Kip’s Comments - July 29, 2023 — LadagePhotography.com

A Pleasant Surprise on the River

For the first time ever my quiet paddling and photography outing on the Wapsipinicon River was not a solo adventure. Yes, I was alone in my canoe. No, nobody was with me as I prowled the backwaters with my Nikon. But, much to my surprise, as I paddled out of a backwater cove I found a young woman who had paddled her kayak to a wildflower-covered island (blue vervains and obedient plants) and was shooting pictures of bees on the blossoms.

To see a young person out on the water with a camera was a great thing. I tried to lend her some of my close-up gear for her bee photography, but our lens sizes did not match. Still, she had paddled out, she was wandering the wildflowers with her camera, and perhaps the seed of outdoor appreciation had been planted.

I am hopeful to see her out more. Frequent sightings of another photographer on the water will mean I have to share my quiet spots, but that is just fine. As more people “love” the outdoors (and my Wapsie), the less likely it will be to see the river abused or neglected.

Following is a sampling of images from my outing.