We are lucky to have this amazing land, plants and animals as part of the USA - thanks to all who made it happen.

Agreed.
Simpson Discount Codes

Below are the four companies which offer special educational discounts to our students, workshop/travel participants etc. Each has a different type of product.


> 1. Bedford Camera and Video
For all types of camera equipment and accessories, binoculars, Audio/Video including stuff that has just come out and is hard to get, go to the Bedford Camera and Video website. They are a large company that can get you better prices than the local stores and at checkout where it says coupon you type in SIMPSON for an additional 3% on anything in their store which includes the hard-to-get new items like the Canon R5, R7 and RF 100-500 mm IS L lens, plus free shipping on orders over $99. https://www.bedfords.com
The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase but will not show up until after the purchase. Make sure, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex.
If you have any questions our contact is Steve Elkins and he can be reached directly at (479) 381-2592. Steve and his associates are very customer friendly and take great pride in helping their customers.
>
> 2. ThinkTank and MindSet
For Camera Cases you can get a 30% discount through ThinkTank and MindSet by using this URL to order. Even if ThinkTank has a sale normally your code can be used and get the sale price plus 30%. The 30% automatically comes out at checkout if you use this URL. Think Tank makes extremely good rolling cases, photo back packs etc – top of the line. They have a lot of products. The travel rolling cases for our 600mm and 500mm lenses both allow the lens hood to be reversed and fits in the case – we have not found another case that will do that and still go in the overhead bins of any of the larger airplanes. Use the link below to get your 30% off – once you put the order in it will give you your price reduction.
> https://www.thinktankphoto.com/pages/education?rfsn=532833.2d855
>
> 3. Wimberley Professional Photo Gear
You can also get a SIMPSON discount of various amounts from Wimberley Professional Photo Gear depending on what you are ordering - Home Page (tripodhead.com).
> You would need to order on the phone and just let them know you are one of our students, or one of our workshop participants / Nature Photography Trips (if you got this email you are on our email list). The Wimberley Head was conceived in our living room. They have very specialized professional gear. They occasionally will have discounted used or demonstrator products that will be top quality.
> Wimberley, Inc.
> 1750 Broadway Street
> Charlottesville, VA 22902
> USA
> 1 434 529 8385 or 1 888 665 2746 (toll free)
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Home Page (tripodhead.com).


4. Topaz Products Discount Code
They just changed how the 15% showed up to satisfy their vendors – not sure why they did not want it on the invoice but that is the new procedure. Let me know if you have questions. - Rob
15 Percent Discount Code for Topaz Products
To purchase Topaz Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, Photo Ai or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), and receive a 15% discount you must use the following SIMPSON Topaz link:
https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson
Then at checkout enter this code: FRIEND15
Note the 15% will not show up on your invoice but will be taken off the credit card.
!!!!! Even if the stuff is on sale, you will still receive 15% off the sale price.!!!!!
Remember to get the discount you must use my link:
(Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson)
and at checkout you must enter the discount code. FRIEND15
Note: We use Topaz (especially Topaz DeNoise Ai, Topaz Sharpen Ai, Topaz Adjust Ai and recently Topaz Photo Ai) on every image we send to our editors. They make an amazing difference on any image. ISO at 12800 images are transferred into grain less and beautiful sharp images. Even at 20000 ISO it does a remarkable job, so you can imagine what it does at ISO 400! Other very useful products we frequently use are Topaz Gigapixel Ai, Topaz Studio 2, Topaz JPEG to RAW Ai, and if you do Video Topaz Video Enhance Ai). We often use Photoshop to tweak the images. If anyone buys the Topaz products through our (Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson) FRIENDS15 code we will send you our system for producing our enhanced image workflow (just send proof of purchase for our Free Workflow).

Best to Everyone and Stay SAFE; Get FULLY Vaccinated to help protect us and your acquaintances
– Ann and Rob
Join Ann and Rob Simpson on another trip of a lifetime – South Africa
For those who are interested in getting out of the house, after the long C-19 hiatus¸ we are offering a safari adventure to the amazing region of South Africa. It can be an independent trip or a pre-trip to our Madagascar trip. The area has very large variety of animals and is one of the most biologically rich plant areas on earth. We will also visit one of the most important sites for human evolution. An amazing museum combined with onsite digs to unravel the long history of human settlement. It is afforded World Heritage Site status and has the richest source of pre-hominid fossils on the planet. It also includes many species of animals associated with the great variety of hominids extending over a 7 million year (Chad Toumai fossil) expanse. There are hundreds of thousands of fossils with many new ones being discovered all the time. Even a new species of hominid has recently been discovered – Homo naledi.
At the Malapa Human Origins Tour and Sterkfontein Cave Tour, you will have the unique opportunity to experience first-hand two famous fossil dig sites - Gladysvale and Malapa - in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind.
At the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre, you'll have the chance to witness a breathtaking high-speed cheetah chase for point blank, action photography. We will help you set your camera so you can capture the exciting action.
To see details and sign up click the link below. You might have to press CTRL key while clicking the link. If needed, click on “skip verification”.
South Africa | Optional Pre-trip Extension: The Big Five and the Cradle of Humankind (holbrooktravel.com)
If you can afford the time, energy, and money the combo trips of South Africa and Madagascar will be truly a remarkable combination. You have probably heard about the crowd problems of Kruger National Park. We will be staying at private game lodges with all the species’ diversity of Kruger but without the mobs of safari vehicles and people. Our guides know the area intimately and where to find the animals. Last time we saw the big 5 in the first two days with some very spectacular interactions. On the Holbrook website see the images of mama leopard with two large young at their impala feast. We were able to sit and photograph them unimpeded from 40 feet away with no other vehicles present. At all times the leopards carried on their business as if we were not there.
Also, we will have a special deal on the new Topaz programs. The new Topaz Photo Ai is amazing.
If you are signed up for more than one of our tours, you will receive as many South African notifications – our apologies.
Hope everyone is faring well – Ann and Rob

Here are other trips which are available. If they are filled, please get on the waiting list as spots may become available.
Costa Rica | Birds, Nature and Photography in the Tropics (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Jaguars of the Pantanal, Photography with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Wolf Valley Camps Post Extension with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
The Wildlife of Madagascar (holbrooktravel.com)
Madagascar | Optional Post-trip Extension to Ankarafantsika National Park (holbrooktravel.com)

Simpson Discount Codes

Below are the four companies which offer special educational discounts to our students, workshop/travel participants etc. Each has a different type of product.


> 1. Bedford Camera and Video
For all types of camera equipment and accessories, binoculars, Audio/Video including stuff that has just come out and is hard to get, go to the Bedford Camera and Video website. They are a large company that can get you better prices than the local stores and at checkout where it says coupon you type in SIMPSON for an additional 3% on anything in their store which includes the hard-to-get new items like the Canon R5, R7 and RF 100-500 mm IS L lens, plus free shipping on orders over $99. https://www.bedfords.com
The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase but will not show up until after the purchase. Make sure, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex.
If you have any questions our contact is Steve Elkins and he can be reached directly at (479) 381-2592. Steve and his associates are very customer friendly and take great pride in helping their customers.
>
> 2. ThinkTank and MindSet
For Camera Cases you can get a 30% discount through ThinkTank and MindSet by using this URL to order. Even if ThinkTank has a sale normally your code can be used and get the sale price plus 30%. The 30% automatically comes out at checkout if you use this URL. Think Tank makes extremely good rolling cases, photo back packs etc – top of the line. They have a lot of products. The travel rolling cases for our 600mm and 500mm lenses both allow the lens hood to be reversed and fits in the case – we have not found another case that will do that and still go in the overhead bins of any of the larger airplanes. Use the link below to get your 30% off – once you put the order in it will give you your price reduction.
> https://www.thinktankphoto.com/pages/education?rfsn=532833.2d855
>
> 3. Wimberley Professional Photo Gear
You can also get a SIMPSON discount of various amounts from Wimberley Professional Photo Gear depending on what you are ordering - Home Page (tripodhead.com).
> You would need to order on the phone and just let them know you are one of our students, or one of our workshop participants / Nature Photography Trips (if you got this email you are on our email list). The Wimberley Head was conceived in our living room. They have very specialized professional gear. They occasionally will have discounted used or demonstrator products that will be top quality.
> Wimberley, Inc.
> 1750 Broadway Street
> Charlottesville, VA 22902
> USA
> 1 434 529 8385 or 1 888 665 2746 (toll free)
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Home Page (tripodhead.com).


4. Topaz Products Discount Code
They just changed how the 15% showed up to satisfy their vendors – not sure why they did not want it on the invoice but that is the new procedure. Let me know if you have questions. - Rob
15 Percent Discount Code for Topaz Products
To purchase Topaz Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, Photo Ai or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), and receive a 15% discount you must use the following SIMPSON Topaz link:
https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson
Then at checkout enter this code: FRIEND15
Note the 15% will not show up on your invoice but will be taken off the credit card.
!!!!! Even if the stuff is on sale, you will still receive 15% off the sale price.!!!!!
Remember to get the discount you must use my link:
(Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson)
and at checkout you must enter the discount code. FRIEND15
Note: We use Topaz (especially Topaz DeNoise Ai, Topaz Sharpen Ai, Topaz Adjust Ai and recently Topaz Photo Ai) on every image we send to our editors. They make an amazing difference on any image. ISO at 12800 images are transferred into grain less and beautiful sharp images. Even at 20000 ISO it does a remarkable job, so you can imagine what it does at ISO 400! Other very useful products we frequently use are Topaz Gigapixel Ai, Topaz Studio 2, Topaz JPEG to RAW Ai, and if you do Video Topaz Video Enhance Ai). We often use Photoshop to tweak the images. If anyone buys the Topaz products through our (Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson) FRIENDS15 code we will send you our system for producing our enhanced image workflow (just send proof of purchase for our Free Workflow).

Best to Everyone and Stay SAFE; Get FULLY Vaccinated to help protect us and your acquaintances
– Ann and Rob
Join Ann and Rob Simpson on another trip of a lifetime – South Africa
For those who are interested in getting out of the house, after the long C-19 hiatus¸ we are offering a safari adventure to the amazing region of South Africa. It can be an independent trip or a pre-trip to our Madagascar trip. The area has very large variety of animals and is one of the most biologically rich plant areas on earth. We will also visit one of the most important sites for human evolution. An amazing museum combined with onsite digs to unravel the long history of human settlement. It is afforded World Heritage Site status and has the richest source of pre-hominid fossils on the planet. It also includes many species of animals associated with the great variety of hominids extending over a 7 million year (Chad Toumai fossil) expanse. There are hundreds of thousands of fossils with many new ones being discovered all the time. Even a new species of hominid has recently been discovered – Homo naledi.
At the Malapa Human Origins Tour and Sterkfontein Cave Tour, you will have the unique opportunity to experience first-hand two famous fossil dig sites - Gladysvale and Malapa - in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind.
At the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre, you'll have the chance to witness a breathtaking high-speed cheetah chase for point blank, action photography. We will help you set your camera so you can capture the exciting action.
To see details and sign up click the link below. You might have to press CTRL key while clicking the link. If needed, click on “skip verification”.
South Africa | Optional Pre-trip Extension: The Big Five and the Cradle of Humankind (holbrooktravel.com)
If you can afford the time, energy, and money the combo trips of South Africa and Madagascar will be truly a remarkable combination. You have probably heard about the crowd problems of Kruger National Park. We will be staying at private game lodges with all the species’ diversity of Kruger but without the mobs of safari vehicles and people. Our guides know the area intimately and where to find the animals. Last time we saw the big 5 in the first two days with some very spectacular interactions. On the Holbrook website see the images of mama leopard with two large young at their impala feast. We were able to sit and photograph them unimpeded from 40 feet away with no other vehicles present. At all times the leopards carried on their business as if we were not there.
Also, we will have a special deal on the new Topaz programs. The new Topaz Photo Ai is amazing.
If you are signed up for more than one of our tours, you will receive as many South African notifications – our apologies.
Hope everyone is faring well – Ann and Rob

Here are other trips which are available. If they are filled, please get on the waiting list as spots may become available.
Costa Rica | Birds, Nature and Photography in the Tropics (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Jaguars of the Pantanal, Photography with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Wolf Valley Camps Post Extension with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
The Wildlife of Madagascar (holbrooktravel.com)
Madagascar | Optional Post-trip Extension to Ankarafantsika National Park (holbrooktravel.com)

There was an update today. My PSCC had slipped back and needed to be updated and told to do auto updating - worked fine.

Simpson Discount Codes

Below are the four companies which offer special educational discounts to our students, workshop/travel participants etc. Each has a different type of product.


> 1. Bedford Camera and Video
For all types of camera equipment and accessories, binoculars, Audio/Video including stuff that has just come out and is hard to get, go to the Bedford Camera and Video website. They are a large company that can get you better prices than the local stores and at checkout where it says coupon you type in SIMPSON for an additional 3% on anything in their store which includes the hard-to-get new items like the Canon R5, R7 and RF 100-500 mm IS L lens, plus free shipping on orders over $99. https://www.bedfords.com
The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase but will not show up until after the purchase. Make sure, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex.
If you have any questions our contact is Steve Elkins and he can be reached directly at (479) 381-2592. Steve and his associates are very customer friendly and take great pride in helping their customers.
>
> 2. ThinkTank and MindSet
For Camera Cases you can get a 30% discount through ThinkTank and MindSet by using this URL to order. Even if ThinkTank has a sale normally your code can be used and get the sale price plus 30%. The 30% automatically comes out at checkout if you use this URL. Think Tank makes extremely good rolling cases, photo back packs etc – top of the line. They have a lot of products. The travel rolling cases for our 600mm and 500mm lenses both allow the lens hood to be reversed and fits in the case – we have not found another case that will do that and still go in the overhead bins of any of the larger airplanes. Use the link below to get your 30% off – once you put the order in it will give you your price reduction.
> https://www.thinktankphoto.com/pages/education?rfsn=532833.2d855
>
> 3. Wimberley Professional Photo Gear
You can also get a SIMPSON discount of various amounts from Wimberley Professional Photo Gear depending on what you are ordering - Home Page (tripodhead.com).
> You would need to order on the phone and just let them know you are one of our students, or one of our workshop participants / Nature Photography Trips (if you got this email and you respond we will put you on our email list for our trips and you will be eligible for Simpson/Wimberley discount). The Wimberley Head was conceived in our living room. They have very specialized professional gear. They occasionally will have discounted used or demonstrator products that will be top quality.
> Wimberley, Inc.
> 1750 Broadway Street
> Charlottesville, VA 22902
> USA
> 1 434 529 8385 or 1 888 665 2746 (toll free)
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Home Page (tripodhead.com).


4. Topaz Products Discount Code
They just changed how the 15% showed up to satisfy their vendors – not sure why they did not want it on the invoice but that is the new procedure. Let me know if you have questions. - Rob
15 Percent Discount Code for Topaz Products
To purchase Topaz Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, Photo Ai or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins), and receive a 15% discount you must use the following SIMPSON Topaz link:
https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson
Then at checkout enter this code: FRIEND15
Note the 15% will not show up on your invoice but will be taken off the credit card.
!!!!! Even if the stuff is on sale, you will still receive 15% off the sale price.!!!!!
Remember to get the discount you must use my link:
(Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson)
and at checkout you must enter the discount code. FRIEND15
Note: We use Topaz (especially Topaz DeNoise Ai, Topaz Sharpen Ai, Topaz Adjust Ai and recently Topaz Photo Ai) on every image we send to our editors. They make an amazing difference on any image. ISO at 12800 images are transferred into grain less and beautiful sharp images. Even at 20000 ISO it does a remarkable job, so you can imagine what it does at ISO 400! Other very useful products we frequently use are Topaz Gigapixel Ai, Topaz Studio 2, Topaz JPEG to RAW Ai, and if you do Video Topaz Video Enhance Ai). We often use Photoshop to tweak the images. If anyone buys the Topaz products through our (Ctrl + https://topazlabs.com/ref/1264/?campaign=Simpson) FRIENDS15 code we will send you our system for producing our enhanced image workflow (just send proof of purchase for our Free Workflow).

Best to Everyone and Stay SAFE; Get FULLY Vaccinated to help protect us and your acquaintances

Ann and Rob Simpson
http://www.agpix.com/snphotos
Simpson Nature Photography
Natural History Travel Tours Round the World (email us for information)
Authors and Photographers for Falcon Press
Nature Guide Series of National Parks
Wildflower Series of National Parks
Authors and Photographers for Far Country Press
Baby Animals Series and Children’s Nature Books
Ann, Professor of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology
Rob, Professor Emeritus Field Biology, Nature Photography (Program Contact)
Rob 540 336 3003, Ann 540 336 2979

To see details and sign up click the link below. You might have to press CTRL key while clicking the link. If needed, click on “skip verification”.
South Africa | Optional Pre-trip Extension: The Big Five and the Cradle of Humankind (holbrooktravel.com)
Here are other trips which are available. If they are filled, please get on the waiting list as spots may become available. Our trips usually fill very fast.
Costa Rica | Birds, Nature and Photography in the Tropics (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Jaguars of the Pantanal, Photography with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
Brazil | Wolf Valley Camps Post Extension with Ann and Rob Simpson (holbrooktravel.com)
The Wildlife of Madagascar (holbrooktravel.com)
Madagascar | Optional Post-trip Extension to Ankarafantsika National Park (holbrooktravel.com)

I have tried a lot of monopods (teach PHT) and settled on the Sirui SUP 204SR type but it is the carbon fiber model Sirui P-324SR Carbon Fiber Photo/Video Monopod. They are highly modular! The feet are good if you are just sitting and want to rest the setup against your leg. It does provide more stability than without the feet and especially useful with the big whites. I have used it with all of the big Canon lenses 600 f4, 500f4, 400 DO, 100-400 and 100-500. It is really nice with the R5 and R100-500 IS L. I often do not use the feet when using the last combo. The relatively new Wimberley MonoGimbal Head - MH-100 is the best I have tested. "The Wimberley MonoGimbal Head is the first and only of its kind: It is a monopod specific gimbal head for telephoto lenses." It easily handles all of the big whites and like all Wimberley products is top notch. - Rob@snphotos.com

We have two and another is ordered. I agree with the first reply. The attached image was taken with a EF 600 mm L IS ll with a 2x converter at ISO 12800. With Topaz processing you will have no grain at extremely high ISO. The eye focus is sci-fi like even with the EF lenses. The RF 100-500 mm IS L is a wonderful addition for lots of power and speed (even with the 1.4x and 2x converters).

(Download)

Could you explain your process. Is it alive, it appears bronzed? Thanks - Rob

The Canon adapters allow you to use all your existing Canon lenses with no penalty. In fact, even if you have non IS lenses the R5 and R6 IBIS give you substantial IS to your lens. If you get the EF to RF adapter that has a drop in polarizer you can polarize any lens and do not need to buy the large diameter polarizers for various lenses. My 8-15 fisheye gets the benefit of IBIS and I can use the drop in polarizer with it. That is a real gamechanger with that lens to help saturate the colors in vegetation. You can also use the drop in neutral density filters to help with long exposure situations. I teach photography and get to experience a wide variety of equipment. This new R5 is a very special camera. For fast action with animal eye focus it is remarkable. Even hummingbirds in flight are possible with a high degree of success with the new animal eye focus. I have tested it on a large variety of animals, running animals, flying birds, slithering snakes. Even though the eye focus is supposed to be for dogs, cats, and birds I have had it lock onto the eyes of several insects (praying mantis for example). Even if it does not find an acceptable eye it will latch onto the head and follow it. I have used the R5 with all of my main wildlife lenses and it performs flawlessly (600 f4, 500 f4, 400 DO ll, 100-400, 100 mm macro, 65 mm macro). However, the RF 100-500 will be a significant light addition to your bag. You can also keep all of your current Canon glass.

Can you tell me what backup system you use?

How do you know if you have the Elite version or not?

Where did you get the Florida Scrub Jay image? Thanks - Rob

I am replying to myself - I guess that tis okay. Sorry the trip is all filled for the Ultimate Peru. If you are interested in future trips just email me annrobsimpson@snphotos.com. We are planning one now for a Brazil trip to photograph Jaguars (close to 3 sightings a day), Maned Wolves, Hyacinth Macaw, Ocelot, tool using monkeys plus what is described as the densest gathering of waterbirds in the Americas or the Serengeti of South America. We teach you the entire time how to get the shot for the situation. On our last trip two of our students ended up with 2 calendar shots each. The one is a student in our Outdoor and Nature Photography Careers Certificate program but just got into photography 2 years ago. - Rob

It is an Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis siratilis

SORRY CLOSED - We have one spot left on our Ultimate Peru Trip. It must be a female who is willing to have a female roommate. The trip is limited to 14 people plus the two leaders. It filled in 2 days except for this one space. We will visit the Amazon, Andes and of course Machu Picchu. We will be staying at the best natural history/ birding spots and have negotiated an extremely good price. We have a pretrip extension to one of the best pelagic areas in the world for sea birds and whales. Another boat trip will go to the Ballestas Islands, which has one of the largest concentrations of birds in the world. This is top notch natural history photography. You can sign up on the Holbrook site below but please email us if you have questions. The detailed itinerary is on the Holbrook site. For those of you who don’t know us Ann and I have written lots of books and do all of the photography for each book. We produce the Nature Guide series on the National Parks for Falcon Press and an associated Wildflower series. I am the program head for the Outdoor and Nature Photography Careers Curriculum at Lord Fairfax Community College – we will make sure you come home with award winning images. Ann and I have lead tours all over the world – check us out www.agpix.com/snphotos

http://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/americas/peru/ultimate-peru-birding-photography-and-natural-history