The day I had been looking forward to finally arrived: kayaking with my cousins on Good Friday. We couldn't have asked for a prettier day. Highlights were seeing four alligators, a hairy brown spider as big as my fist swimming in the water, birds galore, and just plain ol' relaxing.
These are some of the last shots with the Canon SX50. If you missed my earlier post, I had to return the camera because I couldn't use the viewfinder. You can get quality photos with that camera, but you need a lot of light and a tripod. If you're missing either of those elements, it's not good. Can't use a tripod in a rocky kayak.
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| Tyler, my second cousin |
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| Eric, Tyler's brother |
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| Immature little blue heron hunting |
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| Brent, my first cousin and the father of Tyler and Eric |
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I kayaked right up to this little blue heron--about 3 feet away. He wasn't bothered
by my presence one bit! |
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This was shot with Bertha.
We saw a total of 4 gators; 2 in the water and 2 on the bank. |
I hope everyone has a great weekend! We have no plans, so let's see what kind of trouble we can get into. The weatherman predicts a beautiful weekend, so I'm sure we'll be out enjoying nature somewhere. My heart goes out to those in the path of the tornadoes and floods. God bless.
so wish i was there paddling along. ( :
ReplyDeleteWow that alligator shot is AMAZING! I love them. I really would love to go kayaking sometime this summer. Of course we don't have gators here in KY but I still hope to see some cool sights/creatures. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I keep thinking about getting a kayak of some sort - I think I'm a little closer!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
That was nice of the heron to cooperate with your camera. Looks like a fun and productive day. I think the allegators would have scared me though.
ReplyDeleteGood paddle on Good Friday. Yes, you'd want good image stabilization in a kayak.
ReplyDeletedat lijkt mij een hele belevenis om tussen de aligators te kajakken.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and amazing day in the kayak.
ReplyDeleteGreetings.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography and a fantastic place to explore.
ReplyDeleteWonderful place and beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteThat scenery is stunning, but I have to say "no" to the gators!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe SX50 did do a nice job on these shots. It's such a shame about that viewfinder. I still can't imagine learning to kayak in gator-infested waters. The immature little blue was a treat to see, as it transitions from white to blue.
ReplyDeleteGail these are exceptional captures! Holy Cow the detail is awesome (as usual :) ). Sure looks like it was a great day too. The alligator photo is crazy... Were you right next to it in the Kayak? Wow
ReplyDeleteWow Gail, these are great pictures.
ReplyDeleteAccording to mine are this magrove forests.
Beautiful as the kayakers.
The crocodile is really quite amazing.
Greetings Irma
gail, those awesome reflections and cypress trees! wow! the herons aren't too shabby, either! loved your kayaking cousins. :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun to be kayaking with your cousins. Great photos! I love the little blue heron.
ReplyDeleteThat kayaking looks like so much fun. Till you showed me the Alligator.. YIKES. Even the photo scares me. Heehee.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday my friend.
Hugs~
I'm so excited that you are enjoying paddling so much!! Your photos are beautiful!! AND Gail - you are much too close to that gator!!!! Goodness gracious!! Give me the heeby geebies!! Lovely heron shot!! Word of warning - do not take your pooch out paddling where there are gators. Those gators will chase you down with a dog on board!!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun shots!! Except for that gator!!
I guess the heron considered a blue object that swims/floats can't be all bad! :-) Looks as if you are having a wonderful time in that kayak.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I'm wondering if maybe you gave up on that camera too soon
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing pictures of a wonderful trip! Love them all. What a beatiful place!
ReplyDeleteHa ha great shots. Those gator were looking for a boy dinner.
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd been there! Ditto on the wishes for the tornado and flood victims.
ReplyDeleteYou caught such beautiful shots! It looks like a lovely place, though I would be mighty nervous around the gators. :-) I have never seen a blue heron in person.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful shots, Gail.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYou must replace the camera because I love these up close and personal in the swamp pics!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I'd like to see the heron up close but not the gator.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day out!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice place for kayaking and photography.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I would like kayaking so close to the gators.. I do love the little blues, gorgeous birds. Great shots! happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI hope you really do have a great weekend, Gail. Here its gonna be dark, wet and dreary. Oh, well. :)
ReplyDeleteWow; your cousins really look having fun for kayaking♡♡♡ Wonderful nature for that, isn't it!!! The herons are beautiful, but alligator (watch out) might be dangerous(^_^)彡☆
ReplyDeleteSending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Good morning Gail....this is a fantastic shot of the gator!! Seeing one of these would have had me rowing that kayak back to safety...as fast as I could. Honestly, this looks like a whole lot of fun! Hope you find some interesting places to visit today...have a good one!
ReplyDeleteHairy brown spiders are never considered a "highlight" of my day ;-) You got some great shots! Alligators are so cool
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!!! And the cypress swamps...one of my favorite parts of LA!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you have time today...stop by my birdin' blog. Gotta a big happy bird. Well, at least I'M happy to get the photos.
Super photos Gail, and how great to see all these lovely sights. I would have had so much fun doing all that, and especially with family, that would be real nice.
ReplyDeleteoohhhhh gail, what a gorgeous place and such a great adventure. i am kayaking vicariously through you but i must try it!!
ReplyDeletethe reflections and your images are so beautiful!!
you could link this with saturday critters. those gators are wonderful critters!!
Such a beautiful place Gail, love that Blue Heron. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun shots!
ReplyDeleteThey were obviously having fun! Love the heron and gator photos!
ReplyDeleteToo bad that you had to return the camera. The quality of these pictures is really great. Fantastic series, Gail. It looks very scary to kajak on water with alligators. O, and by the way, I am photographing with a same kind of camera, but I never use that (terrible) viewfinder. I always photograph with live view. It was hard to learn, but now I am used to it. Greetings from the Netherlands, Joke
ReplyDeleteLovely to kayak with your cousin and then also saw a lot of animals and birds. Only that big spider I find super creepy brrrr ..... Continue beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful day today.