Well the ice has finally started to leave the lakes here in Michigan. Which means the way is clear for me to do some of my favorite type of photography, photographing ducks from my floating blind. Here is a picture of my blind. My camera is mounted on the deck which then has a hole in the middle of it where I stand with waders on and walk along the bottom of the lake with my camera on the deck in front of me, in search of my quarry the elusive duck.
The SS Charnley named after my good friend and floating blind designer, Dr. Al Charnley
While most people wouldn’t consider spending eight hours standing in ice water up to there nipples an enjoyable way to spend a March morning in Michigan, us nature photographers are an odd lot. One of the things I like best about the floating blind is the very low ‘eye to eye’ perspective I am able to achieve, because my lens is only 6-8 inches off the water. This low perspective gives the images an intimacy that I really like.
Drake Bufflehead duck taking flight
Drake ring neck duck portrait
Drake Wood Duck in Flight