Friday, October 31, 2014

Kayak Shooting

Our anniversary on Monday was absolutely glorious! When Double D suggested going kayaking, my face lit up like a Christmas tree. He also insisted I take my camera in the kayak. After giving it a lot of thought and imagining my gear hitting the water twelve ways to Sunday, I decided to trust myself. My biggest fear was a spider landing inside the kayak which would cause me to go berserk, thus overturning the kayak and everything in it. Thankfully, only a tiny, emerald green frog made its way inside. It was so cute. My lens was too big so I couldn't get a photo of the little jewel, darnit!

It's not easy to get super sharp shots from a floating vessel, but these came out pretty good.
Double D preparing to take his own shots.

Anhinga drying its wings against a wall of Spanish moss.

Double D took this picture of me taking the above photo.

I was able to get pretty close, so these next images are only slightly cropped.




Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend! Catch up with y'all later.

45 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail I am so happy you trusted yourself and overcame the fear inside. Absolutely worth the risk you are so talented. What a perfect way to spend your time with the one you love. Hug B

The Cranky said...

These are gorgeous shots Gail, absolutely love them! Trusting yourself was the right move. =)

Bethany Carson said...

Awesome shots of the bird! Looks like a lovely day to kayak!

Jeanne said...

I don't believe I have ever seen this bird before. Didn't know it existed. It's just beautiful and your photos are magnificent! Wow...

you-wee because said...

Hey, cormorants! It does not happen too often that you take photographs of birds that are native in good old Germany as well!
Right around the corner, in the river valley of the Neckar, a tributary river of Germany's biggest river Rhine, you find cormornats sitting on rocks keep watching the river fishes.
All the best from Germany, enjoy your weekend, Gail,
Uwe.

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures, Gail.
The bird drying its feathers is totally awesome.
What a great nature there.

rainfield61 said...

"My face lit up like a Christmas tree."

This is such a beautiful Christmas tree.

Anonymous said...

Great close ups of his wings. Yes water spiders in theSouth are fearsome creatures.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

SO glad that you had a beautiful day for your anniversary. Lovely shots! Happy Halloween Gail :-)

Melissa said...

Looks like you had a beautiful day! (I would have been nervous to take the camera too.)

TexWisGirl said...

awesome anhinga shots! awesome shots in general!!!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

On top of a very cooperative anhinga...

Fall colors Southern style

Inspired By June said...

You have a pretty steady hand, my friend! These are wonderful! Have a blessed weekend!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Wonderful shots! Especially of the anhinga. So glad you decided to take your camera along.

Pantherka said...

Beautiful day and great shots.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I understand the hesitancy of taking camera equipment on the water,but,I'm sure glad you did. These pictures are gorgeous.

Betty Manousos said...

these are all gorgeous shots!
thanks for brightening my day, gail!
xoxo

Bas. said...

Je kon er wel heel dicht bij komen heel mooi.

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary!
Love these shots of the Anhinga.

hootnonny said...

It's only a camera! :)

Glad yall could spend a fun time on the water. The images are spectacular, as usual!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Now that was a thoughtful anniversary idea. Great detail shots of the Anhinga.

nookworm said...

Neat idea and brave you! Happy Anniversary! I often see cormorants drying their wings - due to not having an oil gland for waterproofing wings. They are very similar to your anhingas. Your photos really show the details of their feathers!

A Colorful World said...

Fabulous photos! What fun! I've taken my camera in a canoe before, but alas have never been kayaking.

Anonymous said...

Wow - superb shots of the anhinga!

diane b said...

What fun a kayak ride. The Photos are fabulous.

Hootin Anni said...

What a glorious day and wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary!!

Beautiful photos of the cypress and the anhinga. I've only seen ONE around our area this year...usually we have quite a few...but not this year.

Indrani said...

Belated happy anniversary wishes to you!
Great captures! The details so clear.

Amy Burzese said...

Love all of these. The one of you in the boat is gorgeous. Did he take it with his phone?

eileeninmd said...

These are awesome shots, Gail. I am glad you took your camera..the anhinga shots are cool. Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your post and linking up. Have a happy weekend!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a lovely idea to get on the water and I am so glad you took your camera. All the shot are great however I love the last 4 shots of the Anhinga best. Have a great weekend.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a great way to spend a day. I love all the amazing photos you got!

Linda said...

I am not familiar with the anhinga but your shots are fantastic!

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Happy Halloween! Looks like a great day in the swamps.

Great pics.
~

orchid0324 said...

Happy anniversary and I LOVE the first photograph♡♡♡ Great and Wonderful anhinga pictures as well, it must be hard to catch these moments(^_^)ï½–

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Stewart M said...

Great shots - I really think I'm going to have to get a canoe!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Unknown said...

Amazing shots! I love the anhinga drying its wings. Enjoy your Sunday!

Ida said...

Well Happy Anniversary. Looks like you both had a great outing. Loved that bird, so unusual looking and wow the detail you captured is awesome. Also loved your hubby's photo of you and the moss covered tree.

Shug said...

First of all.....Happy Anniversary!!
I sure have to admire someone like you who not only takes the risk of dropping your camera, or having a spider fall into the kayak.....BUT, also takes the risk of approaching a gator!! That so looks like gator country... You do all of this because of your love of nature and your love of kayaking. Awesome Job!! And I love your zeal in life!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh how I would have loved to have been in that kayak with you. Beautiful bayou trip -- your photos are the next best thing. And the anahinga is the perfect Halloween bird somehow.

Wally Jones said...

That looks like it was a good day! Beautiful water, gorgeous habitat and great images!

Happy Anniversary!

Hilary said...

What a gorgeous day and a beautiful collection of photos to remember it by. I love your photos of that magnificent bird. And your hubby's photo of you in your kayak.

Helma said...

It was last Monday year I read and I want to congratulate you remember your birthday. You were kayaking and also nice pictures of the cormorant made​​. Photo 3 I find very beautiful picture but I think six amazing!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! What a great way to celebrate. I love his photo of you! As always, yours are glorious!

Hannah said...

What a glorious place to go kayaking! That's an adventurous way to spend your anniversary, and your photos turned out so well, the anhingas have such marvelous detail. I didn't know their bodies and necks look mostly like down. No wonder they have to dry off and warm up so much. They seem more spectacular than the west coast comorants.

Suzan said...

Aweee! You made my heart happy!! LOVELY!!