The same misty morning as my last post, Bald Eagles on a Foggy Morning, I encountered a beautiful osprey on the lake. I zigzagged over to him to get a closer look, then when he was ready to take off, he came towards me rather than away like the Bald Eagles do. I loved the close-up pics I got from the kayak, and had a hard time sitting still from excitement. Click on each picture for a better look and better resolution.
baxterbent
thanks so much. We see them daily and certainly every paddle along the Columbia but I cannot get such gorgeous shots. How lucky to have the clear skies and, I assume, relatively flat water. I would love to see you include the type of camera…maybe you have an i missed it…will look. Dan
blackburnian7
Hi, Dan! It must be incredible to see these majestic birds daily! In the About Me page, you can find a picture of the set-up I use, a 7D Canon with a fixed 400mm lens. It was scary taking the camera with me in the kayak the first few times, but the boat is stable and the lake is no challenge for navigating, so it works very well. I lost my first Sony zoom camera in a small swollen creek when we capsized in front of a downed tree. I watched it float down the stream, never to be seen again! I enjoy your blog and seeing the beautiful kayaks which you hand crafted!
baxterbent
I did go back an look and the conditions in which I paddle absolutely eliminate such nice photo equipment as a possibility. Looking forward to more bird shots too.
babsje
Cool experience! Two of the adult osprey at the lake where I kayak also do that. One intentionally does a low fly-over every time I’m in her neck of the lake. The other, a smaller male farther north on the lake regularly comes overe to perch directly above my kayak when I stop beneath two specific trees – he has been doing this for a few years, while the female only for the past two summers. I think they are curious birds, looking for a fish handout perhaps? I’m glad you posted about your experience.