An Unexpectedly Mega Fort DeSoto Afternoon. Bird Photography Lessons with Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

On the last afternoon of the 3rd Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo Tour, I took the group out not expecting much. Boy was I wrong. Watch this less than 13-minute video to see the best of my 341 keepers. There is a lot to learn along the way.
Learn more and list your tree favorite images in the blog post here:
www.birdsasart-blog.com/2023/...

[@paulash171]

So many amazing images, it's hard to pick a favorite

[@arthurmorris4932]

Agree. What do you like to photograph? with love, a

[@LuisAlonsoPhotography]

Beautiful pictures. As always.

[@arthurmorris4932]

Tanks a stack, Luis. artie

[@ruedigermerz9525]

Awesome work ,Artie. You are my favorite bird photographer for over 20 years now. I always love to see your stuff and learn from it. Keep up the great work. Best, Rudy

[@arthurmorris4932]

Thanks, Rudy. Where do you live? What system do you use? with love, artie

[@ruedigermerz9525]

@@arthurmorris4932 I live in Roswell, NM. My wildlife kit is a Nikon Z7 with 400mm f/4.5. No TC yet.

[@PhilThach]

Great work, Arthur! I've never seen or photographed a white morph Reddish Egret. Maybe one day.

[@arthurmorris4932]

Thanks, Phil. I found your work online; you could learn a ton on an IPT. with love, artie

[@sashworth8805]

Wow....AMAZING PH0TOS!!!
I just bought a Canon 1DX mark II, and I only live 30 miles from FT. DeSoto park. The camera will be here this week, and I can't wait to go down there and see if I can get some good photos like you did 🤔 ( probably not, but I can try !! ). 100-400mm + 70-200mm 2.8 is what I'll probably be shooting with.
Any advice?...I'll probably be there early morning like you did, and "winter" is the best since all kinds of birds come here for the mild winters.
Also, have you been to Cape Coral and tried photographing the burrowing owl? That's a bucket list for me to capture some good photos of them. With the python invasion going on down here, I hope they don't disappear....

[@saxon1177]

Nice work, Mr. Morris. The last shot of the roseate spoonbill is gorgeous! Why is it when I get a picture of a bird with others burred in the bg people say they're a distraction? Are they just being too picky or what? Btw, I love North Beach, I even recognize that tree in the end.

[@arthurmorris4932]

Thanks, Saxon. A lot depends on the position of the out-of-focus bird. If that is in the wrong spot, it can be very distracting. Next time you see me out there, be sure to say "Hi." Or better yet, join me on an IPT. with love, artie

[@saxon1177]

@@arthurmorris4932 Understood, and thank you. A group tour would be in the future, but I'll definitely be sure to say hello if I see you. I usually go to Ft De Soto Sat. thru Tues. Be well.

[@arthurmorris4932]

I probably won't be there until fall. In the meantime, have fun. what gear do you use?
a

[@saxon1177]

@@arthurmorris4932 I only take pictures as a hobby so I didn't spend a lot, I'm using a Canon R7 and an older Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD. I lay on the sand a lot at North Beach and I often find that I need a lens that will focus closer because the birds will walk within 5 ft of me and the Tamron doesn't focus closer than 9 ft. So, I may get the Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM, it focuses within 3 ft. I also find that most of my shots are taken under 400 mm so although it would be a downgrade in focal length, it would be a gain in close range subject attainability, focus speed, (the Tamron isn't the fastest) accuracy, and possibly IQ, but not by much I wouldn't think. Oh, and it's much lighter, that's a plus! 😀