'However, we definitely can't see 'em from our couch, so I figured we'd give it a shot!'.......Priceless.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

It’s just a fact. Right?

That's what insurance is for. I'm always a little concerned about damage to my gear, but knowing that I have it covered by insurance really helps me to relax a bit. Of course, I'd rather not have to go through the hassle of a claim, but peace of mind is priceless.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, insurance helps ease the mental pain.

My favorite way of photographing wildlife here in Brazil, if from my kayak. Done that for two years now, and never had an accident.

I did enjoy seeing you mount the tripod/ camera on the Kayak. You do it right. Now I got a story that I hope never happens to you. I was in college. Photography class. One of the senior photographers was given the assignment to shoot on a boat. The college provided the cameras. We could bring ours. Now he decided to take the Leica M 3. Not a cheap camera by any means. The teacher told him to take something else. She had a bad feeling about it. He took it anyway. Well. You know what happened. The boat sunk. He went under holding the Leica over his head. lolololol The teacher would tell that story all the time.. Every semester. lolololo

A great experience on your part, eye-feast for us!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Havn't long found your channel, your videos always seem so tranquil, love watching them, keep them coming, from I'm from South Wales, UK.

If I ever have the privilege to have gears like your in future I will spend rest of my life wondering in the woods and photographs birds and other wild life like you..

Thanks for sharing - I am starting to get addicted to your stories, videos and pics 🤪

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! Thank you so much Hans.

Good times 👍

With the name Bayou Josh, I would have thought you would have had a pirogue !!!!! Seriously, another great video and as someone who canoes in south Louisiana, nothing beats the calm of paddling with camera in hand. Stay safe and paddle on !

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve spent some time on a pirogue. 😃

I shoot from my cedar strip canoe often. I love the low angle and a misty early morning river is as good a backdrop as I have ever found. I just found your instagram and you have some lovely shots(if id taken them they would make my top 5). you have a fantastic feel to your you tube videos. peaceful, calm and a tonic after a shitty day at work. thanks

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Canoe or Kayak photography is so rewarding. thank you for the kind words Peter. I do appreciate it.

Well the kayak setup was not what l expected when l clicked on your video this morning but another great adventure.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

Beautiful spot, sorry you missed the Moose, but we both know it ain't about your target, I know you and Katie had fun. Great Adventure! As for equipment, my environment is as tough as it gets, I've lost so many pieces of equipment to courage, I now buy the insurance package. Insurance is like courage on steroids, I don't even think about failure anymore. Ride her till she bucks ya Josh.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Ride her till she’s bucks ya. Best advice ever.

Awesome! Once upon a time I set up my D200 and 80-400mm in a similar way in a rowing boat - it was great but did unfortunately end up with the camera and lens taking a swim!! Luckily it was into clean fresh water, and after a stressful 48hrs drying everything out and an unpleasent bill for having them professionally cleaned / checked over, the kit still worked just fine!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! that is amazing that it still worked.

Awww, just came across your videos again Josh, so miss them! You were always top of my must watch videos, happy retirement from KZread

@BayouJosh

4 ай бұрын

You are very Kind Roger. Thank you. It was a fun season of life.

Love doing kayak photography with a D800 and a Sigma 150-600. Never felt secure with a tripod so I do hand held and a sit-in kayak. There’s always risks but the rewards are awesome.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I feel the tripod is a liability as well. However, it is tough to do video with that long focal length hand held.

@79southbound13

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh I put a mount on the front and for now use my phone but the hero 10 is calling my name. I know it’s not the same for long distance video though. I feel a lot more stable with a sit in kayak than a sit on. When entering and exiting the water I put everything in a dry bag. It’s too much fun and the wife and I get to spend time together. Keep going you’ll get more comfortable at it. PS Make sure your insurance is paid up.

I really enjoy all of your videos. Keep them coming!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

thank you Brian. will do.

We use inflatable one-person pontoon boats with our expensive camera equipment. Extremely stable, can go anywhere and compact when deflated. We've designed tripod supports and use big lenses. They tend to be less "tippy" while shooting video, too. Also, let us get at water level more easily for handheld shots. We are not courageous enough to take our equipment out on a kayak, but that's just us. ;-) LOVE YOUR WORK!! Great narrations, super production and love your voice!! Thank you!!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to see that design.

I’m a fan of your videos already. They’re great, you’re one of a kind storyteller and a great photographer-cinematographer. Those aerial shots with the drone in this video are breathtaking.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Well thank you so much. I really enjoy making the videos so it makes me very happy to hear that you’re enjoying them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Lucky!

I too have braved the photography in the Kayak with several thousand dollars of camera equipment at risk. I kayaked in the Atchafalaya Basin several years ago. Loved every minute of it.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I can't wait to one day be back on the Atchafalaya basin.

i did that once with my fishing kayak but add two floaters they sell at kayak shops on the side of my kayak ;)

Keep up the great work!

Stupidity would be to try it for the first time in Florida where there are alligators in the water! Good video, thank you.

Lol I felt the same Josh when I first did it, been doing for years now never lost one… yet! Lola great video too by the way

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I bought a smaller lens to take on the kayak. It will be a much less stressful summer. 😀

As usual, great content beautiful music and makes me smile when I watch. Love your wife’s reply and comments that she sometimes doesn’t believe what you do! 🤣

Thanks for this, it was edge of the seat stuff when you were in your kayak... Fortune favours the brave. Looks like you both had a great time. Thanks again for your time and effort.

The adventure continues! I’m super glad it all worked out!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

thanks brother.

I looove taking photos from a kayak. It is risky, but I see so much wildlife that the pain of not having a camera with me outweighs the risk. I shoot handheld with my 100-400 and it's a blast! For me, I think the tripod would be too restricting - I like a little more freedom of movement. As always, great video, and thanks for posting!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

That was my first time trying that big lens in the kayak. I won’t be doing that again. I also bring the 100-400 on kayak trips. Planning to do one in the next week or so. Exciting stuff.

Brave man, I have a Canadian style canoe, but i'm not brave enough to take my camera out in it... looking forward to seeing what you capture.

I wish I would have had a kayak the other day when I was watching ospreys. My lens can only go so far and when they are on the other side of the small lake, you can't capture the right moment. Photography sometimes is a bust when you really want to view wildlife or birds. But sometimes you get lucky. Thanks for the idea, I will probably try it in the future.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Luck plays a huge part!

Now time for some rapids. 🤣 good video josh! 👍

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Right!

Another great video, thanks. It does take courage to take that expensive gear out into a kayak. I took an older camera and lens I didn't use any more until I felt confident enough with my abilities. I know a guy that was in a double kayak with another photographer and their boat got swamped by the wake of a barge. Pushed them into a rock wall and flipped them over before they knew what happened. Luckily, no bodily harm, but thousands of dollars in camera gear is now at the bottom of the Tennessee River.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Oh goodness. disaster.

Great story telling and video. Thank you for your efforts making it.

Great video as always :) I love watching your adventures with Katie and the beautiful places you explore. This was a very brave idea that will lead to other I’m sure. Always good to keep pushing the boundaries to make it more exciting and adventurous. I always bring my 500mm on the kayak and rest it on a bean bag on the floor between my knees. I do have an appetite to install a support for a gimbal head on the front so I can be more relaxed and prepared to pick up my gear for action. Keep the great clips coming. Always a pleasure to watch.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Cynthia. Fine line.

What a beautiful adventure. Can’t wait to watch the next one

You’re bold! I’ve wanted to do this so many times but never have the guts haha 😂 love those Pileated 🙌🏻

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

That was my favorite part of the day. Thanks brother

The Kayak idea was great actually! The only think I would recommend is to attach the lens to a strap around your body in case the whole thing were to fall into the water. It should be pretty water tight anyway...

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

🤪 water tight camera. Geez. Let’s be honest. It was a silly idea. 😄

@enricomarconi8358

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh Risky, yes. Silly? I'm not sure Josh. One of the secret to better shots in photography is accessibility (to places or venues where other don't / can't get to) and new POV. You surely don't see many people with a 600 on a kayak - I agree with you, but you could take an amazing shot in an area where animals could be reach from the position you were. Also, a water approach is much more quiet than walking on the ground... think about that.

Great video Josh, glad you didn't roll the Kayak Haha

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

You and me both brother. Thanks man. 🤙🏻

as usual wonderful.

"Didn't you just expect the moose to be here waiting for us? " 🤣 Love it! I dunno Josh, I probably would've kept the gear on the bottom of the kayak, and handheld that stuff if anything appeared off the side of the river. But it's heavy stuff so I get it. Moose are hard to find. Where I live you might see them during hunting season when they are driven out of the woods by hunters, unfortunately.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

it is the number one reason I own a 500pf now. Flexibility.

Great video! I have been thinking of trying a kayak but will use my 500mmpf. Hopefully less risk with it!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

That’s definitely the smarter way to go about it.

great video and commentary - lots of us have taken to the water - both in canoes and kayaks- there is nothing else quite like it - thanks for sharing your thoughts and nervousness lol

love your content!

Hey Josh, I can't believe you posted this video. I have just finished my final version of a camera mount for my cheaper kayak than yours. I made it with 11/2" ABS PVC to hold my monfrotto 502 video head with a nice swivel mount for my phone or 5" monitor. So far it works great and easy to pop on and off. I tried the tripod way and it was just to wobbly. Say'in hey... Greg

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Dang man. I need to see that.

@gregwilsonnaturephotography

2 жыл бұрын

Hey, I figure you have to risk it to get the biscuit..... ah it a pretty simple mount. Maybe 20 bucks in fittings and 25 inches in the pipe. I am thinking of putting my 500 f4 on it Saturday. But with the Z6ll and D850 and 500 pf its been pretty good.

I also went the kayak route but I found leaving the big lens at home was the way to go. Instead, I bring the 100-400mm zoom.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I got those images last year with the d500 and 200-400f/4 from that same spot in that same kayak.

Josh, Could you use a bungee cord to help secure the tripod to the kayak. Obviously it wouldn't help if you turned over but it might make sure the whole rig stayed attached to the kayak should you lean to one side a little too much. With a lens that big I'm surprised the kayak doesn't try to turn over when you turn the lens hard to port or starboard:)

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

It was pretty stable but yes...i do need to find a way to secure it for left and right motion.

Try this in an oru-kayak. I see your crazy and raise you by 3! 👍🏽

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

😂 that’s crazy

Great videos and love your story telling style. I take my D500 with 70-200 & 1.4TC on my kayak, keep it slipped into a dry bag and lay it in front of me on the spray skirt. Pull it out of the open bag to shoot when needed and then slip it back in. Works great! Never tried it with my 200-400 f4, too difficult to handhold in the kayak. You were awfully brave with your tripod setup and big glass. You do have insurance on your grear, right?

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I do have insurance. I used to do the exact same thing with a smaller lens but it’s always fun to have that big lens with me.

😎 I had the same experience and used a kayak, I ended up making a diy outrigger out of pvc and foam floats. There are dozens of KZread videos about it and with some setups you can actually standup. Im not that brave but it did help alot

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I have been researching different options. Thanks brother.

I think if you want to shoot while kayaking you need to maybe grab a D7200 & 200-500mm for those risky situations!

Really enjoying your channels content, can see you video quality is a lot higher than your early days. I am transitioning from 850 to Z6II and realising it really is about filling the frame, detail in 850 is amazing but the Z6II images looked just as good, until I couldn’t get close and crop was needed, but again noise handling on Z6II was amazingly good. Such a good time to be a photographer. I am almost at the point of moving from sport to nature, I am deciding this season to give it up for nature, as I simply love the quiet headspace I get in, it’s the only time I can say hand on heart i am not stressed at all, not about work, family, just time for me to just think about relaxing, and letting time pass without looking at my watch. Already planning some trips, so let’s see. Well done with your channel!!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Good for you brother. Sports photography seems stressful. You might want to give the z7ii a look if you want more resolution. I’m looking to pick one up soon. Thanks for watching

Water looked super calm, which you really needed. That tripod sure did not look secure, top heavy with that lens. Figured a little wiggle to get comfortable and then a slash sound was for sure. The moose shots from last year (guessing) and the deer shots were great. The deer seemed curious but not at all spooked. Curious, given having a canon-sized lens pointed their way. Overall, scary and well done.

The concept is good. That particular platform might not be the best but the concept is really good.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Horrible platform right?

@michaelsurratt9593

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh I wouldn’t say horrible. Not as strong as you would want. When having $20,000 to $30,000 worth of gear on there and it could tip over, that would be tragic. I have been considering a pontoon boat so I can can get down on my stomach and shoot ducks and other wildlife from as low as I can get. That will NOT go into the same small areas as a kayak. I have considered a flat bottom Jon boat for small areas. I live one mile from a lake so I have been thinking. My bank account keeps telling me no though.

Almost had an anxiety attack.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

😂

I'm wondering if you secured the tripod to the boat; that would make it totally secure falling short at you falling into the water too. But hey, great idea in the long run....

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I had two of the legs wedged in the seat opening. Not great but it made me feel a little better about it.

You can integrate a vertical support in your kayak that can accept a gimbal. You can add floats on the outside either side so your kayak will not flip.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Now that sounds like a great idea.

@photographerGerald

10 ай бұрын

Figure out how to attach a board to the end of your kayak and mount an electric trolling motor. In kayak photography it is a game changer.

Amazing video as always, For me , I’ll never take my 400 2.8 on a kayak 🥴. I bought a sigma 100-400mm especially for the kayak and it’s giving me enough reach. On a kayak you can approach birds like you never do on the land with 800mm lens 😄

I’ve been wanting to build some sort of floating blind for a while. Maybe 2022 will be the year. Great video as always my friend

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Go for it! I keep putting it off as well.

Thanks a lot for yet another great video. Beautiful sceneries, unique style and great perspective on the topic. I'd say certainly courage for trying, definitely nor stupidity. The level of risk is probably not significantly higher that walking around in the mountains or in a marsh (you are using a large sit-on-top on flat water with no wind, no speedboats, no current and no tricky obstacles). I don't have a heavy $12K lens though, so my valuation of the risk is much lighter. I also tend to give my equipment a rough treatment (it it can't survive mud and sand I an not interested). I tend to think that the tripod doesn't help much when shooting from a kayak, and as soon as it gets a bit choppy or windy it becomes completely impractical. Instead, I just keep the gear in a reliable (and tested) dry bag and I shoot handheld (again, mine is a lot smaller than yours). Since stability and positioning become major issues in these situations, I use a twin kayak so that my partner can keep the kayak in position and I have someone else to blame when I miss epic shots. Plastic bags duck-taped over the whole gear - with strategic cuts - somewhat protect from paddle drips and spray.

Great video. You are an awesome story teller. I am too nervous about taking my camera with a long lens on a kayak. Especially after my experience with flipping a kayak in saltwater with an expensive Kowa scope onboard.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Oh, it was a horrible Idea. I bought a smaller lens the next week. 😄

@advennature950

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh 😁

I have wondered several times if this can be done, I guess I just haven't worked up the courage to actually try it yet. :)

I cannot sit straight in a K yet alone balance expensive gear 🤣 well done as always

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

😆

Calls insurance company, get a 15 grand check ready. My camera gear might end up at the bottom of a deep lake.

I've been wanting to do this but am terrified of dropping my camera, though something like the pelican bass raider would be perfect for this kind of thing, nice and wide stable boat.

I think the kayak idea was a good one but I also think you could take a few precautions with the gear without compromising the usability. I couple of thoughts. Cut some sections of pool noodles and attach to the tripod legs with velcro or rubber bands. You might even be able to attach some kind of flotation to the camera body as well. (I imagine there is some sort of great product made for this purpose if you wanted to find it). Bag the camera all the way to the end of the lens barrel and attach it tightly with a rubber band or some other method right behind the glass. This wouldn't save your gear if it submerged for much time but it might buy you a few seconds to grab it and get it above the water line. Great content as always and looking forward to you finding those moose again in the future! P.S. My sister-in-law and Katie are doppelgangers!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I’m reengineering it before I attempt it again. It was actually pretty stable except for getting in or out.

@Snapshott1

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh Dry bags are your friend. I've had camera equipment on my kayak many times but nothing as valuable as your equipment. My camera, lens and drone are always in a dry bag while getting in and out of the kayak.

I take my gear in my kayak all of the time, I have it all insured, and the insurance company knows I kayak with the gear.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. That’s the only way I’d do it.

I would take my RF 100-500. More versatile on unstable platform. I would handhold the big lens if I had your courage on the kayak which is constantly moving.

A guy from out of town just drowned his nikon 600mm f4 with the d5 by rolling his kayak up here in North Idaho. Some people got some crazy pics of it.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

😳

bought Oru foldable kayak for my bif

Another great one! I need to find a companion who likes to follow me around on my adventures. Lol. You have insurance on you’re gear? I get a really good deal with State Farm and already had to use it once. 😂😂😬

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

yes, I do. I need to check if dunking it under water is covered.

@FlyinRyanProductions406

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh 😂😂😂 that’s exactly what happened to my D850 and I had a check three days later. I was soooooo lucky to have it. 😅 first and only time I dropped a camera and it was right in the drink. 😂😂😂

Josh, If you want to switch to Canon, there are a lot easier ways than drowning your Nikon Gear :-)

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

That’s hilarious 😂

Your videos are getting better all the time. Is your photo gear insured??

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. Definitely insured.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 👊🏽

What would've you done if there were moose out there and one of them were charging at you? Take a camo poncho with you so they don't get spooked. And for scenery, GoPro frontview and towards you would give your vids a new perspective. Lovely woodpecker. Is it related to our Black Woodpecker here in Europe? Can't wait to see what you come up with next time. Keep up the great work bro!

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I definitely did not think through this 100%. The moose chased us out of there last year. you better believe we were on high alert! I just looked up the black woodpecker. they almost look the same. thanks as always brother.

@buttonlover86

2 жыл бұрын

The moose even got in the water and swam toward us as we were kayaking away. I might have been screaming. LoL

@saarikkophoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh Yeah, you should wear that camo no matter what if you want to get close to them, or just head over here to Scandinavia because ours are kinder and we even got albinos here. White deer, white moose. Looks a bit spooky to meet something like that in the darkness. I did a research of the woodie and they are the same family, yet different with their names and looks.

@saarikkophoto

2 жыл бұрын

@@buttonlover86 You shouldn't turn your backs towards these animals, better to keep eye contact and back away, slowly, if this encounter happens again. My closest to a moose must've been 20 feet away. I...did...not...move...at...all, so it wouldn't charge me. I just talked myself out of the stand-out. LOL!

Great video as always, but... $15k on a kayak... I don't think so.

Your wife is right!

Take calculated risk, you'll be fine, just like all things in life. That being said, just don't drop all that equipment in water or you'll be asking a heck of Christmas gift. 🤞

If they were your equipment (camera, lens, tripod rigs & canoe) they are worth more than your van, ATG taught thousand of photographers & telling them don't buy your equipment, just rent them. Too bad companies can't make 135 to 600 @ F4.0 or 12 to 35 @ F2,0

Good luck, I don't take my gear within 10 feet of a puddle 😂

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

😂

I like you

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

I like you too. 🥰

all I can say is insurance on the gear

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Got that for sure.

You have been luckyJosh with this Kayak.... The fondamental rules on a kayak is to be sit under the level of the water. Yours, sit is too high.. by the fact the center of gravity too high. Very unstable situation. You probably know this but I personaly makes wildlife photography in a kayak but I am sitting lower than the level of the water. Open kayak like yours is not realy adapted for a big budget camera gear. Next time....bring me your gear ! I' ll take care of it !

Courage and stupidity are definitely close cousins! However there’s got to be a better way to secure the that cheap tripod hold that $12k lens using the rail system already on the kayak. Love your videos

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

There’s definitely a lot of reinforcement that needs to take place prior to going out with it again. 😂

Do not think it is wise to use a tripod with a gimbal in a kayak. Hand hold, use a smaller lens 400 with a teleconverter. Lastly, take out some very good insurance 😎

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

There was nothing wise about that whole operation. 🤣

That is one cheap tripod.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Dangerously cheap. I need to throw that thing in the garbage. 😂

@forsterl.stewart414

2 жыл бұрын

@@BayouJosh you are one brave photographer. Kudos to you on that. Plus you get the job done.

Why do you keep saying that photography from a kayak is crazy? Thousands of us are doing it all the time. The key is more being confident in the kayak than being confident with the camera. Anyone can press a button. Not everyone can stabilize themselves in a bobbing kayak and holding the camera steady. Put in the time in the boat first.

@BayouJosh

2 жыл бұрын

Did I say that?