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dm50384

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I have been shooting wildlife from a kayak for many years and get close without looking human. There is a lot going on at daybreak that doesn't last long so getting there at daybreak is imperative. Yesterday was exceptional. Enjoy a few images
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I agree - shooting from a kayak is a wonderful experience and sunrise is my prime time for it. Although, sometimes I get closer than I expected or wanted. Example - loons at a fair distance diving and coming up next to me in the kayak. Or, just floating under some large tree branches and having something "plop!" right next to me. It was 2 recently fledged eagles right above me. Yes; kayaks are quiet and a lot of fun.
 
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Beautiful sunrise. Kayaks and solo canoes are wonderful ways to get photos. I prefer my solo canoe which isn't any larger than my kayak, lighter, more room for stuff and it's easier to get in or out.
 
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I would consider it but last time i was in kayak, i flip just as I launched. Luckily no camera, phone and wallet where in a ziplock bag so they stayed dry
 
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I shoot from a hybrid kayak - a native craft ultimate 15. Designed for fishing, it is incredibly stable and difficult to overturn. It's rated for 300 lbs of cargo and you can stand in it (I never do that - too chicken) without tipping it over. I feel that with the extra cargo capacity that I will never overload and I feel that my gear is relatively safe.

OP - great set of images. The light is always so beautiful at that time of day.
 
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frdjohns said:
I shoot from a hybrid kayak - a native craft ultimate 15. Designed for fishing, it is incredibly stable and difficult to overturn. It's rated for 300 lbs of cargo and you can stand in it (I never do that - too chicken) without tipping it over. I feel that with the extra cargo capacity that I will never overload and I feel that my gear is relatively safe.

OP - great set of images. The light is always so beautiful at that time of day.
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I also paddle a hybrid, the Jackson Kilroy. I added a minn kota Endura trolling motor with a 30 amp lithium ion battery (7.5lbs) for when I get tired of paddling.
It also enables me to approach subjects without waving a paddle
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When I'm using my kayak or my canoe as a photographic platform I always carried a small wooden canoe paddle (child's size) to avoid scaring the critters with the kayak paddle thrashing about -- my solo canoe is also paddled with a kayak paddle.
 
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frdjohns said:
I shoot from a hybrid kayak - a native craft ultimate 15. Designed for fishing, it is incredibly stable and difficult to overturn. It's rated for 300 lbs of cargo and you can stand in it (I never do that - too chicken) without tipping it over. I feel that with the extra cargo capacity that I will never overload and I feel that my gear is relatively safe.

OP - great set of images. The light is always so beautiful at that time of day.
Click to expand...
Definitely what i need. Ultra stable.
 
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dm50384 said:
I also paddle a hybrid, the Jackson Kilroy. I added a minn kota Endura trolling motor with a 30 amp lithium ion battery (7.5lbs) for when I get tired of paddling.
It also enables me to approach subjects without waving a paddle
Click to expand...

This is interesting. I've been contemplating a trolling motor to minimize motion when approaching wildlife. Can you share info on the battery you're using. How many minutes will the motor run on that battery?
 
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Great images! I have shot from a kayak but mine wasn’t the most ideal for it and I sold it last year and bought paddle boards. No, I won’t be shooting from the paddle boards lol. I was looking for an alternative option, preferably powered to make maneuvering a little easier versus balancing a camera and a paddle at the same time in current.
 
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I've started shooting with a pedal kayak. I find that it allows me to be a bit more prepared with my camera in that I only need one hand to change my rudder (when needed) and can pedal both forwards and backwards, essentially holding position while photographing. Paddle on side is mostly used for launch/recovery and backup. Camera in this photo is in a drybag lashed to the bow, I can pretty easily get and stow the camera, but usually leave it packed up for transit and then pull it out when I'm in an area I want to shoot and have it on my sling.



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jtilley said:
I've started shooting with a pedal kayak. I find that it allows me to be a bit more prepared with my camera in that I only need one hand to change my rudder (when needed) and can pedal both forwards and backwards, essentially holding position while photographing. Paddle on side is mostly used for launch/recovery and backup. Camera in this photo is in a drybag lashed to the bow, I can pretty easily get and stow the camera, but usually leave it packed up for transit and then pull it out when I'm in an area I want to shoot and have it on my sling.



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Looks good. How stable is the kayak?
 
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RichF said:
Looks good. How stable is the kayak?
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Its all relative, but I feel pretty comfortable in it. It is definitely a little twitchy in primary stability but has good secondary stability. So you need to be comfortable with it feeling a little twitchy but know that it does have relatively good stability. The kayak, and the class of kayaks related to it are all fishing kayaks and some people claim to be able to stand in them, although I am not that comfortable with mine to do that.

There are some of the shorter, wider variants of my kayak that have better primary stability, but are a little bit slower and probably less performative in rougher water (although I am a fair weather kayaker).
 
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NorthernFocus said:
This is interesting. I've been contemplating a trolling motor to minimize motion when approaching wildlife. Can you share info on the battery you're using. How many minutes will the motor run on that battery?
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I use the Eco-Worthy30AH lithium iron phosphate . bought on amazon . I will get 6 to 8 hours out of a full charge on a speed setting of 3 out of five. Only adding about 25 lbs of weight compared to a lead acid marine battery that is almost 70lbs and 15 lbs for trolling motor. I use a pelican box with a trolling motor port installed to keep battery dry.
 
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jtilley said:
Its all relative, but I feel pretty comfortable in it. It is definitely a little twitchy in primary stability but has good secondary stability. So you need to be comfortable with it feeling a little twitchy but know that it does have relatively good stability. The kayak, and the class of kayaks related to it are all fishing kayaks and some people claim to be able to stand in them, although I am not that comfortable with mine to do that.

There are some of the shorter, wider variants of my kayak that have better primary stability, but are a little bit slower and probably less performative in rougher water (although I am a fair weather kayaker).
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Given that I once flipped at launching, I want maximum stability. Perhaps a e-motor the dm5034 shows would be helpful for me.
 
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