Today's River Kayak Trip

Dean_Gretsch · Sep 23, 2019

Thanks Jeff. I agree with your favorite order.

PJM · Sep 23, 2019

My tips are similar to Dean's. My camera goes into a dry bag and into a hatch I have on my kayak. I stays there until I've launched and am stable on the water. Once I'm stable I take it out and put the camera strap around my neck. The strap is on the longish side so the camera sits in my lap between my legs. I take my 70-300 zoom with me. No lens changing on the kayak :02.47-tranquillity:

It's one of my favorite ways to go out with the camera.

Flying Panda · Sep 25, 2019

Great set Dean! I am partial to the Hooded Merganser. I guess because of the surface perspective. All the images are great. The snake image definitely has some awesome color rendition.

Also, I have to comment on equipment safety. All previous comments are good. But I espeacially like Pete's idea the best. This past Friday I went to Elk Water Dam Reservoir in West Virginia for some kayak photography. It is a small lake with a lot of potential for wildlife and waterfowl. I entered a small inlet and scattered about two dozen Wood Ducks. Knowing they would eventually return, I tried to maneuver my kayak into a tight spot among a bunch of dead trees that were still in the water. I was in a hurry and being careless. I didn't place my camera rig into it's safe place but left it sitting on my lap (unstrappped to anything). As I was moving backwards, a low lying limb shoved me forward and the camera slipped off my lap and into the water so fast I didn't even get a chance to watch it sink. Duhhhh!!!! :BangHead:

@PJM's advice is spot on. His idea will fit my style perfectly. I not only replaced my equipment with new stuff (same rig, just new) but also acquired some Inland/Marine insurance from State Farm.

Dean_Gretsch · Sep 25, 2019

PJM said:
My tips are similar to Dean's. My camera goes into a dry bag and into a hatch I have on my kayak. I stays there until I've launched and am stable on the water. Once I'm stable I take it out and put the camera strap around my neck. The strap is on the longish side so the camera sits in my lap between my legs. I take my 70-300 zoom with me. No lens changing on the kayak It's one of my favorite ways to go out with the camera.

Sounds like we have very similar approaches to safety of the equipment. Thanks!

Flying Panda said:
Great set Dean! I am partial to the Hooded Merganser. I guess because of the surface perspective. All the images are great. The snake image definitely has some awesome color rendition.

Also, I have to comment on equipment safety. All previous comments are good. But I espeacially like Pete's idea the best. This past Friday I went to Elk Water Dam Reservoir in West Virginia for some kayak photography. It is a small lake with a lot of potential for wildlife and waterfowl. I entered a small inlet and scattered about two dozen Wood Ducks. Knowing they would eventually return, I tried to maneuver my kayak into a tight spot among a bunch of dead trees that were still in the water. I was in a hurry and being careless. I didn't place my camera rig into it's safe place but left it sitting on my lap (unstrappped to anything). As I was moving backwards, a low lying limb shoved me forward and the camera slipped off my lap and into the water so fast I didn't even get a chance to watch it sink. Duhhhh!!!!
@PJM's advice is spot on. His idea will fit my style perfectly. I not only replaced my equipment with new stuff (same rig, just new) but also acquired some Inland/Marine insurance from State Farm.

I am very sorry to hear about that loss! I may have to check into insurance. Good idea! Thank you!