BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #220
January 3, 2007
Visit: www.birdsasart.com
ON THE ROAD AGAIN, AGAIN
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA POST X-MAS IPT REPORT AND KUDOS
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SITE GUIDE UDPATE
2007 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA POST X-MAS IPT ANNOUNCED
ISO CHOICE
GALAPAGOS 2007
DIGITAL BASICS DEC 2006 UPDATE
ONE MORE READER’S TIP ON SPEED-EDITING IN BREEZEBROWSER
NYC SEMINAR
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK ONE DAY IN-THE FIELD WORKSHOP
IPT UPDATES
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 e-mail address is best from overseas.
We gladly accept credit card orders by phone 8am till 9pm Eastern Time (8 am till 3pm Fridays).
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Photographic theme: Some of my favorite images from the recent SW FLA IPT and visit.
Roseate Spoonbill preening, Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 320.
Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/640 sec. at f/13.
When making images of preening birds you want the eye in plain sight and the bird’s head parallel to the imaging sensor.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN, AGAIN
I leave on January 4th for my first Antarctica trip and am tremendously excited about that. Jim and Jennifer will be here to take care of your mail order needs and to help you with IPT and Seminar reservations. If you have a fresh new photography question, please hold onto it until after January 25th as I will not have any e-mail access at all on the ship. Thanks for that. Do, however, check the Bulletin Archives; it has a great search feature.
Great Blue Heron at sunset, Sanibel Fishing Pier, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 100-400 mm IS L zoom lens with EOS-1D Mark IIN. ISO 500.
Evaluative Metering +1 2/3rd stops: 1/100 sec. at f/5.6.
Even though I knew that I would render the heron as a silhouette, I exposed to the right for maximum info in the RAW file and reduced noise and then darkened the bird and the background with a Levels Adjustment. You can learn our complete digital workflow in the Digital Basics File: http://www.birdsasart.com/digitalbasics.htm
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA POST X-MAS IPT REPORT & KUDOS
The Southwest Florida Post X-mas IPT was a huge success. I was joined by nine photographers plus posse members Robert Amoruso and Alfred Forns who as always were eager to help. After some good pre-dawn action on DAY 1, we got off to a slow start at the Venice Rookery due to some lingering cold weather and headed off to a nearby landfill where we got to photograph Black and Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagle, and a family of wild boars. Our afternoon pelican feeding excursion was productive, as was our cruise with Captain Marian Schneider of Grande Tours. I strongly recommend a trip with Marian after a morning session at the rookery: http://www.grandetours.com/photography.htm. Please tell Marian that I sent you. <smile> On DAY 2, we actually had some photograph-able Roseate Spoonbills at Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel. It was the first good opportunity that I had at Ding in about five years. The water management policies (instituted about five years ago) that have “improved the eco-system” have pretty much ruined the photography at this site which was once the crown jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge system. You gotta love it. We photographed Cape Coral’s Burrowing Owls that afternoon; as they have not yet begun to nest and many of the nest sites are overgrown, it was hard to find some suitable subjects but we did just that late in the day.
On DAY 3 we returned to Sanibel because there was a morning high tide at Little Estero Lagoon. Ding Darling is closed on Fridays allegedly to protect the birds from being harassed by photographers; jeez, when I am there the few birds that are present just sit there tame as could be… Go figure. We did well at Blind Pass and then tried a new spot where we found a large mixed flock of terns and some good flight photography as well as some point-blank flat-on-the ground opportunities. (See photo below.) We saved the best for last when we visited the Fishing Pier where there were more than 2 dozen Snowy Egrets and several other species as well. I went under the pier with my cast net, caught some bait, and we all had a ball photographing the hungry egrets.
White Pelican and boat, Placida, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 600mm f/4L IS with 1.4X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering -2/3 stop: 1/3200 sec. at f/10.
While I normally strive to keep manmade objects out of my images, I could not resist the red, white, and blue of the boat.
Kudos via e-mail:
“Just wanted to let you know that I had a great time on the SW Florida IPT this week. Not only did I learn a lot, but I had a ton of fun as well! I'll never forget the Snowy Egrets at the Sanibel Pier fighting over the fish. That was a blast! As I go forth to do more bird photography, I'll keep in mind the lessons on sun angle and proper exposure. Thanks - you really opened my eyes. I hope to join you again soon on another IPT. I've attached a couple of photos from the last day. BTW, you were right about shooting the egrets against the green background - the pics turned out great. Have a great time in Antarctica, and I hope to see you again soon!” Best regards, Jeff Egilsrud
“ I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the SW Fla. post Xmas IPT. Photography has been a hobby of mine for over 50 years but realized during this trip how much here still was to learn. Your guidance and instructions were great, and I gained a new insight into photographing birds and using my equipment. I look forward to joining you again for another IPT in the future.” Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. Barry Leif
It was a privilege to have met you and learned from you, and better still, it was great fun. I feel that after three days with you, my photography has improved significantly. Please don't take the attached as a demonstration of my improvement! It was taken off sun angle and should only be viewed as a record shot of you doing what you enjoy! Have a great trip to Antarctica; I'm sure you will get some beautiful images. If you have the time before you go, please send me the document on changing to a healthy lifestyle, which you were talking about over dinner at the Mexican Restaurant the other evening. Thanks again for a very memorable experience. I look forward to meeting up with you again. All the best, Jonathan Ward
Arthur Morris (that’s me!) with cast net
Image courtesy of and copyright 2007: Alfred Forns
The image above—see all the bait in the net—led to the image below…
Snowy Egret with baitfish, Sanibel Fishing Pier, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 100-400mm IS L zoom lens handheld at 400mm and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering -1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. at f/10.
By luck, the eye of the egret and the eye of the fish were on the same plane at the instant of exposure. For bright whites against middle tone blues in full sun -1/3 is the ticket. See Exposure Simplified in ABP II: http://www.birdsasart.com/ABPII.htm
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SITE GUIDE UDPATE
I have updated the SW FLA Site Guide. On the Post X-mas IPT we found two totally new spots—one on Sanibel and one near the Venice Rookery, noted some changes at old spots, and found that there were few birds at one of my very favorite spots. Jennifer should be able to get the updates (free for as long as I am around…) sent via e-mail by mid-month at the latest. New purchasers will be sent the updated guide. If you purchased this Site Guide previously and do not receive it by January 20, please let Jennifer know via e-mail. And please be sure to let us know if you have a new e-mail address;
Robert Amoruso getting down and dirty, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Getting low with a big lens and a 2X TC as Robert has done above, can lead to images like the one below…
Royal Tern yawning, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 500mm f/4L IS with 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering -2/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/16 set manually.
We discovered a new spot on Sanibel where mixed flocks of terns can be found most days. I used my Ground Pod to get down low while keeping the sand off of my camera body and lens.
2007 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA POST X-MAS IPT ANNOUNCED
The 2007 Southwest Florida IPT will take place in its traditional time slot. The all important introductory slide program will be held at 7pm sharp on Wednesday December 26, 2007. Our 3-full days of photography will be December 27-29, Thursday through Saturday.
SW FLA Post X-mas IPT: DEC 27-29, 2007. Slide program on the evening Wednesday, DEC 26, 2006. 3-DAY: $1029. (Limit 12) Co-leaders: Alfred Forns, & Robert Amoruso. Sanibel Island, Venice Rookery, Cape Coral, and possibly Little Estero Lagoon (depending on the tides). Herons, egrets, gulls, terns, skimmers, shorebirds, both pelicans, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, and lots more. Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork possible.
Royal Tern landing, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 600mm f/4L IS with 1.4X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering off of a bird on the white sand: 1/2000 sec. at f/10 set manually.
When the sun is out and the scene is bright, the meter is smart. With the blue background it is likely that the exposure at the instant of exposure would have been -1/3 stop. See Exposure Simplified in ABP II: http://www.birdsasart.com/ABPII.htm
Sandwich Tern landing, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 500mm f/4L IS with 1.4X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering off of a bird on the white sand: 1/2000 sec. at f/11 set manually.
By tracking the birds as they made their final approach, it was possible to make images with pleasing green backgrounds. The four images above were created at a new location on Sanibel. You can learn about it in our SW Florida Site Guide Update: http://www.birdsasart.com/siteguides.htm#SW%20FLORIDA%20SITE%20GUIDE%20AVAILABLE
ISO CHOICE
AM: Hi Wilfred, it is good to hear from you.
re:
WS: It seems you are using ISO of 400 often, even when lower ISO choices would yield adequate speed and some fairly small aperture settings. I am thinking that maybe you like to looks of 400 better than the lower settings when using the 1Ds Mark ll. Is that correct?
AM: No. I see very little difference at all between ISO 400 and ISOs between 100 and 320. Perhaps that is because while I have a great eye for color, shape, and form I do not have a great eye for detail. In other words, I am sure that there are some folks out there who would disagree with me. It is, therefore, mostly a matter of convenience and habit: I do lots of photography late and early in the day and I love working in cloudy conditions, thus ISO 400 is often my conscious choice. Once I get to ISOs greater than 500, I begin to notice noise in the darker areas.
WS: Thanks for sharing such wonderful images via your Bulletins. Wilfred Smith
AM: Thanks for your kind words and for the excellent question. And best and love, artie
Glossy Ibis blast-off, Venice Rookery, South Venice, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens handheld at 115mm with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 1600.
Evaluative Metering +2 1/3rd stops: 1/5 sec. at f/2.8.
Knowing that the glossies often take flight en mass well before dawn I was ready with a high ISO and my fastest lens. Note that when the sun is not out, the meter is dumb. See Exposure Simplified in ABP II: http://www.birdsasart.com/ABPII.htm
GALAPAGOS 2007
Due to a cancellation, we have an opening for a female share on the long sold out July 18-28, 2007 Photo Cruise. The cost of this trip is $4499.00 per person based on double occupancy. For complete details, click here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn200.htm. If you are interested, please call Janie Bullard immediately at 888-419-6677 (best to leave a message stating your intent) or email her at Janie@Distinctive-Journeys.com. If you are seriously interested, do not waste a moment.
Willet (Western race) in flight, Blind Pass, Captiva, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 100-400mm IS L zoom lens handheld at 400mm with EOS-1D Mark IIN. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +1 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.
I recently purchased my fourth 100-400mm lens. Can’t live without it! (I sold the first three…)
DIGITAL BASICS DEC 2006 UPDATE
The DEC 2006 Digital Basics Update (free to all purchasers) will be sent during the first week of January. If you do not receive your update by 10 January 2007, please let us know via e-mail. And please let us know if you have a new e-mail address <smile> The latest update includes the following: Precise Cursors, the Magnetic Lasso Keyboard Shortcut, Making Color Selections, Using Color Range Selections to Remove a Color Cast, Using a Color Range Selection to Increase Density (& Detail) in Highlights, Using The Wondrous Opacity Slider, Rebuilding Clipped Wingtips, Getting Rid of That Branch, and Speed Freak which includes Keyboard Shortcuts and Editing in Breezebrowser (Improved).
Little Blue Heron with bug, Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
1/250 sec. at f/11 set manually after histogram check.
The morning glory blooms add interest to this image that was created on a white-sky morning.
ONE MORE READER’S TIP ON SPEED-EDITING IN BREEZEBROWSER
JW Hubbers e-mailed suggesting that using F6 “Only Select Tagged” images” was much faster than finding and clicking on one keeper and then hitting SHIFT+CTRL-S. I tried it. It works like a charm and it is faster. Thanks JW!
Common Loon, last breath… Little Estero Lagoon, Fort Myers Beach, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 1.4X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 500.
Evaluative Metering +1 stop: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6.
I scouted Little Estero before the IPT began and the first bird that I encountered was a Common Loon in great distress; it died right in front of me within ten minutes…
NYC SEMINAR
Amazingly, we have already registered 31 folks for this event. There is a great possibility that this event will sell out well in advance. We can comfortably entertain 125 folks…
The Art of Nature Photography; It Ain’t Just Birds!
Weekend How-To Seminar
Queens, New York (near JFK Airport)
August 18-19, 2007
The cost of the weekend seminar will be $169. The cost of either single day will be $99. Members of qualifying camera clubs are invited to apply a $10 discount. (If you are a member of a camera club or other photography organization please e-mail for details.) Register with a friend or spouse and take $10 off each registration. Register in groups of four or more and take $20 off of each registration. Get a group of ten photographers together and apply a $30 discount to each registration. (Please e-mail for group registration details.) It is highly recommend that folks purchase the buffet luncheon option ($15/day includes tip and tax) as there are no fast food restaurants nearby. Those purchasing the lunch option will receive their lunch coupon when they check in each morning.) The cost of the weekend seminar plus the two lunches is $199.
To register, send a check for the full amount made out to "Arthur Morris" to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855, call with a credit card: 863-692-0906, or send a Paypal (using either any link on our site or your Paypal account) to us at birdsasart@att.net In all cases, we will need your e-mail address, your mailing address, and your daytime and evening phone numbers. 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 May 17, 2007 and your fee will be refunded less a $20.00 cancellation fee; cancel by July 17, 2007 and your fee will be refunded less a $50.00 cancellation fee; cancel after July 17, 2007 and there will be no refund.
The doors will open on both days at 8 am and the programs will begin at 9 am sharp. There will be tons of great door prizes. I hope that you will be able to join me for what will be an incredibly educational and fun-filled weekend. (If anyone would like to help us set up or to simply hang out, be there at 7:00am.)
Shorebirds and baby mangroves on mud flat at dawn, Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering -2/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/25.
I stopped down here in an attempt to render the baby mangroves sharp from front to back. Remember: It Ain’t Just Birds!
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK ONE-DAY IN-THE FIELD WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED
On Saturday, February 24, 2007, I will be leading a rare east coast In-The-Field Workshop ($275 per person) at the fantastic Anhinga Trail. (Limit 12; openings 8). To register, please send a check (made out to Arthur Morris) for payment in full to us at Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Paypals and phone credit cards payment are OK. Please be sure to include all contact info including home, work and cell numbers and most importantly, your e-mail address.
This will be a rare opportunity for folks in the Miami area to spend a day in the field with me. Hope that you can join us.
Osprey, nest, and shooting star, Sanibel, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L zoom lens at 70mm on tripod/Mongoose combo with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +1 stop: 1/25 sec. at f/2.8.
IPT UPDATES
Antarctica, JAN 2007: (Sold out.)
San Diego IPT: FEB 3-6, 2007. 4-FULL DAYS: $1359. Introductory slide program on the evening of Thursday, FEB 2. (Limit 12, openings: 1.) LaJolla, 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; Sold out; wait list only.) 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.
Anhinga Trail In-The-Field Workshop: Saturday, February 24, 2007. $275. (Morning and afternoon photo sessions.) $275 per person (Limit 12; openings 8) Co-leaders Alfred Forns & Robert Amoruso. Join me for a rare east coast workshop at Everglades National Park. There will be tons of tame subjects and lots of great in-the-field instruction.
Fort DeSoto IPT: APR 13-15, 2007. Slide program on the evening of Thursday, APR 12. 3-DAY: $999 Limit 14: (Sold out; wait list only) Co-leaders: Robert O’Toole, Alfred Forns, Robert Amoruso, and Todd Gustafson. Courtship and breeding behaviors of Laughing Gull and Royal and Sandwich Terns. Herons, egrets (including both dark and light phase Reddish Egret), shorebirds (including Long-billed Curlew), gulls, terns, and skimmers among others.
Silver Salmon Creek: August 8-14, 2007. Coastal Brown Bears catching salmon, Horned Puffins, macro, scenics, and fishing (optional): $4999. (Limit 12: openings: 1; we need either a single female or a male, the latter most likely in a cabin) Three leaders, two TBA (plus me <smile>.
Bosque #1: "The Fall Color IPT" NOV 13-15, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 12. 3-DAY: $999. Limit 14. 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 18-20, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 17. 3-DAY: $999. Limit 14. Co-leader: Robert O'Toole & Alfred Forns. This IPT will feature increasing numbers of geese and cranes with lots of great opportunities. In 2007, I will again be hosting a Thanksgiving Day luncheon at Las Lunas Mansion, a fine restaurant in an historic building. You will need to reserve a spot and pay in advance. Details TBA; strictly limited to 50 folks.
Bosque #3: "The Post-Thanksgiving IPT" NOV 24-26, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 23. 3-DAY: $999. (Limit 14: 3 slots open) Assistant leaders: Robert O'Toole, Robert Amoruso, and Alfred Forns. This IPT is scheduled on dates that I consider peak for Bosque. (There may be a Full Moon Add-on NOV 23; details TBA. If you register for this one, hold off on buying your plane ticket if you might be interested in the add-on.) In 2007, I will again be hosting a Thanksgiving Day luncheon at Las Lunas Mansion, a fine restaurant in an historic building. You will need to reserve a spot and pay in advance. Details TBA; strictly limited to 50 folks.
Arthur Morris checking histogram, Sanibel Fishing Pier, Sanibel, FL
Image courtesy of and copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso
Technical data unavailable.
I just love this one. The spray of the wave and the bit of sunset pink in the water put this one way over the top. Thanks Robert!
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