Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:
What: Muskoka Wildlife Centre Autumn Classic - Captive Wildlife Shoot
When: Saturday October 15, 2011 -- CANCELLED
Time: 12:45 PM meet - 1:00 PM shoot
Where: Parking lot at the Centre - HWY 11 East Side north of Orillia
Bring: Warm cloths (it is fall), extra batteries, lenses/cameras/tripods/etc.

The events at the MWC in the winter this year seemed to be well received, so it seemed appropriate to schedule a return visit during the fall colours so we offer you the Muskoka Wildlife Centre Autumn Classic. October 15th is the Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend.

The Muskoka Wildlife Centre provides the opportunity to have small group sessions with their animals at a fee. The Muskoka Wildlife Centre is a shelter for animals that cannot return to the wild due to injuries or other reasons. The money charged for the photo sessions goes back into the operation to care for the animals.

The Centre is located on Hwy 11 approximately 2 hours north of Toronto (from 401/400 junction). Basic direction: Take Hwy 400 to Barrie; take Hwy 11 ramp at Barrie and follow past Orilia; north of Severn River watch for the MWC on the east side.

More info at;
http://www.muskokawildlifecentre.com/mwc/

This event is limited to 10 participants on a first come first booked basis. Please play nice.

Here is the arrangement. We will have a maximum of 10 people/spots available. At the Centre we will form two groups of five (5). A three hour session has been booked at a fee of $450 for each group of 5 which will be about $90 per person based on five in each group (cost will be confirmed in the next two weeks).

One critical element is the payment. If anyone signs up and does not show up the rest of the group will have to adsorb the cost. If anyone signs up they must be really committed to going. If you sign up and don't show we will bring back the cougar and feed you to it . OK, just kidding, but we will be unhappy with you.

Each group is provided with a keeper/handler who take the photographers into the enclosures and places the animals to get as natural a background as possible. The Centre has a number of animals that would be very attractive such as lynx, bobcat, wolves, wolverine and others.

If the weather goes bad (rain for example) we can cancel and reschedule up to 24 hour before the event at no cost. I will check the weather and we can make any decision the Thursday night before the date.

If you are committed please put your name in the Yes column. If you want to go but the list is full put your name in the standby column. If not, the passing column.

If you are on the Yes list but need to cancel please PM the first person on the standby list so they can have first refusal on your space.

And if you can offer a ride let people know by posting below, and if you need a ride post your need and watch for those who can offer.

And for those who would like to see what is available you can see many of the photographs from the last session in the winter here (photos start on page 3): http://tpmg.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17 ... sc&start=0

After the event we will likely go into Gravenhurst for food and beverages. Last time we went to Boston Pizza down by the docks on Lake Muskoka and it was very nice. That will be an option again.


Daryl

EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Sorry for throwing this event up a month in advance, but I am away for part of September and October, and it looked like people were already taking about dates in October so I thought I better set the date.

DG

Damn..... I'll be in Victoria BC that weekend.

This'll be my first meeting with any of you guys, so I'm looking forward to it.

Hope I can book that day off.

In Kingston that weekend, sorry!

Hey daryl is there anyway to reschedule this for earlier in the day - like 10am instead of the current 1pm? I don't think I can make it in the afternoon. Let me know if this us possible and if others would be ok with this. Thanks

Jordan

I've only been on a TPMG meetup once which was quite some time ago. I just popped in to see what was happening and noticed the Wildlife Centre meetup. I can't resist this one. Will make for some good practice for my safari next year in Botswana!

Does anyone know what animals are currently in the Wildlife Centre?

I've yet to join any of your events, this will be my first and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you and I love animals!

Hi Jordan

Sorry for the delay in replying, I am currently away and only have limited access to the internet.

It may be possible to reschedule if the morning is still open. I originally picked the afternoon as I thought the late afternoon sun might be better for the shoot.

I can check to see if the morning is open. But I would also need all the people who have signed up to indicate if they would be OK with the time change.

Keep in mind that a 10 AM start will require most people to leave Toronto by 8:00 AM to arrive in time for the start.

DG

We won't know the exact animal availability until the day of the shoot. The past shoots have been with the wolves, lynx, cougar (outside cage), bobcat, red and silver fox, wolverine, owls, and hawk.

Typically we will shoot 4 to 5 animals species.

DG

Guys I will not be able to make it I have emailed Fizbot already to take my spot - I am now unregistering - Please leave my spot for the standby list

I won't be able to make it either... Looks like I'll be in India!
off to the next person in line.

This event sounds very interesting, but I'm not sure I have the right gear for it. I'm somewhat new (as in, haven't invested a lot of $$ yet) and have a
70-300mm 4.5-5.6, a 17-70mm 2.8-4.0 and a lensbaby.

My question: is it worth it for me to go? I know the 70-300mm is slow, but all I have that has any range, and I can't tell from the pictures posted from last year's event what people were using.

Any advice would be great.

Andrew

Thanks Daryl,

Let me know as soon as you can so if i need to unregister some will have enough notice to take my spot.


Cheers,

Jordan

Crap I had to remove myself, another family commitment sprung on me at the last minute!

I've decided that I should go and make my equipment work for me.
I'm looking forward to learning a lot from the others attending!

Andrew

I've found out that at least one person needs the time to stay where it is so I am going to have to unregister. Hopefully next time this is organized i'll be able to make it.

I pm'ed Dimitris (next on the wait list) that my spot has opened up.

Jordan

I'm hoping at least another person joins. At this number if I understand correctly one group of 5 will be paying $90 each while the remaining group of 3 comes to $150 each. That's quite a bit more.

On the other hand $450 x2 / 8 would be $112.50 each.

Yes, we need to fill the last two spaces. I see one person in the standby list.

Strange that this event is not as popular as the winter shoots.

The total cost will be divided over 8 participants, not the subgroup. If we only have eight we will shoot in groups of four.

If the last two spots are not filled by this weekend I will see if any of my friends will fill them so we get our ten.

DG

Only one spot left.

The date and time is confirmed with the MWC. We just need to fill that one space. Otherwise we will have to spread the cost over nine people instead of ten.

DG

Still looking for the tenth person.

DG

I will need a ride up there. Anyone coming from Toronto?

ooops having a little problem here. How does one delete a post?

Ignore this

I'm driving up from Toronto. I'm in Thornhill so I can do a pickup at Finch subway station. Only thing is once the shoot is over I have to pretty much head home right away, 4:30pm latest.

Let me know if you need a ride. I can take one or two people.

Thanks for the offer Daniel, but I'd like to not have to rush back. Is anyone else coming from TO?

Weather report looks iffy. Right now it calls for showers, but the report has been changing all week. If it really looks bad I may have to cancel. If so I will need to make the decision on Thursday night.

If the weather report just calls for showers or less then 40% chance of showers I am willing to take a chance. Is everyone else?

Pam, I can give you a ride. I can pick you up at Yorkdale. Downside is I am on call and if I get an emergency call I will have to head back to TO.

DG

If there's less than a 40% chance of rain, I'm still in as long as others don't cancel thereby increasing the cost.

Ditto