August 23rd, 2014

BIRDS AS ART NOTES 8/23/2014


semipalmated-plover-fresh-juvenal-plumage-_y7o5785-east-pond-jamaica-bay-wr-queens-ny

This image was created this morning, 8/23/2104, at 8:49am in cloudy very bright conditions with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops as framed: 1/500 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.

Central Sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo-Expand/Rear Focus AF on the birds lowest part of the neck band was active at the moment of exposure. When you add the 2X TC to an f/4 lens with the 1DX or the 5D III hit the MFn button once to toggle to AF Expand and enjoy 4 extra AF sensors. Learn everything there is to know about the 1D X and 5D III AF systems including how to manage the various AF Area Selection Modes, when to use which one, and several ways to move the AF sensor around in the 1D X AF Guide and the 5D Mark III User’s Guide. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. .

Image #1: Exceptionally fresh juvenile Semipalmated Plover

Last Chance to Join Me at JBWR Tomorrow

The mud is clean. There are no Mute Swan feathers. There are lots of shorebirds, more than I have seen at the refuge in a decade. With many juveniles, even the adults are silly tame. The weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow morning. I can show you when, where, and how. Conditions have not been this perfect since I can’t remember when. I created 674 images and kept 92–shorebirds never stop moving. I got very good to excellent images of adult and juvie Semipalmated Sandpiper, juvie leasts like this one, juvenile Semipamated Plover, molting adult Stilt Sandpiper, and juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher.

From Greg Gulbransen via e-mail:

Hey I had a really really great time. Fascinating and productive!. Sign me up for tomorrow; I will likely be there a few minutes late. Greg

JBWR Short-Notice Shorebird Photography and ID In-the-Field Morning Workshop Session

Sunday August 24: sunrise till 10am followed by brunch and image review at a local diner: $299. Limit 6/Openings 3.

Join me at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, NY this coming Sunday a morning of shorebird photography in the mud. You will learn to age and identify the common shorebirds that we will encounter. You will learn the best times, tides, and locations to visit for the very best shorebird photography on the east coast and why only a very few days each year offer the best chances for success. I will teach you how to get close; we will either be sitting in or lying on the hard mud. This morning session offers you a chance to learn from someone who has spent more time studying and photographing the shorebirds of JBWR than anyone alive. Join me and you are invited to pick my brain; as is usual, I will share everything that I know. Some folks may wish to join me for a JBWR/Nickerson Beach double header. See below for Nickerson Beach details.

If you would like to join us on Sunday, please call my cell at 863-221-2372 and leave a message if I do not pick up. In addition please shoot me an e-mail with a call-back #. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and bring a hard copy with you.

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