Jeffry Weldon’s Videos

There are two quotes that explain to me the thrill of drone photography.

"Your true pilot cares nothing about anything on earth but the river, and his pride in his occupation surpasses the pride of kings.” - Mark Twain,” Life on the Mississippi,” Ch. 7

If you go to my You Tube channel and watch the aerial videos I have done of the St. Lawrence River, you may understand how the Mark Twain quote resembles the deep love that generations of families, including my own, have for “our River” and the 1000+ islands it meander through.

I have been a photographer of the River most of my life and, in the last few years, a maturing passion for remote control helicopters has turned into a full-fledged hobby of drone photography. Rarely will you find me without my DJI Phantom drone in hand, in the car, or carefully stowed on the boat to take advantage of our unique River views.

I have registered my drones with the FAA and check the FAA app B4UFLY each time - before I fly -  to determine if there are any restrictions or requirements in effect. I even check in for hospital heliports, including Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, and and airport control towers, including Greater Rochester International Airport, to learn of any restrictions.

While visiting Washington D.C., I learned that the National Capital Region is governed by a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) within a 30-mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.  This  restricts all flights in the greater DC area, making it a “no drone zone.” So, I only use my phone to take pictures and video,

Despite the evolving rules and regulations, and the continually growing technological sophistication of drone photography, getting pictures from an altitude of 200 plus feet is challenging yet extremely enjoyable.

The drones I use have stabilizers, gyroscopes, cameras, obstacle avoidance technology, and a GPS that enables them to hold position if they are flying in heavy winds. That’s how you get steady, balanced shots, from a drone. Add a River, high winds, and a low battery to the equation, and I am sure you will believe me when I tell you there is already a drone at the bottom of the St Lawrence River. In fact, when you pass just down river of Bouy 212 take a look over the stern. With superman vision you may see one of my drones that is enjoying its time in 100 feet of water with some of our spectacular aquatic life. And, by the way, if you want to dive down and grab it, it’s yours.

“You have to take the good with the bad, smile when you're sad, love what you've got and remember what you had...Always forgive but never forget, learn from your mistakes but never regret, people change, things go wrong, just remember, life goes on.” Joel Osteen

“…Even when you drop a drone in a deep River.” Jeffry Weldon

Thanks for watching.

Aerial of Gar Wood Antique Boat, cruising the 1000 Islands and Boldt Castle

Aerial of Super Yacht  Big Eagle, near the US span of the Thousand Islands Bridge

Cloudless Aerial of Boat Ride ,by 1000 Islands Bridge and Boldt Castle

Wicked Aerial of Kayaking, at Hole Brothers, on the Black River

By Jeffry Weldon, YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel