It's 5:00 in the morning on one of the coldest days in Minnesota.
You grab your gear and drive for an hour on icy roads to get to the river where there is open water
because of the power plants up stream putting warm water back into the river after using it to cool down the equipment.
Because of the warm water and cold air above it, there's a fog/mist over the river.
You head to the shore line before the sun comes up and wait for the trumpeter swans to float by.
Shortly after sunrise, you start shooting. It's cold, -5 to -20 degrees cold.
Hands are froze, face is froze, the screen on the back of the camera is full of frost and in slow motion.
The batteries last about 150 shots, then you swap it out with a warm battery that's in your pocket.
Hands get more cold.
You spend maybe an hour out there, after that the light is getting harsh.
You are talking about difficult climate. Maybe a bit uncomfortable but hardly the most challenging. Anyone with proper clothing and even average gear can do it. There are genres with even harsher environments, and a high risk of destroying gear and even the photographer getting killed. I don't think I have heard that those things are common among hobby bird photographers.
Leica is doing a daily showing of its rare and unusual camera collection this month. One day they brought out cameras damaged by bullets, shrapnel, some with blood still on them. Swans don't shoot at you, or hint you for food or to protect territory do they?
There are many genres with these levels of risk. Even with that the photographer is still required to use his vision to capture meaningful images. Courage is one thing, but vision is what separates the greats.
It's 5:00 in the morning on one of the coldest days in Minnesota.
You grab your gear and drive for an hour on icy roads to get to the river where there is open water
because of the power plants up stream putting warm water back into the river after using it to cool down the equipment.
Because of the warm water and cold air above it, there's a fog/mist over the river.
You head to the shore line before the sun comes up and wait for the trumpeter swans to float by.
Shortly after sunrise, you start shooting. It's cold, -5 to -20 degrees cold.
Hands are froze, face is froze, the screen on the back of the camera is full of frost and in slow motion.
The batteries last about 150 shots, then you swap it out with a warm battery that's in your pocket.
Hands get more cold.
You spend maybe an hour out there, after that the light is getting harsh.
You are talking about difficult climate. Maybe a bit uncomfortable but hardly the most challenging. Anyone with proper clothing and even average gear can do it. There are genres with even harsher environments, and a high risk of destroying gear and even the photographer getting killed. I don't think I have heard that those things are common among hobby bird photographers.
Leica is doing a daily showing of its rare and unusual camera collection this month. One day they brought out cameras damaged by bullets, shrapnel, some with blood still on them. Swans don't shoot at you, or hint you for food or to protect territory do they?
Dec 24, 2025 at 09:36 PM
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