[BLev65]

I spent a fair amount of time in the cold and wet this week in an attempt to photograph a pine marten. The adventure began at 5:30 am with a 2 and 3/4 hour drive to the boreal forest. Arriving around sunset I positioned myself where the marten was last seen and waited,... and waited,... and waited.... Between the hours of 8:30 and 3:45 I passed the time thinking about life, the harsh realities of nature, and the likelihood that I'd go home empty handed. Sure I snapped pictures of red squirrels, nuthatches, chickadees, and Canadian jays, but that was just to excercise my photography muscles.
Just as the sun was setting behind the woods, the pine marten appeared. He gave me 90 seconds of activity and I did what I could to make the most of it...
Sure it was a long day followed by a long drive home, but it was definitely worth the time, energy, and thermal stress.

Persistence pays off...
bruce

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[BlackRockArt]

I spent a fair amount of time in the cold and wet this week in an attempt to photograph a pine marten. The adventure began at 5:30 am with a 2 and 3/4 hour drive to the boreal forest. Arriving around sunset I positioned myself where the marten was last seen and waited,... and waited,... and waited.... Between the hours of 8:30 and 3:45 I passed the time thinking about life, the harsh realities of nature, and the likelihood that I'd go home empty handed. Sure I snapped pictures of red squirrels, nuthatches, chickadees, and Canadian jays, but that was just to excercise my photography muscles.
Just as the sun was setting behind the woods, the pine marten appeared. He gave me 90 seconds of activity and I did what I could to make the most of it...
Sure it was a long day followed by a long drive home, but it was definitely worth the time, energy, and thermal stress.

Persistence pays off...
bruce
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Bruce, these are great shots, your patience has been well rewarded.

Oliver

 

[Irap]

Super shots Bruce

 

[Butlerkid]

Outstanding! Both the pine marten - and YOU - delivered!

 

[Phil Seu]

Very good. Well done.

Phil

 

[Icarus]

Gorgeous creature, beautifully captured!

 

[bsinc1962]

Congratulations Bruce. A fine specimen captured beautifully.

 

[VTRich]

Amazing images. We have those here, but I have never seen one in the wild.

 

[BLev65]

Bruce, these are great shots, your patience has been well rewarded.

Oliver

Thank you Oliver...
Experiences like this recent one reminds me that in spite of all the technology we can carry into the field, patience and preparedness are the real tools of our trade.
cheers,
bruce

 

[BLev65]

Super shots Bruce

Thank you

 

[BLev65]

Outstanding! Both the pine marten - and YOU - delivered!

Thanks Karen... I appreciate you taking the time to post a comment.

bruce

 

[BLev65]

Very good. Well done.

Phil

Thanks Phil

 

[BLev65]

Gorgeous creature, beautifully captured!

Thank you very much... I was super excited to see him. This was the first time I've ever seen a wild pine marten.
cheers,
bruce

 

[BLev65]

Congratulations Bruce. A fine specimen captured beautifully.

Thank you very much.

 

[BLev65]

Amazing images. We have those here, but I have never seen one in the wild.

Thanks a lot
While they are not endangered, they are rare to see because they live in pine and spruce forests. Up until Thursday, I was like you... knew they are around, but never saw one in the wild. When I read reports of a pair of "semi-predictable" individuals, I decided to try to make it happen for myself.

cheers,
bruce

 

[MorganP]

Wow, should make some nice prints.

 

[K9Kirk]

Beautiful image and creature, good job.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I'm pleased to see that your patience and persistence paid off, and handsomely so, for you.

 

[BorderBirder]

Thank you very much... I was super excited to see him. This was the first time I've ever seen a wild pine marten.
cheers,
bruce

Great photos and story behind them. The first time comment worthy of more prominence in the thread - makes it even more special !!
Well done Bruce, Bruce!

 

[agrumpybirdphotographer]

Superb Bruce

 

[Charles Loy]

SUPER! Congrats, and I admire your determination.

 

[Ralph]

I spent a fair amount of time in the cold and wet this week in an attempt to photograph a pine marten. The adventure began at 5:30 am with a 2 and 3/4 hour drive to the boreal forest. Arriving around sunset I positioned myself where the marten was last seen and waited,... and waited,... and waited.... Between the hours of 8:30 and 3:45 I passed the time thinking about life, the harsh realities of nature, and the likelihood that I'd go home empty handed. Sure I snapped pictures of red squirrels, nuthatches, chickadees, and Canadian jays, but that was just to excercise my photography muscles.
Just as the sun was setting behind the woods, the pine marten appeared. He gave me 90 seconds of activity and I did what I could to make the most of it...
Sure it was a long day followed by a long drive home, but it was definitely worth the time, energy, and thermal stress.

Persistence pays off...
bruce
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Bruce , Awesome shots! It’s so gratifying when the plan comes together.

 

[Jaap L]

Beautiful images and creature, Bruce. well done! Certainly worth the wait. Thanks for the story behind it. May 2024 bring you more opportunities!

 

[Woodyg3]

Congratulations!

 

[gdecamp]

Superb set Bruce!!