Adventures with Duck

So I had six days to do a round trip of Oregon (with a brief stop in Washington to see the grandkids and of corse my daughter and her husband.). A total of 1,400 miles, in that time I took 9,182 photos. For some reason unknown to me I figured out that I took 63.3 photos per mile. I guess I got my moneys worth on that. I picked up eight new birds on that trip and got some really good shots of others. I haven't really posted any of the shots from that trip besides the new birds (Posted to facebook, look me up there by searching "Ken Duck Geraths") I will be posting those shots here as well and many many more that hasn't been posted yet. So lets get into it shall we... So those are the new birds that bring my total to 227 species. That may sound like a lot to you but it really isn't that high of a number. I know many people that are what are known as "Birders" that have way more than I. But I am not really a "Birder" I take a lot o...

So this post will be on Giraffes as the tital suggests. They hold a speical place in my heart as they were my mothers favorite. This is a photo of my mother, where it was taken I'm not sure. But I know she knew what was in the background. So I was looking forward to getting some headshots of the Giraffes on this trip. On my first lap around the park I didn't see any of them. I wasn't sure if they were just up in the fog which was very heavy or maybe they had them locked up .... I still don't know which one it was but I did see them on my next lap around. As you can see I did get those headshots. Then I came across one that thought it would be funny! If you think Giraffes are graceful then you've never seen one get a drink or eat grass. I didn't get a photo of one doing either although the photo above was of one just lifting its head from eating grass from the bank of the road. (Just another photo opp missed for n...

So if you read my last post you know that I traded off some of my camera gear for a new lens. I had to wait until my old gear got to them and they could check it out before they would send me the new lens. Well that was the longest week and a half ever! But the new lens has arrived. It came in late Friday afternoon and I was able to get a couple quick shots that day. I did go out to where I have been getting the Lewis woodpecker shots, but they were camera shy that day. But when I got home the Hummingbirds were more than happy to help me out. The next day I headed to Winston Oregon to the Wildlife Safari. They have a breading program for Cheatahs, They have had way over 200 cubs there and going strong. The Cheatah was the first thing I got to point my camera at. This is the one they use to have your photo taken with. That photo turned out pretty well even though I was shooting through a wire fence. You'll see the type of fence below as I was lucky enough ...

As you know I like taking wildlife photos. I go out almost everyday. I'm hiking 3 to 9 miles at a time and some days I will do two or thrre hikes. Well I'm not as young as I use to be (go figure) and its time I make a change to my hobby. How will I make it and why is what is going to be covered in this post. So here we go... So when I am out hiking I am going down trails and sometimes no trails, up hills up mountains and back down. My feet and ankles are not in the best shape and my shoulders and hands have arthitis. Its the cost of all the fun I had when I was younger. Anyway I would be packing 4 lenses with me most of the time, just in case I needed a different style or reach. packing a 200,400,600 and 800mm lens with you as well as at least one tripod and a chair for when I would be just sitting and waiting or in a hide as well as bear spray, snacks and water I would be packing 30 to 40 pounds. Rarely did I ever use all the things I packed with me, infact I don...