Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Niagara Butterfly Conservatory

Details:

What: Niagara Butterfly conservatory
When: Sat. Apr 10, 2010
Time: 11AM
Where: 2405 NiagaraParkway, Niagara Falls
Bring: everything macro or telephoto or whatever you want (looks like tripods are ok)

Open: 10 to 5 daily

2010 Admission prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes.
$11.75 Adults (13+ years), $7.65 Children (6 to 12 years). Children 5 and under are FREE!

Directions: http://www.niagaraparks.com/plan/directions.html

Expecting +10C that Saturday and some clouds.

I can offer a ride to 3 people, pickup at Old Mill station (Bloor line)
Pm me

Just remember, regardless of the temp outside, it

I was just there on Friday - its definitely warm and humid inside so keep that in mind.
Also, I don't think tripods are effective as the venue has pretty good air circulation, which causes the leaves to move...moving the landed butterflies with them.
Flashes are a plus though...
...as are extension tubes

This is a great opportunity to learn macro tricks and tips firsthand! All free (except entry fee), no need to pay for expensive course

I might join, will know by Thursday.

Ramesh

I will be there!

Good to know that a flash is more useful than tripod.

I lost my tripod in the rental car when I went to the Maple Festival Very very sad. The only consolation is that I finally have an excuse to upgrade my tripod to a Manfrotto, but it will take time to save some money.

I'm borrowing a friend's flash (420EX) for this but I have no diffuser. Is there a suggested DIY one that would be good for this shoot? I've barely done any flash photography, none with a macro lens.

Right. Again, would any of those be particularly good for this shoot? Since the word "macro" isn't used once in any of those examples.

On the pic above, I didn't use a diffuser...the issue with diy diffusers is that they usually involve aiming the flash up and then putting something ontop to bounce the light off of...with macro, this is an issue since that extra length means the light hits the subject from above (or above and behind depending on how close you get) instead of from infront...

Thanks Mike. I guess I should probably do some testing before I get down there so I'm at least a little prepared.

One space left in my car.

All seats taken! you can ask other members if you need a ride

Thanks for organizing PE. I will be up early in Hamilton that day so I'll try to pop by!

One place in my car opened up as someone backed out.

Potato,

How long do you plan to stay there? Do you have any plans on going to the Falls after the Gardens?

I'm trying to see if I would be back for dinner.

Catherine

I'm definitely in. I can drive if people want to meet me in Burlington at the Burlington GO station (taking up to 3 passengers). But if nobody needs a lift I certainly wouldn't mind being picked up here in Burlington as it's on the way. I live right by the highway.

Catherine, I am not sure about when I want to go back, depends on the weather. One thing I know for sure is I wasn't planning to go to The Falls, it's quite commercialized for my taste in nature
What I would like to see is a road towards Niagara on the Lake, it has a couple of neat places I wanted to check out. We will probably end up having some food in Niagara on the Lake

Another option for the afternoon would be to go to the Aviary "Bird Kingdom" just down the street at 5651 River Road. I think it's another $13 plus tax.

Yeah, if people want to go to the birds place, I am ok for it. The only thing is I don't have anything longer than 100mm

Cool, we'll play it by the ear then. Looking forward to it!

Hi:

I was at Bird Kingdom last weekend. I thought it expensive at $16.95 + taxes and don't even think of parking in the lot next door, its $2 per half hour with NO max, and I didn't find it that exciting for photos.

On the other hand a walk through Clifton Hill and Victoria Ave. for street shooting could be interesting just because it is such a loud, garish strip.

Another option is to head towards the falls from the Butterfly Conservatory to the Niagara Glen (just before the whirlpool) which has stairs down into the valley and used to have access right to the river and rapids.

DG

So here's what I am thinking of doing. First we hit the flies, after we follow along the river towards niagara on the lake and stop at a couple of locations on the way. I really like stopping at places I find interesting on the way. Once we get to Niagara on the lake, we go down to the lake to take some pics or eat before, depending on the level of hunger. Once again, I am open for suggestions, but I don't have GPS, so nothing too far off the known path

OK, I'll be at the Butterfly conservatory for the 10am opening, so I'll see you people there later.
I just went to buy tickets for the Aviary online ($15 instead of $20) and see that they prohibit taking pictures for any commercial purpose. So I'm not going there.
Stopping here and there in the afternoon sounds like fun, but may be tricky in a convoy. We'll see how it goes.

I'll be leaving Burlington at around 10 so I should make it there for 11 easy. Not sure if I'm in for the after stuff or not yet.

The google directions to 2405 Niagara Parkwayare wrong. Couldn't find the place. Drive was okay I guess.

dont forget to post some pics..

Thanks guys and girls for coming, hope it was fun and you got good photos!

Thank you big D for the idea.
The butterflies were great, lunch was great, the flowers, monument and wreckage was great, and the company was great. Thanks to all for an enjoyable day away from the routine.