The Weekly Smile for the 30th of May, 2022 #weeklysmile

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Hi All! For my fellow Americans, happy Memorial Day. Hmm, “happy”, isn’t quite right, since it is a day of remembrance for our war dead, but I’m sure you know what I mean. Anyway, despite an ultra-busy work week, I had plenty to smile about. There was some time off (not including today), a good doctors report, friends and family, etc. And, something I use too often, time spent on Cape Cod.

I was able to do my long woods walk on Saturday and yesterday I got out for a long paddle on the kayak. I had kayaked a few times in March, but yesterday was the first time since then! Also, it was the first time I kayaked with my new camera lens (I talked about it here).

The new lens is “splash proof”, as is my camera, while my old telephoto lens isn’t. It is a little brighter than the old lens and a little “longer (400mm compared to 300mm). In other words, it should be a much better fit for wildlife photography from the kayak. The problem is, it is also a lot heavier! And bigger! I had no idea where to put it as it couldn’t just dangle from my neck as I paddled. I could put my legs together and it fit perfectly in my lap, but that gives my much less control of the boat (steering a kayak has more to do with weight distribution than what you do with paddles). There was also the issue of aiming the huge lens at 400mm at a flying bird as the wind moves the kayak and waves wash over the bow. Yep, 1st world problems. lol. I’m sure the more I use it the better it will get, and it was fun playing.

Those are my smiles for the week, enjoying Cape Cod including a long paddle, testing my new camera lens.

What made you smile?

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Come on, I’m sure you smiled at least once last week.  Why don’t you share it?  I hope you can join in!

Here is list of “rules” and guiding ideas.  If you don’t have time to read it right now, just remember that this is an exercise to spread positivity.  Don’t smile about the misfortune of others.  Don’t smile in a way to excludes others.  Make sure a 12 year old can read it.

To join in, write a post to share your smile and then leave a comment on this post with a link to your smile.  Or, if you prefer, do a pingback to this post (pingback = have a link from your post to this one) (Note – pingbacks have been very inconsistent – please leave a comment :) ).   You can post any time until next Sunday evening (to be simple, I will say midnight GMT, which is 7 PM Sunday for me).  Note – I am no longer compiling the smiles into a weekly post as I used to – Sorry, I do not have time.

31 thoughts on “The Weekly Smile for the 30th of May, 2022 #weeklysmile”

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks, Yvette. I have figured out how to carry it when I walk, which is good because it felt so heavy the first few times I took it out! Now to figure out the kayak. Oh, I used to use a lens almost the same size and weight, but I used it in a large, tandem kayak that did not rock or tip at all (Dangerous, since if it ever does tip, you are in the water ;) ). I’m sure a few more times out…

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      A backpack won’t work because the reason i take the camera is to take photos of the wildlife I see, so the camera has to be there and ready at all times. My old lens was easy, but with an added 9 inches and 3 pounds, not as easy… I used to kayak with a big lens, but I used a big, stable 2 person kayak to give myself room. This kayak is as long, but far from stable (I can turn 180 degrees with just a shift of body weight in the new one). Anyway, i will figure it out,,,,
      I’ll be by in a few minutes :)

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        1. trentpmcd Post author

          Yes, I’m a little insane ;) Actually, my new lens is “splash proof” while my old telephoto was not, so, though a bit more unwieldy, I don’t have to worry as much, since I do get a little water on the camera quite often.

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  10. Shannon

    I use a vest harness for my camera when hiking because of the weight. Don’t know if that would help in a kayak or not….that seems like it might be a hard puzzle to solve – you’re much braver than me! Good luck!

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I’ve been walking with the new lens a few times and I think I finally figured out how to do it. I have the strap pretty tight around my arm, hold the camera, and just let it dangle. There is a lock to keep it from extending, but I find that so far it isn’t needed. Trying to hold the lens parallel with the ground? My poor arm after a few minutes ;) Hopefully I’ll figure something out with the kayak that works as well.

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        1. trentpmcd Post author

          yeah, that is how I started, and it got heavy, I think because my arms weren’t moving naturally. Letting it hang made it so much easier so I barely felt the weight.

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