Pied-billed Grebe, Green Island Wetlands, Iowa
As mentioned in yesterday’s blog post, I was out in the woods of the Green Island Wetlands for a first field test of the new TRAGOPAN Grouse V+ photo blind. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here is a link that leads you back a few days, showing the new photography tool while testing it in the ”front yard studio” (CLICK HERE for a brief look).
As with every new piece of equipment there is a learning curve involved. I thought I just rely on the ground stakes and go without attaching the four guy lines at the corners that are supposed to hold the tent down during a windy situation. I was wrong. It was windy yesterday afternoon and in the rugged terrain I had chosen for the first setup it wasn’t possible to use a ground stake on each corner. The last thing you want is that the wind blows the blind away and maybe into the water. Using the guy lines to secure the structure to branches or dead wood on the ground would have been a good option. Well, I managed to keep it all together and after a few minutes I sat down behind my camera and hidden from any wildlife’s eye.
As expected, several ducks flew away as I entered the area, trying to find a good spot along a pond and with an unobstructed view. It took less than half an hour until the first bird returned, followed soon by others. My first successful shot was the one above of a Pied-billed Grebe. This grebe collects most food underwater, including fish, crustaceans, beetles, and aquatic insects and their larvae. It suddenly popped up right in front of the blind and with a little bit of sun coming out, there were even some colorful reflections on the water.
Male Ring-necked Duck
The second chance came shortly after and looked even more promising. Some Ring-necked Ducks moved in and three males tried to impress a female. I got a few shots of the leading male but somehow the female duck decided to turn around and swim back in the other direction, of course, followed by all males. At least they were not flying away, which indicated that my presence wasn’t detected.
It wasn’t so much about to come back with the ultimate image this first time, but to learn what needs to be done to be successful while sitting hidden in a photo blind. There are limitations to the view and it needs patience, as with most wild life photography, but getting closer and being more often on eye level with the animals will hopefully lead to better and new exciting photos. I can’t wait to do it again…