Beaver Pond Journal 2012 #3

Journal entry for August 26, 2012  "Mary and I were up at 4 A.M.  When I stepped out on the back porch I was greeted with a sky full of twinkling stars. We finished packing the truck with our camera gear, Mary's sketch pad and bag and our lunch. Our destination was the old abandoned beaver pond at the terminus of Indian Lake Road. The day's goal was to shoot an improved yearly panorama plus more detail images around the pond.

     Arrived at the abandoned beaver pond a little after 9 A.M.  Walked over to the pond to check on the quality of the light. It was very harsh, same as it had been during the two previous visits when I photographed a panorama series last month.

     Big puffy clouds were heading our way, so I hauled my equipment over to the panorama set up location. The clouds were moving slower than I originally thought. Decided to shoot a "dead timber" detail image from the far side of the outlet bay. When I was here on July 29th I shot an image that focused on a single, standing dead tree. Later it occurred to me that a broader view, surrounding the focus dead tree, would provide a better perspective over time of the timber that had fallen, thus documenting one aspect of the succession of the abandoned beaver pond.

     Moved to the north side of the outlet bay. Looked through the viewfinder at various places to find the best location for the dead timber set up. Finding what I considered the best composition I drove a set up pin under the tripod center column, then recorded the set up data. As the quality of the light changed I shot a number of images.

 Dead Timber Detail

      Meanwhile, Mary discovered a small rock ledge that provided a good seat. Arranging her canoe chair she had a comfortable place to do some drawing. Using the view across the outlet bay of a large dead standing tree trunk surrounded by balsam trees and blackberry bushes, Mary made a wonderful drawing that provides a narrow snapshot of the area adjacent to the panorama set up location.

     After shooting the dead timber images I decided to explore the northeastern shoreline of the pond. I wanted to discover what animal sign I could find which would provide me with some idea of the animals that visit the pond. Whitetail deer and coyote tracks were plentiful. I also found fur that had been stripped from a carcass, most likely a muskrat. It had probably been killed and eaten by either a coyote, fox, bobcat, fisher or otter.

Scraps of Muskrat Fur

Coyote Tracks Along the Muddy Shoreline

     Returned to the panorama set up location and leveled the tripod and adjusted the panorama equipment, then mounted the camera so I was ready to go. The clouds just didn't want to mask the sun and reduce the contrast. I shot two series of panorama images. Finally the clouds did their job, shot the third and final series. This last series is the one I chose for the yearly panorama due to the reduced contrast.

The 2012 Yearly Panorama

     Before disassembling the tripod and camera gear I shot. Some images of the panorama set up, then some of the open camera pack and computer bag with the iPad.

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     Panorama Set Up Over the Set Up Pin

View From the Front

View From the Back

Camera Pack, Computer Bag and iPad 

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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2012 #2

Journal entry for July 29, 2012  Arrived at the end of the road at the new Squaw Lake trailhead at 9:15 A.M.  Mary and I walked back to the abandoned beaver pond to look over the current condition of the pond. There was no noticeable change over the last two weeks.

     The sun was already high in the sky and the light was harsh. Not very pleasing light for photographing. I was hoping that some clouds would cover the sun to tone down the harsh light to provide less contrast. Checked the set up pin cache, it hadn't been disturbed. On the way back to the truck I shot four images of a pair of silver-bordered fritillary butterflies feeding on goldenrod nectar near the dam. Later clouds were building to the west, but they were slow moving so Mary and I ate lunch while I waited for better light.

Silver-bordered Fritillay Butterflies

     After lunch the light wasn't improving any so I decided to try a few shots from the dam set up pin. Finishing the dam shots I thought it would be a good idea to get the equipment set up for the panorama, when clouds covered the sun I'd be ready.

Remains of a Portion of the Dam

Same Shot as Above From a Higher Perspective

A Detail of the Remains Of the Pond

      By 1:30 P.M. The light was still harsh, but I decided to shoot a panorama series, then see what I could do with it in Lightroom and/or Photoshop. Waited for better light to shoot a second series. The surrounding clouds continued to avoid the bright sun so I shot a second series in the harsh light as a backup. When I finished the second series I shot three images of my panoramic set up.

Panorama of the Abandoned Beaver Pond in Harsh Light

     At 2:30 P.M. the sun was finally covered by a thick cloud. Better light but still not great. Shot the third panorama series of the day.

The Abandoned Beaver Pond In Better Light

     I'm considering a detail of one of the pond's dead standing trees, so I shot a few images for consideration. I'd like to shoot the selected tree until it falls. To do a good documentation of the pond's succession I need to designate more detail locations and shoot them year after year.

Detail of Dead Standing Timber

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Bunch

          

Beaver Pond Journal 2012 #1

Journal entry for July 15, 2012  "As Mary and I traveled over Otter Brook and then Indian Lake Road I was wondering what changes, if any, we would discover at the pond. As we pulled up beside the pond I could hardly believe my eyes, the level of  the water in the pond was lower than I had ever seen it. I wondered if the beaver had been trapped out or if the spring seeps that fed the pond had dried up, forcing the beavers to move on. The dam was still intact, but that gave no clue as to what happened to the beavers. Well, now I was back on track with the abandoned beaver pond succession project.
     Continued another one hundred feet up the road to a small parking turnout, which has been designated as an official trailhead. The road that ends at Indian Lake has been barricaded by four large boulders spaced across the road at the new trailhead.
     It was 9:45 A.M. when I parked the truck, then Mary and I walked the short distance back to the pond to check it out. Found all three of my set up pins; panorama, stump detail and the dam detail. Some of the old standing dead timber had fallen. Lots os new grass growing on the newly exposed ground. A check of the blackberries revealed a poor crop or maybe no crop t all due to the drought this summer.
     We returned to the truck, Mary for her sketch pad and me for my camera gear. Mary wanted to try sketching some of the rocks and interesting dead standing timber. I had forgotten to get my panoramic set up equipment before leaving home, so I tried shooting a panoramic series without it. Worked O.K.

The Beaver Pond Had Been Drained Again

      I discovered a few old moose tracks in the area of the panoramic set up location and decided to shoot some images of the best track. The track was made on dry ground rather than mud so it wasn't as well defined as I would have liked, but not bad.

Moose Track Along The South Side Of The Abandoned Beaver Pond

The last image of the day was a retake of the stump detail I shot last year just before the beavers moved in and repaired the dam and lodge, flooding the detail set up pin under at least a foot of water. Comparing the original stump detail image with the new image clearly shows the difference in the water level between summer 2011 and summer 2012. The 2012 water level is at least a foot lower than 2011.

2012 Stump Detail

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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2011 #5

Journal entry for November 15, 2011  "Passed the beaver pond and continued on to the terminus of Indian Lake Road at Squaw Lake trailhead, then returned to the pond. Took my large camera bag and tripod and walked down to the dam. Shot more images of the dam, lodge and pond, then worked my way along the shoreline to a spot where I found numerous fresh beaver cut stumps which I photographed for my image catalog. The beaver have raised the level of the dam somemore. I made my way around to the panorama set up location and found the set up pin under six inches of water.
 Mary got some exercise walking the road to keep warm. The day was overcast and very damp. I finished shooting the photos I wanted, repacked my gear and returned to the truck."

 Looking over the top of the dam at the beaver lodge

 The beaver lodge on November15, 2011

 Fresh cut beaver stumps near the panorama set up location

 The beaver lodge from the panorama set up location

Journal entry for December 4, 2011  "Arrived at the beaver pond at 11:57 A.M.  The temperature must have risen because the snow was melting. Skim ice covered the pond promising winter was on the way. The feedbed had been increased since we were last here on November 15th.
Mary and I both shot images of the ice covered pond. I also shot a series of HDR (High Dynamic Range) images to deal with the bright sunshine. The wide angle image included the pond outlet, dam lodge and an overall view of the pond. I was pleased with the result.
Packed our camera gear back in the truck and headed for a few more destinations in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest.

The HDR image of the beaver pond on December 4, 2011

Wide angle view of a portion of the pond

Winter's ice is beginning to lock the beaver under the surface of the pond

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More beaver pond journal posts are on the way

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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2011 #4

Journal entry for October 23, 2011  "Arrived at the beaver pond about 11:00 A.M.  Flocks of songbirds were filling the air with their songs. The pond looked cold and lonely today. Mary thought the feedbed looked as though it had been added too since we were here last, I wasn't so sure. We were both hungry so we ate a quick snack back at the truck.
Thought I'd photograph the lodge so I could compare the resulting image with earlier ones. After looking things over for a few minutes, I agreed with Mary, there still were beaver occupying the pond. The dam had been increased in height by a few inches. The abandoned beaver pond, without a doubt is very active. I wonder how many beaver are in the pond's new colony.
Well I guess I need to shift the focus of the beaver pond project from documenting succession to documenting the life and changes in and around the pond. I intend to continue shooting the yearly panorama from my original set up location for as long as I'm able.
After shooting some images of the beaver lodge, I shot the set up log. Fortunately it isn't fully submerged yet.
Clouds were still crowding the sky. Mary and I returned to the truck where we ate a more substantial lunch. When we finished lunch I decided to see if I could make my way around to the panorama set location with the new flooded areas blocking the way. After some bushwhacking through a blackberry cane tangle I was there. Shot another image of the repaired beaver lodge, from the area of the set up log.

The repaired beaver lodge from the beaver dam

The set up log nearly fully submerged

Checked my cache of set up pins before returning to the truck, where I exchanged cameras and got my tripod to shoot a few images of the dam and pond.I shot these images with the tripod set up to specs for the dam set up pin. Changed the elevation of the center column a couple of times to provide a slightly different perspective.

After repacking my camera gear we began working our way towards home."

The beaver lodge shot from the set up log

The beaver dam, lodge and pond

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You can view more Adirondack beaver pond images on my website:
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More beaver pond journal posts are on the way
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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2011 #3

Journal entry for October 9, 2011  "Arrived at the beaver pond about 12:15 P.M. The autumn colors and reflection were quite beautiful today. Hauled all three of my photo packs the short distance down to the beaver pond at an area adjacent to the repaired section of dam. While setting up my tripod a duck took to wing from the middle of the pond and flew to the far shore where it landed. A female wood duck I believe.
Once I was set up I shot images of the dam and pond from two different perspectives. Also captured an image of the beaver lodge and surrounding portion of the pond reflecting the autumn colors.
Repacked my camera bags then stowed everything back in the truck. While I was repacking Mary was collecting colorful leaves to put in her flower press."
Great day!

Repaired beaver dam

Same set up shot from a higher elevation

Looking directly across the pond from the dam

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More beaver pond journal entries are on the way.
Thanks for visiting my journal,
Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2011 #2

Journal entry for October 2, 2011  "When Mary and I arrived at the beaver pond an almost imperceptible, light, misting rain was falling. After parking the truck we walked back down the road to the pond and a startling discovery! As we gazed across the pond we saw the water level had risen since our last visit. The beaver lodge and dam had been repaired and a store of branches were piled at the feedbed near the lodge for the winter's food supply.
Now what to do? It looked like my panorama set up location was under water. Mary and I changed into our boots, then made our way out to check the depth of water at the set up pin. I was happy that I realized I needed a more permanent location marker for setting up my tripod and had driven the rebar set up pin when I shot this years panorama. As long as the water level doesn't rise any higher I'll be able to get set up O.K. The stump detail is a lost cause for now. The set up pin for that photo is beneath nearly two feet of water, That detail shot won't happen until the beaver move on and the dam repair washes out.
Returned to the truck, then hauled my camera gear back to the high ground near the panorama set up location. Since the beaver have returned I decided to make the best of the situation and shoot a panoramic series to document the higher water level. Maybe the beaver will move on next year if they can't easily obtain a sufficient supply of food.
Since the light, misting rain was still falling I didn't waste any time getting set up and shooting the images. When I was finished I quickly repacked my gear and returned to the truck in case the rain got more serious

Beaver pond on October 2, 2011

A single frame showing the repaired beaver lodge

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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2011 #1

Journal entry for September 3, 2011  "Indian Lake Road........ were able to drive it as far as Brooktrout Lake trailhead where the road was still closed due to repair work. Mary and I arranged our packs and began the hike to the pond. The hike is 1 mile shorter this year because the road has been opened from Otter Brook bridge to Brooktrout Lake trailhead. The temperature was rapidly rising and the humidity drenched the air. Lots of uphill so the hike wasn't the most pleasant.
Arrived at the old beaver pond at 10:30 A.M. I had been using an old log that was wedged between four beaver cut stumps as my set up location for the panorama. Since the log was deteriorating it was time to make a more permanent marker. I brought along some rebar stakes, that I cut to length and ground points on one end, to serve as set up markers for the panorama and some other detail images I wanted to photograph around the perimeter of the pond.
I drove a set up stake through the set up log, right down to the top of the log. Using the top of the stake as my starting point, I went through the set up procedure to get my equipment positioned correctly, leveled and the camera adjusted to put the nodal point over the axis of rotation.
Finished shooting the panoramic series at 11:45 A.M. Retrieved my old Averatec laptop from my camera pack to download the images. I wanted to be sure the exposure was good and the files weren't corrupted. Meanwhile Mary dug out lunch and we retreated to a shady spot, the bright sun was making it too hot. I fired up the little laptop and began the download process. Mary and I ate our lunch while the computer worked away. When the download was complete I checked and found all images were fine.
Back in the hot summer sunshine, I disassembled my panoramic set up. Next I coupled the 24-70mm f2.8 lens to my camera for some detail shots.
Looking around I spotted an old stump, its roots were exposed and radiating spider-like into the water and nearby mud. No question, this would make a great yearly interval, time lapse detail image. Set up my tripod, mounted my camera and began checking for the best composition. Once I found it I drove a stake directly below the center of the ball head and measured from the top of the stake to the top of the center column, 27 1/2". Set the lens to24mm, angled it down somewhat, framed the image and shot it.
Repacked everything and prepared to hike back to the truck. It was getting extremely hot and humid and I didn't feel up to hiking up around the pond for more detail shots, although I wanted to..
Cached the remaining stakes behind a large dead tree near the panorama set up location. I'm planning on using them around the perimeter of the pond later this year or next."
(Note~Couldn't get to the pond until Sunday September 3rd because every Sunday in August was rainy.)

Beaver pond on September 3, 2011

Stump detail

A single frame showing the beaver lodge in disrepair

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You can view more beaver pond photos on my website:

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More beaver pond journal entries are coming up soon

Thanks for visiting my journal,

Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2010

Journal entry for August 1, 2010  "I wanted to be sure to photograph a series of images for this year's abandoned beaver pond panorama. This wasn't going to be as easy as during the past three years because Indian Lake Road has been closed due to impassable road conditions.
Reaching Otter Brook bridge the road was blocked with a closed gate. Parked the truck in one of the campsites then Mary and I arranged our packs for the three mile hike to the abandoned beaver pond. Along with the camera gear already in my pack I added my old laptop and rain gear. Mary packed lunch, her rain gear, a book and insect repellent.
It was 8:30 A.M. when we made our way around the closed gate, crossed Otter Brook bridge and entered the solitude that lay ahead. The dirt road made the walking easier than a trail, but I knew we had some elevation to gain and the high humidity wasn't going to make it pleasant. In addition to my large camera pack I had my LowePro Toploader 75AW chestpack loaded with my Canon 20D / 100-400 mm lens in the event we happened on any cooperative wildlife. As it turned out the hike to the pond was uneventful and not as difficult as I had anticipated.
Arrived at the pond at 9:40 A.M.  Unpacked my equipment, set up my tripod over the flagged shooting location and mounted my camera. Next I got out my old Averatec laptop and studied the 2008 panorama to be sure of the starting point for the first frame. I had gotten that slightly off when shooting the 2009 panorama. That done I waited for some cloud cover to block the sun and tone down the high contrast the direct sunlight was providing. The number of billowy clouds were increasing and finally covered the sun. Shot the first series of eight images that would be stitched together in Photoshop to produce the panorama. I immediately shot a backup series of images in case my frame spacing was off.
I wasn't very pleased with the light so I kept waiting for better light as new clouds took their turn blocking the sun. By 11:49 A.M. I had shot a total of ten series of images. It was quite hot and humid, Mary and I found some shade where we could eat lunch. Fired up the laptop and downloaded the images so I could review the results so far.
After lunch and reviewing the images I decided to try another series of images if the light got better. Thicker clouds were off to the west and headed our way. One of them did a good job of providing much better light. At 12:27 P.M. I began shooting two more series of images. The last set was the one I picked to assemble as this years panorama.
In spite of the heat and humidity the return hike along Indian Lake Road was quite pleasant, very quite, no vehicles and no people. Unfortunately no wildlife either, but that changed in an instant. As we walked along the side of the ridge above Falls Pond Outlet's bog, suddenly a large black bear appeared on the road about one hundred and fifty feet ahead of us. Without stopping it turned and ran down the road ahead of us with an easy, slow, fluid  gait, then up a short but steep slope and was swallowed by the forest. Not a sound could I hear, it always amazes me how something so large and bulky can move so silently..
Arrived back at the truck at 2:10 P.M."

The black bear photo I forgot to take!

Beaver pond on August 1, 2010 

A single frame showing the beaver lodge in disrepair

Journal entry for October 31, 2010  "At 12:10 we gave up on a moose sighting and headed back to the abandoned beaver pond, arriving at the pond at 1:00 P.M. A light dusting of snow on the bare trees would make a nice contrast with the summer panoramas. 

Got out my tripod, positioned it and leveled it over the flagged location. Set up my camera, mounted it on the tripod then began shooting the eight required frames, finishing at 1:41 P.M.

While I was repacking my gear a hunter, who was from Vermont, stopped to visit a few minutes. We had a pleasant conversation."

Beaver pond on October 31, 2010

A single frame showing the beaver lodge in disrepair

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You can view more beaver pond photos on my website:

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More beaver pond journal entries are coming up soon

Thanks for visiting my journal,

Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2009

Journal entry foe August 9, 2009  "Arrived at the beaver pond about 10:15 A.M. under a threatening sky. Made a quick check of the pond then returned to the truck for my camera gear. Located my tripod over the flagged alder stumps, then set up my equipment using measurements documented in my journal. Once the set up was complete I shot three series of seven images for the 2009 beaver pond panorama.
I wasn't pleased with today's conditions, very hazy and lots of wind. My polarizing filter didn't do much to cut the haze, but did help with the glare from the wet vegetation.
Clouds were spitting a little rain while I was packing my gear. I hope to improve on today's images with another shoot before the end of the month, but at least I have something for 2009 if I'm not able to get back."

Beaver pond on August 9, 2009

Journal entry for August 30, 2009  "Arrived at the abandoned beaver pond about 10:15 A.M. After parking the truck I walked down the road to check out the pond before setting up my equipment. The first thing I noticed was the remains of the old dam had washed out even more.

Passing the dam I was scanning around the pond as I walked along when my peripheral vision detected a sizable track in a muddy section of the current shoreline. Staring down at the track I could hardly believe my eyes, four toes, no claw marks and a pad. The only conclusion could be a cat; retractable claws and a pad with four toes. Mary and I measured the track, 3 3/4 x 3 3/4". It must be a cougar track, there have been many sighting over the last few decades. I photographed the track plus a second track that was a good imprint. The tracks appeared to be quite fresh. (On September 7th while adjusting one of the cougar track photos I had to leave the office for a moment. Upon returning I was looking at the photo from the far side of the room and I was able to make out a nearly imperceptible fifth toe imprint. So, it wasn't a cougar track after all but rather a black bear, probably a yearling. The unanswered question is why aren't the claw marks visible?

Found my set up location then went to work getting my tripod level and the panoramic equipment in place and leveled. I didn't record any of the 2007 panorama set up measurements but did so for the 2008 panorama. I shot two panoramas in 2008 and I chose the wrong one for my set up measurements when I shot the August 9, 2009 panorama. Now I have recorded the set up parameters and will shoot all future of the beaver pond using them. My goal is to shoot this same panorama set up during the month of August for as long as I'm able.

Beaver pond on August 30, 2009

Before leaving I shot a few images of the pond using my 15mm f2.8 fisheye lens using both horizontal and vertical formats.

The fisheye shots

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Bunch

Beaver Pond Journal 2008

Journal entry for July 27, 2008  "Last August I thought it would be interesting to photograph the succession of the pond back to dry land. I accomplished last years panorama by shooting 7 frames that stitched into a 220° panorama of the pond. Today my goal was to photograph a 2008 duplicate of last years panorama.
Found the location where I set up last year, then positioned my tripod as close to last years set up as my memory would allow. I shot three 7 frame series of images under different lighting conditions. This would allow me to use the series with the most pleasing light for the final stitched image."

 Abandoned beaver pond July 27, 2008

Note, my memory was incorrect, the 2007 panorama was shot and assembled with 8 frames not 7 as I shot last week.

Journal entry for August 3, 2008  "Drove on to the abandoned beaver pond just east of Squaw Lake trailhead. Ate a snack while Mary and I waited for the rain to stop. Finally, about 10:45 A.M., the rain ceased and I got set up to shot the panorama of the abandoned beaver pond. This time I decided to use the 50 f1.4 mm lens rather than the zoom lens I used last week and last year. This set up required 8 frames as opposed to 7 frames at 46 mm that I used last weekend. Worked great with the fixed focal length lens, a much better chance of getting a duplicate field of view each year.

 Beaver Pond August 3, 2008

Mary picked blackberries while I shot the panorama, then I helped with the picking. Quite good!

A single frame of the abandoned beaver pond and lodge

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Thanks for visiting my journal, more posts on the way,

Bunch