Return to Elkhorn Slough - Moss Landing CA
Stumblebum
Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
Supposed to be one of the best birding spots in Norther CA and this is supposed to be best time of the year, but I didn't see all the variety I was hoping for. Kayaking most of them! Below are my attempts:
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Comments
Thanks dog! Always wanted to get an otter shot. There were two of them playing with each other but water was choppy so every time I let go of the paddle, kayak turned me away from them, but hope to capture more playful behavior in future. Cheers!
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Okay, now I see why.
All the photos are great. If I had to pick just one as my favorite I'd say 1, 2, 7 and 12 -- with #2 being the most unique. Well done!
Pics: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com
Blog: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com
Thanks Chris! Knowledge you dropped helped!!
Thanks Steve! Generous as always!
I did SHUDDER at the thought of Kayak flipping over in choppy waters or me chasing a shot and turning and either dropping my gear or falling out. There is no insurance for that event. But no other way to get close. Get the widest and most stable kayak, and try it out before venturing deep! Cheers!
Taz
Especially like the Egret shots...
Gotta give props to you photogs that actually "get dirty" chasing the shots!
Here's to staying dry in the New Year!
Whilst 'getting down low / subject's eye level' is an oft mentioned approach - on the occasion you're referring to, I think it was me
I was suggesting much lower than these, tho ... probably about an inch of daylight / clearance between the lens hood and water surface (depending on conditions, of course)
The differences (imo) are quite noticeable the lower you get ... with subjects such as waterfowl.
If I was using a canoe / kayak I think I'd be tempted to experiment with some sort of (easily removeable?) stabiliser / outrigger system to not only provide a lower shooting platform, but also provide better stability / safety.
Common occurrence for many wildlife 'togs, methinks
pp
Flickr
Thanks Eric!! I wouldn't mind getting in neck deep around the shore, but even slightest crack of the twig and birds take off. Need to try some camouflage suit.
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Thanks!
Might work as long as I don't slip. The 5100 has the swivel screen, which helps -- the challenge (I think) would be getting the focus right. I completely agree the low vantage point could be really cool -- I've had good luck at the beach holding the camera right over the surf, either handheld or on tripod.
Pics: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com
Blog: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com
Don't want to hijack the thread, but it's relevant here.
Obviously not 'my' advice ... but I rabbit on about it in circumstances / situations where - imo - it really makes a difference ... on all sorts of levels (sorry
Image search on any waterfowl and you'll be bombarded with masses of pics that've been taken from a high vantage point - I often see bods standing behind a cam on tripod on a lake / river bank ... putting cam 2m (or more) above water level etc ... I feel like suggesting 'at least try it on the bank / lower and see what you get' ... but being a shy, retiring Brit I just pedal past on my bike and let 'em get on with it
Taking such pics from a low level almost immediately makes them different / stand out from the rest.
It doesn't of course make a rubbish pic good
Higher pov obviously gives a 'looking down on subject' feel which can lead to a sort of 'power play' scenario ... how many times do you read about people wanting to intimidate others by being higher than others ... something the military are well aware of too, of course
Being at the subject's eye level also tends to increase the feeling of being part of their scene / life / activity etc ... rather than being an outsider looking in
Low pov decreases the height / thickness of the part of the image associated with the bg behind the subject to the horizon, thus maximising the more distant (and hopefully appropriate / photogenic) bg such as vegetation /sky whatever.
Having a really oof bg can also help the separation of subject activity ... such as when they;re flapping wings and water's flying around / diving / fighting / mating etc... in a backlit scenario a low pov makes stuff like airborne water stand out even more.
Shooting (waterfowl) bifs from a low level has the potential to place the water surface in frame in a somewhat different way from higher level povs ... almost providing some sort of 'anchor' ... obviously, landing / take off situations with water dropping off the bird ...or spray behind the subject can be even better, against an oof bg.
etc
Re hanging gear over the side on a 'pod ... no personal experience, but got to be worth a try imo ... if you're considering using a remote, then that implies pre-setting the cam and just 'pressing the button' ... ie no further messing with the cam once it's held / dangled over the side.
Have you considered wrapping a clear plastic bag (eg freezer bag) around the whole rig and gaffer taping it around the 'pod joint and the lens hood?
One stage further would be to seal the joint between the glass of a filter and therefore waterproof that bit ... and tape the bag around the filter ring ... in the days when I used a 400 / 5.6 I placed the whole rig inside an old fish tank and immersed it in the water.
All depends on what you're after / satisfied with etc ... and whether you think it's worth the effort / inconvenience ... imo many don't.
Finally,many will say ... 'well if everyone did this, all the pic'd look the same again' ... well, in the same way that all the pics taken from a high pov don't look the same, so's this'd be the case here.
Apart from the fact that imo this'd never happen because some ppl don't want to get themselves or gear messy ... it's still down to what the 'tog wants / prefers ... and I know which approach I prefer ... other's mmv.
/end rant
pp
Edit
A thought re 'outriggers / stabilisers' ... something based on folding / telescopic alu or (better?) carbon fibre tubing / arms with floats made from something like a 3L wine box bladder ... light, easily stored and activated when needed ... and easily available ... yes, I realise that emptying such would be a tough gig... but someone's got to do it
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Good advice Paul! Finding different view points is always good. When on shore, I hunker down and try to make myself as less threatening as possible and after a bit birds seem to ignore me, while maintaining safe distance and that has been enjoyable for me. Only recently I got lucky and standing on observation deck, got some birds and otters to pop up (Charleston Slough thread). Even though it is from higher view point, it shows a different side and adds its own value.
To summarize - moving around works. Getting away from the crowd does too.
Most people prefer comfort and are satisfied with what they got. I kind of admire them. They have higher chance of being happy. However, to get something different, as you suggest, one has to think out of the box.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
pp
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