During my camping trips I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, both good and bad. But so far this trip has been over the top with the latter.
Two days ago a family of Prairie Falcons followed my pickup for miles through a remote area of the Centennial Valley and every time one of them would fly in fairly close I’d frantically try to maneuver my truck into position to get some flight shots. But something went wrong every time it happened.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But this male Northern Harrier unexpectedly saved the day. He seemed to come out of nowhere and flew in closer than any of the falcons ever did to check me out. He even chose to approach my pickup on the side with good light and banked slightly as he passed which allowed me to get several photos that I like pretty well. Harriers in the valley are unusually skittish so I was happy to get the shots.
But so far this trip has mostly been a very difficult and frustrating one for me for the following reasons:
- sharpness issues with my photo gear continue to be a major issue. At this point I’m not even sure if it’s a problem with my 500mm lens or my primary camera though I suspect the latter
- my laptop is having memory issues and they’re getting worse fast. This makes previewing and processing images laboriously slow and publishing blog posts difficult
- and last night things got significantly worse when two different warning lights began flashing at me from my dashboard. I was able to limp back to my camping trailer and later this morning a phone call to Ford will likely tell me how bad my situation is. This could be an interesting day…
I hate to complain publicly about all this but I thought readers deserved to know why things are a little rocky at my end right now.
Ron
I feel your pain also !!!! I spend 6,000 to fix my truck last month!!!! !!!!!!!! But I was home not on vacation …. Sorry…. You need to sell your house and move closer to the places you love
Beautiful shot Ron. Sorry to hear about your truck. Hope the problem isn’t real bad.
I’m late to the party since we’ve been on the road all day. Hope you were able to get your truck fixed. And that you are able to get many good shots of birds – may they flock around you, and follow this Harrier’s example of making sure they’re in good light. 🙂
I feel your pain😝 I too am having focus issues and not sure if it’s the cam or lens. Arghhhh! Even so – all of your photos are so interesting and appear to be sharp. Keep up the good work. I enjoy all the species you capture! Linda
I am so sorry for the camera and truck issues. And so very grateful for the beauty you HAVE captured and shared.
Fingers and toes crossed that the camera and truck can be back at peak performance quickly.
You say you’re having “sharpness issues” with your photo gear but I can’t figure out what’s wrong with this image…can’t see how it could be any sharper or clearer…what the heck am I missing??? Maybe if you or someonelse can point it out, I will see it. I feel like the kid watching the Emperor pardaing in his “new clothes…
That’s supposed to read “parading”…damned evil one strikes again…I try to ignore its attempts at sabotage, but sometimes I just have to strike back….
Patty, I’m at the Ford dealer in Idaho Falls but had to respond to your question. The reason this shot is sharp is because I was using my older camera instead of my new one that apparently has the issues
Thanks–I was windering! I can count the mites on this feather butt!
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Don’t worry about complaining, Ron. Wonderful shot of the harrier! Good luck with your truck today. Sending positive energy.
Sending positive energy your way
When we were stuck out on Promontory Point with a flat that would not come off the axle, we were lucky that one out of 3 of us had phone service. While we were waiting for the tow truck, my friend took some of the most beautiful photos of a wide verity of dragon flies and numerous native grasses in bloom. The surroundings were beautiful, the lighting golden and we had owls. Yes our original plans for the day were ruined but we had an eventful adventure that day we will never forget.
Sending you love and happy thoughts! Oh and “no whammies! no whammies!” too. 😀
🙁 Sounds like Murphy is having a ball with you. Love the harrier shot even if it’s about the only thing that’s gone right! Hopefully it’s nothing major with the truck tho getting it to a repair site…………….. Strange all the electronics decide to act up at once….
We all hope that your luck changes and that you send Murphey packing. Likewise, we’ve all had events go downhill despite the best of planning…appreciate you sharing the ups & downs of your adventures.
This photo of the Harrier is amazing. Harriers are so regal. I hope your truck will get you back to safety ASAP. That is primary. All other camera and computer issues are minor in comparison. Thankfully you have contact with many people who care and will make sure that help is sent if necessary.
Wonderful shot Ron! I feel for you and your problems. We had similar problems back in March with our vehicles. Be safe!
Charlotte
Uh oh! When Murphy decides to hang out with you for a while, life can get really complex, especially when you’ve covered all the bases that you can reach. It’s pretty hard to bring a spare vehicle with you, and while I remember hauling all the usual suspect spare parts with me back in my Triumph days, it’s not that easy anymore–a Triumph Spitfire was about as technologically advanced as a clothes pin! The image of the Aflac duck in the leaky rowboat comes to mind.
I’m thinking the prairies were just playing with you. We all get bored sometimes 🙂
Love Elizabeth’s idea that “one picture [could] be worth a thousand troubles,” but depending on the severity of the issues, maybe not.
Hoping Murphy moves on to other endeavors immediately if not sooner!
And what a lovely image of the Harrier. Delighted somebody decided to cooperate with you. Serendipity is often delightful!
Your shot of the male northern harrier is wonderful. Could one picture be worth a thousand troubles? 🙂 Hope your car and computer start to cooperate soon. Elizabeth
“Could one picture be worth a thousand troubles?”
Not in my book, Elizabeth. Thank you.
I hope your luck changes–fast! This miust be so disappointing and frustrating…not at all what was emvisioned when you took off with what you thought was reliable gear and were so well-prepared…Sounds like Murphy’s Law has been in effect…overtime!!!
Yup, ol’ Murphy raised his ugly head again, Patty.
Beautiful, beautiful photo–so glad that the Harrier stayed close for you and made some frustrating times a bit better. As soon as they seem me, they usually drift away–quickly! Harriers are one of my favorites (I have HARRIER license plate, too)
Thanks, Katie. Right now I’m having trouble appreciating much of anything about my vehicle, including the license plate. Neat that you have the same plate though…
Some superstitious folks would say that “bad luck comes in three’s,” but I’m not one of those folks.
I’m sure that most of us who have lived long enough can empathize with you, and wish you well. It
is hard to tolerate all the bad luck when you’re devoting this much time, and energy into getting
your photos, and for a “perfectionist,” such problems can be especially frustrating… especially the
problems with the camera gear. Not getting sharp images would drive me close to all out crazy.
The slow computer is frustrating to say the least, as is the trouble with your Ford, but the lack of
image sharpness because of camera gear issues, now that is “really” serious, and I for one “feel
for you.” As the old saying goes… “been there, done that.” I’m sure that we are all sending “good
energy” your way… ;-)))
Thanks for the good wishes, Roger.
Sorry about the truck and camera problems. Tough when you thought ALL the planning and preparation had been done.
Hope you are able to rectify truck and camera issues.
Just a thought – since you were traveling in a remote area and on back roads might the falcons and harrier look at your truck as a means to scare up prey?
I suppose that’s possible, Dick. Or maybe they were just bored out there in that remote area and wanted something to play with… 🙂