PhotoEscapist

Well, the last about the lens specifically.  I’ll still take pictures with it and you, may see it mentioned in passing.

This was the first ‘field trial’ with this lens.  It was in my bag as part of my normal load-out and, I found a opportunity to use it.  I also used the body doubler (not the kit doubler, I don’t like the way the camera balances with it on) for a few shots.

These were taken during my Quick Trip to Beaver Lake.  Unlike the other images in “more magnification testing” and “from the practical to the ridiculous“, these have been post processed, giving a better look at what the lens can do.

On to the pics:

Ducks and Geese @ 300mm

Ducks and Geese @ 800mm

Ducks and Geese @ 1600mm

I’m not sure where the fuzziness is coming from in the bright areas in the middle shot (around the duck’s chest) I’m assuming something (the doubler) has a finger print or smear on it.  In the third shot the blurriness is me, even with my tripod there is a lot of motion when shooting.  I’d take the shot with a remote, however the weight of the lens causes the camera to tip forward, without support.  I’m thinking about a counterweight or a string from the camera bad to the handle on the tripod to keep everything steady.

The Rokinin 800mm seems to be a good buy.  It’s cheap, and suits my purposes.  I need to better my skills with full manual and no light meter (or figure out how to make the light meter work with the D90 and a full manual lens   )  to get better shots from it.

It’s been about 11 years since the last time I went to the Sterling Renaissance Festival (The RenFaire as it’s locally known). In that time it has added: several new stages, more places to get get food and drink and more shows. Amongst the things that didn’t change, the atmosphere and the fun.

The Festival is a grate escape from the mundane world. When you pass through the gates, you step in to the Shire of Warwick circa the 1580’s. You can choose to walk around in your mundane garb, rent a period costume or dress in your own period garb (the best way to immerse yourself).

The last time I attended I went in my own cranberry colored monks robes, complete with hood, belt and drinking horn. Unfortunately, as the Festival has grown, so have I Unlike my friends, Dan and Renee, I had to rent an outfit As a plus, the Shoppe had a Set of Friars robes, making me feel less out of sorts.

After my fitting, my traveling companions needed to check to see if some of the items, they previously ordered, had come in. First was a leather shop, carrying everything from purses and pouches up full hardened leather armor. Out next stop was a Tinsmith. Here, there were really amazing fountains, statues and amazing garden art.

Our final stop, before the serious wandering could begin, was to a chainmail worker, where both my companions picked up jewelry.

From here out day was wandering form shop to shop, show to show with occasional stops to fuel up on food, booze and water.

Amongst our wanderings we caught Don Juan and Miguel’s “Don Juan in Heck”. After an impressive display of Whip-play, Don Juan and Miguel dual to the death. Don Juan loses, then bargains with the Master of Heck for his release.

We also caught the Falconry Demo in the Jousting Field (We didn’t make the Jousting Tourney…this weekend ) The Master Falconer has several birds including an Owl and Hawk as well as the Falcon.

We encountered the pirates at the dunking pond, trying to decipher a treasure map. As chance would have it, two of the wards of Warwick stumbled in during the parley looking for their secret admirers.

My favorite of the shows was, Johnny Fox, a sword swallower, prestidigitator, and philosopher. Johnny Fox is one of the 50ish working sword swallower left in the world. He is amazing, engaging and funny. He also runs the Sweet Nut concession

how sweet is that?

Again, this is another performance you have to see in person…I did capture some video of his act tho

We finished the day at the Pub Sing. Along the way we did stop to eat, drink and be merry. I’m almost ashamed I waited so long to go back.

This journey is a little over an hour form my house. So far it’s the most expensive attraction I’ve been too ($24 to get in, food is all about $7). However, its the most entertainment for the money I’ve spent.

This is something you really have to do if yer in Upstate NY in July or the first couple of weeks in August.

Get out there any try it, you’ll not regret it!

I hadn’t heard of Secret Caverns until my trip to Howe Cavern.  The route to Howe Caverns is peppered with colorful signs for Secret Cavern.  After seeing a few of these I decided to go after my visit to Howe.

Secret Cavern is located about five minutes down the road from Howe.  The route is very clearly marked with a few more of the eye catching billboards.  The signs are as colorful as the front of the store pictured above.

When I arrived there were several cars in the lot.  There were two patrons who just completed their tour, and one guide.  With a twenty minute wait for the next tour, I was encouraged to look at the Ice Cave then the walls of memorabilia revolving around Secret Cave’s history.

The ice cave is a round trip walk of 30′ but, the sign helps setup the atmosphere of the Secret Cavern Tour.

The tour consisted of me and the guide (again the guide’s name would have been useful here), so we came to an arrangement where I could stop and take as many pics and ask as many questions as I wanted and, he would not leave me behind for the Lost Tour Guides, Aliens or spirits of the cow explorers to devour.  This was pretty much the flavor of the entire tour

Secret Cavern is more cave-like, than Howe.  I don’t think you could run 3 or 4 tours of  20 people through at once, no matter how well you staggered them.  Secret Caverns is also more natural than Howe.  The only major changes to the cavern involve the adding of colored flood lights, a foot path, a lowered pathway, and a shaved wall.  You are also allowed to touch the rock and calcite formations.   Enough of the comparisons, there are too many to list.  You need to experience both.

The tour lasted a little over an hour, had a great narrative and great formations of rock calcite and water.  The pathway is lit by colored lights, so I opted to shoot without a flash, to capture some of the ambiance.

(at some point, I’m gonna figure out how to post to pics next each other, and then the would will be in trouble, muhahahaha!!)

The halfway point of the tour features a 100′ waterfall.

It more like a water jet than a waterfall.  The air, as you approach the falls, becomes noticeably warmer and humid.  I had some problems getting a good shot because the moisture kept fogging up my lens and glasses

You can see more of my pictures of Secret Caverns on Flickr

This was really a great place to visit.  It’s campy, light hearted, independent spirt was a great way to escape!