paddling with a camera

I paddled 4 miles upstream from Kuner and back. There was a good flow around 450 cfs. The river was somewhat channelized by a coastal ice, but there was no floating ice as during my previous paddling. Getting in and out of the kayak was a little bit tricky because of ice near shores.

There was still a lot of snow and snow drifts, so the river was beautiful. About 1 mile above Kuner there is my favorite spot - a long, narrow and windy river leg with high banks. I shot there most of my South Platte River Winter movie in January and February of 2004. Unfortunately, that leg was almost frozen. I would probably try to paddle through it in my Sea Wind canoe, but not in 21' Thunderbolt.

It was sunny and calm with air temperature a few degrees above freezing, a perfect weather for upstream workout. A couple of bald eagles was watching my progress. I turned around just before sunset and ended up finishing my paddling about half hour after sunset. The dusk was a magical time on the river, especially, with hundreds of geese landing for a night rest. Unfortunately, it was getting terribly cold as soon the sun was down. Dragging an icy and slippery kayak from the river through deep snow into a high bridge at Kuner was a struggle ...

All pictures were shot with Pentax Optio W10. As you can see I am facing an exposure dilemma: a white snow and a dark kayak and water. It could be easier with my white Sisson Nucleus or Sea Wind.

Related posts:

• Paddling with Icicles - Thunderbolt-X on the South Platte River below Greeley
• Geese, Ducks, and Bald Eagles - Winter Paddling on South Platte River, Colorado
• Winter Afternoon on South Platte River with Thunderbolt-X Kayak
• Paddling South Platte River - Mountain Wayfarer Photo Reports
• Kayaking on Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers near Platteville
• Paddling during Duck and Goose Hunting Season on South Platte River?
• South Platte River map and guide

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