[Petographer]

I'm not very happy with the fact it came out blurred but still worth posting. After all, it is a Mountain Toad.

[shuttertalk]

Lol... looks a bit pale and pinkish. I would have expected a greener tinge to his skin judging by his avatar...

[peter]

haha i should go mountain trekking (more like hill) ...
seems like fun ..

[Polly]

I'm not very happy with the fact it came out blurred but still worth posting. After all, it is a Mountain Toad.
http://www.shuttertalk.com/gallery/album...untain.jpg

He's a well dressed Toad too - he even brought out the moon for a peek at a Toad on a peak

Seriously - do you use trekking sticks when you hike and climb steep slopes? they're very good, especially if you use 2 (one in each hand) so you're effectively on all fours, takes the strain off the legs and back and helps you stay steady. they're telescopic so you can adjust them to any height - or reduce them and have them in your bag.

There's a "Brasher trekking Pole" available with a cork handle/top that screws off to reveal a camera mount - so you can use it as a monopod. I just use the "Brasher Walking Stick" myself - but it's very good, something to lean on and bear the weight at times. They cost approx £26- £30 in the UK depending on which type you choose.

Polly

[Toad]

That's a good picture of me - minimizes my fat and conceals my face....and that pinkish hue is probably radiation burn from sitting too long in front of a computer, instead of getting outdoors.

As for sticks - i tlooks like a good idea! I'll look that up on the web.

[Polly]

That's a good picture of me - minimizes my fat and conceals my face....and that pinkish hue is probably radiation burn from sitting too long in front of a computer, instead of getting outdoors.

As for sticks - i tlooks like a good idea! I'll look that up on the web.

Here's a link for the Brasher poles we use - though it's a UK link.

http://www.safariquip.co.uk/acatalog/Saf...er_39.html

I'm pretty sure there should be something similar available over there - probably the same brand name too. Trekking poles are something very different from a conventional walking stick - they're fantastic, have a similar effect to car suspension systems and you'll wonder how you managed without one if you eventually get one.

I'd say "happy hopping" but it's the frogs that hop - and the toads kinda crawl with just an occasional jump, eh

Polly

[Petographer]

Good idea Pol. Thanks. Will have to look into that.

[Polly]

Good idea Pol. Thanks. Will have to look into that.

I did a brief search last night and I think you probably have even more choice in Canada than we do here. Here's just one link with a couple of poles costing around $50 each and one of them had the camera mount under the top handle/knob.

If you do a google search under "trekking poles" or maybe "hiking poles" you'll find a fair number of FAQs about them, how best to use them, what to get etc. 'snow baskts' usually come with them - that's a small disc thingy you can fit on the base to stop them sinking too far into the soft ground .... similar to a ski pole.

Get yourselves those and the pair of you can virtually live up there feeding the Whiskey Jacks and taking pix


Polly

[Toad]

ah yes...your link is Mountain Equipment Co-op - just about a mile from where I live. Nice of someone from the UK to suggest it to me.

I will look into the pole and monopod option - has anyone here used a monopod before? Are they good enough for low shutter speeds like 1/4 sec with a long lens - or are they just good enough for say 1/30 sec? Any feedback appreciated.

[Petographer]

Yes, thanks Pol for the link. I have a MEC membership and will have to look into those.
Toad, I've used my monopod quite a bit shooting radio controlled aircraft and I personally wouldn't want to use it for slow shutterspeeds as you mention. It'll stop the bob but not the weave so to speak. However, there is a monopod available that has legs that may be the ticket. http://db.manfrotto.com/product/template...temid=1814

[Cailean]

Can a monopod with three legs still be a monopod??