Coming Soon: NYC Weekend Seminar Details!
The Blog is the Bomb!
Cheesemans’ Extended Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
IPT UPDATES
Brash ice & iceberg, Cierva Cove, Antarctica. This image was created from a zodiac with the hand held Canon 16-35mm L lens and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/16 in Av Mode. AI Servo/lowest central sensor/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.
For a much greater appreciation of this image, click on the photo.
Coming Soon: NYC Weekend Seminar Details!
Denise Ippolito and yours truly will be offering a comprehensive two-day nature photography seminar in Staten Island, NY on the weekend of December 8-9, 2012. See the next Bulletin for complete details on “The Birds and the B’s and the Flowers and the Trees” seminar: 9am – 4:30 pm both days. Out of town folks will want to register early in order to secure lodging and locals will want to sign up soon to ensure being among the 150 folks who will enjoy a weekend packed with learning and fun. The cost of the weekend seminar will be $169. To register call Jim or Jennifer between 9am and 3:00 pm at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand or send a PayPal to us via e-mail
. Just for the record book: Saturday: Image Capture; Sunday: Image Processing and Evaluation. Saturday or Sunday only: $99.
This image was created with the hand held Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens, 1.4X III TC, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 in Av mode.
Close encounters with Humpback Whales will be likely on the Cheesemans’ In-depth Expedition to the White Continent. These two were photographed in the Weddell Sea.
The Blog is the Bomb
I continue to put in 20+ hours a week towards making the blog informative, timely, and beautiful. And it has been paying off. The blog alone had 462,178 page views and 3,839,749 hits in March 2012 alone! Most of the educational features that formerly appeared in BAA Bulletins now grace the BAA Blog. 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. If you have a problem subscribing, please contact us via e-mail
. Below are some recent posts of interest.
Learn about quasi-flash as main light techniques for songbirds here.
An interview article here.
See the under the pier NIK magic here.
Learn about dealing with contrast in Tim Grey’s guest blog post here.
BAA 1st International Bird Photography Competition Category winners announced:
Captive Category
Youth Category
Digital Category
Voting Analysis and Related Comments:
Captive Category
Youth Category
Digital Category
Everything that you ever wanted to know about Canon telphoto lenses in a simple, easy to read chart. You will surely want to bookmark this post.
If you’ve been dreaming of making a trip to the Antarctic Continent you will surely want to click here.
Remember, you can subscribe to the blog posts by clicking here.
The originals for this three-frame stitched panorama were created at Bailey Head, Antarctica with the tripod-mounted Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens (at 115mm) and the EOS-5D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/30 sec. at f/20 in Manual mode.
Central Sensor Rear Focus AI Servo AF on the closest penguin and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.
For a much greater appreciation of this image, click on the photo.
Extended Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
December 30, 2012 to January 17, 2013
This in-depth peak-season expedition features active penguin chicks, huge penguin colonies, incredible icescape scenery, access to ice-sensitive areas, penguins and seals on ice, and large numbers of whales. And there is a good chance that the group will spot an Emperor Penguin or two on an iceberg. With an incredible 10–11 days along the Peninsula, the Cheesemans’ itinerary offers more depth than any other. The comfortable Ortelius has the highest ice-class of any passenger vessel in Antarctica, perfect for exploring must-see places such as Paulet Island and Bailey Head and cruising farther south to the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Circle. Maximum time spent on shore and zodiac cruising make available for unbelievable photographic opportunities. Workshops, photo critiques and personal time with seasoned professional instructors will give you an opportunity to take your skills to new heights.
This image was created at Bailey Head, Antarctica with the tripod-mounted Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens and the Canon 1.4X III TC (at 280mm) and the EOS-5D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/125 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.
Central Sensor Rear Focus AI Servo AF on the closest penguin and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.
There are something like 100,000 pairs of chinstraps on Bailey Head, Deception. Most of them are pretty much un-photographable. Old friend Tom Murphy led the serious photographers right to he very best nest on the side of a gentle slope with the colony in the background. Thanks Tom!
Been Dreaming of Antarctica?
Join this voyage of discovery to an awe-inspiring world of nature, wildlife and science. The CES expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula gives you more time for a vast breadth of landings beyond the realm of normally visited sites that others are forced to either omit or rush through. Sail on the safe and comfortable M/V Ortelius for an unparalleled ten to eleven landing days along the Peninsula. Enjoy extensive exploration of the remote and iceberg-filled Weddell Sea, the many wildlife-rich areas in the northern and western Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands The ship will-depending on sea ice conditions–attempt to push south to the Antarctic Circle. Maximum time on shore will be available for photography, wildlife observation, and hiking the landscapes of the great Antarctic. Our priority is assuring the most in-depth wildlife experience in the Antarctic, an experience made possible by the comprehensive itinerary and a committed expedition staff of Antarctic veterans.
This expedition will be led by Hugh Rose and I just learned while checking the trip link below that my dear friend and Galapagos guide Juan Manuel Salcedo will be on the staff as well; he alone is worth the price of admission as he is a superb naturalist and a well-versed and brilliant young man.
For a complete itinerary, trip details, cabin availability, and expedition costs, click here.
This Leopard Seal image was created from a zodiac with the hand held tripod-mounted Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, 2X III teleconverter (at 245mm), and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 in Av mode.
I cruised the brash ice and icebergs at Cierva Cove for about 8 hours and opted to head back to the ship at about 4pm. Others opted to stay out an additional 3 hours! .
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Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris
A great expedition or safari should offer a lot more than remote destinations and remarkable wildlife A trip with CES is a journey woven through foreign lands and seas leading to experiences made possible through the inspiration, organization, and leadership of Cheesemans’ crack staff of educators in a variety of fields. For more than thirty years, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris has provided unforgettable experiences during in-depth tours to the world’s richest ecosystems. Their itineraries are unique and preparation is thorough, but most importantly, the leadership is exceptional. With broad backgrounds in nature and wildlife, their leaders desire to deepen your understanding of each destination so you can take-away the photographs and memories that allow you to become an ambassador of nature.
Gail and Doug Cheeseman have been leading wildlife safaris to their favorite destinations since 1978. Inspired by his parent’s passion, Ted joined them in leading expeditions and safaris more than 15 years ago. Now the three work together with their staff to offer superlative natural history and photography tours to destinations that include Antarctica, Tanzania, Kenya, Bhutan, Brazil, India, and many more. Doug is a professor emeritus of Ecology and Zoology, Ted holds a Masters in Tropical Conservation Biology, and Gail is a naturalist of the best kind – self-taught through a lifetime in the field. Together, they are a family of truly remarkable ecologists who seek to inspire travelers to enjoy and conserve the Earth’s wild landscapes.
Find out more about Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris at www.cheesemans.com. You can send them an e-mail or call them at 800.527.5330.
You can learn even more about CES and see how hard the staff works in Antarctica by clicking here.
This Adelie Penguin image was created on Paulet Island with the tripod-mounted Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens, 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode.
It was typical of the trip; we started with bright sun on Paulet Island and wound up with clouds.
BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo Tours (IPTs)
Click here for BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) General Information.
Click here for BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) Deposit and Cancellation Policies.
Click here for BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) Registration and Release Forms.
KATMAI BEAR BOAT IPT: July 24-31, 2012 from Kodiak, AK: $6699. Limit 6/Openings 2. Coastal Brown Bears (Grizzlies) Galore!
Coastal Brown Bears at point blank range foraging & clamming with a good chance of copulations; cubs nursing and playing. Likely additional subjects include Horned and Tufted Puffins, nesting Bald Eagle and Black-legged Kittiwake, Steller’s Sea Lion, rafts of Sea Otters and more. Halibut fishing optional.
Nickerson Beach/JBWR Photo-Tour August 15-17, 2012: $999. Co-leader: Denise Ippolito. Introductory slide program: Tuesday August 14 at 4pm. Limit 8/Openings:1.
Nickerson Beach: Black Skimmer, American Oystercatcher, and Common Tern: breeding behaviors, chicks and fledged young. Great Black-backed Gull: adult and young predation of skimmer fledglings. Several species of shorebirds; Piping Plover possible. Lesser Black-backed Gull likely. East Pond, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: several shorebird species including Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher and more. Birds in fresh juvenile plumage possible. Our possible morning visits to the East Pond are dependent on local conditions; I will be scouting on Tuesday morning.
For complete details including registration instructions and more than two dozen images click here.
BOSQUE del APACHE 2012 IPT: “The Complete Bosque Experience.” NOV 21-27, 2012. 7-FULL DAYS: $3399. Co-leader: Denise Ippolito. Introductory Slide program: 6:30 pm on 11/20. Limit: 12/Openings 5.
Tens of thousand of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks including point-blank American Wigeon and Wood Duck, amazing 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. Top-notch Photoshop instruction. This will make 18 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for me. Nobody knows the place better than I do. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the light and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home applying what you learned will prove to be invaluable. The cast of co-leaders includes Denise Ippolito, Jim Heupel, and Mike Hannisian.
SW FLA IPT. FEB 16-21, 2013. Introductory slide program: 7pm on 2/15. 6-FULL DAYS: $2999. Co-leader: Denise Ippolito. Limit: 10/Openings 7.
Co-leaders: TBA. My bread and butter trip; learn the basics and the advanced fine points from the best; escape winter’s icy grip and enjoy tons of tame birds! Subjects will include nesting Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Mottled Duck, Brown and White Pelican at point-blank range, Snowy & Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, wintering shorebirds and plovers, gulls and terns, & Burrowing Owl. All ridiculously tame.
Click here to learn more about this IPT.
You Be the Judge: Flight
Holland IPTs: Tulips & Windmills and Texel Birds
Holland Tulip/Windmill IPT: 8 nights/7 1/2 days of photography. $4,499. Limit: 8 photographers/Sold Out/Wait List Only.
BPN Out-of-the-Box Moderator Denise Ippolito (aka the Creative Flower Queen), BPN Photo Gear Moderator, Nikon shooter, and technical expert Peter Kes, and I have put together two great Holland trips in mid-April 2013. Day 1 of the tulip tour will be April 16, 2012 with airport pick-up that morning and an afternoon session at Keukenhof. Peter who is from Holland, will be our local guide/interpreter/driver. Happy campers only please. The subjects: tulips at Keukenhof, the famed tulip gardens and the surrounding bulb fields (predominantly tulips); the windmills at Kinderdijk (near Alblasserdam); the windmills at at Zaanse Schans (near Zaanstad) and the surrounding bulb fields–hyacinths and daffodils, tulips; and the 16th century island-village of Marken. Click here for itinerary and additional details.
Holland Texel Bird Photography IPT: 6 full days: April 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 (all day) $350 per person/day. Limit: 4 photographers/Sold Out/Wait List Only.
After the tulip IPT is over denise, Peter Kes, and I are continuing on to Texel, The Netherlands for about a week. It is 2 hours north of Amsterdam including a 30 minute ferry ride. We will be after some great birds: Black-tailed Godwit, Pied Avocet, Great-crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Spoonbill, Marsh and Hen Harriers, several species of terns including Arctic and Sandwich, Ringed Plover, Redshank and other waders, and Eurasian Oystercatcher. A long lens is required for the birds. The birds will be in smashing breeding plumage; Black-tailed Godwit will knock your socks off! Happy campers only please. Ground transportation on April 24th is on us as are the airport transfers at both ends if needed. We will likely get to do some bird photography on the afternoon of April 24 (time permitting). No charge for that either. Lodging and meals are not included. Click here for additional details.
GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience. July 2-16, 2013 on the boat. 13 FULL and two 1/2 days of photography: $12,749. Co-leader: Denise Ippolito. Limit 13/Openings: 6.
July 2-16, 2013 on the boat. Fly to Quito on June 30. Travel insurance day: July 1. Fly to the archipelago on July 2. Get off the boat on July 16. Spend that afternoon and evening in Puerto Ayora (lunch & dinner on your own). Fly to Quito on July 17. Fly home on the early morning of July 18. $12,749 includes just about everything including all transfers, guide and park fees, all food on the boat, your flights to the archipelago, and four nights in top notch hotels–three in Quito and one on Puerto Ayora. Non-refundable deposit: $5,000. Limit 14 including the leader/Openings: 8
Briefly, my two-week trips are without equal. The world’s best guide, a killer itinerary, a great boat (the Samba), and the best leader with seven Galapagos cruises under his belt. The great spots include Tower Island (including Prince Phillips Steps and Darwin Bay), Hood Island (including Punta Suarez, the world’s only nesting site of Waved Albatross, and Gardner Bay)—each of the preceding are world class wildlife photography designations that rank right up there with Antarctica, Africa, and Midway), Fernandina, Puerto Ayora for the tortoises, Puerto Egas—James Bay, North Seymour, South Plaza, Black Turtle Cove, Floreana, Urbina Bay, and China Hat. Plus tons more. And lots of snorkeling for those who wish to partake. All park fees, meals except as noted above, guide fees, ground transportation, and the flights to and from the Galapagos are included.