Favorite moment: Seeing that the lens is bigger than your head!!, ha, ha! No, seriously, the captures are amazing. And fast! No fuzzy splashes as the birds hit the water. Your videos are a real service to both photographers and nature lovers. Thanks!

Another wonderful video full of stunning images Mark, I also love the way you also show no bias to either Sony or Nikon giving them equal screen time when you can, that's the way it should be, let the pictures speak for the systems and let the viewer decide.

Your videos have inspired me and I'm sure many others to "switch" over to the Sony brand of cameras! I have watched many of your videos and they are all inspiring for me as a photographer! Keep up the great work.

Dude your photos are amazing and I can only imagine how many photos you take to get these great shots. Please keep the videos coming because it is really motivational to see the great photos you take.

I'm not I to bird photography but your enthusiasm and narrating keeps me watching. Great job man!

The quality is just Great Mark, on both photos and video. I could watch this all day.👍🏼

I'm just speechless. You skills combined with the technological prowess of the superb camera create amazing work.

Unbelievable 68 shots ALL in focus!!! Outstanding!!

Mark your videos are AMAZING! the way you make them the images you capture and the way you describe every scene on the video, you have a gift/talent to do that.

thanks Mark. it's pretty incredible to think that Sony & The A9 mirrorless is ahead of the competition for tracking already : it was so fast! I'm committed with Nikon for AF wildlife, but if Sigma or Tamron Come with an E mount for their telelens, I'll upgrade my old and chunky A7 for wildlife too ;)

Great video Mark! 68 hits in a row is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! My favorite image is where the osprey elongates just before impact with the water. Such a powerful photo!

Sometime back I was surprised to see photo “focused” on Ant Lion, one of my favorite in teaching Zoology. Your detail in display of it was perfect. You are so good man!!

I should have known you when I used to live in the South. Amazing locations for bird photography

Good to know about the performance and the captures are great.

Love the photos mark .the inlet is a fantastic place to capture nature .keep up the great work

Impressive camera but an even more impressive photographer, your images are outstanding and your videos just get better every time. Thanks so much for sharing your great adventures.

Hey Mark, Just wanted to follow up and say congratulations on 30,000. I've been learning from you pretty much since you first started posting. You are definitely the one that inspired me to "shoot" birds. I'm fortunate to have a Great Blue Heron rookery, that also has an Osprey nest, nearby. Birds are awesome! Thanks Mark.

Impressive to say the least. Lots of amazing pictures with so many key moments captured. Well done!

This is quickly becoming my favorite YT channel. Excellent work.

Thanks it's amazing for wildlife I think it's definitely the best time to upgrade to an A9, having great AF abilities combined with the 20fps shooting is very impressive.

Always love the Osprey shots Mark. You manage to do an awesome job of capturing them.

Your are passionate abt your Work and excellent photographer! Always great images! Love the Ospreys! Saving for A9! Thx

Probably will never have one of these, just drooling over the superb quality. One can dream! Awesome storytelling btw. You didn’t lead on and only teased in a way the viewer knew they were about to see something awesome. Tom

Wow that lens is...just impressive to look at

I stayed up late to get FW 5.0 when it was released because I had a sports shoot the next morning and couldnt wait to try it out. What is really amazing is that with fw 5.0 on humans it will lock onto to a specific person out of a large group (even all wearing the same jerseys and colors) then attempt to keep focus on the eye, then face, then body in that order. If something blocks the person partially it will maintain the lock, and as they become exposed again it locks back on the face or eye. All of this focusing as well as exposing happens 60 times per second allowing you to safely get 20 shots per second. Now fw 5.0 is cool, but when fw 6.0 comes out this summer, we will get that same eye AF tracking priority for animals. Then all of those shots you were taking would have each one with focus set on the birds eye (left or right, you choose). I also shoot with the a7R3 (for landscapes, fine art and architecture). And put the latest FW for it on which already has the animal eye AF. I've only been able to test this with birds and animals in the woods behind my house, but holy crap. For animals like dogs, alligators, pelicans, etc that have a long "nose area" in front of the eyes. It was always a skill to be able to quickly set focus on the animals eye instead of their nose, since the nose was the closest part, the AF would lock on that first. So you either needed to DMF it or set a small expandable locking spot at their eye. Now, you just pick which animal and if the a7R3 can see any eye it will set focus there and the AF-C will keep focus there ready at any moment for you to press the shutter. One other thing about the a7R3 is, I forget just how much further I can zoom into an image with its 42.4mp sensor. Now that the eye is what sets focus for animals when I zoom in or crop, the details are insane. The a7R3 with my 100-400 GM and 1.4x TC just may be the perfect setup until the 600 prime comes out. Or knowing that Sony is going to have that set higher than the 400 primes cost, I may have to wait on their 150-600 to come out. Then the a9 with its then animal eye AF is going to be really hard to beat. I dont know about you Mark, but one thing I'm noticing about all this new technology and AI is that I am finding myself freed up to concentrate more on composition, balance, anticipating where they are going. Not having to worry about focus or exposure is really letting me concentrate on thos other areas of photography that were always difficult to do in the moment at the same time as all the technical stuff. Absolutely loving it. Great video as always, have a great day!!

Awesome pics and your commentaries just make them feel more alive. Really look forward to watching your vids every time I get that notification. Great job :)

Thanks for another great review of the Sony A9. You are so fortunate to have ready access to the photo locations in this video.

Hey Mark just picked up the A9, fantastic camera. I also purchased the sigma 150-600 Canon mount with the MC-11 adapter and it works flawless on the A9. Focus as fast as my 100-400 native lens. They are both on sale atm.

Impressive. My compliments to the A9 and your skill/passion.

As always, all the shots were amazing. The opening footage of the Pelicans was insane. Such gorgeous light. Really hoping Sony comes out with a few more lens options for bird/wildlife photography.

The pictures are so impressing, absolutely fantastic.

Absolute stunner Mark, top work again, I updated mine straight away and like you say it was already amazing, I am waiting this year they are supposed to release a 500mm & 600mm f4 GM lenses

Great shots again Mark, indeed you are my fav bird photographer, especially doing the flight shots. Keep up the good work!!!

Really enjoyed your video. I also have the Sony a9 and I'm looking forward to getting into bird photography.

I swore up and down that I was just be a nature photographer. Y'know, just trees, rocks, and flowers. Then came the doves. They built a nest on an electric panel box. Good thing I have been watching Mark's videos. They really helped with my backyard bird shoots.

Wonderful video; sadly the A9 is out of reach for me...but I love my A99V.

Great pics as always Mark! I just got my A9 yesterday pretty much based on your videos (and the awesome Sony sale right now). Just did the firmware, can't wait to go shoot tomorrow morning!

Mark, you’ve created another masterpiece. What you are also doing is setting up a lot of people to be very frustrated. Anyone who thinks you can just buy an A9 and 100-400mm GM and start creating spectacular images like you have will be reduced to tears. What you do with your gear is spectacular not the other way around! It takes enormous skill and experience to achieve photos like yours. You do however provide the inspiration to your followers. For that, a big thanks! But, your vids should come with a warning: “You can buy the gear I use, but don’t expect to achieve the same results without lots of skill, study, and practice.”

your Osprey shoots are my favorite moments, please keep up the great work, TFS Mark, as always UDAMAN!

i LOVE this video. i could see you doing some discovery channel commentary or something. your knowledge along with photography skill is amazing to see

LOVE your photos, love your comments!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Yup....Fw 5.0 is pretty good for sure. Completely agree with the idea of whipping this lighter camera/lens combo up to get some great photos with the tracking. Even before 5.0, it was great. I liked the sequence of those pelicans diving. Nice video once again Mark.

Amazing footage captured Mark well done.

Hello Mark, your photos are awesome and I love all of your youtube videos. I shoot a lot of hummingbirds and zoo animals. Keep showing your excellent photos. Thank you for your talent.

wow that's one impressive camera. I already really liked the A9 but it now looks like a proper killer. gorgeous shots as always .

Sony keeps upping the game, for sure. Great shots, Mark.Thanks.

You do GREAT work... I'm really impressed and a big fan now... keep doing you!!!

Brilliant Mark! I think you’ve set the benchmark for BIF images with Osprey.

You are a true master of your craft! Those images are fantastic.

G'day Mark loved the video. The Osprey photos were my favourites.

Wow, these photos are incredible. The Sony A9 is a fantastic camera.

Hi MARK, A-MA-Z-I-N-G! I have always shot on Nikon (except when film was a big deal, I shot on HASSELBLAD). I will soon be working for a short time as a brand ambassador for Sony which lead me to research their pro cameras. You have really done justice on the imagery in this vid. Sooooo impressed. I will seriously be considering the A9 in 2020 as my choice of camera. Keep up the great work! :))

Thanks for the video,,,,i shared a couple of your amazing pictures with my friends,,,its great to see we can use technology for something good. Im saving to get my a9 in the summer....thanks a lot again.

I love my A9 and have just done the firmware update, which looks really promising. Strangely, my pictures are not as stunning as yours!! :-) Lots to learn still, but I'm having a lot of fun. Love your videos and pictures, too. The formation diving pelicans are brilliant, as are the ospreys, impossible to choose a favourite. By the way, I bet you could have found enough commentary for all 60-odd shots!! :-)

those shots are breathtaking man

Your writing and commentary continue to pull in viewers. I’ll bet you could write enough to cover all 68 in-focus Osprey shots. Nicely done.

Good stuff Mark... Thanks for the inspiration . Ok, I don't have the A9, but another great little Sony camera is the A6400 Apsc. It also has the real time tracking and is a lot of fun.

Another great video, Mark! I know nothing about how lenses are manufactured but in checking some specs out of curiosity, I just realized the new Sony 400 f2.8 is an incredible 2 pounds lighter than Nikon’s newest version of that lens. If they were able to keep a similar edge for future lenses, that would put a new Sony 500 f4 at nearly the same weight as the Nikon 200-500... a total game changer! Guess we’ll have to wait and see but certainly interesting...

Hey Mark, Absolutely amazing!

I like the osprey's talons forward w/ wings back pic the best

Great photography and commentary as always, Mark! And yeah... Really impressive, and seemingly-consistent focus on high-speed targets. Excellent.

Wow what a series of amazing captures! How much did you crop before showing us your photos? Could you share some full shots compared to cropped results please?

A9 looks really good Mark. Great shots. Thanks for sharing the video. Cheers!

Hi Mark. I think I saw you today (4-20) making a u-turn on SR-60. I was right behind you heading back east. I was going to chase you down to say hi but I was starving and the gizzards at the Kenansville gas station were calling my name so I turned north on 441. :-) Anyway, I love your videos and your photos are amazing. I am stunned by how consistently sharp all of your photos are. Great job and thanks for all of the great tutorials.

mark these images are stunning, well done. Great video

Great series of images Mark and as usual fantastic description... I wish Nikon can come up with something like a9 soon...

That is some impressive shooting Mark. You got a lot more keepers than I did with the D850 and 200-500.

I had been waiting for this video, just like waiting for a new episode of my favorite TV series :) The synchronized shots were pretty awesome, and 68/68 shots in focus is incredible too. I hope the 500mm f4 is coming soon. By the way, I've been thinking about the A9 mark 2, I think they will make it higher resolution, 36mp+, if they do that, then it means you will be able to get more details and be able to crop more, so that's one good way to get more reach while keeping the whole system compact.

Very impressive images for one outing!

excellent video. Thank you Mark

We had an Osprey spend the Winter at our local pond. I was able to get many shots leaving the water with fish and flying with fish, but as hard as I tried I could not get a shot of the bird entering the water. My hat is off to you sir. A lot of my problem was having trees behind the bird and could not get focus on the dive.

I am absoloutly amazed by the video footage and stills you always manage to capture. You really do inspire me even though I know with my equipment and lack of expertise I will never be at your level. However after been inspired by people such as yourself and others I am able to capture better shots now than what I have done over the years :D So thank you and keep up the great work your images are just beautiful :D Teddy

Amazing work Mark !! I have the A7riii with the 100-400GM and was debating of getting the Z6 and 200-500 as a 2nd camera or getting the A9 with the new tracking update. Your video just convinced me to get the A9!!

I say the same thing every time I think. Fantastic !! Jim

Amazing photos!

Incredible shots Mark! That A9 certainly sells itself - Those shots of the heron were fantastic - only one problem - Video's too short! Cheers !

Another great video Mark!

What an impressive video thanks for sharing

Amazing video. I'm torn between a Nikon D850 & A9, and this video may have persuaded me towards the Sony.

Best pelican shots I've ever seen in my life

Great work and super photo’s. Can you explane the settings in the A9 for tracking?

Hi Mark, thanks for the content, it is real interesting and useful; could you please share with us which setup, in terms of AF settings, have you used for that shots? I own a A9 + 100-400mm G and I'm constantly struggling to find the best AF settings (AF Zone, AF point, etc.) to catch birds in flight (to be completely honest I'm usually shot small birds that are, in my personal opinion, quite more difficult to catch...). Thank you so much.

Great video & information on the Sony, Mark!

Sony is the best😍😍🤗🇨🇱

Friend of mine sold his Canon equipment and is using Sony. He has the 400 2.8 lens. His images are amazing of birds in flight, example Easter Bluebird. Also, you can stack teleconverters on the 400 2.8 lens. I wouldn’t recommend this for birds in flight but for birds that are static, yes.

Thanks for the great and instructive video. I am presently going through the process of evaluating the Sony A series vs my D850 and D500 and the more I see of the Sony, the more impressed I become! Are you completely converting yourself?

Fantastic pictures! Could you share one or two pictures how they came out of the camera? A9 coming next week! Can’t wait. Many thanks

Just loving your photography - very curious to see if you get the 200-600.

This is another amazing video! It was so nice to meet you and your wonderful wife in Fort DeSoto Park and talk birding & Cameras! I got some really wonderful photographs, and I hope you did too! Marvin

Excellent as usual! Thanks Mark! 👍😁

Stunning!

Amazing photos

Loving my A9 with the new firmware update. Great work as usual, Cheers The Sony 500mm f4, and 600mm f4 are coming, patents are already done for them.

Super helpful video, I’m looking at a move to the A9 from my old Canon D60. What kind of grip do you use?

How the hell do you always make such incredible animal photos? Thanks for sharing! You are showing the camera settings. This is very helpful.

I want your gears Mark ! You need to order for me ！ Your video is just simply amazing 👍

Really inspiring and useful video! Thanks 😊

Brilliant as always Mark. 👍

All those shots are amazing! I don't think Inhave a favorite one. But I can say I like it when you shoot with the d500 and 200-500 mm just because I have the exact same gear! Keep it up.

Nice job Mark!