p.116 #4 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
I spent a few very enjoyable days in the warmth of the Sonoran Desert last week. A nice break from our miserably cool mid-Atlantic spring and amazing wildlife to boot!
p.116 #5 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
arbitrage wrote:
A couple Belted Kingfishers I shot today from a kayak around Salt Spring Island, BC.
That must have been fun to get out in the kayak. And the images are very high quality.
I have never gotten that close to a Kingfisher any place I have ever been in Maine. Surely it is not because they are more tolerant of the kayak over the canoe? I say that because my friend's kayak allowed me to get much closer to a cormorant than I have ever gotten with my canoe.
I have seen in past posts (grebes?) that you have the Pungo 120.
A friend brought both of his Pungo 120's to the pond...... the one he uses and the other one for me to try out.
I did like the tracking ability, the glide and the very low center of gravity and perspective.
I did not like the water dripping into the cockpit on each stroke. So I think a towel will be a standard piece of gear when I get one.
Question: Do you shoot offhand in your kayak ? I can only hold the camera/lens rig to my face so long before these older muscles scream for relief.
It sure seems the kingfisher(s) in these two images had no problem with your approach.
p.116 #9 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
bs kite wrote:
That must have been fun to get out in the kayak. And the images are very high quality.
I have never gotten that close to a Kingfisher any place I have ever been in Maine. Surely it is not because they are more tolerant of the kayak over the canoe? I say that because my friend's kayak allowed me to get much closer to a cormorant than I have ever gotten with my canoe.
I have seen in past posts (grebes?) that you have the Pungo 120.
A friend brought both of his Pungo 120's to the pond...... the one he uses and the other one for me to try out.
I did like the tracking ability, the glide and the very low center of gravity and perspective.
I did not like the water dripping into the cockpit on each stroke. So I think a towel will be a standard piece of gear when I get one.
Question: Do you shoot offhand in your kayak ? I can only hold the camera/lens rig to my face so long before these older muscles scream for relief.
It sure seems the kingfisher(s) in these two images had no problem with your approach.
Yes I use the Pungo 120 at home. On the island I was using my brother-in-laws smaller ocean kayak. I shoot handheld with both hands and the paddle just rests against my torso balanced across the kayak. At home I can't get close to KF even with my kayak. For some reason these ones on the ocean are more tolerant of a slow approach as they are likely more used to boats compared to the ones at home on small lakes with rare boats.
I don't get much water splashing into my Pungo unless there are high winds. I do have a towel between my legs where I rest my camera while paddling and can wipe it down. I will cover it when in rough water but most of the time it stays dry without any effort. Did your paddle have the small rubber guards to prevent dripping back down the paddle? Otherwise may just be a difference in our paddle strokes as to why you saw more water splashing into the boat.
p.116 #11 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
arbitrage wrote:
A couple Belted Kingfishers I shot today from a kayak around Salt Spring Island, BC.
Gorgeous shots. I second the kudos for getting so close - closest I've gotten to these was maybe 2-4 times farther aways than that, though from wading in the water rather than kayaking. Really beautiful birds, one of the most photogenic Canadian animals that I know of, shame they're so skittish. Lovely work on this.
p.116 #12 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
arbitrage wrote:
Yes I use the Pungo 120 at home. On the island I was using my brother-in-laws smaller ocean kayak. I shoot handheld with both hands and the paddle just rests against my torso balanced across the kayak. At home I can't get close to KF even with my kayak. For some reason these ones on the ocean are more tolerant of a slow approach as they are likely more used to boats compared to the ones at home on small lakes with rare boats.
I don't get much water splashing into my Pungo unless there are high winds. I do have a towel between my legs where I rest my camera while paddling and can wipe it down. I will cover it when in rough water but most of the time it stays dry without any effort. Did your paddle have the small rubber guards to prevent dripping back down the paddle? Otherwise may just be a difference in our paddle strokes as to why you saw more water splashing into the boat....Show more →
Thanks for the clear explanation. Your points make sense. Yes, he does have those rubber guards on his paddles. I have used canoe's all my life, so I am fairly new to kayaks and I am sure that this is a factor.
The mass of my canoe when fully loaded with my gear is too much for me now. I am getting closer to making a decision on a kayak. Your information helped.
p.116 #13 · Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
A few shots from yesterday. Anyone know what kind of bird it is in the second image (the red bird)? Really small fellow, smaller than most chickadees and a little bit more skittish. Saw a couple of them out.
