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