Paddletramp Photography

End of a Portage

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:50:29 -0800

Good Morning Minnesota!

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:38:16 -0800

If it's gotta be Winter... it might as well be a winter day like this!

Wind and Waves

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 11:11:41 -0800

A wild and windy ride! This was up in the Quetico Wilderness, I was lucky enough to be sitting in the middle acting like the Queen with the Camera, while two handsome men paddled through some pretty wicked wind.

Joe Seliga - Master Canoe Builder

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:29:55 -0800

There is a great book entitled, "The Art of the Canoe with Joe Seliga". Joe was a master canoe builder in Ely for years and years until his death a few years ago. My friend Deborah Sussex had the great opportunity to photograph Joe and document the entire process of canoe building. Joe lived in Ely, MN right next to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. I had the fine fortune of meeting him a few years ago at a wedding that I was helping Deborah photograph. After having a very enjoyable conversation with Joe on the porch, I saw the empty rocking chair and asked Joe if I could take his photograph sitting in that chair. I have always loved this photo and I keep it tucked in my own copy of his book.

Trees

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:37:58 -0800

Trees from the forest in the Quetico, Canada. I was having fun trying some in-camera blurring techniques.

Canoe Dreams

Sat, 9 Jan 2010 09:55:53 -0800

Forest Thaw

Sat, 9 Jan 2010 09:11:30 -0800

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:32:20 -0800

This is the card I sent out for Christmas 2009. Yes, my canoe is in my living room. Why, you ask, did I put my canoe in my living room? Because I could! There is 48 feet of rope light inside the canoe to light it up. It is like one giant red night light!

Calm

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:39:02 -0800

Symmetry in Nature

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:51:54 -0800

This photograph was built in my imagination and inspired from the teachings and wisdom of photographer/author/teacher John Paul Caponigro. Making a photograph such as this one with creativity as my main tool makes my heart feel good.

Camera Collage

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 21:09:00 -0800

A collage I made featuring up close photographs of my favorite camera from my antique collection.

Be.Still.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:03:03 -0800

This Green Heron photograph seemed as if it had a japanese painterly background, which inspired me to play around with making a poster print out of it. I was in my canoe on a very foggy morning when I took this photo. I love the surrounding leaves and branches of this photo just as much as I like the heron himself.

Heron In Branches

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:24:11 -0800

I just think these birds are so beautiful.

Souris River Canoe Builders

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 17:43:01 -0800

After my canoe trip to the Quetico Wilderness in Canada, we happened upon the very place where my canoe was born. I ran up to the building with a big smile and asked an employee if he could show us around. He sent his co-worker on a lunch break, and proceeded to give us a tour from the beginning to the end of the entire kevlar canoe making process. I was in heaven. I got to see and touch the actual "form" that my canoe was formed in. The entire process is amazing and meticulous. This photo is where the finished canoes are hung until the big truck comes and distributes them to the shops around the U.S. In my mind, the Souris River canoe (made in Atikokan, Ontario Canada) is the finest lightweight canoe you can buy.

Rising Sun

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:17:45 -0800

Into the Fog I go

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:11:48 -0800

Foggy Morning Paddle

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:54:45 -0800

I got up early this morning and paddled in the thickest fog. It was one of the most peaceful things I have ever done.

Time to Rest

Sun, 6 Sep 2009 07:36:43 -0800

After paddling in the Boundary Waters all day, it was time to put my red canoe in it's resting spot for the evening. What a view it has for it's evening rest!

Beach Bum

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:55:06 -0800

A crayfish wandering along the beach of the St. Croix river. Quite an interesting creature. He was kind enough to pause for a photo shoot.

Yellow LadySlipper

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:26:11 -0800

I came across a patch of these beautiful Yellow LadySlippers this summer and had a great time photographing them.

Heron Trio

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:50:13 -0800

I hope he has bladder control right now

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:22:12 -0800

Man my neck gets sore trying to take photos of birds flying over me and my canoe.

Blue Heron on Log

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:19:48 -0800

My next few posts will be photographs of my favorite big bird, the Blue Heron. These photographs were taken at my once a year destination, the Pigs Eye Heron Rookery outside of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is located near a back channel of the Mississippi River... a bit of a challenge to paddle by yourself with a camera... but worth every stroke.

Quetico Trees

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 16:45:36 -0800

I did some experimenting with in-camera motion blur while I was camping in the Quetico in Canada. This is my favorite result. I like the painterly feeling, done entirely in the camera.

Who doesn't love a pretty flower?!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:47:49 -0800

I love how this flower photo turned out. I used close-up lenses screwed onto the front of my lens, and also shaded part of the flower from the sun with a big piece of paper (it was a very hot sunny day). The close-up lenses gave a really nice shallow depth of field, which makes most of the photo look kind of painterly to me. It took me more than an hour on the internet to find the name of this flower. And I decided I really don't like the name at all. It is called a Large Flowered Beardtongue. An unattractive name for a beautiful flower.

Welcome to the World

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:14:33 -0800

How do you get a photo of a baby bird coming out of it's shell? You guess what day the egg will hatch... and then you keep checking the nest every half hour til you see it start to crack. Then you run like hell to get your camera.

Quetico Beaver

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:02:21 -0800

A busy beaver making eye contact with me while paddling in the Quetico Wilderness in Canada.

Glowing From Within

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 09:11:24 -0800

The light that is lighting up the inside of this baby red cardinal is the sunlight shining through leaves of the tree directly into his mouth. The bit of sunlight shining through the leaves created a spotlight effect that I couldn't have planned better myself. I am constantly amazed at my friend Mother Nature.

3 baby cardinals

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 09:06:03 -0800

Sleeping Red Cardinals

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 17:38:39 -0800

My friend Brenda has a nest of baby red cardinals in her backyard. She was nice enough to let me photograph them today. I will post my favorites the next few days.

Eagle In Flight

Sat, 23 May 2009 20:34:50 -0800

This Eagle had a nest built on a big rock in the middle of the lake in the Quetico. We had no idea there was a nest there until we canoed closer, and boy were we surprised! None of us had ever seen an eagle build a nest on a low space before. It was a great start to our canoeing trip!

Once Upon a Time...

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:06:49 -0800

A story of the birth and growing up of 6 Finches... in 16 photos.

First Born

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:05:15 -0800

This first born baby bird is 4 hours old!

Waiting For Another Brother

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:04:22 -0800

Long Neck

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:03:02 -0800

Sweet Dreams 1

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:01:35 -0800

Stretching

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:00:28 -0800

Sweet Dreams 2

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:58:59 -0800

Waiting For the Mama

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:57:54 -0800

Sweet Dreams 3

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:56:40 -0800

Brotherly Love 1

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:55:22 -0800

Brotherly Love 2

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:54:30 -0800

A Nest Full of Love

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:53:27 -0800

The Hungry One

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:52:07 -0800

Growing Up

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:51:01 -0800

The Eye

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:49:21 -0800

Last Day Together

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:48:08 -0800

This was their last family portrait. The bird on the right flew away right after this photo was taken. Bye bye birdies... good luck on your travels!

Gentle Hands with Grasshopper

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:06:55 -0800

Sun-Kissed Bubbles

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:04:15 -0800

Kids and bubbles... always brings a smile to my face!

Mannequin Escapes to Wilderness

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 08:44:54 -0800

My question is: How does she paddle with no arms?

You can see another photo of this classy lady here: Paddletramp Photography | PhotoBlog | Sunlight during a passing storm

Frozen In Time

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 08:06:56 -0800

This is a combination of two images I took on the same day... one of the brown flower and one of the ice. I am extremely pleased with this image.

Fire and Full Moon

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:56:05 -0800

Camping in the Boundary Waters. If you can make it past the peak mosquito time, you are rewarded with evenings such as this.

Minnesota River

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:32:38 -0800

I went for a winter hike with a friend last weekend along the Minnesota River. It was good to get out and get some fresh air and exercise in nature.

The Hungry Beaver

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:39:51 -0800

We watched this beaver gnaw off all the bark off this long piece of wood in about 30 minutes. I love his red tongue in this photo. This was observed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We ended up at this location by following a Wild Turkey in the woods. Ended up with a Beaver. Go Figure.

Not all pets are cute

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:17:58 -0800

This is one of our 6 pets at the preschool I teach at. It is a Hermit Crab. Just completely strange looking...and usually pretty elusive...which makes him very intriguing for the children. This particular day I was ready with my little camera when he decided to come out of his shell. I stuck the camera right down into his cage and kept snapping until I captured him looking directly at me.

Dinner time

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 17:17:10 -0800

This blue heron was searching diligently for dinner.

Two young loons

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:04:01 -0800

Two young loons going for a Sunday afternoon paddle.

You talkin' to me?

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:58:02 -0800

Two more Blue Herons from my Mississippi River series.

Hoover Dam Under Construction

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 20:25:41 -0800

There are many, many reasons why I am in love with photography... but this photo is an example of one of them. I stood in front of this Hoover Dam a few months ago, took a photograph then gazed out upon the scene and in my imagination a completely different picture composed itself in my mind. It was a black and white dramatic scene...this resulting photograph. It is so exciting to me, that I can sit in front of my computer and take a photo and use computer tools coupled with my vivid imagination to create a new photograph that expresses what I saw in my mind. This is the Hoover Dam in Nevada which is currently under construction as engineers build a bridge across the Colorado River to help alleviate the 2 hour morning commute of community residents. Just seeing the scaffolding involved is a pure marvel of engineering. I turned this photo black and white, darkened the entire photo and "painted back light" on key elements in the scene, and added storm clouds that had passed through my neighborhood this summer. "Making Art"... that is how I spent the first day of this year...a good sign for the year to come!

Winter Birch

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:30:46 -0800

From my hike in the woods during the snow storm last weekend. I was experimenting with the technique Sven from F r o m 1 0 t o 3 0 0 m m | Home mentioned on his photoblog and text-blog. So thank you Sven... for getting me to try new things when it was 20 degree below wind chill. Wait... do I really want to thank you? Well, actually yes. But while I was trying this new technique, I did question my sanity.

Mid-Winter Dreaming

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:50:24 -0800

Winter. If you can't beat it join it.

Winter Soldier

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:41:49 -0800

I captured this photo today while taking a 3 hour hike in a winter storm.

Flying Ducks

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:10:09 -0800

This photograph has always been one of my favorite. It is from the days of film... I took it about 10 years ago when camping up north. I remember it was a cloudy, rainy fall day and I went outside with my camera anyway and also took my fishing pole to fish in the rain. One of my casts spooked these ducks but I had my camera around my neck and ready. I just love the painterly effect the blur had on this image. I scanned in the photo, got rid of some dust and darkened the image a bit because my scan was a bit light. I am happy to now have it in digital form!

Do Not Get On This Train!

Sun, 7 Dec 2008 16:50:34 -0800

Believe me... it just isn't safe....

Snail Shell on Snail Lake

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:15:21 -0800

I went for my first cold weather walk yesterday to a local lake named Snail Lake. I thought this was an appropriate cold weather tribute to the lakes namesake.

Reflections Under Bridge

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:47:26 -0800

I just love this photo. Sometimes I can't describe why...

Goodbye Goose

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:09:56 -0800

I have always wanted to capture a photo of a canadian goose flying away...I love that white stripe on the back of their behinds. One day I would like to make an image where I am right behind the goose...for this one I am a little off to the right. But a gal can dream right...?

Beautiful Hand-Blown Glass

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:46:31 -0800

When you walk into the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, you will be greeted by 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers from their spectacular ceiling stage. It is a truly beautiful work of art. The name of the glass artist is Dale Chihuly.

Grand Canyon

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:58:34 -0800

The view of the Grand Canyon from the raft.

Step Up

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:21:57 -0800

Wooden step I climbed up to get to the cave in the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon Waterfall

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:20:50 -0800

Yesterday I posted a photo of a cave in the Grand Canyon. When I turned around from looking out the cave, this is the waterfall I saw.

Grand Canyon Cave

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:58:31 -0800

I just got back from a Las Vegas vacation where I went White Water Rafting in the Grand Canyon. We stopped at a cave with a beautiful waterfall inside. This shot was taken looking back out the cave. I was in heaven being here.

Rock Cairn at Lake Superior

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:15:29 -0800

A simple scene as I hiked on the rocks along Lake Superior.

Magical Moment

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:14:26 -0800

This was one of the most magical photographic moments of my life.

I always make it a practice to thank nature or wildlife after it allows me to photograph it... and after this photo I thanked the deer over and over again.

Lake Superior Waves

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:13:45 -0800

Today the greatest thing happened. I went to my nephew's soccer game, and afterwards decided to randomly drive around and observe the beautiful fall colors that were everywhere. I headed north, and just kept driving and driving and driving.... next thing I know, I realize I am not going to stop until I get to the north shore of Lake Superior. I kept driving for 3 hours. My destination was worth every single minute of the drive.

I originally had a color version of this photo posted here, but agreed with some other pixy photographers that the b/w was nicer!

Blue Heron Hiding in Tree

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:04:18 -0800

I almost missed this guy while paddling by. I am sure I have paddled by hundreds of them because they hide so well in the trees. But it was nice to actually see one and have my camera handy. Never easy to be paddling and photographing... which pleases me even more when my subject actually ends up in focus. I really, really love these birds!

Hello Deer 2

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 16:48:11 -0800

Wilderness Space

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:34:59 -0800

I like so many things about the Boundary Waters, but I gotta wonder if the immense spaciousness of it is the most alluring quality of all.

Modern Pteradactyl

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:50:27 -0800

Went up north to my parents land this weekend. Absolutely the best weather for the last weekend of summer. I went canoeing a couple times and will post my photo findings in my next few posts. Here is one of my favorite birds. A Great Blue Heron. And in the case of this particular photo... A Great Black and White Photoshop Heron.

Over the last summer, I have tried to figure out how to get the greatest amount of success from the photos that I capture from the seat of my canoe. This is what I have figured out so far: A higher ISO because I am shooting in such a wide variety of light and have to be ready at a seconds notice, a higher shutter speed to capture motion (and offset the motion of the canoe), multi-segmented metering to try to catch the birds that are suddenly flying past me and last, but not least, auto focus. I still have a great number of photos that are blurry or not exposed correctly...but if I use the aforementioned settings, it heightens my chance of successful capture.

Oh, and add to those: First, I have to get in my canoe and be there...second, I have to be adept at paddling and balancing a camera in my lap or on my camera bag in front of me... third, I have to be very, very, very patient... and fourth, it helps to have a tasty Mountain Dew along.

Swimming in the rain

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:53:10 -0800

I was scouting some new areas last weekend for some potential fall fishing, when I came across this scene. I want to take my canoe back to this spot and go paddle around this cool looking building that is surrounded by water. This particular day though it was POURING out. So I took this photo from inside my car. I opened the windows and kept trying to get into position for when this canadian goose would swim into the scene. He finally did, and I think he completes the scene.

A Slice of the Sunset

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:10:31 -0800

One of the prettier sunsets I have experienced in the boundary waters.

Please put me back in the grass

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 17:01:08 -0800

So my daycare kids and I are constantly searching for "bugs" outside and today they found this cool grasshopper. We put it in our "bug catcher" and brought it inside. I thought it had an intriguing face, so I asked the kids if I could bring it home to photograph it. So here it is, looking right at me and asking politely if I would please put him back outside. So I did. And he is free. But captured permanently on my computer.

Rock Sprouts

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 15:02:34 -0800

I love it how plant life can grow right out of a crack in a rock...and I have such a hard time keeping my house plants alive. This is why Mother Nature is a Master Gardener!

Goodnight Sunlight

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:20:48 -0800

In the boundary waters you have to read maps to find your campsite...every campsite is different. This is the closest our tent has ever been to the water. I am telling ya...there is nothing like waking up in the morning, sitting straight up and seeing water so close. This was a pretty sunset one night.

A stopping point for lunch

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:24:29 -0800

One of our stopping points for a little lunch in the boundary waters. No matter what direction you look there is a great view.

Boy Meets Bird

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:26:43 -0800

So I was down by the lake and I hear my friend call, "Deb, come here and grab your camera!" There was her son Nick holding out crackers and this Gray Jay was landing on his hand and taking a cracker, flying to a tree to hide the cracker, then coming back for more. Simply amazing. I had been to the Boundary Waters for 20 years and never had this happen, Nick had this amazing thing happen on his first trip ever. The nickname of the Gray Jay is "camp robber", as they like to feed on the scraps left behind by campers. But to have one land on your hand time after time...pretty darn cool!

My morning paddling companions

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:44:35 -0800

Couldn't sleep...got up early (early for me anyway...I like to sleep in on the weekends). So up I was at 6:30 a.m. and went for a paddle on a local lake. This daddy loon and child loon accompanied me for part of my journey. I floated on the peaceful lake while consuming my morning Mountain Dew...and all was well with the world. A great way to start the day!

My what Big Eyes you have...

Sat, 9 Aug 2008 11:03:54 -0800

I was on this big rock in the boundary waters that I nicknamed Frog Island (maybe it was toad island??) because there was always at least a couple of these little guys sunbathing on this rock. I had to take care as to not step on them as it is much more fun to photograph them than to squish them.

Paddletramp. The Original.

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 18:22:30 -0800

Ya know what cracks me up? The fact that the name "Paddletramp" started out as a joke. But then I realized the name made most people smile and some people chuckle. And since I am all about making people smile, I realized that the name Paddletramp was going to stick. Now I use it for my email address, my photoblog, my business cards and my stationary. And it all started with a dear friend Maria who gave me this bright yellow t-shirt...because she was very attuned into my passion of canoeing. Thank you Maria, for paying attention!

As a side note, this is me last week during my 21st year spent in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. My favorite place in the world.

A Passing Pelican

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:16:33 -0800

Aerodynamics in Nature

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:42:06 -0800

I mentioned not long ago that I was waiting for the time that an egret or heron flew directly overhead of me. Well, here he is. On a beautiful day in beautiful sunlight. And very streamlined! I love these birds!

That's One Ugly Bird My Friend

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:22:32 -0800

I keep trying to find my kinder softer side when dealing with this bird. Come on, I will say to myself, he is a creature of the world, just like you and your friends. Then I take another look at him, and do find some compassion, but mostly I think, "Boy he is ugly." Especially when gnawing on a Catfish as he was just before taking this photo. Pretty gross I will tell you, pretty gross. If anyone can find an Uglier Bird, please email it to me. Because I am pretty sure this is the Ugliest. By the way, he is a Turkey Vulture, preying on dead fish he finds on the Mississippi River.

Goodbye Young Heron

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:53:38 -0800

Here I am at my favorite Heron Rookery located at the Mississippi River. I will be posting some of my favorite Blue Heron and White Egret photos from this paddle. This photo of a young Blue Heron flying away is my favorite. I just find something so comical about it. This Heron is only about 2 months old. He stuck around for quite a while while I photographed him from my canoe, then decided he had enough of me and my camera. Bye, bye.

Young Eagle in Tree

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:34:46 -0800

Young Mississippi River Eagle

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:30:02 -0800

Now that I paddled past the barges...I am in the land of the birds...my original destination! My next posts will be photographs of the beautiful birds I encountered.

Like a barge out of water...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:02:52 -0800

And then there was this barge in the air. What the heck?

Sunken Barge

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:28:41 -0800

This was a strange thing to come upon. After I had paddled past all the cool working barges that are used regularly, I came upon this sunken barge. I think this will be here for a long, long time to come.

BargeLand

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 18:11:03 -0800

I canoed on the Mississippi River this weekend to one of my favorite spots, which is a Heron Rookery. On the way to my destination I paddle through what I affectionately call "BargeLand". There are barges lining both sides of a channel. Pretty cool to canoe through. I must look like a tiny red dot paddling past these huge boats.

Loon times two

Sat, 5 Jul 2008 20:09:41 -0800

Paddling on a Sunny Day

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 19:25:20 -0800