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Archive 2016 · Skagit River Estuary

  
 
kwilliam8
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Skagit River Estuary


It’s been awhile since I have posted any images on this forum. The Skagit River in Washington State drains much of the western slope of the North Cascades Mountain Range. The Skagit River empties into Puget Sound near the town of Mount Vernon. This area is one of my favorite areas for wildlife viewing. I have been going there for several years. Inspired by several kayaking photographers on this forum, I bought a recreational kayak (Wilderness Systems Pungo 120) early in the summer and taught myself to kayak (there was a lot to learn; e.g., gear, self-rescue, river currents, tidal influences). At any rate, after a bunch of trips kayaking on nearby lakes, I have been able to finally make it safely and comfortably into the Skagit River estuary system. Here are some images from a couple of recent paddles. All of these images were taken with the new Nikon D500 camera and the Nikon 300mm f/4 Phase Fresnel lens (with the latest Nikon 1.4x teleconverter attached). This combination is a great setup for wildlife photography from a kayak.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Animals/i-dQMWpCR/0/XL/20160825-_D502548-Edit-XL.jpg
1. Harbor Seal, 1/4000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Animals/i-sNHdk97/0/XL/20160825-_D503249-Edit-XL.jpg
2. Harbor Seal, 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1000

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Waterfowl/i-Fz6TjbM/0/XL/20160909-_D504186-Edit-XL.jpg
3. Mallard blast-off, 1/4000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 500

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Waterfowl/i-vWQTNgt/0/XL/20160909-_D504188-Edit-XL.jpg
4. Mallard take-off, 1/4000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 500

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Birds/i-nR22nG7/0/XL/20160909-_D504478-Edit-XL.jpg
5. Long-Billed Dowitchers, 1/5000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Birds/i-ZXkkBCZ/0/XL/20160909-_D504551-Edit-XL.jpg
6. Long-Billed Dowitcher, 1/3200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800

https://photos.smugmug.com/Things/Animals/i-QwMW8Gg/0/XL/20160909-_D504994-Edit-XL.jpg
7. Harbor Seals, 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800

The Dowitchers got to within 5 feet of my kayak, and did not seem to be bothered at all by my presence. I hung out for quite a while simply enjoying their company. I have found kayaking to be very enjoyable. Any decent images that I come away with are just a bonus! Thanks for taking a look. Comments and feed-back are welcome!

Keith W.



Sep 13, 2016 at 03:57 PM
Scrumhalf
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Skagit River Estuary


Lovely shots! Kayaking seems to be wonderful way to get close to wildlife. Did you find it to be a steep learning curve? I am not in a position to purchase a kayak, but I wonder if renting one occasionally would make sense, or if it would just mean I'll get myself into more trouble than I can deal with?


Sep 13, 2016 at 06:16 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Skagit River Estuary


Scrumhalf wrote:
Lovely shots! Kayaking seems to be wonderful way to get close to wildlife. Did you find it to be a steep learning curve? I am not in a position to purchase a kayak, but I wonder if renting one occasionally would make sense, or if it would just mean I'll get myself into more trouble than I can deal with?


Thanks! The learning curve depends on many things, of course. It's probably best to consult with experienced kayakers (versus someone like me that is just starting out). It is a blast, but it is worth doing your homework and being conservative about things. I have made about 20 trips out in my kayak now. Each trip was a baby step, learning something new about technique, conditions, locations, gear, etc. I have to say that I really enjoy kayaking now, and wish that I had taken up the activity years ago. Better late than never, I suppose. Be safe, if you do it.

Keith W.



Sep 13, 2016 at 06:38 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Skagit River Estuary


Scrumhalf wrote:
Lovely shots! Kayaking seems to be wonderful way to get close to wildlife. Did you find it to be a steep learning curve? I am not in a position to purchase a kayak, but I wonder if renting one occasionally would make sense, or if it would just mean I'll get myself into more trouble than I can deal with?


Also, many places that offer kayak rentals also offer kayak instruction. That might be looking into!

Keith W.



Sep 13, 2016 at 06:56 PM
kdacharya
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Skagit River Estuary


Lovely use of the kayak to get eye level shots


Sep 13, 2016 at 07:17 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Skagit River Estuary


A very nice set Keith, and it's hard to beat the low angle shooting ~ Ron


Sep 13, 2016 at 07:44 PM
morris
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Skagit River Estuary


Excelent set Keath

Morris



Sep 13, 2016 at 08:18 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Skagit River Estuary


kdacharya wrote:
Lovely use of the kayak to get eye level shots


Kdacharya, thank you!

---------------------------------------------

surfnron wrote:
A very nice set Keith, and it's hard to beat the low angle shooting ~ Ron


Ron, it does force you to get low!

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morris wrote:
Excelent set Keath

Morris


Morris, thanks!

Keith W.



Sep 14, 2016 at 12:44 AM
kmunroe
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Skagit River Estuary


very nice images Keith


Sep 14, 2016 at 02:18 AM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Skagit River Estuary


kmunroe wrote:
very nice images Keith


Kenny, thanks!

Keith W.



Sep 14, 2016 at 01:46 PM
Herb Houghton
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Skagit River Estuary


Great set Keith


Sep 14, 2016 at 07:37 PM
BeeBalm
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Skagit River Estuary


Hi Keith,
Very nice set - the first one is awesome!
BB



Sep 14, 2016 at 07:49 PM
birdied
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Skagit River Estuary


What a lovely set !


Birdie



Sep 14, 2016 at 08:36 PM
Karl Witt
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Skagit River Estuary


Great enjoyable views and angles. #1 is darn sweet and #2 gave me a chuckle #3 nicely conveys motion #4 has good symmetry .........great outing!

Karl



Sep 14, 2016 at 08:44 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Skagit River Estuary


Herb Houghton wrote:
Great set Keith


Herb, thank you!

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BeeBalm wrote:
Hi Keith,
Very nice set - the first one is awesome!
BB


BB, thanks! I like that one too!

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birdied wrote:
What a lovely set !

Birdie


Birdie, thanks!

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Karl Witt wrote:
Great enjoyable views and angles. #1 is darn sweet and #2 gave me a chuckle #3 nicely conveys motion #4 has good symmetry .........great outing!

Karl


Karl, thanks - the feed-back is much appreciated!

Keith W.



Sep 14, 2016 at 09:21 PM
louie champan
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Skagit River Estuary


Super set Keith.


Sep 14, 2016 at 10:59 PM
KirkB
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Skagit River Estuary


I really like the low shooting angle you have in these from your kayak. 1 and 3 are the standouts for me, well done Keith.

Kirk



Sep 14, 2016 at 11:32 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Skagit River Estuary


louie champan wrote:
Super set Keith.


Louie, thanks!

---------------------------------------------

KirkB wrote:
I really like the low shooting angle you have in these from your kayak. 1 and 3 are the standouts for me, well done Keith.

Kirk


Kirk, thanks - much appreciated!

Keith W.



Sep 15, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Shasoc
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Skagit River Estuary


Lovely perspective in these, Keith! colors and detail are pleasant.
Socrate



Sep 15, 2016 at 07:27 PM
kwilliam8
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Skagit River Estuary


Shasoc wrote:
Lovely perspective in these, Keith! colors and detail are pleasant.
Socrate


Socrate, thanks so much!

Keith W.



Sep 15, 2016 at 11:09 PM
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