I spotted these lonely kayaks parked on the side of the river the other day during my photowalk with Meg. I did the best I could framing them through the trees and obstructions. In the end, I rather liked the result.
I have such a thing for kayaks, which I find ironic considering I don't kayak. I did, but only twice in my life and the first time I had a near death experience. No joke. I was on an outdoor adventure camping week with a group from Mike's college. We did awesome things like rock climbing, white water rafting, splelunking and kayaking. We even took a moonlit hike to a waterfalls. It was awesome, all but for the kayaking.
I didn't pay attention fully to our kayak lessons. I heard them mention how to roll it and didn't feel that I needed to know that. I thought that rolling under water was optional and I didn't want to do that...I wore contacts. I did hear how to show you were in distress when upside down, to run your hands on the bottom of the flipped kayak. So, I get in, I'm skirted into the kayak and it immediately takes off downstream in a rather swift current and flips over. I am buoyed underwater and don't know how to right myself or eject. There is a cord to pull apparently, but I hadn't paid attention to that part. So I helplessly rub the bottom of the kayak and start sucking in water. I don't know how I got out. I think that I kicked free somehow, but my day was wrecked and I couldn't bear to do it anymore. I tried a few times, but was so shaken up that I couldn't continue. Michael was kind enough to stay back with me and we hung out while the others went on their kayak adventure.
You have framed this really well, especially in connection with the really scary story, makes me feel that you are happy to look at them from a distancre and 'behind bars' but you don't want o get any closer. Don't blame yoy after such an experience!
You know what I they say about getting bucked off a horse? Get back on........hmmm... I did and I won't! This is brave of you even looking at them in this nice photo and it would always bring back that memory!
My husband would love this shot. He enjoys playboating, which is white water kayaking in a short boat, so that they can do tricks like cartwheels & flips - a bit like skateboarders but in the water. Last winter he went out when the temperature was minus four and there was snow on the ground and we have a video of him rolling his kayak then saying "look at the icicles on my helmet". Later we saw a picture of him and his friend on a website for a company selling kayaks - they were wearing their dry suits and dragging their kayaks through the snow. I think he's mad!
I like the way you framed the kayaks. They fascinate me too but just can't seem to get the hang of. If the group goes right, I go left, not deliberately. In Hawaii I turned over so many times the leader made me get in his kayak and towed mine back behind us. The only good thing -- the first time I capsized, I came face to with the most majestic sea turtle. It was a mystical moment for me. Sort of like Amy in "Enlightened."
wow hat a story...I love to kayak....we went out in San Diego about a mile out to go whale watching....didn't see any whales but it was GREAT when dolphins jumped right over the front tip of the kayak. I wouldn't know how to go solo....Rodney and I are a good team. I have the identical photo, too....lol! Looks nice!
I love the colour of the kayaks and the focus. We have just bought two kayaks to use when we move but our are open ones and we don't get trapped in if we capsize. We will be kayaking on flat water though. Now we need to buy life jackets. I did learn how to roll when I was in the scouts and hated doing it. That was a number of years ago now though!!
Pretty shot; like you are spying on them through the trees. I have no kayak experience, but spent a lot of time in a canoe when I was a kid. Gads, I'll bet kayaks hadn't been invented then!
You made me laugh. It sounds like something I would do. Half hear the directions as I'm sure I won't need them : ) oh dear we could get into some really fun trouble !
Great capture and nice framing and DoF. Sounds like enough to put anyone off kayaking! (We tried sea kayaking once - it took us about 20 mins to get both of us in, without one falling out as the other got in...)
@taffy My next time kayaking was on the ocean in a sea kayak. It was ok, but I was so afraid of sharks I was hyperventilating. Jaws messed me up. I felt so vulnerable out in the water alone in such a small craft. Thanks, friend.
@happysnap REally love your great comments here, Linda. I like that...looking at it through the bars. I really want to kayak again, just not the skirt kind. I'm fine swimming if I fall out!:)
@jsw0109 I did that in Picmonkey...wanted to try something different. Thanks, friend!
Oh me too! Very nice...and good job framing. It is sad to see the colors go. It is coldish where we are now (Lake Powell) but the sun is shining and the colors are lovely..I love kayaking. Wish we had brought ours...but we can't bring EVERYTHING! LOL!
@catwoman2 Your story was fun...and amazing. How cool to have seen the sea turtle like that. And you never would have had you not capsized. I shared a moment with a rainbow colored hummingbird in the woods in Jamaica...it's one that I will never forget.
I really appreciate all of your wonderful comments on the photo and my scary near demise. I am so grateful to have made it back from that experience and I really do want to kayak again, but just in a different type (a sea kayak type with no skirt) and perhaps in calmer water. I've so wanted one for our lake. One day I'll get back in one...
@adamj Did you read that I almost DIED in a kayak when I was in college. It was terrifying. But I still love them for some reason, though I won't get in one... Thanks!
@gerry Thanks, kind sir!
I love this shot though - almost looks as if it's been tilt-shifted - great framing using the trees.
@jsw0109 I did that in Picmonkey...wanted to try something different. Thanks, friend!
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I really appreciate all of your wonderful comments on the photo and my scary near demise. I am so grateful to have made it back from that experience and I really do want to kayak again, but just in a different type (a sea kayak type with no skirt) and perhaps in calmer water. I've so wanted one for our lake. One day I'll get back in one...