Took a few shots from a kayak for the first time

Maestro

My family and I went down to visit friends at a lake near Corsicana, Texas. Our friends know that I like to bird with my camera so they suggested I take their kayak and poke around the rather isolated coves in the lake. They didn't realize my camera equipment was so extensive, but ignoring the better part of reason, I loaded up my equipment in a trash bag and took off in the kayak. There were tons of forster's terns, cattle egrets, black vultures, great egrets, red tailed hawks, but I mainly spent my time with the Great Blue Herons who were actively roosting. (Is that the correct term?) :scratch

Anyhow, here are my first captures from a kayak in rather choppy waters. It was overcast and a bit rainy at times with little bits of sun so the skies are a bit washed out. Please forgive that. Most of the pictures were shot with a flash and Better Beamer.

GBH on the shore line


GBH with a chick or another adult sitting



GBH sitting


GBH sitting again from a different angle


GBH standing in nest (better light)


GBH up close


As I kept going further back into this cove, the lake narrowed down to a small stream really. At the entrance to this small inlet of water, there was a large dead tree. Perched in the tree was what I thought was just another vulture, but as I got closer I noticed it was an osprey. Ospreys are common, but in Texas, at least, they do not appear in great numbers at any given lake. At large lakes, I consider myself lucky to find one or two. I have never been lucky enough to actually take a picture of one in the wild until now. :barb:ivar Again, it is not a fantastic photo because of the lighting conditions but nonetheless, it is my first picture of an osprey.



It only allowed me two pics of it perched before it bolted. It went right past me in my kayak. I almost flipped the kayak turning and leaning to my right so quickly to get this picture of it in flight.



I paddled back to the lake house to see that my kids and wife were fishing and having fun on jet skis. Everyone was happy but I was beaming because I finally got to see an osprey up close and the pics weren't half bad. It was a nice day to say the least. :clap

Thanks for looking and reading.

rustic

Sounds like a nice trip, and looks like some nice shots!

Glad that you and your gear didn't end up in the water:D

Albert Dickson

Good Going
Sounds like a realy nice day. So now you will be investing in a Kayak?

Shasoc

Congrats on your first Osprey, Stephen. You did very good considering the lighting conditions. You even got one in flight! I also like the GBH shots.
It is really amazing how close the birds let you get when you are on a boat or kayak.

dbaker1221

pretty cool trip! congrats on the Osprey!! We've been talking about getting a couple kayaks too...I'd be afraid to dump my camera though..

Maestro

rustic wrote:

Sounds like a nice trip, and looks like some nice shots!

Glad that you and your gear didn't end up in the water:D

I was glad for that too! I went out first without the equipment just to see what I could see. When I saw all the action going on, I just had to go back and get the equipment. I was very careful for the most part. A kayak is actually pretty stable as long as you have a longer version not the shorter "white water" kind.

Maestro

Albert Dickson wrote:

Sounds like a realy nice day. So now you will be investing in a Kayak?

I am seriously thinking about it. My wife even took the kayak out for spin after me so it will be much easier to convince her.

Maestro

Shasoc wrote:

Congrats on your first Osprey, Stephen. You did very good considering the lighting conditions. You even got one in flight! I also like the GBH shots.
It is really amazing how close the birds let you get when you are on a boat or kayak.

I really had fun, got some exercise and pics. It really is a nice combination. Thanks for the comments on the pics. I really hate poor light. :bluduh

riddim_maker

Good for you Stephen
It's nice of your family to let you go off all by yourself
seems like you had a ball judging by your pics
Thanks for sharing

BigAl

You're a brave man taking your kit in a kayak! I'd be too worried about the stability, both in keeping upright and holding the camera steady

Congrats on the Osprey

jwear

I was very careful for the most part. A kayak is actually pretty stable as long as you have a longer version not the shorter "white water" kind. you can get a water proof pack and mount a tri pod on it paddle ,glide ,shot paddle ,glide .shoot osprey are something my avatar is my first osprey .That i will not forget --congrats on yours

Maestro

jwear wrote:

I was very careful for the most part. A kayak is actually pretty stable as long as you have a longer version not the shorter "white water" kind. you can get a water proof pack and mount a tri pod on it paddle ,glide ,shot paddle ,glide .shoot osprey are something my avatar is my first osprey .That i will not forget --congrats on yours

Jeff,

I think I have seen those mounts in pics. I am not sure I am going to spend that much time in a kayak taking pics to warrant that investment, but if I find I can consistently get better access to birds and other animals this way, who know? I might just invest in that mount and kayak.

Harv

Stephen, you're a brave man. I wouldn't even get into a kayak, gear or no gear. You had a very productive trip. Congrats on your first osprey.

Maestro

Harv wrote:

Stephen, you're a brave man. I wouldn't even get into a kayak, gear or no gear. You had a very productive trip. Congrats on your first osprey.

Thanks Harv. They are actually very stable and I had no problems. I am sure, given the chance, I will do it again unless the water is just too choppy. Thanks for the comments.

raptorcaptor

Congrats on your first Osprey shots! If you are going to do more kayak shooting pick up a drybag for your camera. (about $20) I usually keep the camera in the bag while I'm paddling and bring it out when I need it. Most people tip their kayak trying to shoot something behind them.

Harryb

Looks like a good way to approach possible subjects and fun too. I'm too chicken to take my gear out on the water.

Thwack

Most of my kayak shooting is done while fishing. I bring a waterproof camera since my subjects are usually up close when I take a pic (fish I've just caught or weird bugs I've plucked from the surface). Too bad the small waterproof camera can't do decent bird shots (never close enough it seems to make up for weak optics).

Kayaks can be very stable platforms if you get the right one. Wider kayaks are more stable than narrow ones but they're also slower moving in the water.

Waterproof bags are readily available in a variety of sizes for holding cameras, phones, car keys, etc (stuff that you don't want getting wet). Keep your gear in those when not actively shooting and then your gear is "at risk" only during shooting (not while commuting to/from the shooting spots).

I'd never bring a good camera in a touring kayak (the long narrow type that go really fast really easily)...those tip over if you even think about leaning.

You can also attach pontoons that stabilize a kayak enough to allow standing. Fly fishermen use these to make it easier to cast long distances and some folks use them just for general stability in rougher water.

If you want to shoot from a yak and stay ultra-stable, the attachable pontoons may be a very good addition. The better ones can be raised and lowered while in the water so you don't have to fight their drag during paddling.

Nice pics!

Maestro

Thwack wrote:

Most of my kayak shooting is done while fishing. I bring a waterproof camera since my subjects are usually up close when I take a pic (fish I've just caught or weird bugs I've plucked from the surface). Too bad the small waterproof camera can't do decent bird shots (never close enough it seems to make up for weak optics).

Kayaks can be very stable platforms if you get the right one. Wider kayaks are more stable than narrow ones but they're also slower moving in the water.

Waterproof bags are readily available in a variety of sizes for holding cameras, phones, car keys, etc (stuff that you don't want getting wet). Keep your gear in those when not actively shooting and then your gear is "at risk" only during shooting (not while commuting to/from the shooting spots).

I'd never bring a good camera in a touring kayak (the long narrow type that go really fast really easily)...those tip over if you even think about leaning.

You can also attach pontoons that stabilize a kayak enough to allow standing. Fly fishermen use these to make it easier to cast long distances and some folks use them just for general stability in rougher water.

If you want to shoot from a yak and stay ultra-stable, the attachable pontoons may be a very good addition. The better ones can be raised and lowered while in the water so you don't have to fight their drag during paddling.

Nice pics!

Thanks for the info Thwack. If I find myself spending more and more time birding at lakes or near rivers I may just invest in one, a very stable one.

Maestro

Harryb wrote:

Looks like a good way to approach possible subjects and fun too. I'm too chicken to take my gear out on the water.

I thought I was too Harry, but after seeing the birds I thought I would risk it. What can I say? I live in the fast lane.

Maestro

raptorcaptor wrote:

Congrats on your first Osprey shots! If you are going to do more kayak shooting pick up a drybag for your camera. (about $20) I usually keep the camera in the bag while I'm paddling and bring it out when I need it. Most people tip their kayak trying to shoot something behind them.

Thanks Glenn. I think a drybag is in my future.

Harv

Maestro wrote:

Thanks Harv. They are actually very stable and I had no problems. I am sure, given the chance, I will do it again unless the water is just too choppy. Thanks for the comments.

Maybe I'll try it with YOUR gear.

Maestro

Harv wrote:

Maybe I'll try it with YOUR gear.

Uh, no, that won't be happening.

Jody Melanson

Way to go Stephen!