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BIRDS AS ART NOTES
DECEMBER 13, 2010

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245  4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.  Telephone: 863-692-0906.  Computer fax: 877- 265-6955
 
Visit: www.BIRDSASART.com
 
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FEATURES: 
SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS EXPEDITION INFO
SHOPPER'S GUIDE
IPT UPDATES 
 
PLEASE: If you are responding to a Bulletin via e-mail please take the time to delete all irrelevant text and images.  Thanks.
 
   
 
King Penguins Colony with one Oakum Boy, Gold Bay, South Georgia
Image copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 100-400mm IS L lens handheld at 150mm with EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/160 sec. at f/16.  
 
The keys to the success of this image are the clean lower edge and the relatively clean upper edge. Images where the birds along the lower edge are cut in half do not work unless you are creating a pure pattern. 
 
SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS EXPEDITION INFO
 
I recently got the heads-up on a killer South Georgia/Falklands Expedition that will run October 18 to November 11, 2012.  It seems a long way off but if you want a seat on this ride you will need to act soon.   So far eight BIRDS AS ART folks (including two couples, my pal George Brunt (eggs-ZACT-lee!), and Paul Mckenzie, an extremely skilled globe-trotting young photographer, are already on board with an equal number threatening to join us very soon.  Paul's web site and his blog are both amazing.  Check out his two latest blog posts and you will agree 100%: the guy is talented!
 
After I returned from my Falklands/South Georgia/Antarctica trip a few years back I knew that I had to return to the Southern Oceans, but not with Zegrahm's who had most generously had me along; we just had too little time ashore on that trip.  Here's what I wrote in the Antarctica Site Guide soon afterwards:
 
"By signing up with one of the few photography-only cruises, you will get a lot more bang for you buck. My understanding is that there are two companies that run trips that allow for far more photography time ashore."  I am currently working with the one of those two companies; they offer as much or more time onshore than any other tour company that regularly travels to the Southern Oceans.  And they are very well respected. 

I am already registered for the trip: October 18 to November 11, 2012 (including the travel days).  Many folks who have been to the continent quickly realize that when it comes to wildlife photography, South Georgia is the crown jewel of the Southern Ocean.  This trip offer 10-11 days of photography at various South Georgia locations and three additional and equally spectacular days in the Falklands on the way home.   On my Zegrahm's trip we had but a single day on the Falklands; the photography there was so amazing that if I had not hitched a ride down the hill from the spectacular cormorant colony in the afternoon with a farmer the ship would have left without me. 

I will not be an official leader on this trip but those of you who have traveled with me know that I cannot help but teach.  I will be available on the boat to review images and answer questions and all who sign up as a result of reading this note are invited to tag along with me on the landings.  In addition my friends Tom Murphy and Rod and Marlene Plank will be along as photography leaders.  Rod's images inspired me early on and Tom and wife Bonnie offered guidance when I was just getting started in the tour business.  It is obvious to me that the folks running this trip have an obvious passion for photography, for their business, and for their clients needs; they remind me a great deal of BIRDS AS ART, just on a larger scale.    
 
When I read through the entire itinerary for the first time the excitement for me was palpable; I practically had a cow!  If you can read the whole thing and not dream of making this trip you have me beat by miles.  One of the great things about this trip is the timing; we will be early enough in the season that the fur seals will not be established in their rookeries.  This will allow us safe access to more than a few locations that are inaccessible from December through February. 

It is a far less expensive trip than the expeditions that travel to the continent, it packs far more photographic punch for your dollar than the  longer trips that include time on the Antarctic Peninsula, and the wildlife and photography opps will be beyond mind boggling.  I cannot even imagine getting the chance to photograph four different species of nesting albatross on a single trip.  Not to mention Rockhopper and Macaroni Penguins and more King Penguins than you could ever imagine.  If you are seriously interested in this trip feel free to call me with any questions at 863-692-2806 or email at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net for details.  I am good to go.  And I hope that you can join me.   
 
 
King Penguin, feather detail, Gold Bay, South Georgia
Image Copyright 2007:  Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/16. 

When folks ask me why I brought the 500 to the Southern Oceans when the birds are so tame I will show them images like this.  When working near minimum focusing distance it is important to use a small aperture as depth-of-field at the wide open aperture is measured in mere fractions of an inch.
 
 
Gentoo Penguin, Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Image Copyright 2007:  Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 250.
Evaluative Metering -1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/10. 

When working (by necessity as we were here) in bright sun, it is imperative to work right down sun angle to ensure that the subject is evenly lit and that dark shadows are avoided. 
 
 
Elephant Seal, King Penguin, Grytviken, South Georgia
Image Copyright 2007:  Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 100-400mm IS L lens (hand held at 160mm) with the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/200 sec. at f/4.  

The 100-400 served me well on my trip to the Southern Oceans.  It has been replaced by the the new Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS II (with both teleconverters).
 
  
 

Southern Elephant Seals and King Penguins, Gold Bay, South Georgia

Image Copyright 2007:  Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

Canon 16-35mm zoom lens with EOS-1Ds Mark II.  ISO 400.

1/125 sec. at f/3.2 set manually after histogram check.   

 

I regretted having left the 15mm fish eye lens on my bunk when I got out of the Zodiac and saw this huge pile of elephant seals.  I borrowed a 16-35 zoom and came up with this one.

 

 

Rockhopper Penguin, Sea Lion Island, Falklands

Image Copyright 2007:  Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

 

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

Evaluative Metering -1: 1/640 sec. at f/11.  

 

To make this image I shortened the legs of my tripod and sat in the mud, muck, and guano.  Most of the birds were sitting relatively still, but almost every time that I saw one with a relatively clean bill and sat down, the bird would waddle off ruining either the sun-angle or the background…  I was glad to come up with this one.  I did remove lots of gunk from the bill using the Clone Stamp and Patch Tool techniques detailed in detail in Digital Basics (along with our complete digital workflow and dozens and dozens of great Photoshop tips).


 SHOPPER'S GUIDE 
 
Here is the gear (or its current equivalent) that I used to create the images above. 
 
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 IS L II zoom lens  (A top notch wide angle zoom)
Canon 100-400mm IS L lens   (A sharp, versatile intermediate zoom lens)
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens (My #1 super telephoto lens for about six years)
Canon 2X II Teleconverter   (Learn to use this with your super-teles and your skill level will skyrocket)
 
And from the BAA On-line Store: 
 
Gitzo 3530 LS Tripod  (Sturdy and light and will last you a lifetime.)
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head  (I use it every day with my 800mm.)
Wimberley V2 Tripod Head (I used one as my everyday tripod head for more than a decade.)
Double Bubble Spirit Level   (Make your life easy by getting it right in the field; just a glance and you are square to the world.)
 
If you are considering the purchase of a major piece of photographic gear be it a new camera, a long lens, a tripod or a head, or some accessories be sure to check out our complete Shopper's Guide.  You will learn to find the lowest prices, comparison shop, and help us to keep offering tons of great free info and images. 
 
IPT UPDATES
 
SAN DIEGO IPT: JAN 19-23, 2011.  Slide program on the evening of JAN 18.   5 Full Days: $2399 (Limit 8/sold Out).  Co-leaders Tim Grey and Todd Gustafson.   Brown Pelicans in spectacular breeding plumage with their bright red bill pouches, Wood and Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Western, California, and Heerman's Gulls, Marbled Godwit, and lots, lots more.  Please see terms and deposit info below.  
 
SW FLA IPT: FEB  9-14, 2011.  Slide program on the evening of FEB 8. 6 Full Days: 2899.  (Limit 10/openings 2).  Escape winter's icy grip to enjoy a wide array of Florida's tame birds: herons, egrets, Wood Stork, shorebirds, gulls, terns, skimmers, raptors, and more.  Please see terms and deposit info below. 
 
BOSQUE del APACHE 2011 IPT: "The Complete Bosque Experience." NOV 19-25, 2011.  Slide program on the evening of Friday, NOV 18.  7-FULL DAYS:  $3299.  (Non-refundable deposit: $500; see details below.) Limit: 10/Openings: 8. Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole & Jim Heupel.  Geese, cranes, ducks, sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs.  Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world's premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet.  Plus great co-leaders and top-notch Photoshop instruction. Please see terms and deposit info immediately below. 
 
Terms and deposit info:  
 
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to hold a spot on the above IPTs. Deposits may be paid by check, PayPal, or credit card.  Payment in full (by check or money order only) is due five months before the start of each trip and is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out.  You will be required to sign a statement of understanding to this effect. Travel insurance is of course highly recommended.  Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options.  Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options is Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to an infinite list from a sudden work or family obligation to a simple change of mind.  My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel.  You can learn more here.   Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card.  Travel insurance protects you against unexpected developments, injuries, or illnesses.  We regret that we must implement this policy but we have been plagued by last minute cancellations that make it impossible for others to participate and deprive us of essential income.  Please consider your schedule and your work and family obligations carefully before plunking down your deposit.  
 
Important note: please print, fill out, and sign the registration and release forms and include them with your deposit check (made out to "Arthur Morris." )  If you use a credit card to register, please fill out, sign, and mail the forms asap.  Your registration will not be complete until we receive your paper work.  You can find the forms here.    
 
GREECE/DALMATIAN PELICAN EXPLORATORY IPT.  FEB 27-MAR 5, 2011. 6 1/2+ Full Days of Photography: $2499.  (Limit: 6/openings 1). Co-leaders: Arthur Morris, Robert O'Toole, and Yannis Arvanitis as our bi-lingual guide.  Payment in full is due immediately.  Please call to hold a spot pending the arrival of your check made out to "Arthur Morris."  Europeans please e-mail for wire transfer details.  No discounts.  For images and complete information click here.  If you would like additional info on Lake Kerkini please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and request same. 
 
HOMER BALD EAGLE IPTs WITH ROBERT O'TOOLE, MARCH 2011: (All three sold out.)
 

GALAPAGOS 2011 PHOTO-CRUISE OF A LIFETIME IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience: July 3-20, 2011 (July 5-19, 2011 on the boat): 13 1/2 days of photography plus a last morning panga ride: $12, 499. (Limit 11/sold out.) 

If you would like your name placed on the seriously interested list for the SUMMER 2012 trip, please e-mail me at birdsasart@att.net. 

 
Best and great picture-making, 
 
artie 
 
Note: Arthur Morris has been a paid Canon contract photographer, part of the Explorers of Light program, since 1996 and continues in that role today.  Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BAA sponsor as is Delkin Devices.