Busy, Busy, Busy...

The last few days have been off the wall crazy. I feel like I have ben running around everywhere. But a few of the highlights were going to see Brendan and Kayla's play about Lewis and Clark, trying an 8mm f2.8 Circular fisheye lens, snowshoeing to a very spectacular spot that plans are currently starting for a winter overnight, and visiting with Steve and Ally one last time before they are gone from VT for a while.


Brendan and Kayla's performance in their school musical of lewis and clark was a great show. I loved it. They seemed to very much enjoy what they had been doing, and I got a few great photos. The South Hero School seems to have a very good organization of their students to be able to have them all perform in a role, from kindergarten all the way up to 4th grade for a great performance, that was both entertaining and educational. The fisheye lens would not have made much sense for such a show, but may have made some interesting photos.

Yesterday I walked into Lezot's on Chruch street with the intention to see if they had a replacement dome diffuser for my sb-900. The guy at the register said no one enjoys those damn things, and that I should buy a different variety, but how does he get to tell me that I don't like what I was asking for. Anyway, needless to say, I guess I will just have to order from the web, rather than do business with them, but while I was in there I had to ask and see if they had any Super wide angle lenses, something that is rare in VT on the used market. Of course they had an 8mm F:2.8 cirular fisheye. This is a massive piece of glass. So large that my camera is almost completely hidden behind the lens. It was beautiful, but when I discovered the $3500 price tag on a lens that was almost 20 years old, I was then rather glad I hadn't a need for a fisheye. It was interesting, but I am not impressed with the circular portion... It would be a great special effects lens, but what would I use it for? Anyone have any thoughts? What would I use a Fisheye for other than the fun of it, and a very few wedding photos per year? I will still have my eye set for the 14mm F:2.8 rectilinear wide angle, which is a little more my taste both in price and aesthetics.


After a day in Burlington, I went for a quick snowshoe with Charlie. It was great, we discovered a spot that we would like to do some winter camping at, and potentially a spot for me to photograph and hunt Wood Ducks next fall. I am excited, and am looking forward to it. WOO HOO. It may wind up being a very cold night in the woods if we camp, but it would be interesting. Then, after a long day, to wrap it all up, last night I went down to the VT pub and brewery for a little bon voyage gathering with Steve and Ally. Steve got a cool job in DC working as a legislative correspondant or something like that, all just fancy wording for secretary. It was a great day, and I hope to have another long one soon.

Oh yeah, Mary I didn't forget about you. I know you are in there with your wonderful silver trap. Here is one of those enjoyable photos from the assemblage of the silver trap...

Lot's of snow and finally a few more bites...

Ok, so I might be crazy to do so, but the fishing was better yesterday in 20 minutes time, than it has been in the previous 10 times I had been out. We had quite a few good hits, even more small bites, and we actually hooked two tiny perch. The weather was a beautiful heavy snow, making the driving on the ice difficult, as some of the snow drifts became deep enough to lift a truck off the ice... This view of the Shanty, usually yields a nice view of Mt. Mansfieldm but yesterday it was just plain dank whiteness...

Tomorrow looks like it might be a decent attempt in the morning. "Warm" weather, no snow, maybe I can catch myself a salmon. Who knows. Anyway, wish me luck, and hopefully soon, I will add an entry that isn't about icefishing.

Ice fishing... Brrr... No fish

Ok, so far this year, I have not caught anything worthy of bragging about. I caught three tiny perch, that barely fit the hook in their mouths. I have nearly frozen, and then nearly cooked myself, not to mention my shanty was nearly lit on fire. So, one of these days, the fish are finally going to bite. I am going to try every chance I get, and eventually a salmon, will bite. I have seen two on the ice, one from a distance, and the other I got a photo.

We had a great party this weekend, out at the shanty, and had quite the gathering of friends. Even with the temperature dropping steadily, and a stiff wind out of the north. We managed to keep the wood stove going, and created a wind block with a tarp. I plan on getting out again tomorrow after school for a little bit, even if it is snowing horrendously. I am not afraid of a little snow. Maybe we will actually catch something.

We will see.

Saturday, Dad said he will come up and fish. So that means that Saturday could be our lucky day.

This is a quick peek in the shanty during the lunch hour. As you can see, there really isn't much room in there.
Everyone gathered on the downwind side of the shanty, out of hte wind, with our wonderful wind break that we fashioned out of metal conduit and a tarp.
And here is the guy who caught the salmon. He was fishing within spitting distance of the shanty. He was a nice guy, his name was dave. He was nice enough to share his genny light with me. what a guy. Anyway, he quickly determined the fish was not large enough for him, even if it was barely a keeper, so he released it.

Salmon surely would have been nice for dinner.