The ice has been melting along the river all week long, and I wondered if the pond up on Duck Range had melted enough for the geese to return.
The days have been warm, but the nights were staying at freezing or near freezing. However, in spite of the day’s constant drizzle of cool rain I was curious to see if there were geese on the pond and if there were any goslings yet.
I suspected I was early, but grabbed my camera, put the ISO up to 800, then mounted my 150-600mm on it, tossed the beanbag on the front seat of my car and headed out up the road to see.
I slowed down just before getting to the pond and rolled my window down. Hmmm, there is a hint that I am from a past generation. I haven’t seen a car that one must actually turn a crank to “roll down” a window in years. Anyway I pressed the switch and the window slowly and quietly sank out of sight.
I drove very slow, hoping I wouldn’t disturb the geese. Ha, fat chance! From the rise above the pond there began a loud racket of honking sound. There went my attempt at sneaking up on anything near that pond. I’ll have to check my Honda’s manual to see if there is a stealth mode.
The pond was filled with ducks and geese, but no ducklings or goslings yet.
I photographed the three sentinels before they could find cover. Then drove past and turned around so I could stop and shoot from the cover of my car.
Much of the pond still had a smooth cover of ice and there were more than one kind of duck paddling along the edge or just standing enjoying the slight drizzle that had been going all day.
I photographed the ducks and what geese I could see on the pond and tried to get some good photos of the geese that noisily flew off. I didn’t do badly, but I think some of the avid bird photographers I know in Kamloops would have been better prepared than I was when the pond exploded with splashing water and flapping feathers.
I stayed for a while, and the pond calmed down and became quiet, giving me at least a chance to photograph the ducks and geese that finally decided to ignore me.
Those that read my articles about trying to photograph the pond’s geese last year will remember my disappointment because they were nesting and feeding on the opposite side of the hill. This was my first trip to the pond to photograph the geese and I am determined to get some good shots this year and plan on a weekly visit.
I left the beanbag in my car just in case.
These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net. Stop by Enman’s Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. I sell an interesting selection of used photographic equipment. Don’t hesitate to call me at 250-371-3069.
