10/18/2024 - Comet Hunting

I kept searching the sky for the comet (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) that was supposed to be visible to the naked eye and never spotted it.  This was supposed to be one of the last nights to see it and the sky was clear so I headed down to the lake.  I didn't notice that I had actually caught it on camera until I was editing.  The only way I spotted it was when I was zoomed in 100%.  The last photo is a serious crop of the second, roughly a 90% crop!

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/swings.outlooks.meanwhile
Site Notes: Really small park (more like a place to park) where you can get some nice sunsets over Oneida Lake.  May be able to get some nice sunrises as well.

Time: 18:57; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 32mm

Time: 19:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm
Note: Long exposure (13 seconds) to smooth out the lake.

Time: 19:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm
Note: The comet is the little white spot in the center of the picture.

10/5/2024 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Though I've lived in central New York my entire life and driven past it many times, I'd never actually stopped at the refuge until this year.  This was actually my second time as the first stop included taking a few dozen pictures without an SD card in the camera.  It was very frustrating to get home to find that pictures I was excited about were not saved.  This time, I visually looked to be sure there was a card before taking the first picture!

Parking Location: Montezuma national Wildlife Refuge

Site Notes: The visitor center is accessible with views from the wrap around deck.  You can also get some excellent views by driving around the Wildlife Drive "loop".

Time: 12:37; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 12:39; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 12:49; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

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

Time: 12:53; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 12:59; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 13:00; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 13:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 13:03; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 420mm
Note: The outlet from Cayuga Lake runs along the side of the refuge.

Time: 13:05; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 13:16; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 13:33; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 13:51; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm + Additional Cropping

Time: 14:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm

9/28/2024 - Three Stops on Our Fall Trip

We try to take aa yearly ride around the state to see the leaves.  To be honest, they were not all that colorful this year.  We only stopped one place to get pictures and the leaves weren't even all that vibrant there.  These are the best pictures I was able to get on the trip.

Parking Location: Seventh Lake Boat Launch
Site Notes: The views here are fully accessible.

Time: 15:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Time: 15:28; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 15:28; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Time: 15:29; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Time: 15:42; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Parking Location: Lyons Falls

Site Notes: You can view the falls directly from your car if you'd like.

Time: 18:24; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm

Parking Location: Agers Falls

Site Notes: You can get a view from your car though the view is much better if you are ambulatory.

Time: 18:45; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Time: 18.48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm
Note: I thought this looked a bit like marshmallows that my wife does on top of brownies.

Time: 18:49; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

9/5/2024 - Boothbay Harbor, Topside Inn

My final post from our vacation ends with another from our balcony.  It was another beautiful evening and a great week overall.  If anyone is considering a trip to Maine, I highly recommend Boothbay harbor and The Topside Inn.  The staff is wonderful and the food is amazing!

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/flab.exhibitions.glimmers
Site Notes: There are accessible rooms and there are beautiful views from the large lawn overlooking the harbor.  These are not from an accessible room as we were on the second floor.

Time: 17:47; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: I don't know the name of the lighthouse in the background, but it is roughly 5 miles away!

Time: 17:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 17:48; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 17:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 18:02; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: I'm including this because seeing it bugged my wife all week!
To give you an idea of just how high above the rest of the village the inn is.  You can see that the top of the chimney was about eye level.  I was sitting on the balcony, the chimney is on the top of a 2 story home (though thinking now, it may have been 3 stories)...

9/5/2024 - Ocean Point Beach

Our next stop, and my second to last post from our trip, was Ocean Point Beach.  Very quiet and secluded place that appears to be more focused on locals than tourists, which is really our kind of place.  It was recommended as a place to check out so we did and I'm glad.

Parking Location: woof.bulldozers.imprints
Site Notes: You can actually park right along the beach to see much of these views directly from your car.

Time: 10:46; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: This is one of the lighthouses we saw up close on the harbor tour, Ram Island Lighthouse.

Time: 10:47; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: I believe this to be the same boat we saw earlier in the day at Hendrick's Head Beach...

Time: 10:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 24mm

Time: 10:57; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 11:00; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 11:08; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: Shocked I captured him, he was moving quickly!

Time: 11:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 11:14; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: Look familiar?  They are back for the final 2 pictures of the post, this time catching a good wind!

Time: 11:16; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

9/5/2024 - Hendrick's Head Beach

Truly just a day to sort of rest and see some sights.  We asked at the Inn for some suggestions, this was the first on the list.  Hendrick's Head Lighthouse is now privately owned so you can't actually go in.  These pictures are from a public beach right near it.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/recoil.raving.proudly
Site Notes: The views are fully accessible, even from your car!

Time: 09:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S; Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 09:30; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm
Note: This is the opposite side of the lighthouse that is very high above sea level (Seguin Island Light Station).  I wasn't aware just how far it is away from our location until preparing for this post.  It is 8 miles away!

Time: 09:31; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

Time: 09:35; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 180mm

Time: 09:35; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Focal Length: 600mm

9/4/2024 - Monhegan Island

My wife loves lighthouses, so we tried to see as many as possible while in Maine.  We were very interested in going to Monhegan Island based on the description of what it was supposed to be, an artist community.  In all honesty, we were very disappointed.  It may be interesting for people who are avid hikers, but there wasn't the artist type of community we expected.  The biggest issue is that it is a 90 minute boat trip and there is only 2 trips per day.  Doesn't sound bad until you take into account that there is only 2 hours between the time the boat arrives and when it leaves.  And if you miss the return ride, you could be sleeping under the stars as the rooms are normally filled all season.  And it's a rather expensive ride on the boat, $27 each way per person.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/reclusive.recent.downstream
Site Notes: There is limited accessibility but the bigger issue is there isn't a lot of motorized transportation on the island.

Time: 11:32; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 52mm
Note: To give an idea of the type of walking involved, this lighthouse is 3/10 of a mile from the dock but it is 180 feet higher in elevation!  That's roughly 18 stories...

Time: 11:36; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm
Note: The view toward the mainland from the lighthouse grounds.  Compilation of 3 photos.

Time: 11:39; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 11:40; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 12:34; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm
Note: This area of the island is not accessible.  Down the 180 feet from the lighthouse then up a 100 foot hill then back down to sea level.

Time: 12:37; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm
Note: There was no indication of when this ship wreck occurred...

Time: 12:41; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm

Time: 12:43; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 28.5mm

Time: 12:45; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm
Note: This guy was only about the size of a half-dollar but caught my eye...

Time: 12:46; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm