Lee Metcalf Photo Walk

Lee Metcalf Photo Walk

I often like to go out for a photo walk especially if I am in an area that might have some Bald Eagles present. I have a bit of a photo secret. My most favorite thing to photograph is Bald Eagles!!! I am not sure why, but capturing them is incredibly exciting and when ever I get a free chance, I love to get out there and photograph as many of them as I can find.

Walking through Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, in Stevensville Montana, is absolutely beautiful. There are so many different species of birds and wildlife through out this massive Refuge. In the evenings there tends to be a lot more activity through in the park and you can just drive through and jump out with your camera when you see something. There is around 2 1/2 miles of Nature Trails as well, so its a great place to hike, walk or explore.

Here is the website for the Refuge: Lee Metcalf

These photographs where taken on a Nikon D600, 1.7X tele convertor and 300mm 2.8 lens. Also for the barn shots I used a Fujifilm XE-1 with Zeiss Touit 12mm 2.8 lens.

Pebbles!

Pebbles!

This beautiful 7 year old Mule is soon to be a new member of the Richardson Family. She is leaving a good home in Texas for 18 more arcers, endless hills and Montana Big Sky!!!

Here she is the sweet beauty!

Lets Flip on it

Lets Flip On It!

The Woman of Playa Muerto and Pina's make these incredible Panamanian baskets.  They are hand made authentic baskets, plates and other things carved out of Mahogany and Cocobolo Wood. The woman drive a pretty hard bargain when it comes to the buying of their merchandise, but sometimes they are willing to Flip on it!!

Here is just a small selection of the new baskets that have been added to "Jefe's" (the boss) Collection. Most likely the largest Panamanian Basket Collection in the United States!!!

John Winning his Coin Toss. Texan Guns out!

 Johns slowly adding to his collection!

The boys can't even watch anymore!

Fishing Continues

Fishing Continues....

Here are more shots from our 3 months of Fishing in Pina's Bay, Panama. Some of these images where taken aboard the Picaflor, under the direction of Captain Adolfo. The first Marlin gave us a dazzling display. Jumping straight at us. The boat was powering forward and Justin, the angler, was reeling as fast as he could in order to take up line. When I get a chance later in the week, I will post the video that goes along with this fight. It was pretty amazing to see this fish jump like this. Nice release on the fish after as well.

Justin reeling his heart out to try and take up line on this crazy jumping fish.

This Marlin just kept jumping and jumping. These are the flights that photographers dream of.

Hook out and lure back, the boys release this nice Marlin.

The special Lure to win them all! Custom Made by Matt, even has our Mates face pictured in the Lure.

Marlin's Bill hitting the drop back bait

Mike Crossland taking a breather on his nice Blue Marlin

Justin trying his hand at pitching a fly back to a sailfish. The sail hit the lure a couple of times, but just couldn't get her to bite.

Nice Sail, our Mate Jonathan almost got a Bill in his arm.

JACK!!!!

The Captain looking over things!

Playa Muerto-Continued

Playa Muerto- Continued......

Here is the continuation of the Embera people in the Village of Playa Muerto.

If you come to this page first then here is the link for the other Playa Muerto Post: Playa Muerto, Panama

The view of Playa Muerto from a small hill beside the village.

A group of girls managed to snag some of the stickers from me. I gave up trying to give them out individually. The kids where better at picking them off then I was.

This is the Mother and Father of our Captain Adolfo. His mother is over 90 years old, while his father is over 106 years old. They are incredible people and where very gracious to allow me to take some photographs of them.

To see him walk out of his house to say hello at the age of 106 is humbling.

I got my own coconut to sip on. It was delicious!

This man was making some art work carving a very hard wood called Cocobolo.

The view looking down at Playa Muerto.

I was told that they make bread in this out door mud oven.

A typical village house. You can see they collect a lot of things that wash up on the shore. Anything that can be used will be used.

Outdoor bathroom. All the cloths laying around look kinda like a typical kids thing to do.

A lot of the people keep chickens under their homes. I also saw a small pig pen set up under one of the homes as well.

A nice looking roof on this house.

 Doing laundry!

 There are some solar panels through out the village and fashion and style never take a holiday!

My fellow tourist, Susie!