A new year with new opportunities!
The Floating Hide II from MrJanGear has been put away in the closet since last spring but I have now used it for two very early photosessions in 2020. The spring is very early in Sweden and I guess in many other parts of the world as well.
For you that don’t know me or are familiar with my photography I’m a dedicated animal and bird photographer and I bought the Floating Hide II last year and I have not regret that purchase. Together with the hide I use a Neilpryde Elite 3D Curve drysuit and a pair of wader boots. I use wool underwear from WoolPower and on top of that I use a full drysuit underwear, Dry Fashinon 260 g. I top with a wet suit beanie and a pair of wool square mittens that keep my fingers warm but with remaining camera manouverability.
This year I’m trying out Sony A9 with a 200-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 lens with and without a 1,4x converter.
I have now been in the water twice this year and everything is working great. Not many birds in place so far but they have started to arrive. My primary focus is the Great Crested Grebes and so far, one pair has arrived in my favourite local lake.
The best lakes for Floating Hides is where the depth is app. 1 – 1,4 meters where you can walk on the bottom. A benefit with the dry suit is that it actually works as a life vest as the air remaining in the suit is pressed upwards and keeps you floating. You normally hang with your arms on the sides of the tubes inside the hide which is comfortable and also have the benefit of focusing steady. I keep an airtight plastic bag hanging from the ceiling of the hide where I keep my keys, wallet, extender etc. What I would have liked to see is two main windows in the front on both sides of the camera opening to easaier see the action in front. I have heard that this might be under development by MrJanGear.
I enclose some photos from my first session. Below are a few hpotos showing a great moment when the Great Crested Grebes do their classic Penguin dance.
I enclose a small gallery with other recent photos from the first two days in the Floating Hide this year. If you have any questions, please contact me 🙂
