Tales from the Bebe Chronicles
The wind was brisk and the air was cold when I wrestled my sherpa from her deep slumber at 0-dark-30. “We have to go back,” I said. She knew what I meant – she was used to it.
It was just two days before when we trekked through the tall grass around the swamp when she spotted the silhouetted cyprus tree about 600 yards off in the distance. “Great catch,” I told her. Without my wellies and a tripod, and only carrying my 150-600mm lens I made a few handheld snaps. I knew the conditions were right and the composition was good, but without the right equipment I’d have to crop the image quite a bit just to get a decent snapshot, but not a marketable photograph.
That’s why we had to go back. I didn’t know how long the leaves would remain on the cyprus and, rain and snow were predicted for the weekend. “We better get a move on,” I said as we grabbed our gear and headed out in the darkness. It was still dark when we arrived at our destination. On go the wellies, backpack, and with tripod in hand we headed for the “spot” which was about a mile in. She stood watch as I took all the gear and headed off in the swamp – slugging through the muck and mire with that suction sound of boots being pulled up through the mud with every step.
About half way in I mounted my Canon 5D3 with the 70-200mm on the tripod and pushed it down firmly through the water and into the mud. As I took the lens cap off I saw that I was still too far away for the 70-200, so I went back to the 150-600mm lens. I thought maybe 300mm would do it – nope. 400mm? Nope! Okay, I had to zoom all the way out to 600mm. I wondered would the low light, weight of the lens, and shallow depth of field yield any positive results? Shooting in live view mode the image looked good on the back of the glass, but viewing it on the computer would be the real arbiter.
Having snapped a few compositions I decided to head back. More suction with each step as I met back up with my sherpa. “Did you get it?” she said. Although that really wasn’t a question. “DID YOU GET IT!” was what she was really saying. “I think so,” as I nodded. She knew I was questioning myself. About a third of the way back, she said, “Look, let’s just go back. You just take the camera, tripod, and the 70-200mm lens (my fave) and head back in and I’ll carry the rest of the gear and wait for you.
Off I go, again, with more suction noises coming from each step of my boots. By this time I was sweating profusely even though it was 36 degrees. Farther, and deeper in I went until I disappeared from her sight. I plopped the tripod down again in the water and mud, but I still wasn’t within range of the lens. Finally after slogging about another 100 yards, I was almost spent. I anchored the tripod, set the composition and exposure, and snap, snap, snap – I was done. Out of the swamp, we met back up and were headed to the car. She carried the gear and I carried the tripod. I was hot and tired, but it felt good, or maybe satisfied is a better word.
When we got back home I downloaded the images. And, which image do you think ended up being the keeper? If you guessed the first you’d be correct. The 600mm came through. It allowed me to isolate the cyprus tree better than the 70-200.
Now that you’ve (hopefully) read the backstory, what’s the real story? Sometimes we’re called to live in the shadows and sometimes in the light.
Perhaps these words from the psalmist will inspire you to seek the “shadows.”
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Psalm 91
Ps: If you want to reach the shadows, sometimes you have to go through a lot of slop! Shot with my iphone while deep in the swamp.
