[John Bennett]

Thanks guys.

Lee:
Sure, next time I need a Sherpa lugging 50 pounds of gear in through brush at 4:00am I’ll call you 🙂

Neal:
Yeah I had the 400 on. In reality you can shoot Saw-Whets with much less. This shot would have been close to 12 feet (the 400s MFD) however you can walk right upto Saw-Whets. I wouldnt recomend it and in fact would probaby say something if I ever saw it, but you could lierally reach out and touch them. They dont flush easily nor do they seem to get spooked. The hard part is finding them as they are so small (this guys about 6 inches tall) and they tend to tuck in tight within cedars.

Alot of finding Owls is knowing their habits and usual habitat.
Saw Whets like cedars
LEOs like Pines
SEOs roost on te ground and come out at dusk
NHOs like taller trees, usually over looking fields and tend to roost near the top
GHO like Oaks and Pines
Snowies like open fields and often roost on the ground.
Barred Owls Ive seen in alot of areas but they, like LEOs are skittish
The Boreal Owl I got this weekend was in a stand of Jack Pines
etc

[John Bennett]

Have a look at Hoya or B+W.
They are a bit pricier but your adding another layer of glass. Unless your using a full frame, you don’t really need the “thins”.

Beyond that theres Singh Ray but those are top dollar.

[John Bennett]

Havent seen soft water myself in a couple months and don’t expect to again until mid/late march when the spring runs start. Around here the rivers that are fishable in winter just arent very good for winter fishing. Small tribs, only a small stretch available from the mouths and really only over wintering Steel. Am considering renting an ice bungalow for a weekend of hardwater fishing this winter for Eyes and Pike.

[John Bennett]

The airs clearer and crisper (pardon the pun). Seriously theres no or little atmospheric interference or haze. I love winter shooting, just wish I could get winter light without the winter cold
🙂

Upto 4 species of Owls so far this winter. Saw-Whets, Long Eared, Snowy and a first for me a Boreal Owl. With luck if we can find it I’ll get a Northern Hawk Owl this weekend as well.

[John Bennett]

Winter pastimes? Photography.
Winterscapes, Owls, Fox, Coyote and Waterfowl.

Sunrise over Lake Ont. January 1st 2009
-8 degrees c.

[John Bennett]

When I first started out a few years ago, I found the greatest aid to be photography based forums to be amongst the best . Especially if you can find a forum where there are a number of local/regional

[John Bennett]

We used to have one in my family growing up, but since marrying an Italion whose big feast are Christmas Eve and “La Befana” on Jan 6th its gone by the wayside.

[John Bennett]

Ive got my list, the vast majority of them I’ll never get to.
Mongolia, Patagonia, Belize.

So long ago I decided on the next best thing. Try to fish every region of Canada…I may not fish every river or system but I can say I’ve seen Canada coast to coast, from Victioria to New Foundland and even as far north as James Bay. Pick somewher youve never been and make a trip of it.

But to answer your question #1 on my list currently is
NewFoundland and Labrador for monster Brook Trout on Dries.
http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/Fishing/Species.aspx

[John Bennett]

That ones been making the rounds for awhile, really sweet encounter.

However heres a guy with nerves of steel. He could have easily been killed had he so much as flinched
http://www.bowhunting.tv/playvideowindow2.cfm?file=20081221652770554&id=870

[John Bennett]

You’d need a pretty good hook in these times.

Watching niche market pubs fall off is becoming more and more common. The ones that still seem to appear to be hanging on are those that cover a broad spectrum or “Lifestyle” types. From FF to spin fishing..to hunting..to back country camping.. Something for everyone. If you look at FF alone, its what 3 big ones this year alone?

NY times just released some *news* this morning. AD revenues are down 21% for 2008 and is expected to be worse in 2009…Not sure when their fiscal year end is, could be anywhere fro Sept through to Dec 31. Just more evidence of whats occuring in the publishing industry.

The one great benefit is that with a broad user base, source material could come from a wide variety of people that are still making trips todo some FFing out of their own pocket…As opposed to how ever many “contributors” and “Field Editors” mags have to draw from. Bascially I would expect everyone to cut back on their expenses over the next 12 to 18 months significantly.

[John Bennett]

Just two counterpoints. 🙂

1) On the 60mm. What do you intend to shoot? If bugs be aware your MFD is 7 inches…With a 100mm macro your MFD is 11 inches. That may not sound like alot but it is. My MFD is closer to 19inches and it can b very difficult to get close enough for 1:1 shots without spooking them. Because your DoF is soooo narrow at that, *any* movement whatsoever by the bug kills the shot…So even bugs that dont fly away will still make getting shots tough.

2) Focus speed.
To me, this is a non starter. If your shooting macro you should be manually focusing and when your not your subject is something where focus speed doesnt make much of a difference in determining whether you get the shot or not….ALL macro lenses are *slow* to focus, if focus speed becomes an issue, your using the wrong lens.

this sort of compares various macro lenses without realy getting into somewhat subjective “comparisons”…which is sharper, which hs better IQ etc…..Which for the most part is a non issue with macro lenses…they are all wicked sharp.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-S-60mm-f-2.8-Macro-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[John Bennett]

Phil my sincerest best wishes, the opportunity you’ve given people here can not be understated. I hope it pays dividends for you in spades.

J

[John Bennett]

The only thing you really need to worry about is condensation forming.

I shoot all winter long and have yet to experience any kind of trouble. The odd time its been so cold I could the motor grind a bit but no worries. typically Weather conditions for me are anywhere from 0 to minus 25. The odd time Ive been out when it was minus 30.

If you dont have any weather sealing you may want to be a bit careful in snowfalls, but again Ive shot in some heavy falls without batting an eye…Mind you I have weather sealing.

But if you really want some confort look no futher than people who shoot alot in Northern Canada. Quite a few people I “know” have been shooting Owls for a few weeks in minus 30 to minus 40 temps…Or those who venture to places like Churchill Manitoba and James Bay to shoot Polar Bears.

[John Bennett]

Really sorry to read that Zach (and Phil ).

As it relates to the topic and in this case the publishing industry alot of publishers are in trouble. First as noted in the included link
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpTC0LxmLRXVlut0Z7FsFSDKb4dQD94VIK280

You might note they make mention that problems to be traced to “credit”.

Up here in Canada Quebecor is and has been in dire straits.
http://www.quebecor.com/NewsCenter/PressReleasesDetails.aspx?PostingName=16122008smc

A relatively recent newsletter I received from the “Outdoor Writers of Canada” dealt specifically with some of the issues facing various aspect idustry..From writing and photography, to travel and outfitters which included to a lessor extent FX (CAD / USD) and how that might impact things.

None of which were particularily good. By way of but one simple example given.

People are going to spend less on travel. Thats going to impact Outfitters, Lodges and guiding.  That in turn is going to impact the publishing end vis a vie less ad revenue. Meaning can companies be expected to continue to pay for ad space. If not, that in turn can be expected to impact writers and photographers.

Back in October Ontario Out of Doors (canadas largest pub by circulation) and who Im doing stuff for was sold by its parent publisher
(Rogers media) to Ontarios hunting/angling “lobby” (for lack of better words)…. the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

On one hand thats good ( logically you have to think its a good marriage) but on the other why would one of the larger publishing and Media companies sell the publication that has Canadas largest subscriber base in the Hook and Bullit industry………………………….

“persoanlly” I was quite taken aback. Id worked hard over the last year establishing a relationship with the Art director. Fortunately they all went with the exception of one.

J

[John Bennett]

The problem with cessation aides aides I’ve tried them allat one point is that they work (or dont in some cases) on the “physical addiction”.

Which quite frankly is easy to get over.

All the stuff being said are classic responses as to why people partake. So when you get down to the brass tacks it boils down to one thing in each and every example.

I “enjoy”

I enjoy that smoke with that steaming cup of java
I enjoy that cigar, sitting on the bank
I enjoy that……………………..

For people who have been smokin/chewing a hell of a long time (ten years to me isnt a long) thats the battle that needs to be won internally and until you wake up one day ready to say….you know what I dont enjoy it anymore…and be honest with yourself about it.

They wont help ultimately. They take the edge off those first few days and thats good but beyond that it ‘s still you.

The only thing I can offer to anyone struggling with it is don’t beat yourself to death over it and don’t let othes beat you deat oer it. If your not ready…partake and enjoy it…think about why you want to quit…I think about it daily…its been a few months since I fell off the wagon…

When your again, you’ll be ready and you’ll know it but dont let others pressure you..it does no good if it comes from peers, wives, children because if your not ready, try and fail…

As for the cadaver comment:
I think we all know the risk and health issues but like Ive said.

Ive buried way too many young friends and family who didnt smoke to let that worry me too much. When my freind who was a health nut died of brain cancer at 42…Never smoked, didnt drink, exercised like a fiend, ate like a saint and I had to watch his young kids……

When my Docs told me I was high risk at 36 and would have to have colonoscopies every two years, years before most men start worrying about polyps.

dead is dead and tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone

[John Bennett]

Doesn really show it to well but he’s sctaching his head on the twig/branch thats sticking up 🙂

Got some of him feeding as well be hes extremely obscurred by branches and stuff

J

[John Bennett]

Some of the small kickers are visible here

[John Bennett]

Heres a better pic. One thing Ive learned after shooting a few specific Bucks more than once is that I often need 4, sometimes even 5 angles to see all that its head gear has to offer.

If you go buy official scoring, yeah some of them are kickers. To me they are still points…Even this pic doesnt show everything, theres alot you cant see. I count 13 here alone.

If you check the 1st pic where hes behind the does, his right beam, looks classic G1,2,3 and brow.. G1 has that fairly substantial “kicker”. So thats atleast 5 on the right, not counting smaller kickers

back to the 1st pic. Left side. Theres again 4 plainly visible, wheras

[John Bennett]

Thats pretty much a classic example of what I’m talking about Rob.
In the first pic the “entire” scene seems well exposed…averaged….However the white bird is blown to hell and back. The only way to over come that is to meter for the bird. Either by using a spot meter on the bird, or by reducing the exposure, if the scene is averages or matrixed. Either way, the end result is a White Egret thats exposed better, at the cost of underexposing the scene.

if you look at the 2nd and 3rd to last the white birds are better exposed (details are visible) however its looks like a) those were shot on an overcast day or b) the image is “underexposed” relative to what otherwise would have been a proper exposure. As there arent really any shadows being cast by the birds I’m leaning towards overcast.

J

[John Bennett]

I would love to hear all of your opinions and any suggestions on how to end this bad habit.

Not having to tell your wife that you have mouth cancer (and explain why) is probably a good reason to quit.  

That should hopefully be enough motivation to make you resist the temptation.

Good luck to you.  Stick with it.  

Joel one day you’ll wake up, get out of bed and just know that today is the day you quit. Anything else is just pure BS and until you get to that day your only fooling yourself. No amount of greif from your wife will change that, no reprimands from your children will change that, no snake oil salemans, or pardon my language feel good crap is going to change that.

You can want to quit for all the right reasons and then some but it hasto come from you  My 2c, if you can’t be honest with yourself whats the point of anything else we do.

Basically why sell yourself out by living a masquerade.
Either smoke or chew and enjoy it
or dont.

Ive been smoking since I was 12 I’m now 44. yes I know the risk.
I’ve also buried more friends than I care to think about be it car accidents, stomach cancer, brain cancer, heart attacks at 34.
Hell they first found polyps in me when I was 36.

I’ve quit “twice”
Once when I was younger (19). The day after my father told me he had lung cancer. back then it was blamed on his smoking. Today they know better, its more likekly due to the fact he was firefigter.

For most of my life I’ve “wanted to quit. Tried a few times, each time it might last a day or three My wife, my kids, people have pressured me…including myself. But until your ready your just setting yourself up to fail. Sneaking smokes behind your wifes/families back…whos fooling who?

then one day I woke up and said…..not today.

Cold Turkey just like that 18 months without nary an itch.

Then one day a train hit me at work, figuratively, not litterally. The Stress was unreal…needed to clear my mind, purge some things..Bummed a smoke off a co worker thinking Id be ok.

Not so.

So now Im back on for the time being. not fooling myself, no promises of tomorrow.

One day soon I’ll wake up and know Im ready again. if it doesnt come from you and you will know that day, its not going to happen. No snese in fooling yourself until then. Do it, enjoy it, no guilty conceince and when your ready, be ready.

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