5/4/2024 - Wolcott Falls

Stop number 2 with my friend Dave was another place on my list for this summer.  It wasn't too far from Sterling so we decided it was next on our list.  Considering this is a village owned park, it was very impressive.  Well maintained and something the village should be very proud of.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/boot.vowels.chucks
Site Notes: There is an overlook that is easily accessible.  To get the views in these photos is accessible if you can either handle a fairly steep incline or you have something that can.  Certainly not ADA compliant but the path is smooth.

Time: 11:45; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/5 sec

Time: 11:46; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 20 sec
Note: Because I stacked my ND filter on the polarizing filter, the frame of the ND filter was included.  I thought adding a vignette to this rather than cropping was a really nice effect.

Time: 11:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 56 mm; Shutter: 25 sec

Time: 11:52; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 37 mm; Shutter: 8 sec
Note: I thought this was great framing, the light breeze didn't think so and kept moving the branches in front of me...

Time: 11:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 55 mm; Shutter: 3 sec

Time: 11:57; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 60 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

Time: 12:03; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 45 mm; Shutter: 15 sec
Note: My first picture using extended ISO, this is an ISO of 64.

Time: 12:07; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 33.5 mm; Shutter: 1/10s
Note: My second with extended ISO, this one is an ISO of 31.  I wasn't going to include it because it was supposed to be a fast exposure that didn't work because I didn't realize the ISO setting.  When preparing for this post though, I really liked how it came out.

5/4/2024 - Sterling Nature Center Bluffs

I'd never been to "the bluffs" though I've heard of so many talking about it since my college days (early to mid-1990s).  After seeing some posts in a Facebook group, it was in the plans to do this year.  My oldest friend was in the area and suggested we do a photoshoot there so I was onboard.  I have to say that I was very impressed with what I found to be incredible structures that seemed to defy gravity and logic.  We were lucky that there wasn't much of a wind at all so it was incredibly peaceful though I could say that if there was a light wind, it would be nice to listen the waves as well.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/hazy.centrally.personality
Site Notes: No accessibility to this location at all.  Not a horrible walk down to the shoreline though.

Time: 09:35; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 36 mm; Shutter: 1/40 sec

Time: 09:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 53 mm; Shutter: 1/50 sec

Time: 09:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/50 sec

Time: 09:40; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/25 sec

Time: 09:40; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/25 sec
Note: I loved the detail brought out by the black and white version of this.

Time: 09:42; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/30 sec

Time: 09:42; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 62 mm; Shutter: 1/30 sec

Time: 09:42; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 62 mm; Shutter: 1/30 sec
Notes: Another where the grain in the wood just popped out without the color.

Time: 09:43; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 63 mm; Shutter: 1/10 sec

Time: 09:44; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 63 mm; Shutter: 1/10 sec

Time: 09:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/25 sec

Time: 09:52; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/80 sec
Note: A really liked the lines on the rock, just looked nice in contrast to the black rock.

Time: 09:52; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/80 sec
Note: Dave thought this would make a good black and white, tend to agree.

Time: 09:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 32.5 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 09:55; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 25 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 09:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 59 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec

Time: 09:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/160 sec

Time: 10:01; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/640 sec
Note: Panorama of 6 photos.

Time: 10:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 34.5 mm; Shutter: 1/640 sec

Time: 10:04; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24.5 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec

Time: 10:12; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/640 sec
Note: Panorama of 5 pictures.

Time: 10:13; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec

Time: 10:14; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec

Time: 10:16; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec

Time: 10:22; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

Time: 10:28; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/640 sec

Time: 10:33; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec
Note: For some reason, the root ball on this tree fascinated me from a distance.

Time: 10:34; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 10:35; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 43 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec

Time: 10:38; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec
Note: A panorama of 5 photos.

Time: 10:43; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

4/28/2024 - Three Falls Woods

I tried going to a new place this weekend but the walk and photo shoot was cut short by the rain.  As the name suggests, there are 3 waterfalls here.  I was only able to get 1 of them.  I will certainly be going back to see about getting better pictures of this as well as the other 2 falls.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/undertone.tapping.exotic
Site Notes: Very limited accessibility as this is really a hiking area.

Time: 12:04; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 44 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec

Time: 12:05; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 44 mm; Shutter: 1 sec

Time: 12:10; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 52 mm; Shutter: 20 sec

4/8/2024 - Total Eclipse

I wasn't going to watch the eclipse mostly because of all the hype.  I decided I may as well since I could possibly get a picture during totality without worrying about damage to the camera or my eyes.  I wasn't sure just how much we would see since they were forecasting heavy cloud cover.  Turned out that there were breaks and I was lucky enough to get a couple of shots of totality through some thin clouds.

With only a 70mm lens, the pictures of totality are heavily cropped, taking full advantage of the high resolution of the camera.  Probably would have been better if I used a tripod, but I guess that's a lesson to take with me for the next "once in a lifetime" eclipse.

Time: 15:09; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/25 sec

Time: 15:14; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 42 mm; Shutter: 1/13 sec
Note: We put sent Sydney into the house before the moon started to cover the sun...

Time: 15:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 64 mm; Shutter: 1/8 sec

Time: 15:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 64 mm; Shutter: 1/8 sec

Time: 15:24; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/8 sec

4/6/2024 - Buttermilk Falls State Park

Beautiful day so I got out for some photos.  My first time at this park and it was wonderful!  Unfortunately, the sun and clouds made it a little difficult for the long exposures.  A park officer told me it was a great day for my first visit as the flow doesn't normally span the entire width.  It also didn't help me that I was completely out of breath from the steep climb.  I hope that I'm a in a little better shape with the next visit to go further up as I just couldn't muster the strength to take the extra trail.

I do have to say that as I learn more about this camera, it doesn't cease to amaze me with the quality of the pictures.  It isn't quite learning all over again, but there is a learning curve.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/become.panels.drew

Site Notes: The first view is completely accessible.  The rest of the views here require some serious stair climbing abilities.

Time: 12:32; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 12:40; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 46 mm; Shutter: 2 sec

Time: 12:44; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 64 mm; Shutter: 30 sec

Time: 12:47; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 64 mm; Shutter: 10 sec

Time: 12:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 10 sec
Note: You can see how quickly the clouds are moving in this picture.

Time: 12:57; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 12:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec

Time: 12:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec

Time: 13:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 35 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

Time: 13:04; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 36 mm; Shutter: 1/4 sec

Time: 13:16; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 37 mm; Shutter: 10 sec

Time: 13:19; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec

Time: 13:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/60 sec

Time: 13:46; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/80 sec

Time: 13:47; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

Time: 13:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

Time: 13:49; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/100 sec

Time: 13:50; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 1/5 sec

Time: 13:50; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/5 sec

Time: 14:00; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 25.5 mm; Shutter: 3 sec

Time: 14:07; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/80 sec

Time: 14:15; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 25.5 mm; Shutter: 30 sec

Time: 14:18; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 20 mm; Shutter: 37 sec

Time: 14:22; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24 mm; Shutter: 1/125 sec