Dance After Dark Photography

One of the things I’d hoped to see at Haulover Canal was Rookery Island. It’s a designated rookery, meaning people aren’t allowed within a certain distance from the island. That limits stress on the birds and keeps them from abandoning their young. It also means that, as long as you stay back, you can get some excellent shots of the wildlife.

Apparently I got my directions mixed up. The island is in the Indian River Lagoon on the west side of the canal, not east as I thought. Next chance I get, I’ll be going back with my camera. This time I’ll head in the right direction. (The left direction!)

In other news, I feel like a moron for not taking a tripod on kayak trips. I thought it would be useless until Shelley and I passed a photographer on the Wekiva who had set up his tripod in the water.

Tripod! In the water! Eureka!

So I’m an idiot for never even considering that. I’ll probably buy a cheaper and lighter tripod, since I have no desire to ruin a $120 heavy-duty tripod with salt water or sediment. I’m also planning to buy a cheapish camera that I won’t mind breaking, and for once I’m going to opt for the overpriced replacement plan. I can’t imagine I’ll go a few years without dropping the thing in the water at least once, so the insurance will pay for itself.

What kind of camera I get will depend on my funds at the time. I want 10 megapixels or better. If I get a point & shoot, I’ll want at least 10x optical zoom. Ideally it’ll use compact flash cards so I won’t have to invest in more memory. I’m thinking about the D80, but at the same time I’m thinking that an all-in-one, simpler camera might be the better choice for an already encumbered kayak.

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