Did Wildlife Photography Try to Kill Me?

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A very different video that explains what happened when I ended up at the hospital for 4 days. What was the diagnosis, how did it happen, and is it somehow oddly related to what I love to do?
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When I saw the title, and knowing what you do with ducks and shorebirds, I had a feeling this was where it might be headed. A few months ago, I was lying prone on the beach photographing shorebirds with my camera propped a few inches off the ground and I was looking through the viewfinder so my neck was at that weird angle. After 5 minutes I started to get dizzy and freight, almost to the point of passing out. I instinctively rolled over and laid on my back and put my feet up to get blood to my head and thankfully didn't pass out. But I think that neck angle that many people who do this type of photography and use a ground pod, etc. might be something to be aware of and possibly have its unexpected dangers. But first and foremost, I hope you can work through this damage and get past the chronic balance issues and keep doing what you love. Sorry this happened to you.

johnwelchphotography
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Well that sucks! I'm sorry you've been going through such a trial and I believe it must have been incredibly difficult for you to make this video. I know it sounds trite, but thank you for sharing. After listening to your misadventure and reading a few of the comments, I will certainly be using my rear screen more! Please take the time to properly rest and recover. Although we all miss your videos and company, we will certainly be here when you are ready.

HeideMason
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In duck photography, lying prone, trying to get the camera as low as possible, and looking thru the viewfinder for extended periods of time, puts an extreme tension on the back of my neck, and it is often sore for days afterwards. I have little doubt that this is/could be a big contributing factor to your condition. And this video of yours, with such detail, causes me to take a step back and reconsider keeping myself in physical positions that cause pain for long periods of time. I'm beginning to think that getting a camera with a flippy screen could be more important than I had realized - I'd been thinking that it could help me get shots that I currently can't get, but now I am thinking that a flippy screen could actually preserve my health or even save my life. Seriously.

TomReichner
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Praying for a speedy recovery, Scott!

matthewgehly
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This is WHY I do more car photography and little hikes anymore. Its becomingmore difficult. I had a heart attack a year ago. Take care of yourself, Scott. Prayers to you and your family.

KevinNordstrom
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I had a spontaneous left vertebral artery dissection in 2018 and resulted in a stroke. I was 44. It never has healed and it still has a flap. Now a life of blood thinners and lifting restrictions for the rest of my life.

dannd
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Take it easy and look after yourself. Sorry this happened to you and thank you for sharing.

gileselliott
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I share the same philosophy- if I die doing what I love- so be it. At least I die doing what I love. I take every precaution but you just never know!
Also I had a min stroke about 10 years ago that affected my speech and cognitive abilities for a VERY brief time ( 1/2 hour) fortunately. Mine was caused from being prescribed a very high dosage of a compound testosterone for irritability. Came to find out it was MUCH too high a dosage for my T levels and the PA should never have prescribed it. Needless to say, I am grateful that I have no lasting effects and am able to continue doing everything I love. Point is I am very empathetic to your situation and hope you continue to feel better. F8 & be there😁

dayneknowles
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I wish you well with your recovery and I hope you live the long life you always thought you would have. I've experienced some horrible sensations myself while photographing birds from ground level - it's a very unnatural position. Seeing others around me doing it with no obvious problems used to make me think I just needed to stretch my muscles a bit and I'd get used to it, but I never did. In the end I gave up on it because it was so uncomfortable and my ground pod gathered dust. That was until I started making the transition to mirrorless camera bodies, starting with the R7, and I realised I could use the screen instead of the viewfinder. Now I'm much happier shooting from the floor and I don't get anywhere near the pain and discomfort I used to experience with DSLRs. I still give myself regular breaks though, and try not to stay prone for more than half an hour without changing position. Thanks for sharing your very difficult experience - that must have been pretty tough. Stay well 👍

mikebrownhill
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best wishes for a full and speedy recovery

dimitristsagdis
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I had to have a spinal fusion in 2014 & it is now deteriorating above & below the fusion. I Can't sit, stand or lay for any length of time & I am always in pain. In 2021, I went to my doc for a sinus infection & they heard a heart murmur & sent me for tests just in case. Long story short, I had to have an artificial heart valve put in. (the ticking sound drives me crazy) I missed most of Hummingbird season, which is my favorite subject to photograph. They told me if they would not have heard the murmur, I would have been dead in less than 2 years. I can't do near as much as I could, but I love wildlife photography & try to get out a few times a week! I just turned 59 in March. Life can be scary, I get it and I truly know how you feel.

Listen to the doc, do what you can without overdoing it & enjoy every day! Take Care Scott!

photosbyjoeendy
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I might have added "And if you feel dizzy and nauseated for a prolonged amount of time, get yourself checked out." Glad you're on the mend. And a good reminder that there are no guarantees in life. Always do what you love.

nancyfisk
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Sharing this was very thoughtful and unselfish. I was starting to use the rear screen more, but your comments have prompted me to transition in earnest to a level of high confidence with it. I have prayed for your complete recovery. I find that with prayer and faith the body and mind have amazing ways of working around our frailties. I pray that that will be the case with you. Whatever you do, give yourself a little time to recover, and get back out there. I look forward to seeing more of your images. All the best.

stanpiper
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Back when I did a lot of bird photography I had multiple times where my vision completely blacked out from shorebird/duck photography. Hope you make a full recovery and can continue to photograph wildlife for many years to come! Maybe time to rely on the back flippy screen haha

T-Barbin
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Scott, we are all grateful you are here to share your story regarding stroke. Obviously, please take time for yourself as needed to absorb the information (you do have great understanding of your medical condition), no need to push/produce content for us. I have always enjoyed your perspective and as we are all aging, our health and relationships are the most valuable thing we get in this lifetime.

joshuahorner
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So glad you are feeling better. I hope you will continue doing what you have been always doing and that is photography. All the best!

dattatreyams
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Scott, so glad to hear that you are recovering and have no cognitive impairment. As a conservation birder and bird photographer, I often find myself looking up with my binoculars as I try to identify a bird in the tree tops. That creates a similar strain on the neck to what one might experience while photographing birds from the prone position as I also like to do. I appreciate your channel. And look forward to viewing all your future episodes.
Scotty

scottheppel
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Hi Scott, the minute you started talking about your symptoms, I felt I knew where your conversation would lead. While I've never had the dizziness or stroke, I've found that handholding a long lens, or lying on the ground with my neck kinked up routinely leads to serious muscle tension that often leads to a relentless migraine headache that can last up to 48 hours. It isn't immediate, but sets in the next day. It impacts me so much that when I pick up my 200-600 lens I have to consider the consequences in advance. I've recently tried working with a tripod more, and limiting the on the ground shots. My friend used to jokingly refer to this position when we were birding as "warbler neck" as you'd stand for hours with your neck kinked back. I think as we get older, and muscles aren't what they used, to be it gets worse. The good thing is, you probably know what caused your problems. It might be worth getting some advice from physical therapists as well, might be good stretches, strengthening exercises you can do. Take care and give yourself time to heal. We all appreciate your wonderful photos and stories that go with them!

kristiekillam
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Best of luck to you! Our body and mind heal in its own way. One day at a time. I often relate life journey to a hike -- not thinking about how long / tough the hike is, but just put one step in front of another and enjoy.

xijiang
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Hey Scott, So glad you are feeling better. That's scary stuff you went through but I believe from your video that you will staying positive and continue to do wild life photography, learning, and inspiring the community of nature photographers that follow you. Am going to be 79 years old in July, and I continue to do what I love, and that is photograph and explore, especially, bird life. I have extensive obstructions in both carotid arteries from neck radiation some 18 years ago. However, my brain gets adequate oxygenated blood via alternate routes which formed to compensate for the blockages I have. Yes, I do take some meds for health reasons, but I live with vigor and use moderation because of my age. Bottom line, you too will find ways to remain active, healthy, and live your passions. Stay well, Scott, and believe in what you do!!! A happy follower...

tomhendron