Rhythmically № 2: Durango Below Zero
First, let me get some formality out of the way. I'm Jason Coward, a software architect based in Durango, Colorado. I make it a habit to balance my tech life by hiking and photographing things that capture my attention or imagination. This newsletter is an alternative to social media for sharing those images and experiences. I post articles and portfolios on my website HERE. If this is not your cup of tea, you can unsubscribe with one click at the bottom of this email.
Welcome to the second edition of Rhythmically. In this issue, I am sharing a new article on my website. You can read it on the site and access the full-resolution images HERE or by clicking on any of the images in this newsletter.
I need better gloves for this
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, started out bitterly cold. Weather Underground was reporting -5°F at the downtown Durango station, but I think it was even colder in some areas that morning. So after dropping off my son at school, I thought it would be a great idea to test my equipment and my tolerance for the cold by getting out along the Animas River to capture the "sea smoke" rising into the icy air from the relatively warm flowing water. I got out of my car with the Nikon Z5 and the Z 100-400mm telephoto strapped to my wrist and confidently headed toward the river at Memorial Park.
There was not enough light yet to get good shots of the steam rising off the water, but I did spot various waterfowl in the river acting uncharacteristically active. One Common Merganser, in particular, was being playfully aggressive, likely trying to keep warm as best he could. So I snapped a few images of him until my Apple Watch suddenly decided it needed to activate its emergency siren. I mean, it was pretty damn cold, and my hands were starting to hurt pretty bad. At that point, I decided it was too cold to be out there and gave up much more quickly than I imagined.
When I got home and reviewed my images, they were mostly too dark and noisy because I was trying to capture action shots in insufficient light. But I did find one cool shot with what appears to be a young Common Goldeneye—or possibly a hybrid of Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead—swallowing a fish as the overactive Common Merganser frantically tried to intervene.
A Second Attempt
The next morning brought temperatures similarly below zero, though perhaps a few degrees warmer. I decided to prepare more and make a second attempt to capture some images along the river. This time, I went a little further downriver to Rotary Park.
I was able to spend more time, more comfortably, on this outing. There was not as much steam coming off the water, but I captured some images that made me happy. I hope you enjoy them.
