Posts by Marek

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scientist, photographer, paddler, blogger / living in Fort Collins, Colorado since 1989, paddling since 1972

A Bird’s-Eye View of Kayaking with GoPro Hero Camera

A bird’s-eye view? Well, it’s more like a low flying goose perspective. I am testing GoPro HD Hero camera mounted on a telescoping mast a few feet above kayak deck.

South Platte River with GoPro Hero HD Camera and Thunderbolt Kayak

I just started my 2011/12 cold season of paddling on the South Platte River. On October 14 I took the Thunderbolt kayak for upstream/downstream paddling workout starting at Kersey. I did a little bit more than 3 miles up river just passing the confluence with the Poudre River. It was a beautiful summer weather and the river had a good flow > 700 cfs.

I was testing my new GoPro HD Hero camera. I didn’t shoot video, but I started from my favorite interval mode taking still pictures every 60 seconds. I did a lot of this kind of shooting with my Pentax Optio cameras. GoPro Hero was mounted with a suction cup from Sticky Pod on the front deck of my kayak. A detachable LCD screen makes it much easier to position the camera and play back there results of your shooting. I will be reviewing features of the GoPro camera and different mountain options, especially, the GoPro Hero suction cup mount with my own based on Sticky Pod product.

The pictures turned to be pretty good. Of course, the pictures shot in full sun were in general too contrasty. For this post I choose pictures shot in a partial shadow or after sunset. The initial shot under the bridge, not particularly scenic spot, is quite interesting. The concrete bridge structure acted as a huge reflector. Well, it’s all about light.

9 Pictures from September Paddling in Northern Colorado

My September paddling near Fort Collins in northern Colorado: three lakes and three different boats. All pictures were shot with paddling camera on duty – Pentax Optio W30.

I am a couple version behind the newest Optio models, but my W30 is still working perfectly. It’s always tethered to my life jacket, so I cannot lose it. I wonder if somebody has experience with the newer waterproof cameras from Pentax Optio W90 and Optio WG-1 Adventure Series, and, especially, with the waterproof infrared remote control. It looks interesting and is quit cheap (~$20).

Sea Wind Canoe on the Loveland Pass

Last Sunday, when returning from the Colorado River Race in Glenwood Canyon, I drove over the Loveland Pass to avoid delays in the Eisenhower Tunnel. It didn’t help much. I was still stuck in a traffic below the tunnel. However, I enjoyed a few stops at highway 6 at and below the Loveland Pass. It was foggy, cloudy and mysterious. Time to time I could see the slow traffic on the Interstate 25 below.

This year, I paddled my Sea Wind Canoe in the Colorado River Race. I got a really good workout there. The race was dominated by SUPs (stand-up paddlers). You can find some pictures from the race and more commentary on the Fitness Paddling blog.

Paddling Boyd Lake State Park near Loveland

Sunday morning, August 7, 2011. A loop around Boyd Lake – 9 miles in 2:15 hours in Sea Wind canoe.

It was my first paddling on the Boyd Lake this year. The lake is very full like many other reservoirs in Colorado. I launched the Sea Wind canoe at northern end of the park road – just a few steps across a bike trail at current water level on a sandy beach.

I paddled around the lake with a short stop for photography at the SE lake corner near the dam. There is a nice view of Loveland and Longs Peak from that spot. And, it seems that I am attracted to that concrete dam structure. A nice pattern of concrete elements. You can compare three pictures below with the pictures I shot at the same location 2 years ago, but from the shore.

Pictures were shot with my DSLR camera, Canon D5 M2 and EF 24-105 mm lens with a polarizer. Sea Wind canoe is a very stable platform for photography. So, for a easy paddling like today, I carry my Canon camera in Seattle Sport mini duffel. I don’t see that product in their catalog any more. I wouldn’t consider it waterproof, just splash proof. However, it offers an easy access to the camera even with a long lens attached. There is a room for an extra lens and/or flash or other accessories.

Related posts and resources:
Boyd Lake State Park
160 Lakes and Reservoirs of Colorado

Early Morning Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir

The Horsetooth Reservoir west of Fort Collins is busy during summer, but a paddler can still find some relatively quiet time early morning.

Below are three pictures from my morning paddling with Sea Wind canoe (7/30/2011) shot with Pentax Optio W30 camera. I launched in the Sunrise Area and paddled across the lake to visit the Quarry and Orchard coves (~6 miles in 1.5 hour). The reservoir has a very high water level and all shores with tree and bushes in water look wonderful providing some unusual opportunities to explore by kayak or canoe.

I am using 5 access and lunching spots on the Horsetooth:
1. South Bay – boat ramp
2. Inlet Bay – boat ramp
3. Satanka Bay – boat ramp
4. Sunrise Area from the Centennial Road.
5. North Eltuck Cove from the Lory State Park (trail access up to 0.25 mile at a low water)

I am avoiding boat ramps during power boat season. Off season, I am often using one of the South Bay boat ramps. It’s possible to park on a beach close to water there. Access point 1-4 require Larimer County Parks pass for your car. You also need a paddling pass. These are quite expensive. I paddle on the Horsetooth only when I buy annual passes. Well, sometimes, especially of season I visit the Horsetooth from the Lory State Park.

Summer Paddling near Fort Collins and Loveland

Horsetooth Reservoir is very busy as usual in the middle of summer and boating season. Fortunately, it is possible at least to avoid using boat ramps to launch a kayak or canoe. I am using a newly reopened Sunrise Area. You can now drive down to a swimming beach and park close to water.

Numerous fishing reservoir provide opportunity for a more calm paddling. I often paddle Boedecker and Lonetree Reservoir southwest from Loveland (below Carter Lake). Pictures below were taken on two recent trips to the Lonetree Reservoir. Water level is still high. There is a lot of water vegetation in coves, but not yet too dense to stop paddling. I usually like to squeeze around trees and log jams to explore the supplying ditch all the way to the main road. The bridge has a pretty low clearance at this water level.

Easter Paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir

Easter Day evening. 10+ miles of paddling with Sea Wind canoe on the Horsetooth Reservoir.

It was raining all the time, but I enjoyed wet and calm scenery. Looking through rain at the Arthurs Rock and Lory State Park I was sure that I preferred paddling in that weather than hiking or biking. All pictures were shot with my Pentax Optio W30.

I have also some picture with more Easter spirit. You are welcome to check my Variations on Eggs and Chives in Pixels Away blog or my stock portfolio.

Waterproof Duffels, Canoe Paddle and Hat …

I am trying to shoot some paddling oriented pictures in my home studio. Here is the recent composition: two Watershed waterproof duffels with a wooden canoe paddle and a hat. I am going to take it set up outdoors and add a river.

Waterproof duffels

I bought these two Watershed Yukon duffles for the 1994 Watertribe Everglades Challenge , and used them also in the 2006 Ultimate Florida Challenge, two Missouri River 340 races and numerous overnight trips. They fit very tightly side by side in a cockpit of my Sea Wind canoe behind a seat and serve three purposes:
1. my main cargo storage with an easy access
2. extra flotation
3. a “bed” to lay down back to rest or take a nap on water or land

After years of use and abuse they are still in a good shape, waterproof and airtight.The only drawback, especially for racing: a long seal is somewhat time consuming to close. Watershed has several models in different sizes.

Hat

This is my cold season head cover. I like it especially for paddling a kayak with a wing paddle which splashes a lot of water onto paddler’s head.

Paddle

I paddle my canoes with Zaveral racing paddles. They are great for paddling, but not so great for photography. The nice wooden Bending Branches Cruiser paddle above travels with me only as a spare in the Sea Wind canoe and appears in action mostly for photography like here on the South Platte. It is much more photogenic than black carbon fiber.

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