Beast of Burden
Article and Images by Joni L. James

© Joni L. James, Field Contributor
From knowing kingfisher behavior and observing this individual’s pattern of activity, I realized this was an excellent opportunity for photographing the kingfisher at this perch. I began planning that same day.

© Joni L. James, Field Contributor
The plan would require my Nikon DSLR, my tripod with Wimberley head, Tamron 200–500 mm lens, a second tripod for macro shots later, and my backpack with Nikon lenses for other photos. In addition, I would need my camouflage material and a towel for wiping mud from the equipment and myself since I would be sitting in mud and water.
One problem—how do I get all this equipment there?
I began brainstorming. A burro? I don’t have one. A little red wagon? Too noisy and unstable. A sled? Would not glide well without snow.
That evening I went shopping at a sporting goods store with my niece to purchase shoes. We had just entered the store and started down an aisle when I saw it. Believe in synchronicity? I do. Propped upright against a stack of boxes was the answer to my dilemma. A Jet Sled, Jr.®

© Joni L. James, Field Contributor
The next afternoon I loaded the equipment I would need into the sled and headed to the wetland. Clipping the camouflage material to several cattails and then draping myself with the netting, I sat patiently waiting for the bird to return to the perch. Kingfishers are so wary of any change in their surroundings that I was beginning to think I would not capture any photos on this trip. Announcing its arrival with the typical rattling call, the bird landed on the perch. It was cautious, but stayed long enough for me to capture several photos. As planned, I was able to photograph the kingfisher. This would not have been possible without the sled. Since then, I have used it many times to transport equipment to sites to set up in camouflage. Recently I used it when photographing whitetail deer.

© Joni L. James, Field Contributor
Hey—it’s cheaper than a burro.