Well, I finally got out of the box two weekends ago to have some real fun, to breathe and relax! That doesn't happen much this time of year between, weather, hunting season, holidays and meeting with extended family. The temperature was upper 30's and 40's over the weekend and no snow, so I was chomping at the bit to get out and my sweet husband obliged. On Saturday we explored some trails at Chittenango Falls State Park. Then on Sunday we did some "recon" around Stony Pond State Forest. I have wanted a wide angle lens for a few years now and decided on an inexpensive of really nice Canon 10-18mm STM lens. It is incredibly light weight making handling the camera with "tennis elbow" much easier. It doesn't have as wide an aperture as I would like but then again I can't afford the Canon 14mm f2.8 L lens. One thing I love about this lens is that it is quiet! You don't hear a thing when it auto focuses. That would be great for wildlife, but this is a landscape and people in small spaces lens. To the right is my 21 month old son hiking through the woods at Chittenango State park. I love the contrasting sizes of him versus the trees and how the lay of the land is exposed! I don't think my 18-200mm kit lens would have done as nice a job. It felt good to get out and stretch our legs to embrace the sound of trickling water over busy streets! My son did pretty well following instructions to stay on the trail. When we got to muddy areas, stream crossings and or when he got tired we just set him up on our shoulders for piggy back ride. When we got back to the car I was thankful for a handicap accessible port-a-potty to change my smelly boy! Then he ran off to have some fun terrifying his Mama by climbing up and dancing about on a tall slide which all of us went down at least once! The next day we traveled out just past Cazenovia, NY to find another potential kayaking and camping spot in Stony Pond State Forest! Several miles of hiking trails also make their home in Stony Pond State forest! On this day we chose to hike around the ponds. The forest was young but beautiful and the trail was easy.
My son hiked 3/4 of the trail! To my surprise he climbed into the carrier willingly proclaiming he wanted to drive when he got tired! He was excellent on the trail so I am looking forward to many weekend adventures with him and my husband this year. Please click on the photos to see them full size! I again broke out the Canon 10-18mm to play and I am pleased with its results. I can hardly wait for my arm to completely heal and spring to arrive! |
Julie MetottNature Photographer, wife, mother, lover of outdoor adventure! Archives
November 2022
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