Out of Hibernation

[rtbaum]

Greetings to my friends at CiC!

I have been on a winter sabbatical from bird photography. I just got a little tired of the same subjects in the same settings. As happens to many of us, I have always craved the bigger, faster lens to obtain "THE SHOT". I got news for ya'.....I can't afford it!!!! So I have taken a different slant on the problem...and for me, a more enjoyable solution.



A month ago, I picked up an 15' 4" solo canoe (I had to supply my own navigator). I've been lucky that the weather has been unseasonably pleasant, allowing me to work on becoming comfortable in a smaller craft, teaching Bailey to reliably ride in the canoe, finally becoming confident enough to bring the camera on-board.

Today, I traveled about 5 miles west of home to an interesting lake. Pelican Lake was an important stopping point for migrating waterfowl in past times, it is actually one of a handful that was attractive to canvasbacks and served as breeding habitat for White pelicans. When the suburbs began to approach this area it began to be managed as a fishery, primarily northern pike, crappie, and largemouth bass. The lake was allowed to rise, drowning out the native vegetation necessary for waterfowl. The problem was that the lake is only about 17' at the deepest points and would routinely freeze solid, killing most of the fish. Two years ago, the MnDnr said enough was enough and decided to return to strictly a waterfowl production area. The lake is gradually being drained to about 11'. This has resulted in a really quiet place to paddle with oodles of birds

[Shadowman]

Nice compromise, nice captures.

[IzzieK]

Welcome back to CiC Randy...'been away too long, we almost forgot you were once a member here... Now you got competitions for the pelicans -- Barbara Ponder. Watch her...she will take your birdie crown away from you sooner than you can blink...

Anyway, love these two shots...especially the second one. Nice, sharp and whites are really captured as whites. Scratching is a bonus....

[rtbaum]

Nice compromise, nice captures.

Thank you, John
The compromise was worth it, paddling this canoe is a blast. I'm lucky to live in a part of the world where there are some really good canoes still being designed and manufactured. I am amazed at the level of competition between different designers and styles available. It is very similar to Nikon vs Canon. Decisions must be made between maneuverability and straight tracking (the two are mutually exclusive). Materials used are a concern; basically the stronger the material, the heavier, the heavier, more difficult to portage. Kevlar canoes are the rage as they are very light, but tear on rocks. I am not sold on that as a photographer, as I envision getting into some tight areas and will hit my share of rocks, trees, and other sharp objects. Aluminum is very tough, but real heavy...and very noisy. Not even on my radar! I ended up with a Wenonah Wilderness in Tuffweave, probably 5# heavier than Kevlar, but still pretty light at 43#

[rtbaum]

Welcome back to CiC Randy...'been away too long, we almost forgot you were once a member here... Now you got competitions for the pelicans -- Barbara Ponder. Watch her...she will take your birdie crown away from you sooner than you can blink...

Anyway, love these two shots...especially the second one. Nice, sharp and whites are really captured as whites. Scratching is a bonus....

Glad to be back, Izzie, I've still kept an eye on things here at CiC and am quite aware of Barbara Ponder's wonderful progression...as well as JBW and yourself. I've been in a funk about my 17-50, lens is great, it's my problem being inspired by flat cornfields. I have a plan for that however, involving narrow rivers and creeks and the BWCA

[FootLoose]

Nice shots, Randy. The variety of pelicans never ceases to amaze me. This guy seems to have a horn growing on top of his beak?

[Barbara Ponder]

Love the pelicans! Nice shots!

[IzzieK]

Uh oh...another canoe mad man down your way...used to stay in MN once a year for a weekend each time but haven't been there for two years now...our friends over there is canoe-mad too who can talk about canoes from sunrise to sunset...it is fun going out in one every now and then. I do not know what we have, but we bought it at Cabela's about 3 years ago now and take it just to Creve Coeur Lake during summer. It occupies a special place in our hangar. In Florida we use a transparent one each time to go to some islands. That! is fun.

Thank you, John
The compromise was worth it, paddling this canoe is a blast. I'm lucky to live in a part of the world where there are some really good canoes still being designed and manufactured. I am amazed at the level of competition between different designers and styles available. It is very similar to Nikon vs Canon. Decisions must be made between maneuverability and straight tracking (the two are mutually exclusive). Materials used are a concern; basically the stronger the material, the heavier, the heavier, more difficult to portage. Kevlar canoes are the rage as they are very light, but tear on rocks. I am not sold on that as a photographer, as I envision getting into some tight areas and will hit my share of rocks, trees, and other sharp objects. Aluminum is very tough, but real heavy...and very noisy. Not even on my radar! I ended up with a Wenonah Wilderness in Tuffweave, probably 5# heavier than Kevlar, but still pretty light at 43#

[John 2]

I'm struggling to see where the compromise is. Two great shots (three really). I hope we are going to be seeing more now that you have returned to the fold.

[rtbaum]

Nice shots, Randy. The variety of pelicans never ceases to amaze me. This guy seems to have a horn growing on top of his beak?

The way that I understand it, the horn is seasonal thing. Apparently big orange bumps on your nose is pelican sexy.

[deetheturk]

Great shots Randy!

[Texas Dave]

The pelican taking off is a striking photo to say the least! Awesome perspective and frame.