Bolivar - A Real Bad Day

[David Alaniz]

It was a gorgeous early clear and Cold morning. Met Tim there as we set out for the morning. I selected a spot that I thought would be good. After lying down and making some shots for a short period I noticed the tide slowly coming in...I was starting to lie in the water. This took place a couple more times. All this was getting me closer to some land around the end corner. I thought I would slowly walk a short distance to some grassy land and lay down. When I was just a very short distance I felt my foot sinking. I stopped and decided to turn back. From that point it got worse. My feet were sinking and I was straining to get out. This caused me to lose my balance and in I go to my chest but still barely holding the camera above water. I finally struggled to get up and decided to head back to the car since the camera and lens got a good splash so I wanted to get a little bottle water on same. As I was slowly coming back and once again close to the shore I sank and down to my knees I went. I couldn't move and lost my balance desperately trying to hold the camera up. Water has now come into my waders and things are getting worse. I struggled to get free but couldn't and lost my balance again. The camera and all went under and in the mud. Struggling to get free and gasping for air because of the water and cold I must have been fairly loud. Tim heard me and started my way. When Tim got to me he held my camera and I was doing everything I could just to crawl a few yards to the shore. Totally wasted and gasping I got to my feet feeling like a ton of weight. I turn to walk back in to get the camera and saw Tim down as well and struggling. I took the camera which allowed Tim to crawl out. I don't think there was enough oxygen in the air so we just gasped for a while until we could get our breath. Thank goodness Tim had left his camera at his last location. I can not even come close to extending my graditude towards Tim for his help. It was a hard lesson. I have sent my outfit to nikon so will just wait for that shock when I am told what it will take to repair. Soooo, no matter if you are wet or dry things can happen. Be Aware, Be Careful! THANKS TIM!!

[rab3rd]

Marsh mud is bad stuff. People die all the time at low tide when they get stuck in the mud and the tide comes in. Glad you're ok, cameras are stuff, stuff can be replaced.

[Patti Edens]

David,

So sorry this happened to you. Glad you are okay and I am hoping your camera and lens survive too. Thanks for sharing your bad experience with us. It might save a life. I know I will be more careful when I'm out there and I will think about your story with every cautious step. Not sure I want to go out there solo anymore. Thank heavens Tim was with you.

I've done plenty of slugging through the marsh in years past when I was duck hunting. I dunked my $1500 (a lot for me, but cheap compared to a camera and lens) Browning Citori more than once. But there were always at least 4 of us and usually more. I knew one or more of them would pull me out of the muck if needed.

Fingers crossed on the gear.

[mjdmike]

Wow David, glad you are OK, and hope the camera isn't too bad. Scary moments, I'd bet.

Yes, Tim is a great guy. Way to go Tim!!

As Rod stated, that marsh can be dangerous. Incoming tide seeps in unnoticed under the sand, and once there, it's like quicksand. Having lived near beaches, I've seen a few 4 wheelers and even a car get sucked into the stuff.

Thanks for sharing a tough story.

[mjdmike]

< momentary thread detour >

Originally Posted by Patti Edens

...Browning Citori...

Nice shotgun Patti!

< sorry, now back on topic ...>

[Tim T]

That was one heck of a morning David. I saw you go to your knees but thought at first you were getting into a shooting position, but quickly realized that it wasn't the case when your camera went under. I should have gotten down on my knees before I got to you to keep from sinking in myself. The mud in that area around the first corner is the worst that I've seen at Bolivar. Something to definetly avoid. Glad that you are OK but very sorry about your camera and 200-400 getting dunked. Hope that it's not trashed.

[Will Rountree]

Glad your safe, hope your camera survives, I presume you took battery out and rinsed in fresh water. I got one wet in Costa Rica with just rain running down over my AF contacts. Good luck with it anyway! Thanks to your experience, I will be more aware of the beach areas.

[Glassman]

David, Glad you are ok, sounds like getting those great shots can be dangerous. Thanks for sharing your experience, makes me appreciate the Bolivar pics more.

[jfoureyes]

David glad you guys made it out ok!! I just know I'm going to get on a big ol' rattler one of these days in the prairie and I'll wish I had some snake boots on...I got my cellphone and hopefully I can call for help if it does happen. I hope your camera and lens can be repaired!

[GSM]

glad both of you are ok

[iCe]

whoa... not good. I'm glad you are doing the writing.

[Stargazer77517]

WOW David, Good to hear your ok, I sure hope the camera is going to be repaired. I think about that sort of stuff happening to me all the time as I go alot by myself. Thank goodness Tim was close by. WTG Tim.

Last spring I was at High Island by myself. Arrived almost too late as the sun was getting low. Decided to go ahead and give it a shot. Loaded up the gear, shut the truck door and off I go.
As darkenss fell and the skeeters began there attack formation I decided to go ahead and head back. Arrived back at the parking lot...only truck there, and to my sinking heart.. realized I locked the dang keys in the truck Didnt know what I was going to do. started to walk down the long shell road to locate some help and I saw head lights turn in the gate. A couple just happened to be lost and thought it was a driveway to a home they were looking for.
They ended up giving me a lift to a local store so I could call a tow truck. The driver of the tow truck lived right down the street from the rookery, Boy the lord was looking out for me that day.

[Shadow]

Wow, what an ordeal. The pro glass is pretty tough, fingers crossed. Salt water is nasty on gear. Bodies are more fragile, but somewhat of a consumption item. Every so often, we are reminded of our limits and what's truly important in life. Friends like Tim are harder to come by than gear, as nice as yours is. I barely survived the uncomfortably close inspection of a reef moonlight surfing after a few beers at Waimea Bay, on the North shore of Oahu at 19. I too was rescued by a friend. Only he heard my shouts while others laughed around the campfire on the beach. I was hanging out at Mark Foo's surf hostel, and even he thought I had been a tad reckless. Sadly, he later found a wave with his name on it, even being one the the World's all time big wave surfers. Helluva guy. More on Mark here... http://www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to...nd-photos_809/

Sometimes big sets or even bottomless muck can surprise you. I've been known to fail to heed the first signs of trouble in the excitement of the moment myself. Best of luck with Nikon repair....

[lfmerrell]

The D300 Nikon is supposed to be weather sealed. Saw this post on another forum:
>>Thanks! i had just upgraded from the d300 i really loved it i used it in the pooring rain and had no problems.<<<

Please let us know how your equipment fared.

[houtex01]

Wow...glad to hear that you are ok David...cudos to Tim for coming to the rescue...I've been wanting to visit the flats at Bolivar...don't believe that I will attempt it by myself...especially for my first visit...

Ron