6/16/2025 - Beaver Lake Nature Center

Went for a ride but didn't really know where I wanted to go.  While wandering, I was going to take a different route to the Finger Lakes region when I realized I was passing this place.  I haven't been here in over 30 years so decided to stop in.  What I remembered were a lot of boards placed on the muddy ground, what a difference!  The only issue I had was that I forgot to turn the ISO up until about halfway around the lake.  This means that many pictures didn't come out well, but I did manage some nice ones...

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/purchasing.worked.diary
Site Notes: The visitor center is accessible with views of some very busy bird feeders.  The lake trail is accessible if your cart can handle a little rough terrain.

Time: 12:22; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 12:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 12:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 12:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: This is the same as the last picture just highly cropped.
Taking full advantage of the 45MP sensor!

Time: 12:51; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 12:52; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: This area is where I remember the boards in the mud...

Time: 13:09; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: The picture with the very narrow path to this shelter didn't come out well.

Time: 13:20; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: A little out of focus but I still like it...

Time: 13:25; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: Taking pictures of this little one is when I realized I should change the ISO!

Time: 13:26; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:28; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:37; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:39; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 13:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: A few steps after the last picture revealed that there is a gap in the trunk...

Time: 14:12; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: When I see something like this, I wonder what happened to cause the tree
to grow like this.  Nature never ceases to amaze!

Time: 14:18; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS
Note: This little one was all alone, I almost thought it was going to walk over...

Time: 14:19; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 14:19; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

Time: 14:20; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS

6/7/2025 - Salmon River Falls

Wasn't the warmest day and there was a chance for rain but I had reason to get out of the house so it didn't really matter.  Wasn't quite sure where I was headed when I left.  Ended up deciding on a quick ride up to Salmon River Falls.  Went down the gorge trail to get some pictures.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/rivers.soak.grocery
Site Notes: There are views that are accessible, but certainly not any of these as they are at the bottom of the gorge trail.  The gorge trail is steep with steps that are well taller than normal.

Time: 13:19; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 50mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/400 sec

Time: 13:22; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 47mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f/10; Exposure: 30 sec

Time: 13:26; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 47mm; ISO: 64; Aperture: f/5.6; Exposure: 5 sec

Time: 13:29; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 70mm; ISO: 64; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Note: A compilation of 3 photos

5/31/2025 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Went back for another drive along Wildlife Drive hoping to see some different birds but I brought my wife along as she had never been either.  Unfortunately, it was another windy and rainy day so there were limited sightings of any birds.  I think the fact that the water was mostly drained from the main pool didn't help all that much either.

Entrance: https://w3w.co/chairing.pave.envied
Site Notes: There are accessible views from the Visitor Center but the wildlife is limited there.  All the pictures posted here were taken from the car along the dirt road that is Wildlife Drive.

Time: 12:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/640 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 12:21; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 420mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Canadian Goose

Time: 12:33; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Great Blue Heron

Time: 12:41; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 210mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/5.6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Black Turn
Note: These things are fast!  This was the best picture I could get...

Time: 12:44; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 380mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Great Blue Heron

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 310mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird (female)
Note: She was quick but very close to the car...

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 310mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird (female)

Time: 12:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/80 sec
Bird: Marsh Wren
Note: Loud but hard to spot as they zip around...

Time: 13:10; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 13:10; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 13:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 220mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Canadian Goose Gosling

Time: 13:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 220mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/100 sec

Time: 13:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 570mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/100 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

5/26/2025 - Robert H Treman State Park

A few years ago, I went to the upper section of this park.  While the view of the falls from there is quite nice, I really like getting pictures of the entire waterfall.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do that because I'm just not physically fit enough to handle the additional climbing to do so.  I was still able to get a nice view and there were many great views along the way.  Once warning that would have been nice would have been that of the 800 foot rise in elevation, 700 feet of it is in the first 1/4 of a mile!  And it also didn't say that after the 700 feet, you go down 300 feet.  I wish I would have taken the time to go to the lower falls while I was there, I just didn't have the energy left in me.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/enzymes.faces.dignity
Site Notes: Current parking rate is $10 per car.  There is swimming in the pool under the lower falls.  These views are along the hiking trail (Gorge Trail) and are not accessible at all.

Time: 15:21; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length:24 mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/800 sec

Time: 15:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 56mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f/22; Exposure: 1/13 sec

Time: 15:26; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 49mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f22/; Exposure: 5 sec

Time: 15:27; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 70mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f/16; Exposure: 2.5 sec

Time: 15:42; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 70mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/125 sec

Time: 15:47; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 34.5mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/640 sec

Time: 15:50; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 24mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/250 sec

Time: 15:53; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 35mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/250 sec

Time: 15:55; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 24mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/800 sec

Time: 15:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 25mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/160 sec

Time: 15:59; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 24mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/200 sec

Time: 16:04; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 66mm; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/4; Exposure: 1/200 sec

Time: 16:04; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 66mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f/22; Exposure: 1/2 sec

Time: 16:09; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; 
Focal Length: 70mm; ISO: 25; Aperture: f/22; Exposure: 8 sec