Kayaking "Keji"

Hi All,

Spent the weekend Paddling in my new Sea Kayak at Kejmkujik National Park in SouthWestern Nova Scotia. Within it's 381 square kilometers, are canoe and backcounrty routes.  It is an area originally used  by the Mi'kmaq people. It is an area to be seen best by paddling, as that was their mode of transportation then.

The petroglyph rock carvings they made, and the parks recent designation as a Dark Sky Preserve are  only 2 of many things it boasts.

Onto the shots!

Having recently purchased my first Sea Kayak, I was itching to get it wet at "Keji". Scouting the parks backcountry by boat for future trips ( one must book about 2 months in advance ot ensure a site!), and photographing Loons were my goals. Mission accomplished! The sites are amazing, and I fulfilled a lifelong dream of photographing, and just seeing Loons up close in their habitat. There were several seen, but one allowed me into range to watch and capture some great images of it. It was one of the greatest things I have witnessed outdoors, watching it catch a fish, do it's famous wing flap, and even call a bit.

Needless to say I was a happy camper!

Enjoy,

Gary

Click on thumbnails to see larger image. Prints are also available, e-mail any requests .

          Photo 1. The Sisters Island, taken from my boat upon landing. Canon G11 handheld.

        Photo 2. Black Ducks roosting on the Mersey River.  Taken with a Canon 5D 300mm F4 Is Lens, 1.4 Teleconverter handheld from Kayak. Gotta love Image Stabilization.

Photo 3. Common Loon Swimming, same Camera /Lens combo for remaining images.

Photo 4. Common Loon starting "wing flap"                                                                  

               Photo 5. Loon doing "wing flap" (icon pose).