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!

The Herkimer Diamond mine is a place I’ve always heard of and never been to.  The trip is about 90 mins by the thruway and goes through the beautiful Mohawk Valley.  I fired up Glenda, the good GPS, and headed for the fame and fortune that awaited me, hidden in the Little Falls Dolomite.

At the risk of repeating myself, the trip along the Thruway is very scenic.  You travel along the Mohawk Valley near the top and sometimes dipping down to the bottom.  It really is fantastic!   If you can, get someone else to drive you so you can spend a lot of time taking pictures   In the fall I plan on driving this route, or roads parallel to it, to get fantastic pictures of foliage and landscapes.

Even with Glenda along, I managed to miss the Diamond Mine.  Twice.  Don’t get me wrong, the Mines are well marked, I can occasionally be distracted by shiny things, blue things, and things that look good after being cooked in butter. I passed first in one direction while looking at something that might make a good picture ( it didn’t. Then on the way back because, I was looking on the left hand side of the road when the mines were on the right   Don’t give me a  hard a time, you’ve done it too ;-P

I arrived around 3:45, not knowing that the mine area closed at 5pm (note to self, do a bit of research before taking off all willy-nilly).  Admission is $10 for those over 12, $4 for 5-12 and free if you are 4 or under.  You can borrow a hammer with either your drivers license or a $15 deposit.  More information is on the Herkimer Diamond Mine Website.

As always, you can find the pictures for my adventures on Flickr

I really had a good time.  There’s nothing like smashing rocks with hammer to work out your pent up aggressions.  As an added bonus I found a couple of diamonds!

Not bad for a first timer

I found these while working some of the fallen rocks on the ground right around here:

I was the only person working this mine, but, there wre quite a few working the other one

This is really something to try!  Go earlier and make a day of it.  I’d suggest bringing some gloves, a chisel, water and perhaps a hat.  This may be more of a late spring or early fall adventure, there isn’t much shade to be had, and you’re going to be swinging a hammer

For information on the history of the Herkmer Diamond check out Herkimer History

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Now, get up, get out and, get going.  Enjoy!