-20

COLD.

So cold in fact that my car was one of the few to start and the ABS sensors were frozen. So another delay to my December trip to Yellowstone National Park. I have another week and change to make it down for a day (so I am hopeful.)

I did make it out last night for some shooting with the 400/2.8 and can say that the lens is a great tool at 400 & 560mm; but not up to par as an 800mm. It is easy to maneuver from a bean bag in the car. And with the replacement foot it is also a dream to handle on a Wimberley SideKick.

Here are some images from the afternoon.

Late night...

So I always tell people life is all about community. Nothing reminds me of this more than when I get to spend a few hours, that feel like mere minuets, chatting about something you are passionate about with someone else equally passionate. In this case Apple computers. A few hours talking with other educated Mac users is always time well spent. :)

Thanks

I challenge you to find a community of people who share the same passions that you do. It will give you a chance to talk, share and learn.

COLD...

I am getting ready for Yellowstone and the weather channel is predicting highs around 0.

The warm boot, coat, layers, gloves, and sleeping bag are going to get a workout.

I'll post about the conditions and the shooting when I get home.

Thanks CPS

Thanks to Canon Professional Services I have another big lens to play with. I have a 400/2.8L IS to play with for a few weeks. I am heading out to play with it in Yellowstone. From my initial test the lens is all that people say it is. I don't find it that difficult to lug around, much easier than the 600/4.0. It focuses much like the 300/2.8. It takes a 1.4TC well but from my initial tests it does not hold together like the magical 300/2.8L IS does.

I will be posting my opinions of the Canon big teles once I have finished some real field testing of this lens.

My opinion is going to be quite biased on what I need a lens for; wildlife, sports, and performances.

My Daily Do's

The following is a list of those sites that I simply can not get enough of.  I religiously check these sites (most every day)


www.yellowstone.net (the YNP photography foremost) 

www.dpreview.com (the Canon forums)

www.adorama.com (I do a little search for “Refurbished Canon”)

www.steepandcheap.com (cheap prices on great outdoor gear)

www.sierratradingpost.com (Great prices on great outdoor gear)

NGS Photography (Great concepts to “borrow”)

www.luminous-landscape.com (See what’s new in the world)

www.sportsshooter.com (It helps with my job (great articles))

www.primetimes2.com (I don’t check this site but I do always know the info that they have)(It is like the other-teams playbook)


I also check:

www.DaveShumway.com

www.ShumwayPhtography.com

www.blog.ShumwayPhotography.com

www.Photos.Rocky.edu

www.Rocky.edu

(You get why I check these :)

Getting Ready...

for the winter shooting season.  I love cold weather, everyone who knows me knows that, I also LOVE snow.  Living in Montana we have plenty of both.  

With my close proximity to Yellowstone National Park I make monthly trips to the park and that means trips in the winter :) 

It is not uncommon to have 5 feet of snow and -20 degrees for a high.  So what do you need to bring, to stay happy, healthy and warm?

Layers (lots of them)(I like Patagonia caperline/wool and R1/R2 fleece)

Gore outer layers (preferably made by someone like Arc'Teryx)(GoreTex & GoreWind-stopper)

Snow Shoes (MSR Denali's are my personal favorites)

Hand warmers

Gloves (all types)(mittens too)1, 2 & 3

Hats (all types)

A good 4WD SUV (or Audi / Subaru)

A 4 season tent (I love Marmot(Swallow/Thor))

A 0 degree ish sleeping bag 

A great foam/air mat (I also bring a cheap foam mat)

If it really nasty (hotel reservations)

You need great boots (two pair)(one heavy one light)

Trekking/ski poles

Gaiters (I like OR)

And that is just the stuff you need to be in the mountains in the heart of winter.  

I will continue to update this list as I prepare for another winter season in the mountains.  

Winter camera gear is a post all its own.  

The Past...

So it just struck me that some folks may want to find their way to my old blog.  So here it is.
I can not make any promises as for how long I will keep it alive; but it is there for now so enjoy.

A new way of doing things

So after doing the blog thing halfway, I have decided to give it a real shot and do things the right way.  
This blog is simply my way of giving the world a view into my life as a collegiate photographer and a budding wildlife photographer.  
I want nothing more that to help you understand what I do and to help you along your path as a photographer or appreciator of wildlife.