scaup. And lots more.

SW FLA President's Holiday IPT: FEB 17-21, 2007. Slide program on the evening Friday, FEB 16, 2007. 5-DAY: $1649. (Limit 14.).) Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole, Alfred Forns, & Robert Amoruso. Sanibel Island, Little Estero Lagoon, Venice Rookery, Cape Coral. Herons, egrets, gulls, terns, skimmers, shorebirds, both pelicans, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, and lots more.

Fort DeSoto IPT: APR 13-15, 2007. Slide program on the evening of Thursday, APR 12. 3-DAY: $999 (Limit 14.) Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole, Alfred Forns, Robert Amoruso, and Todd Gustafson. Courtship and breeding behaviors of Laughing Gull and Royal and Sandwich Tern. Herons, egrets (including both dark and light phase Reddish Egret), shorebirds (including Long-billed Curlew), gulls, terns, and skimmers among others.

Black-necked Stilt, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 400mm f/5.6 L lens with EOS-1Ds Mark II.ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop:1/1000 sec. atf/8 set manually. Manual Flash (on camera) at 1:2 with Better Beamer.

Here is another 45-Point AFPS flash flight miracle. As seen below I cut off the tip of the lower wing when I made this image. I added canvas and re-built it using techniques described in Digital Basics. Here is a j-peg of the converted RAW file:

GALAPAGOS 2007 PHOTO CRUISE/YACHT BELUGA

I will be leading my fourth Galapagos Photo Cruise for Distinctive Journeys, July 18-28, 2007. There is no need for me to elaborate on the amazing photographic opportunities available at this amazing location. (To see some of my 2005 images, click here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn180.htm. This trip is strictly limited to 14 participants. There are currently four slots open. The cost is $4499.00 per person based on double occupancy. If you are interested, please call Janie Bullard immediately at 1-888-419-6677 (If no answer, leave a message stating your intent) or e-mail her at Janie@Distinctive-Journeys.com. If you are seriously interested, do not waste a moment.

American Avocet, chick, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2XII TC (on BLUBB) withEOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop:1/400 sec. atf/11. Flash at zero with Better Beamer.

Here I used lots of flash to light the shaded side of the bird in this backlit situation. These little guys were so, so cute but if I got out of the car in an attempt to get lower they ran away across the mud flat at Momma's urging.

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 can be found in the Bulletin Archives which may be accessed from the home page at www.birdsasart.com