One Of Those Days

At lunchtime, I drove up to NH to buy a kayak from a person on Craigslist.  Unfortunately, someone stole it out the back of his pickup truck during the morning.  Seeking some solace, I wandered over to Great Meadows.

It was cold and a little windy, but the sunshine helped keep you warm.  I ran into another photographer and we had a wonderful talk walking around the lower impoundment.  That's because few animals were out and about.  The river is still open, most of the other open water had started to freeze over again after the last couple cold days.

The photography continued in the theme of the day.  I stopped to watch some Black-capped Chickadees.  I've got some good shots of them earlier this winter, so I patient waited hoping they would work toward sunny branches closer to me.  You guessed it, the kept moving back before flying away.  This is the best shot I got, I just wish the bird was in focus.

Near the outflow from the lower impoundment there is an interesting gnarled tree.  I tried my attempt at capture an image of it, in the afternoon light.   Right now, I couldn't find the right angle - the background is just too busy to get the necessary separation.  I scanned all the holes in the trees, snags and stumps - but as you would guess whether new or old, nothing was hanging around.

Returning back, I stopped by the beaver lodge.  They were a bit active.  However, it's challenging to capture a good shot, due to the various branches.   With all the pruning US F&WS did last fall, it's too bad they didn't do here.   Of course the beavers are of much help either.  After all why did I have to watch one swim across the river with a freshly chewed branch.  There are a few that I wish he would chew right near his home.  (If he did, I would be willing to provide him & his spouse a lovely framed family photo they could hang in the lodge.)







At darkness started to fall, I heard a coyote howling.  It was a little too loud & a little too close for comfort, but it did sound like it was across the river.  I wasn't going to stick around to learn either how well he swam, how far down stream he had to walk to cross over to my side.  (I know down by Route 225, the Concord is still frozen across.)  I took some comfort that my tripod could always be used as a weapon...Just need to remember to take the camera off.

The river started to become a hub of avian activity as ducks and geese started to arrive to spend the night in the open water.  Of course, even with flash it would be too dark to photograph them now.  What little light was left was reflecting off the white snow; but you had to step carefully to not twist your ankle in one of the many frozen holes.

Even the sunset conspired to join my so-so day.  The colors were nice.  Some high thin clouds were starting to form.  If they had only started to form about 90 minutes earlier, the photos would be to die for.  But that's why you have to come often - you never know if this is going to be the day of the killer shot, or the day where it's hardly worth your while to upload the card from your camera.  Today was smack dab, in the middle.

Nice At Dusk Too

I tend to come to Great Meadows in the morning.  I guess, I like the quiet and watching the day awake.   Enticed by the photographic birds at our home feeder, frolicking in the afternoon light, I headed to GMNWR to see what was going on.  Amy was pleased to give me a pass to go shoot, since she wouldn't have to cook dinner.  Little did she know I planning on chasing beaver.

Since this was a last minute idea, I arrived a bit late.  I quickly hustled out towards the beaver lodge.  About half way there, I realized I left my camera bag in the car, but I did have the camera!  Tough decision - head back, but probably miss all the light before the sun starts to set, or make do with what I had.  So with only my 70-300mm lens, I pressed on.  What I was really going to miss was my flash.

The day had warmed up nicely.  Several people were walking or skiing, but I liked this person sitting on the observation deck, in quiet contemplation.  Unfortunately, I still had to press on.  The water level in the river has started to rise.  There were some Mergansers swimming in the river, visible through the trees.  I stopped for a moment, near a clearing hopping they would float by.  It was not to be.  Stepping in what I thought was deep snow, I started to feel water come in over the top of my boot.  I had to get moving, before I got too cold & had to head back to the car.


Slowly approaching the beaver lodge, he saw me, before I saw him.  With a quick tail slap, he sounded the alarm and two beavers disappeared under water.  Knowing that they were there, gave me the patience to get into position and quietly wait.  After about 15 minutes the beaver, started to come out.  He would occasionally see me an either move on, or slap his tail.

For about 45 minutes, I watched the beaver swim to and fro.  When he disappeared, several bluebirds came by to entertain me.  During this whole time there was a Mourning Dove chorus serenading me form the far bank of the river.





Photographing the beaver was challenging photographically.  The beaver would remain near the lodge briefly, which would allow you to get clear shots...but the scene was dark.  This is where I would miss the flash left in the car.  When the beaver swam across the river, to sit and eat on the ice, the light was beautiful; unfortunately, the undergrowth was tangled.  You could only try to find a hole in the branches to shoot through to the other side.  Later in the year, there would be dry ground you could stand on, but now it was soft ice & deep frigid water.









When the "good light" disappeared, it was time to begin the trek back to the car.  Most everyone has already left, the refuge was getting quiet and peaceful.  Approaching the boat ramp, I recognized the call of an old friend that we haven't see for a while.  Yes, the Red-winged Blackbirds have started to arrive.  I bet they are wondering what is the story with all this snow and ice.  They were too far away to see, but the call was unmistakable.







The reflection of the setting sun in the ice on the impoundment persuaded me that I should also be visiting Great Meadows at dusk...at least until the cattails grow up and block the view.

Flat Light

Yesterday, I learned that it is difficult to take good photographs and help others take good photographs at the same time.  I volunteered to help Cherrie Corey with her Photo Foray, to help some of the newer photographers.  It was fun to share some of the lessons that others taught me.  I know the questions I asked them, help me think about my own photographs.

The most recent snow storm had just stopped, but the sky was still dark and foreboding.  That didn't stop some people, who were out cross country skiing or snow shoeing.  This family that bundled up their young children and took them along for the ride caught my eye.

Since the light was pretty flat, I focused more on photos with high contrast between the snow & the subjects.  I had challenged myself by only bringing two lenses that I have used much recently - my 100mm macro lens and my wide angle lens.

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Today's walk reinforced the value of coming back to the same place frequently.  Two days ago, the river was mainly frozen over; today it appeared navigable.  One of the beaver lodge's had been totally surrounded by ice; today there were signs of recent construction work on the lodge since the snow stopped.  Unfortunately, we were all looking towards some bluebirds feeding, when the beaver surfaced, saw us, and gave a loud tail slap, before diving under water to get away.

Even with the flat light, there were points of beauty to enjoy.  These ranged from the snow delicately balancing on plants, to the different colors of ice.






Just as we were packing up to leave, the clouds started to part ever so slightly to give a glimpse of the sunset.  It was like a promise that there would be more interesting days for photography in the future.