BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN 152

Visit: www.birdsasart.com

LENS AND LAND RANCH VISITS

BETTER BEAMER UPDATES/NEW FX-3 FOR CANON 580 FLASH

BIRDS AS ART SITE GUIDES

DELKIN NP-E3 REPLACEMENT BATTERIES FOR CANON DIGITAL CAMERAS

DELKIN e-FILM ARCHIVAL GOLD CDs/WARNING: LaCie 500gb EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES

DELKIN eFILM PRO CARDS/NOTICE

THE POCKET GUIDE TO EVALUATIVE METERING...

DR. ELLEN RUDOLPH: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT THE PACKINGHOUSE GALLERY

IPT UPDATES

HUNTS SPECIALS

Northern Bobwhites (only four...) Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II. One Shot Central Sensor AF (and recompose). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/250 sec. at f/11. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

Getting a perfect head angle on two birds is tough, on three birds it is nearly impossible, and on four birds, your chances are not good...

LENS AND LAND RANCH VISITS

Last week, for the second time in less than a year, I flew to McAllen, TX (this time with a friend) to photograph on several Lens and Land (http://www.lensandland.com/) properties. Lens and Land ranchers open their lands to visiting photographers in an effort to generate income so that they are not forced to sell off of thousands of acres of prime wildlife habitat for farming or development. In many cases the ranchers have built permanent or semi-permanent blinds adjacent to water or feeding stations. Visiting photographers are free to improve the set-ups by moving existing perches or erecting new ones. (We all know the frustration of trying to photograph landbirds, game birds, or raptors at State Parks or National Wildlife Refuges...) At each of the ranches that I visited, I offered in-depth comments on the blinds and the set-ups. The ranchers were all eager to help. The Rio Grande Valley has long been noted as one of the premier birding spots in North America. Many of the Mexican specialty-species like Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Chachalaca, Audubon's Oriole, Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, and Inca Dove among others can be photographed on the various ranches. In addition, many-hard-to photograph species such as Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Phyrrhuloxia, Northern Cardinal, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, Common Ground-Dove, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crested Caracara, and Harris' Hawk are there for the picking... In addition there are enough flowers and spiders and butterflies and beetles and reptiles and amphibians enough to keep a macro photographer happy for a lifetime.

Plain Chachalaca, Martin Homestead Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/160 sec. at f/8 set manually. Fill flash with Better Beamer at -1 stop. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

There are lots of these big noisy birds right around the Martin's home. Audrey Martin clicked two stones together to get this guy in perfect position for a head portrait...

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I spent a morning at The Homestead, one of John and Audrey Martin's two ranches. (John and Audrey are the co-founders of the Valley Land Fund Contest and John is a NANPA Board Member.) His number one blind offered great chances on Common Ground Dove, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal, Lesser Goldfinch, Northern Mockingbird, Great Kiskadee, and Northern Mockingbird. I need to visit the Martin's Javelina Ranch to try and photograph Scaled Quail, and--you guessed it: javelina. El Tecolote, owned by Phil and Karen Hunke is an incredibly beautiful property that (in partnership with The Inn at Chachalaca Bend) produced the 2004 Valley Land Fund Contest winner in the person of Rolf Nussbaumer. On my one Friday night in Texas we had the pleasure of enjoying both a wonderful dinner cooked up by Karen Hunke and a great slide program by Rolf. At present, El Tecolote is ideal for folks who are adept at creating their own set-ups, but the Hunke's are in the process of having photographic blinds built in suitable locations. In late winter and spring, El Tecolote boasts many, many breeding pairs of Ferruginous Pygmy Owls.

Lowry McAllen and lovely wife Jessica (a Big Apple transplant!) were incredibly wonderful hosts and consistently went out their way to make us comfortable and to improve the already great photographic opportunities. Aside from jumping from the moving train in Germany last month, photographing from the afternoon blind at Las Colemenas was as exciting as anything that I have done in recent years. One great subject (or more often groups of subjects) after another would come down to the 60 year-old pond almost continuously beginning at about 4pm. Great Kiskadees were numerous, tame, and dependable. Turkeys practically overran us, and the bobwhites were not far behind. A beautiful Golden-fronted Woodpecker came in every 15 minutes as if on a schedule and male phyrrhuloxias were nearly as regular. And three to five totally tame Inca Doves visited each afternoon and posed in various spots on the main perch. There were zillions of dragonflies of several species and plenty of leopard frogs. Visiting photographers are invited to rest during midday hours in a cool, lovely ranch house on a hill overlooking the property. Derrick Hamrick placed second in the 2004 VLF Contest while photographing exclusively at Las Colmenas. Lastly, Lowry has been hard at work on a caracara feeding station/blind that should prove to be spectacular once the birds become acclimated.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker calling, Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Image copyright 2004 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/160 sec. at f/8 set manually. Fill flash with Better Beamer at -1 stop. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

I missed this guy fighting with the bobwhites but was glad to make this image of him squawking. Note that the central sensor was placed on the curve of his belly to best approximate focus on the same plane as his near-eye.

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I have yet to visit the Weaver Ranch or the Bentsen Ranch but am looking forward to doing so this spring. I have heard great things about both of them. You can arrange visits to any of the ranches mentioned above through the contact info on the Lens and Land web site (http://www.lensandland.com/). Another option for those wishing to visit the Las Colmenas Ranch is to contact Lowry McAllen directly as follows: at home by phone at 956-842-3341; via cell phone at 956-227-9549, or by e-mail at lowrymc@attglobal.net. Those wishing to make an extended Rio Grande Valley photo-visit should also consider the Harris' HawkCaracara-rich Cozad Ranch (which abuts Las Colmenas) in Linn, TX (http://www.cozadranch.com/) or see my comments here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn125.htm. An hour to the west is the extremely productive Ramirez Ranch in Roma. For my comments and contact info visit: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn75.htm or http://www.birdsasart.com/bn125.htm. (Bulletin 125 also has some images from the Martin ranches.) If you would like to experience some superb bird and wildlife photography, plan a visit to several of the Rio Grande Valley ranches at your earliest convenience. (Brian Small is at Roel Ramirez ranch as I type these words...)

Lowry McAllen at work, Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Image copyright 2004 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Lowry worked virtually non-stop to ensure a successful photo-visit. He even cleaned out the floating debris from a tiny morning pond in the dark with a fish net so that we would have clean backgrounds for any bathing birds.

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ps: Here, in the straightforward BAA style, are two culinary tips for those visiting any of the ranches around Edinburg, TX. For lunch, you must try Crucitas Kitchen (1701 W University Drive; 956-316-2175) with its incredible buffet. Walk in, grab a plate, and start eating great food. As much as you want, and all delicious. For dinner, visit the LaMexicana Restaurant, 4711 North 10th St, McAllen (956-994-1597). Order the botana (with extra sour cream and guacamole) with beef for at least one less person than you have in your party, for example, order a botana for three if there are four of you (and everyone is hungry)... Then thank me.

Mexican Milkweed in bloom, El Tecolote Ranch, TX

Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. Central Sensor/One Shot-AF. ISO 800. Evaluative metering at 0: 1/160 sec. at f/8. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

The 500 mm lens is a favorite of mine when photographing large flowers. For the most part, the biggest problem with most flower images are that they are made in harsh sunlight. This image was made just after the flower was shaded by a large tree as the sun was setting behind it...

BETTER BEAMER UPDATES/FX-3 FOR NEW CANON 580 FLASH

Item 1: The manufacturer has informed us that the first ever Better Beamer price increase will be effective after the first of the year. Order yours now (http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER) to avoid the price increase.

Item 2: The new Canon 580 flash has an odd-shaped head, so a brand new Better Beamer, the FX-3, is being produced from a newly designed mold as we speak. The FX-3 will be a perfect fit for the 580 flash. We are expecting to receive a limited number of FX-3s in early December and are now accepting orders on a first come, first served basis: $36 plus $4 shipping and handling. Our first batch is supposed to ship on or about December 1.

Common Ground-Dove, Martin Homestead Ranch, TX

Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 1.4X II TC and EOS 1D Mark II. AI Servo AF with Central sensor only. ISO 250. Evaluative metering at 0: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6. Fill flash with Better Beamer at -2 stops. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

The Martin's number one blind was crawling with this species which are extremely difficult to photograph in Florida... We were fortunate that our morning visit was a cloudy one.

BIRDS AS ART SITE GUIDES

The Fort De Soto/Sarasota Site Guide has been updated and is now available as a PDF file. A ton of new images as well as information on two great new locations and a post-hurricane update have been added. Folks who have ordered previously should have already received the update. If you have ordered, but did not receive your free update, please e-mail us at birdsasart@verizon.net. Do note that many e-mail servers routinely block e-mails with attachments.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the Bosque Site Guides are selling like the proverbial hotcakes. We are anxious to hear from those who have visited Bosque with a copy of our Bosque Guide in hand, so, if this is you, please e-mail us and describe your Bosque experience. Thank you. For info on the site guides, click here: http://www.birdsasart.com/siteguides.htm If you would like to join us for the Thanksgiving Buffet, see the details here: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn149.htm (Scroll down to Bosque Thanksgiving.)

Here is a Bosque Mini Lesson:

While you do not want it to rain 6 inches (or heavily) during the day, or for the wind to blow NW at 50mph in the mornings (remember, wind against sun is usually bad...), bad or at least unsettled weather at Bosque is what you want: it creates the dramatic sunrises and sunsets that make the place special. Clear weather days are a dime a dozen!

Great Kiskadee, Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only (by necessity) Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/11. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

We got some tight images of this species with bugs in their bills but whenever they caught a dragonfly or a frog they headed for the big mesquite tree, probably to protect the larger food item from piracy.

DELKIN NP-E3 REPLACEMENT BATTERIES FOR CANON DIGITAL CAMERAS

We are now offering a quality replacement battery that fits all of the Canon professional digital camera bodies (EOS 1D, 1D Mark II, 1Ds, and 1Ds Mark II) for the lowest price that I can find on the web ore anywhere else: $79.98 (See more on pricing and shipping below). These 2200 mAh batteries outperform the original batteries (1600 mAh) and cost $40 less. Beware of the latest "improved" Black Diamond batteries that sell for $29.99. Most have huge problems fitting into the camera battery compartments...

Here is our advice for the total number of batteries you need for a full day of photography:

EOS 1D and 1Ds: Normal shooting conditions: 3 per camera. Superb photographic conditions: 4 per camera. Add one or two batteries per day for extreme cold weather. (Hint: keep the batteries warm by storing them in your clothing close to your body.)

EOS 1D Mark II: Normal shooting conditions: 2 per camera. Superb photographic conditions: 3 per camera. Add one or two batteries per day for extreme cold weather. (Hint: keep the batteries warm by storing them in your clothing close to your body.)

EOS 1Ds Mark II: we have no experience here and welcome user comments on battery life with Canon's top of the line digital camera body (16+ megapixels).

Costs:

One battery: $79.98 plus $5.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $84.98

Two batteries: $164.96. Three batteries: $244.94 Four batteries: $324.92

Please e-mail us at birdsasart@verizon.net for overseas shipping charges.

For Florida Residents: One battery: $90.18. Two batteries: $175.36. Three batteries: $260.54. Four batteries: $345.72.

To order, you may use any Paypal link on the web site or (preferred) send a check made out to "Arthur Morris" to PO Box 7245/4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.

DELKIN e-FILM ARCHIVAL GOLD CDs/WARNING: LaCie 500gb EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES

From Delkin:

The World's Most Reliable CD.

Delkin, manufacturer of quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products, recently introduced the eFilm Archival Gold “300-Year” CD-R. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s incorporate patented Phthalocyanine (thalo-sy-a-neen) dye and a 24k gold reflective layer in every CD-R. The innovative materials found in eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s make them one of the most reliable storage medium available. Typically CD-R’s are known to deteriorate quickly due to ultra violet light, heat, and humidity. Using an accelerated aging process to test the longevity of CD-R media, eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s have been shown to safely store your images for more than 300 years.

“Consumers are now taking more pictures than ever with digital cameras,” explains Martin Wood, CEO of Delkin Devices, Inc. “Our research has indicated that the number one reason consumers take digital images is to preserve their precious memories. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s ensure that your precious memories are safe for years to come.” The patented Phthalocyanine dye is the most critical component of the CD-R because it is where your data is stored. Your CD burner creates pits in the dye layer when it burns a CD-R and your digital information is stored in these pits. The Phthalocyanine dye reacts quicker to the writing laser than dyes found in most CD-R’s on the market, thus making sharper pit edges and making your CD-R easier to read by CD drives. Compared to Cyanine and Azo dyes found in the majority of CD-R’s on the market, Phthalocyanine dye lasts significantly longer when subjected to the harmful effects of UV light, heat, and humidity. Gold is one of the most inert elements on earth and Delkin incorporates 20¢ of 24k gold into every eFilm Archival Gold disc. Gold’s inert characteristics prevent oxidation, a common cause of failure to most CD-Rs. Along with the Phthalocyanine dye and gold reflective layer, eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s provide the most extreme protection for your digital images from environmental degradation.

From BIRDS AS ART:

We are currently using three sets two LaCie External Hard drives. One set stays connected to our main office computer and the other two sets are rotated as back-ups. The set of two that are connected to our computer have performed perfectly since we purchased them about 9 months ago. The four back-up units, however, have failed repeatedly something like seven times. Either they fail to power up after being re-connected or the hard drive crashes. We just had one repaired and the drive crashed the first time that we began to copy files to it... While the smaller LaCie drives have a great reputation for durability and performance, the 500 gb drives are to be avoided at all costs. If anyone can shed any light on this unfortunate situation, please e-mail us at birdsasart@verizon.net.

That said, we have realized that it is now time to begin backing up our family jewels digital images on a safe, long-lasting medium. The new Delkin eFilm Archival Gold CDs are perfect for that task.

We have now added this great new product to our mail order line-up.

Costs:

10-PACK: $15.99 plus $4.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $19.99.

25-pack: $38.99 plus $5.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $43.99.

100-pack: $134.99 plus $8.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $142.99.

Please e-mail us at birdsasart@verizon.net for overseas shipping charges.

For Florida Residents:

10-PACK: $15.99 plus $4.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $21.03.

25-pack: $38.99 plus $5.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $46.59.

100-pack: $134.99 plus $8.00 shipping and handling via US Priority Mail/Signature Confirmation = $151.77.

To order, you may use any Paypal link on the web site or (preferred) send a check made out to "Arthur Morris" to PO Box 7245/4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.

DELKIN eFILM PRO CARDS/NOTICE

We are currently out of stock and back-ordered on all e-Film Pro Cards, the cards that I use and depend on every day. We are not expecting our next shipment (of 1gb and 2 gb cards) until mid-December. We shall advise you of availability by Bulletin.

THE POCKET GUIDE TO EVALUATIVE METERING...

Though we printed more than 2500 of these handy little guides, we now have less than forty left... We hope to be reprinting them soon with 10 histograms added... To order one of the few remaining copies, visit the home page at www.birdsasart.com and scroll down.

Lesser Goldfinch, male Martin Homestead Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/160 sec. at f/11. Fill flash with Better Beamer at -2 stops. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

These guys came in only briefly and were usually off in a heartbeat, but this individual actually sat till for about 15 seconds or so...

DR. ELLEN RUDOLPH: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT THE PACKINGHOUSE GALLERY

Dr. Ellen Rudolph will present a two day Digital Photography Workshop at the Packinghouse Gallery (www.packinghousegallery.com) in Largo, FL: February 19 & 20, 2005

This two day workshop will be an exciting time of learning from a very gifted and experienced teacher and photographer. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, digital cameras in the field, precautions & media backups, digital vs film shooting- some differences, digital media- not all are made equal, digital accessories that are useful- some that aren’t, carrying your digital gear, the digital desktop, the digital workflow, group review of each day’s digital images, philosophizing about digital imaging and stretching the standard photographic image into graphical art, use of the web to show your work. Includes classroom instruction and visual presentations from 9:00am till 3:30pm on Sat Feb. 19th followed by an afternoon field shoot. Sunday, Feb. 20th, will begin with a sunrise field shoot, followed by classroom instruction with visual presentations concluding at 4 P.M.. Cost for the two day workshop (including lunch both days) is $195/per person with registration through The Packinghouse Gallery (www.packinghousegallery.com) . To learn more about Dr. Ellen, click here:

http://www.packinghousegallery.com/html%20pages/erudolph.html

Wild Turkey, hen. Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 1.4X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only. ISO 250. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 set manually. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

When we saw a flock of these huge birds getting ready to come down for a drink we about had a cow!

IPT UPDATES

All three Bosque Del Apache NWR, NM 2004 IPTs (Sold out)

The SW Florida IPTs Post X-mas: DEC 28-30, 2004 3-DAY: $869 (Sold Out) PRESIDENT'S HOLIDAY: FEB 18-22, 2005, 5-DAY: $1399 w/Ellen Anon co-leading (Sold out with one participant joining us from Finland!)

The San Diego IPT : January 6-9, 2005, 4-DAY: $1299 (Sold Out)

Homer, AK, Bald Eagle IPT w/co-leader Greg Downing FEB 4-8 (Sold out)& 9-13 (Sold out), 2005. 5-DAY: $1599.

Lake Martin, La, Nesting Spoonbill IPT 3 -DAY: $899 MAR 19-21, 2005 (Sold Out) May 13-15, 2005 (3 Openings)

Fort DeSoto/Sarasota IPT: April 1-3 3-DAY: $869 (3 Openings). Join me at my new favorite bird photography hot spot!

St. Augustine Alligator Farm IPT April 28 (aft) thru May 1, 2005. 3 1/2-DAYS: $1049 (Limit 12, 8 openings)

Register early! You snooze, you lose!

Nome, Alaska IPT June 10-20, 2006: (Please note the year: 2006 is not a typo!) Sold Out, but please contact me if you are interested in joining us as part of a second group being led by Greg Downing. We will be sharing our talents on this trip and sharing nest sites and other info via GPS. In addition, we will be holding joint critiquing and Photoshop sessions. Long lenses are a necessity.

Antarctica/South Georgia/Falkland Islands Zegrahms Cruise with Arthur Morris and Greg Downing: January 2007. Please e-mail birdsasart@verizon.net for details.

For general IPT info, deposit and registration details, and cancellation policies, please visit: http://www.birdsasart.com/tours.html

If you would like your name placed on a waiting list for one or more trips, please e-mail, indicate the trip or trips that you are interested in, and be sure to include both day and evening phone numbers. We often have late cancellations...

Wild Turkey, feather close-up. Las Colmenas Ranch, TX

Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS lens with EOS 1D Mark II and 2X II TC. AI Servo AF with Central Sensor only. ISO 250. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/11 set manually. Gitzo 1325 CF tripod with Wimberley Head.

Once the turkeys got used to us moving around a bit in the blind, they were fearless...

HUNT'S SPECIALS

100 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176

www.huntsphotoandvideo.com

Contact: Gary Farber Tel#800-221-1830 ext. 2332, Fax#800-336-3841

Email: FilmGuyGary@aol.com

BIRDS AS ART SUBSCRIBERS SPECIALS as November, 2004

Canon 20D (currently in stock) “Call” for Birds as Art subscribers’ pricing

Canon Mark II (currently in stock) "Call” for Birds as Art subscribers’ pricing

Canon Mark II IDS (Taking orders; scheduled to ship soon)

Canon 580 Flash (currently in stock) “Call” for Birds as Art subscribers’ pricing

BGE2 Canon Battery Grip (currently in stock): $ 169.99

Ask about Canon long lenses: 300, 400, 500, 600 and other Canon lenses

Gitzo 1325 (currently in stock): $ 489.99 Gitzo 1548 (currently in stock): $ 679.99

LowePro Road Runner AW: $ 369.99 Photo CS Upgrade: $ 149.99

Photo Shop Elements 3 (currently in stock) PC: $99.99

Photo Shop Elements 3 (currently in stock) Mac: $89.99

Epson 4000 Printer (currently in stock): $1729.99

Epson 4000 Pro (currently in stock): $2199.99

Best and love and great picture-making to all,
Artie