Here is a quick little sequence from our ramblings down along the creek this week. The sequence was shot using a Canon 7D and a newly constructed dolly that doubles as a solar panel support. Enjoy

We caught a fleeting glimpse of these incredibly fast pronghorns out
in the Big Hole Valley. A late spring skif of snow blankets the foothills.
This valley will soon be green, and just as quickly turn brown.

A red-tailed hawk surveys the landscape for prey, with the Bitteroot
Mountains in the background. Snowpack in these mountains is below
50% of normal this year.

Below, a snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris affinis), a day-flying moth
that mimics bumble bees to deter predation. Unlike bumble bees,
however, this moth can hover at flowers.
http://conservationmedia.com/?p=410

We all know what these massive camera batteries look like hanging iconically off the back of TV news cameras. They, along with long lenses, seem to remove any doubt among casual onlookers that what they are looking at is a “serious” camera. Such is the attention grabbing power of these batteries that I pull OFF my camera when I’m trying to go relatively unnoticed, replacing them with little quick burners.

Well. They are priceless to have in the back country, I’m stuck in a blind for countless hours on end, or when I’m in the heat of the action and a dead battery would mean missing that moment when the rams clash, the hummingbird visits, or the mantis finally snatches.

These huge batteries have always come with a tether, however. They need AC to recharge, or for me, I could only charge them off an inverter in my truck while en route from one shot to another. Lame. Big battery, big constraints. This is why small batteries kick ass—I can charge them with my 14W Solar Roll in no time and be done with it.

Well, now the game has changed…sort of.

Solar Charging for HD Camera Batteries

Anton/Bauer has introduced a solar charging system for these big batteries.

The packet unfolds into a grid of cells about 3 foot x 4 foot wide, and will charge the biggest batteries in 3-4 hours, which is about how long it takes on AC. If you’re in the middle of nowhere for weeks on end, then this really is a fantastic product.

I’m doing tons of research on the new possibilities for acquisition tools. I’m impressed by the full frame image quality of the Canon 5D, but I need to reach out there, so the Canon 7D is the way to go. The 7D also has better frame rate options currently. Then again, RED is supposed to announce the specs and prices for its Scarlet line today. What excites me about any of these options is that I can run and gun with full solar power by utilizing my lowlight solar rolls to keep charges fresh. I’m psyched to be repurposing the sun in such a cool way. I think for now, I’m going to keep shooting the JVC HD100. It’s got a few more projects in it before it becomes relatively worthless. Besides, for web content it still rocks.