BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #385

FEATURES

• SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS OCT 2012 TRIP OPENINGS
• NEW PHOTO CONTEST SPONSOR: SITO HD
• THE BLOG IS THE BOMB!
• POSSE NEWS: JIM NEIGER
• POSSE NEWS: TODD GUSTAFSON
• WANTED…. FOUR BALD EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHERS/LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT INCREASED!

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This tight image of the feather detail on the neck of a King Penguin was created on South Georgia with the Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the 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 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. I hope to have the new Canon 500mm f/4L IS II for my Antarctica/South Georgia/Falklands trip coming up at the very end of this year; the 500 and 600mm Version II super-telephotos are supposed to be available in December, 2011 :).

SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS OCT 2012 TRIP OPENINGS

Eight months ago I got the heads-up on a killer South Georgia/Falklands Expedition that will run October 18 to November 11, 2012. Within two weeks the trip was sold out. At present, 21 wonderful BIRDS AS ART folks are scheduled to be on board. I learned yesterday that because of two cancellations that as of this moment there are two openings on this amazing trip. 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; each offers as much or more time on shore than any other tour company that regularly travels to the Southern Oceans. And both are very well respected.

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This is the view from the top of the big hill/small mountain at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia. The image was created after retrieving my brand new for the trip zoom lens that had rolled into the colony: Canon 24-105mm IS L zoom lens handheld at 28mm with the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/125 sec. at f/22. Image Stabilization let me use a relatively slow shutter speed so that I could have lots of depth of field. Was the image worth my exhausting climb? I will let you be the judge. I do know that I cannot wait to get back up there. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it.

I have long been 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. And I will be doing a program or two as well. 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 a great 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.

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This image was made on Sea Lion Island in the Falklands with the Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the 2X II TC and EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/16.

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 e-mail for details. Because these two openings will likely only a very few minutes, a call would be best.

NEW PHOTO CONTEST SPONSOR: SITO HD

BIRDS AS ART is excited to announce that the prize pool for the BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Contest, already valued in excess of $20,000, just grew by an additional $3,000. Have you been thinking of building a web site? SITO HD makes it easy for you to design your own for only $247 (180 euros) for two full years. Each category winner will receive a free Sito HD Version Gold.

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Baby in the Bath. This image was created at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY, with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. Central Sensor (out of necessity)/Rear Focus AI Servo AF and re-compose: I focused on the eye of the juvenile American Oystercatcher and then moved the lens up and to the left to create a pleasing composition. If you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial, you can access it here. Lens/TC/Camera Body Micro-Adjustment: 0. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it.

THE BLOG IS THE BOMB!

I continue to put in 20+ hours a week towards making the blog informative, timely, and beautiful. Many of the educational features that formerly appeared in BAA Bulletins now grace the BAA Blog. If you have a problem subscribing, please contact us via e-mail. If you are not subscribed, you are missing a ton of great stuff almost daily. You can subscribe to the blog posts by clicking here. Below are links to recent posts of interest.

You can learn lots about creating silhouettes here.

See what I did when I found myself in A Storm of Tree Swallows at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY.

Learn about Denise Ippolito’s Improved Protect and Defend Cloning and request the free tutorial here.

Read a touching series of e-mails and comments in Life and Bird Photography Intertwined.

Whaddya you think of the image here?

If you’d like to join us for brunch at the Albuquerque Crowne Plaza click here for details. And bring your appetite; they food was both great and plentiful last year.

Learn how I make my JPEGs look great at 200kbs in Preparing JPEGs for the Web and More Photoshop Tips.

POSSE NEWS/JIM NEIGER

Flight School Photography’s 5th Annual – Flight School Goes to Bosque Workshop – November 2011

With thousands of migratory birds in flight daily at Bosque Del Apache, what better site for Flight School Photography workshops? Previous year’s workshops were a huge success, so once again, Flight School Photography returns to Bosque. We are anticipating improved conditions and even more outstanding photographic opportunities than last year. Flight School Photography will be featuring two workshops in November, 2011. Each will be led by expert bird photographer, Jim Neiger who has perfected techniques for photographing birds in flight using large telephoto lenses, hand held. The focus of these workshops will be learning and practicing Jim’s hand held, long lens techniques for photographing birds in flight and in action.

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Landing Sandhill Crane, Bosque Del Apache NWR, NM. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography. Click to see a larger version.

The workshops will be held before the Festival of the Cranes and Thanksgiving. They will offer spectacular fall color that offers beautiful backgrounds for your photos and adds majesty to the already spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Going early also means there will be fewer photographers. Each workshop will include 3 hours of classroom instruction on the first morning followed by a welcome lunch and an afternoon photography session. The two remaining days include morning and afternoon photography sessions each lasting three to four hours. The workshops are limited to 6 participants.

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Northern Harrier, Bosque Del Apache NWR, NM. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography. Click to see a larger version.

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located in Socorro County, New Mexico along the Rio Grande. A series of canals from the river carry water to various areas of the refuge. These waters are then managed to create numerous shallow ponds and pools. In addition, corn, alfalfa and other crops are grown in the nearby fields, and every year, the farmers leave some of the crops to feed the thousands of migratory birds that flock there. The water, food and shelter create a haven for the thousands of birds that call Bosque del Apache home during the fall and winter. Yearly visitors include Sandhill Cranes, many species of geese and ducks, bald eagles, hawks, and wading birds. In addition, Bosque is home to 377 species of birds throughout the year, so anything is possible.

The thousands of Sandhill Cranes, ducks and geese in flight provide spectacular opportunities for awesome flight images using Jim’s techniques. Jim is known for his consistent production of amazing flight images. A Flight School Photography Workshop is a must for all serious nature photographers.

Bosque Del Apache, NWR Sample Image Gallery

Workshop BOS-1: November 11, 2011 thru November 13, 2011: $999. (Only 1 spot left)
Workshop BOS-2: November 15, 2011 thru November 17, 2011: $999. (Only 2 spots left)

A $499 non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining $500 is due 15 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. You can contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Visit Jim’s web site: Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography’s – Fly South with the Birds Workshops 2012

Ah… Winter in Florida! Enjoy warm temperatures, dry sunny days, and an abundance of birds that make Florida their home for the winter. It’s the perfect winter setting for birds and photographers.

Flight School Photography is pleased to announce the fifth year of Fly South with the Birds & Winter Weekends winter workshops in central Florida. Your instructor and guide, Jim Neiger, is intimately familiar with this region and its avian subjects; and he knows the hotspots like no one else. He is the author of the Central Florida Site Guide and several articles about the birds of central Florida. Jim is also well known for his awesome images of birds in flight obtained by using his own techniques for hand-holding long telephoto lenses.

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Snail Kite Courtship Flight Dive with Snail, Osceola County, Florida. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography. Click to see a larger version.

Each of the Fly South with the Birds winter workshops will include eight 3 to 4 hour photo sessions: Four photo sessions via boat and four photo sessions on land. A variety of habitats will be visited, where you will photograph many different species of birds. The list of possible subjects is too long to include here. Commonly seen subjects include: Snail Kite, Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Red Shoulder Hawk, Crested Caracara, Osprey, Whooping Crane, numerous wading birds, song birds, woodpeckers, ducks, etc.

The 5 day Winter Workshops will begin with an afternoon classroom session, where you will learn techniques for hand-holding long telephoto lenses to photograph birds in flight. You will also learn how to safely use recorded bird songs to increase your photographic opportunities. This will be followed by 4 full days in the field. The group will explore remote and highly productive areas of central Florida and visit a variety of habitats. The boat sessions will give us access to some of the most difficult and desirable subjects, such as the Snail Kite, the rarest raptor in North America. Refreshments will be provided during all sessions.

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Flying Barred Owl Up Close, Osceola County, Florida. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography. Click to see a larger version.

Jim’s pontoon boat was purchased and customized specifically for use during photography workshops. It is roomy, comfortable, and stable. The boat is equipped with an extremely quiet, four-stroke motor for silent cruising. It also has a powerful, silent, electric trolling motor with wireless remote control. This allows Jim to position the boat precisely and silently. The boat can be configured with no top, a half canopy to provide shelter from sun and rain, or with a half enclosure that can completely protect participants from the elements. The boat has capacity for twelve people, but Jim limits the number of participants to only 5 so that everyone has room to relax and photograph in comfort. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity.

Flight School Photography Fly South with the Birds & Winter Weekends Sample Image Gallery

Workshop FSB-1: January 26, 2012 thru January 30, 2012: $1500. (Limit 5 participants)
Workshop FSB-2: November 15, 2011 thru November 17, 2012: $1500. (Limit 5 participants)

A $750 non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining $750 is due 15 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. You can contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Visit Jim’s web site: Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography’s – Winter Weekends Workshops 2012

Sometimes you just got to get away. Flight School Photography’s Winter Weekends Workshops are the ideal way to get away from the cold and snow and relax in sunny Florida while photographing an amazing variety of fantastic birds. The Winter Weekends Workshops are a shortened version of the Fly South with the Birds Workshops listed above. They are perfect for folks that can’t get away for a full 5 days and they are scheduled over weekends so you don’t need to take time off work to attend. If you can’t make it for the full weekend, you can sign up for any portion of the workshop that fits your schedule (contact Jim for details). Please see the Flight School website and the Fly South with the Birds Workshop details above for more information.

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Head On Tree Swallow in Flight, Osceola County, Florida. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography Click to see a larger version.

The three day Winter Workshops will begin with a Friday afternoon classroom session, where you will learn techniques for hand-holding long telephoto lenses to photograph birds in flight. This will be followed by 2 full days in the field by boat and on land. The group will explore remote and highly productive areas of central Florida and visit a variety of habitats. The boat sessions will give us access to some of the most difficult and desirable subjects, such as the Snail Kite, the rarest raptor in North America. Refreshments will be provided during all sessions.

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Bald Eagle Landing at Nest with fish for chick, Osceola County, Florida. Image copyright © 2011: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography. Click to see a larger version.

Flight School Photography Fly South with the Birds & Winter Weekends Sample Image Gallery

Workshop WW-1: January 13, 2012 thru January 15, 2012: $850. (Limit 5 participants)
Workshop WW-2: January 20, 2012 thru January 22, 2012: $850. (Limit 5 participants)
Workshop WW-3: February 3, 2012 thru February 5, 2012: $850. (Limit 5 participants)

A $425 non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining $425 is due 15 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. You can contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Visit Jim’s web site: Flight School Photography

POSSE NEWS: TODD GUSTAFSON

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Diadem Sifaka Lemur, Mantadia, Madagascar, Image Copyright 2012: Todd Gustafson/Gustafson Photo Safari

Madagascar/In Country: April 30, 2012. Returning: May 13. $7,995.00 double occupancy

Join Gustafson Photo Safari as they travel to Madagascar for our third adventure to “The Eighth Continent.” Its unique habitats support plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals that are found nowhere else. I love photographing lemurs and we hope to see at least 20 species! Each one has its own unique, riveting eye color. We will also photograph a wide variety of endemic chameleons of all sizes and colors. (Try to capture the moment when the chameleon’s tongue shoots out to snare its dinner!)

Hiking the trails through national parks is the best way to see and photograph the natural beauty of Madagascar. We will encounter a wide variety of amazing subjects on our custom itinerary that includes some of our favorite locations as well as 2 new spots that will offer even more species. Each site has been chosen for dramatic indigenous species and easy accessibility. Madagascar is truly a destination at the ends of the Earth!

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Ostiletti Chameleon, Madagascar, Image Copyright 2012: Todd Gustafson/Gustafson Photo Safari

Namibia 2012. Dates: In Country: May 14, 2012. Returning: May 30 2012. $14,995.00 double occupancy.

Classic highlights of Namibia include; Sand dunes of the Namib desert, The Skeleton Coast, Desert Lions, Ghost Elephants, Quiver Trees, Balloon ride over the giant dunes of Sossusvlei, Rock paintings, and Big Game Safari in Etosha. We will have chances to see all of this and more including cultural interactions with Namibia’s indigenous people, and unique wildlife.

Request the full color PDF for both trips by e-mail. Learn more about Todd and Madagascar here. (The professional quality of Todd’s videos leave me envious…) And be sure to get a copy of Todd’s great safari photo guide: The Photographer’s Guide to the Safari Experience.

WANTED…. FOUR BALD EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHERS/LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT INCREASED!

Robert O’Toole and I have 3 slots open on our first Homer Fall Bald Eagle IPT and due to a cancellation, one on the second trip. We are glad to offer Bulletin folks a $500 late registration discount. If you like to photograph eagles you have not lived until you have been to Homer. Robert and I have photographed Homer both before and after the Jean Keene era. Few if any (aside from us) have mastered the latter….

(Note to Bob Allen: we are looking for four folks who like to photograph Bald Eagles not for four bald photographers who like to photograph eagles. :))

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For each of the flight images in the composite, I pressed and held the rear button to focus track the birds in flight. To see a 1024 pixels wide version, click on the photo above. Then click on the enlarged version to close it.

THE OCT/NOV 2011 HOMER-BASED BALD EAGLE IPTs with Arthur Morris and Robert O’Toole

OCT 25-29, 2011. Limit 10 (six photographers per boat)/Openings: 2). 5-FULL DAYS: $3399.

You will need to be in Homer no later than the evening of October 24.

OCT 31-NOV 4, 2011. Limit 10 (six photographers per boat)/Openings: 1). 5-FULL DAYS: $3399.

You will need to be in Homer no later than the evening of October 30.

These trips are based in Homer, AK. We will enjoy virtually unlimited photographic action. Each year, most folks opted to miss at least one boat trip due to photographic exhaustion. Two great leaders provide both in-the-field and in-classroom instruction that will include at least two Photoshop sessions. Canon or Nikon we’ve got you covered. (In-the field instruction only on the Add-on day). A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to hold your spot. Happy campers only. If we do not know you, you will be required to pass our Happy Camper test. Once you pass the Happy Camper test, please fill out and sign the forms here and send them along with your deposit check. Your registration will not be complete until we have your signed forms in hand.

Things you should know: At the last moment each morning we schedule–depending on tides and weather–either two 2-hour boat trips or one 4 hour boat trip each day of the tour (weather permitting). We do however often exceed those time limits when conditions warrant it. We gladly pick up the additional costs. You will not be charged extra for overtime no matter how extensive. On several days this year our two hour cruises went on for more than four hours; it is hard to sail away from great photography. We work a lot from from the boats and do, again depending on conditions, spend some time on land to do both perched and flying birds. Even with “only” four hours per day of photography you will head home exhausted with the best Bald Eagle images of your life (unless we encounter unexpectedly bad weather). We have chosen out dates carefully with regards to weather. Temps should be moderate to cold with a mix of sun, clouds, and possibly some drizzle. Snow is not likely on either trip. That said we are going to Alaska and there is always a chance, a very small chance, that it might pour every day that you are there. There will be as many or more eagles on these trips as there were on the March trips. We will be collecting a $20 per day tip for our captain guides at the end of each trip. Most folks opted to kick in additional and we were fine with that.

What’s included: lots of eagles and lots of instruction. Ground transportation from the motel to the dock. As above we cover all boat fees and boat-related expenses but for the tips. Breakfast at the motel. We may be able to pick you up at the airport to save you the cost of a cab. Note: some folks may wish to rent a vehicle so that they can photograph on their own during free and nap time. What’s not included: your round trip airfare from home to Homer. (Driving from Anchorage is recommended only for the adventurous….) The cost of your room. Meals other than breakfast.

To learn more about the Homer eagle experience, click on each link below:

Universal Advice for Better Flight Photography with a Zoom Lens
Finally, Finally, and Finally in Homer!
Enhancing Silhouettes
What Makes a Great Bird Portrait?
Insanity, Exhilaration, Exhaustion, and Home

And click here to read the last Homer IPT Report.

Please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net with any questions or call the office/home at 863-92-2806 (7am till 9pm eastern).

From Mike Landwehr: I had been itching to photograph eagles for years; the Homer IPT last March exceeded my expectations. We photographed eagles soaring, diving, perched, eating, fighting for perches, and fighting in mid-air. We photographed them against green water, blue water, shaded hillsides, and snow-capped mountain ranges. We photographed in the soft light of early morning, and were out in the evenings until after the sun dropped over the horizon. Robert was a super co-leader. The 70-200 f/2.8 II was brand new to me; I found that the 70-200 with the 1.4x TC on a 7D (I didn’t have a Mark IV) was a deadly combination for eagles in flight. The glaucous-winged gulls were a nice bonus–I love some of my photos of hovering gulls. If October in Homer is anything like March was, participants will want to take lots of memory cards!

(Note from artie: the OCT/NOV trips should be a bit better. Better weather on average, and the eagle’s tail feathers will not be as worn as they were in the spring.)

(ps to all: Be sure to check out one of Mike’s great images here. )

From Charlie Scheffold: I was on the March IPT. If I could, I would go back in a second! But there no way I could justify going twice in one year. Or could I? It was an incredible experience for a Bald Eagle fanatic like me. Do not hesitate to join artie and Robert. I will never forget the sound of a Bald Eagle’s feathers rustling in the wind as it soared 3 feet above my head. Ever.