The last few weeks have been tough. I've been feeling a little stir crazy. This winter was filled with some pretty big adventures, I went out to Steamboat, Colorado, explored and photographed around Salt Lake City and Boise, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and spent several days skiing on Mount Katahdin in addition to numerous big days on skis in the White Mountains. The shoulder season brings with it mud and bugs and a lack of motivation to get out and take pictures. As a self employed freelance photographer, not taking pictures means not getting a paycheck. I've recently spent long hours doing the unglamorous side of being an adventure photographer, writing emails, researching potential clients and spending lots of time in front of a screen. Enough was enough.
I kicked myself in the ass to get out and make pictures knowing that there are only a few days left to enjoy the Maine Coast before the tourist hordes arrive. I loaded up the sea kayak and drove 40 minutes to Harpswell to paddle out to The Goslings, a group of islands in Casco Bay owned by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and open to the public to day visits and camping. I got a late start, 5pm, but luckily the paddle only takes an hour. My tent was set up by 7pm and I was out and about taking pictures for sunset. The sunrise woke me up by 4am, and camp was broken down and I was on my way back to shore by 6am. I was home in Falmouth at 8:30am. In my little 15 hour micro adventure I saw a wonderful sunset, countless seals, osprey, a bald eagle, a gorgeous sunrise and had a peaceful Maine island all to myself. I also made several marketable pictures. Thats a pretty good bang for my buck. So if you're feeling like you're in a rut, get outside! The adventure doesn't have to be grand, but get up a little early or pack a headlamp and watch the sunset. You won't regret it.
