Harper’s Mill

Posted by Mike on

Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Generally, visitors to the Disney theme parks are in a rush to get to the next big attraction. I get that. Not everyone has my fanaticism about Disney nor does everyone have the opportunity to travel there like I do. When we first started going with the kids I was the same way. Drag everybody to the park at opening and don’t leave until you have seen it all. Time was short and there was a lot to do.

Since I have embraced this photography addiction (maybe passion would be better) I see the theme parks differently. I see the amazing detail that is prevalent throughout the parks. The hidden gems, the out-of-the-way nooks only discovered by those few slowing down to truly explore. Maybe it is also part of getting older (yes, I said it!) but I have learned some patience too. This probably comes from the fact that I know I will be back and if I skip something today it will be enjoyed next visit.

One of those exploring gems is Tom Sawyer’s Island in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. You need to travel to the island by log raft but once you arrive there is a lot to discover. I have spent many an afternoon exploring the island and I know there is still more to find. I’m looking forward to embracing the inner child as I search for my next hidden treasure.

Here is a view of Harper’s Mill on the island from the dock across the Rivers of America…

Harper's Mill Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

Harper’s Mill
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

First of the Season – Pixley Falls

Posted by Mike on

Pixley Falls State Park

There was no way I was letting a beautiful Sunday afternoon go to waste. As soon as lunch was done I packed up the camera & tripod and headed toward Pixley Falls. I have been waiting all winter for the state parks to open. Granted I visited Delta Lake often enough over the winter but there are only a few parks open all year and I am ready to start exploring.

There is not much green in the landscape yet so the images are a little colorless but I tried to focus on the water and rocks best I could. There is one tributary stream that has more than its fair share of moss so I did manage to squeeze in a little green. Hoping the warmer weather is going to jump start the grass and leaves. I am planning on revisiting a few of my favorite parks this summer.  Of course, there are numerous parks I have not visited yet which necessitates even more trips this year.  🙂

But for now, here are a few images of the water falls that can be found at Pixley…

Pixley Falls - Main Falls Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/5s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Pixley Falls – Main Falls
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/5s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Pixley Falls - Tributary 1 Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 0.5s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Pixley Falls – Tributary 1
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 0.5s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Pixley Falls - Tributary 2 Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1.6s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Pixley Falls – Tributary 2
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1.6s, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Canal Shells

Posted by Mike on

Barge Canal near the Utica Marsh

On Wednesday my daughter needed to stay later than usual at college to make up one of her labs. Luckily for me the weather has been on a continual upswing which allowed me to explore the barge canal near the Utica Marsh after dropping her off. The state still has the water level in the canal at its winter low so I had an unique opportunity to get some different perspectives. I was quite fascinated with the rocks that line the canal walls…

Shell Game Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/100s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 125

Shell Game
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/100s, 100mm, f/11, ISO 125

Sunset Shell Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/80s, 135mm, f/11, ISO 125

Sunset Shell
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/80s, 135mm, f/11, ISO 125

Water Play

Posted by Mike on

Slow Shutter Speed

The past few days have shown great progress in the approaching Spring. Hopefully the color will start to grow as the warmer days coax it out of the ground. As much as I dreaded winter as it dragged on, the white was preferable to all this lifeless brown. On Sunday I ventured into the creek behind the house and then Monday evening I walked the trail behind the shopping plaza in Rome that follows the Mohawk River. Since the beginning of my photography journey I have been fascinated with the look of moving water as I slow down my shutter speed. Here are a couple different interpretations…

White Water Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 0.6s, 32mm f/16, ISO 100

White Water
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.6s, 32mm f/16, ISO 100

White on Blue Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 2s, 85mm, f/11, ISO 100

White on Blue
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 2s, 85mm, f/11, ISO 100