THE BIRDS AS ART BLOG WAKE-UP CALL! 

A funny thing happened on the way to asking for help with titles of some of the images in my upcoming exhibit at Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida.   First, I ran an item in the blog asking for help naming a Red-eyed Tree Frog image that I created at Canopy Lodge in Panama.  I received one or two responses.  Next, I needed help naming a breeding plumage Great Egret image.  For this one, I sent the request to my entire address book on my laptop.  Within two days I had received more than 150 responses.  It would seem clear that the thousands of folks who enjoy reading the BIRDS AS ART Bulletins.  With the blog I am more easily able to deliver important information in a timely basis.  I am able to post new images and lessons more easily than I am via Bulletin.  And I have striven to make the blog entries more personal than the Bulletin features.  

Recent blog posts that you may have missed include: Mark IV and 7D AF Comments, Head Angle Lesson, Air Travel Update, Morton NWR, Noyac, NY, and Jetty Photography and Safety. 

We will soon begin offering discounts on selected mail order items only in the blog.  And I will post open invitations to IPT introductory slide programs only in the blog. If you have any ideas as to how I could make the blog better, please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net. 

You can be notified automatically of learning about new blog entries by subscribing to the RSS feed by clicking here: Entries (RSS)

THE SAN DIEGO IPT REPORT & KUDOS 

The San Diego IPT was pretty much perfect.  We had a great group of folks, amazingly perfect weather, ideal winds, overcast when we needed it, fabulous subjects that were most often extremely cooperative, and some great meals.  The group dynamics were excellent; the conversations at dinner were interesting and lively and long.  And as we packed our gear for the last time late on Sunday afternoon, it began to drizzle. 

Yannis Arvanitis and Ray Shapland had been with me on one of the 2006 Bosque IPTs.  Yannis--always a smile on his face--was as helpful as can be, quick to toss some scratch to the ducks or to lend a hand whenever needed.  Yannis pilots his own small plane.  Ray, a tool and die-maker, has a radiant smile and a distinctive British accent that delighted all. Bob Lewis had been to Panama with Linda Robbins and me last fall; he is a knowledgeable birder with a quick smile.  Joel Kocen and wife Jo Ann had been with me at Morro Bay a year ago.  As Jo Ann has been a Type 1 diabetic for 35 years we've always had lots to chat about.  Joel and Jo Ann are committed Jews who visit Israel often.  For the past ten years they taught youths at risk conversational English and have funded a humanitarian project involving more than a few of Joel's former students.  They were honored at a dinner in Jerusalem this month where they had a chance to visit with many of their young charges and learn of their successes.  The Kocens were in Jerusalem to attend a grandson's Bar Mitzvah at the Wall. 

Though she had worked with BAA Posse members Mr. Shadle and Mr. Neiger before, Becky Field, from Minnesota (her images are regularly published by Minnesota Audubon) was on an IPT for the first time as was Darcy Murphy San Diego local who joined us for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   David Neilson, also an IPT first-timer, has led a most interesting life.   His present career as world class gemologist followed his work as an ornithological researcher in Antarctica where he studied the two skuas and worked with many famed ornithologists at the Palmer Station.  

Todd Gustafson was along as co-leader.  His ability to compose the pleasing images in an instant and to create sharp images of birds in flight and in action left everyone in awe.  Though he is not as well known as many big-name wildlife photographers his work is as good as it gets--or better (and I do not say that lightly). 

Time after time I had the group in the right place at the right time, and even our mistakes proved to be beneficial: I was headed to my favorite scaup spot when Todd got a call on his cell phone from Yannis who was slightly lost.  Yannis mentioned some great birds so I abandoned my original plans and we wound up with two great bonus species: Redhead and Surf Scoter.  As I say often, "You gotta love it."  With the great success of this year's trip, it is almost a guarantee that I will be running a 5-DAY San Diego IPT next January.  Please e-mail me at birdsasart@att.net if you would like your name placed on the interested list.    

 

Redhead drake, Coronado, CA

Image copyright 2010/Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/160 sec. at f/9.  

 

Todd and I mentioned to the group often that for a straight portrait to succeed everything has to be perfect; this image is a good example of that:  The bird is in fine feather.  The sharpness and exposure are right on.  With the bird angled slightly toward me, the head-on-straight position provides the perfect head angle.  With the bird placed well back in the frame, the basic composition is fine.  The bird's head is nicely positioned in the reflection of the hull of a white boat immediately behind the subject.  And the brownish-red reflections along the left frame edge (the reflections from another boat) connect nicely with the coppery tones of the bird's head.

 

SAN DIEGO IPT KUDOS

 

From Yannis to the group:
 
Wow & whew!  Thanks again to everyone for making this IPT an outstanding, fun, exhilarating (and exhausting) 5 days for me!  Artie & Todd, you guys were great � thanks again for all your hard work and input.  I f anyone is interested, I have posted my little photo journal of the workshop on our website. (Mom already called this morning and wanted to know how the trip was :-) )  http://www.arvamont.com/photojournal/sandiegoipt/    If anyone else posts photos, I would love to see them too.  Best wishes to all of you.  Regards,  Yannis.

 

From Becky:

 

Yannis -  Thanks so much for sharing some great images, both of the birds and the pros!  It was a fabulous full 5 days!  I've got about 140 GB of memory to process, but it'll be easy to delete most of it.  I know I got some "killer" shots (as did everyone else) and will share a few when I can.  We're going to a wedding this weekend in D.C., but I'll send something off by mid-Feb.  Were we lucky with the weather??!!!!!  So great to meet everyone and work with the best of the best . . . Artie and Todd.  I feel extremely privileged and lucky, indeed.  Becky

 

 

Surf Scoter drake, Coronado, CA

Image copyright 2010/Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/8.  

 

My NEOS saved the day as we were standing in deep muck to to get light angle on this bonus species.  We set a record on this trip with three folks plus me using the relatively new Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens.

 

From Bob to the group:

 

Great time, and a delight to meet everyone.  Yannis, you are one speedy worker, getting all that up so quickly.  I think you got some spectacular shots, and should be very pleased!  I especially like the pairs of wood ducks!  My attempts at that shot seemed to be persistently frustrated, so I know it wasn�t easy.  I�ve posted a few I liked on my flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/boblewis - the latest ones in the photostream.  Todd, your photos were spectacular to see, and by all means don�t delete me from your mailing list!   Artie, thanks as always for all the commentary and advice, and for setting up these IPTs.  I know I am now a lot more aware of background, compensation, composition, sun angle, aching back, stiff neck ?    Thanks everyone, for making it a very enjoyable, exhausting 5 days.  Bob

From Bob to me:

 

Artie, thanks much for putting all this together.  It was fun, and I again learned a lot.  I especially liked the critique session, which really emphasized, for me, what makes a good photo or a really good photo... (maybe someday, a great photo!).  Yannis and I were both thinking that it would have been interesting and helpful to repeat that session on one of the last days with a few of everyone's images from the IPT, to reinforce the teachings regarding head angle, light, background, etc.  I appreciate your stream of comments during the shoots, re compensation, angle, preparing for an event, etc.  Most of the time, I am listening, and trying to incorporate what you're saying.  Some of the time, I tune out - down time needed!  But it all worked well.  Glad I brought mud boots, liked the fish restaurant, and happy the Jets pulled it out. And wow, thanks for having Todd as the co-instructor.  I was somewhat overwhelmed with his slide show.  Having just been in the Pantanal, admittedly on a birding, not photography trip, I got some nice images, but his were just spectacular.  And I liked his constant upbeat approach to things.  He, like you, is a special person.  Have a great time on Midway!   Regards, Bob

 

 

Bird of Paradise blossom, Coronado, CA

Image copyright 2010/Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/100 sec. at f/7.1.  

 

The background here was a chain link fence and the hull of a boat.  I got as tall as possible to keep the background uniform and used the depth-of-field preview button to make sure that I had not brought up the fence.   I love using my big glass as a macro lens.

 

From Joel to the group:

 

Dear All,  What a wonderful 5 days I had being in your company and getting to know such interesting people.  I have special thanks for Artie who suffers fools like me with such grace.  Each time I go on an IPT with him, I learn so much.  Apologies to Yannis for taking the exact same picture as I did of the wood duck face on.  We must have been at the same place at the same time.  I have had time to process only a few pictures which I will try to share as attachments.  Again, thanks  for putting up with the only true amateur in the group.  Deep regards,  Joel

 

BOK TOWER EXHIBIT

 

 

Above (Roseate Spoonbill) and below (Sandhill Crane) are the signature images for the Bok Tower Exhibit

 

 

BOK TOWER EXHIBIT

 

Canon USA/Explorers of Light is sponsoring a 34-print exhibit of my work entitled BIRDS AS ART: The Bird Photography or Arthur Morris at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales Florida.  The work of avian sculptor David Price will also be featured.  Folks who would like to attend the Slide Lecture are urged to register immediate by phone as seating is limited: 863-734-1221

 

Saturday, January 30, 2010

 

----------------------------------------------------

 

Reception and gallery Walk: 6-7pm

Morris Slide Lecture: 7:30-8:30pm

Book Signing: 8:30-9pm

 

Thanks to the exhibit sponsors: Canon USA, Andy Thornal Company, Lakeridge Winery, and Lake Wales Medical Center

 

The exhibit will be open daily at the Visitor Center from January 30 to April 1, 2010, 9am to 5pm.

 

For the address and Bok Tower info, click here: www.boktowergardens.org 

 

Seating for the Morris lecture is limited to 110 folks; pre-registration is required.  Please call 863-734-1221 to register. There are less than 40 slots left as of 1/20/10.

 

 

 

 

Wood Duck, Santee Lakes, CA

Image copyright 2010/Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/8.   

 

This bird was waiting on the deck of a shelter for a handout from a little girl feeding the coots so several of us were able to approach and create some tight head portaits.  The background here is the painted floor of the deck. 

 

AN E-MAIL FROM TOM WILBERDING

Note: It was Tom's e-mail that inspired me to put in the time and completely revise and overhaul Digital Basics late last year, so thanks Tom!  Here is a fairly recent e-mail from him:
 
Art, Thanks for consolidating and revising Digital Basics; the revision is a huge improvement and I now find DB quite helpful.  My Amazon rating gone up to 5 stars, A-One, Highly Recommended.  BTW, I helped my 89 year old parents fly from their summer home in Michigan to their winter home in Stuart, Florida last week. After getting them safely settled I drove to the west side of the state to check out Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Little Estero Lagoon, Cape Coral for burrowing owls, the Venice Rookery, and Fort DeSoto. I took lots of photos and had an absolute ball, terrific, thanks to your tips and suggestions in the Southwest Florida Site Guide. My BLUBB worked beautifully, although someone must be wondering how 16 lbs of Wal-Mart pinto beans got from Stuart to a Ft. DeSoto trash can!
 
Another spot that I enjoyed was the relatively unknown Harns Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres near Ft. Myers. I was told that it was a good spot for Limpkins and Snail Kite. I saw the former but had no luck with the latter until I was headed back to my car to leave when a Snail Kite flew right over my head; I was too flummoxed to do anything much less photograph it. This location can be hard to find unless you have a GPS. In that case just plug in this address: 3399 38th St. West, Lehigh Acres, FL and your GPS will take you right to it, just beyond about 500 new and recently foreclosed on duplexes.  This gem of a marsh is a real apple snail paradise.  Bulletin subscribers can learn more about the site here: http://www.zvents.com/lehigh-acres-fl/venues/show/1055688-harns-marsh-preserve.
 
I will post some of my Florida pictures on Bird Photographers Net as soon as I edit them so that I can get some constructive criticism. I have looked at the site and think it is great.  It inspires me to try harder and to improve. 
 
Thanks again for all that you do!  Tom Wilberding, Boulder, Colorado 

 

POSSE NEWS/ROBERT O'TOOLE

Bald Eagle landing silhouette, Homer, AK

Image copyright 2007/Robert O'Toole Photography

BALD EAGLE WORKSHOPS

If you missed out on Homer at its prime, Robert O'Toole's Bald Eagle workshops will bring back the magic.  You will have lots of great opportunities to photograph eagles both at close range and set against beautiful scennic backgrounds while working legally outside the Homer city limits.  Boat trips (tide & weather permitting) are included.  Robert relies on the help and services of knowledgeable locals as well as on his five years of experience leading and co-leading workshops at Homer.  He will put you in the right place at the right time to ensure the very best photographic opportunities possible. Back-up subjects include gulls (possibly including Slaty-Backed Gull), ducks, Northwestern Crow, moose, and others.  Limited to just 5 persons, these trips will allow for lots of one-on-one and small group instruction.  I would recommend acting quickly as these two workshops are likely to sell out quite quickly.

Bald Eagle Workshop 1: Feb. 20-23, 3.5 days: $1499 Limit 5, 2 openings.

Bald Eagle Workshop 2:  Feb. 25-28, 3.5 days: $1499 Limit 5, 4 openings.

Note from artie: Robert has spent a ton of time in Homer over the past half-decade and has developed several invaluable local contacts to ensure that your Homer experience will border on those of the good old days in Homer when eagle feeding on the spit was permitted and when Jean Keane was alive and feeding the birds.  In addition, Robert has really blossomed as an instructor.  He has a rare combination of creativity, artistic talent, technical knowledge--he has bailed me out of technological jams on many occasions, and Photoshop skills.

To learn more about Robert click here: http://www.robertotoolephotography.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=6318&Akey=8T5M8YEK.  You can contact Robert by e-mail at Robert@RobertOToolePhotography.com.

 

Bald Eagle in snow, Homer, AK

Image copyright 2009/Robert O'Toole Photography

 

 

Bald Eagle wheeling in flight, Homer, AK

Image copyright 2009/Robert O'Toole Photography

 

 

Arthur Morris and Bald Eagles, Homer, AK

Image copyright 2006/Robert O'Toole Photography

 

That's me above with the 300 f/4 and two of my friends.  Short focal length lenses are great in Homer.