This is a difficult one to write as so much amazing stuff happened in the last few days that it would take a book to do it all justice. This is just a skirmish of what took place.
I go on a bird photography course in British Columbia led by legendary Mark Smith. Mark is a star. https://msmithphotos.com/index.php/2022/09/17/insane-bald-eagle-feeding-frenzy/. He has 1.7 million followers on You Tube!
We stay at the wonderful Nanook Lodge https://www.nanooklodge.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1dyfyebN5riM0gn5cj9-olwSNz4ZrL0-gWCbvn-WrB0w9gm64pYFNg8m8_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw Go there!
The other participants are professional or semi professional wildlife photo graphers. Their equipment is amazing. Their knowledge is vast. My equipment is stone-age in comparison. I had thought it was pretty cool! They are very sweet to me and I learn so much.
We fly up to the lodge from Seattle in a float plane.
The water in front of the lodge is very tidal. At this time of year lots of fish called Hake, but not the Hake that I know, arrive. They are bottom feeders but when the tidal race belts through they are catapulted to the surface which kills the poor things. Dozens and dozens of Bald Eagles are waiting.
They swoop down and grab the fish in their ghastly talons. Incredible scenes!
The cameras have very high shutter release speeds. They sound like machine guns. The dialogue in the boat is like the inside of a B-17 being attacked by German fighter planes.
” Coming in high at 9 o clock! Take,taka,taka,taka, taka. Two more low at 11 o clock! Take,taka,taka,taka, taka. Did you get them? I dunno. Watch out! Coming in high. Take,taka,taka,taka, taka.” It is so exciting!
We see tons of wildlife other than eagles.
Anyway, you get the idea. I had the most fantastic time and learnt so much about photography, especially fast moving bird shots.
Some links to some buddies on the course.
https://marvinesmithphotography.com/galleries
https://www.facebook.com/aFavoritePhotography/
Apologies to Christine, Lilliana, Sue and the other Mark. I have lost their contacts.
Amber, one of the amazing photographers; /aFavoritePhotohttps://www.afavoritephotography.com/about-the-artist says, ” Neil, this asshole criticised me so I said, ” Listen you prick, I will drive down to Fort Myers and I will shoot you in the f*cking foot if you speak to me like that again.” She is from the South, she is the best woman. Why didn’t I meet women like her when I was 25?
Massive thanks to Mark and all the folks at Nanook Lodge. Unforgettable experience!
The Quiet Ripple Defines The Pond 
Interesting story with some crazy lenses! Where does Amber come into it – doesn’t seem attached to anything?
Ha! Good point – I have tried to make it a bit clearer. Amazing trip!
Yes, Amber does sound an interesting woman. Not one to treat carelessly!
That menu is also intriguing – sounds very British in a “boiled beef and carrots” way!
Hope you’re coping with the relative boredom of San Fran.