Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:
What: Niagara Butterfly Conservatory
When: Sunday April 15, 2012
Time: 10:30 AM (Opens at 10:00 AM)
Where: In the main lobby of the Conservatory (next to the gift store)
Bring: Cameras, monopods, flash, macro/closeup lenses, cash

Many great events are being posted. So here is another TPMG favorite!

Come out to the indoor jungle of the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory for flying jewels photography. Meet in the lobby at 10:30 AM. Shoot until we are done. Entry is still $12.95+HST but unfortunately the parking is now $5:00 (used to be free). It's warm and humid in the conservatory so dress appropriately. The Conservatory is also running a rainforest event and there may be opportunities to photograph Common Marmoset, Brazilian Short Tailed Opossum, Emerald Tree Boa, Jungle Carpet Python, Red Footed Tortoise, Emperor Scorpions, Cuviers Dwarf Caiman, Panther Chameleon, White’s Tree Frog and the Reticulated Python.

NO TRIPODS INSIDE. From the website: While visiting our beautiful Butterfly Conservatory, we encourage you to take lots of photographs. Tripods are not allowed inside the Conservatory. Use a monopod instead! (my bolding). In the past they have been OK with using a tripod as a monopod, but I would check first.

Afterward we can go to Zappi's in Niagara Falls for Italian which has been a hit on previous trips. http://www.zappispizza.com/

As always, post if you need a ride and if you can offer a ride.

Directions:
The Conservatory is located at 2405 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

NOTE: Goggle Map is completely out to lunch if you use it to locate the Conservatory. It locates it at the golf course south of the Conservatory a kilometer or more away.

From Toronto:
After crossing over the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines, take the first exit on your left to Highway 405 to Queenston. Take the Stanley Avenue exit on the right and at the lights at the top of the ramp turn left onto Stanley Avenue, driving back over the 405. At the intersection of Townline Road and Portage Road turn right on Portage. At the intersection of Portage Road and Niagara Parkway, a Traffic Circle, you turn right and follow the Niagara Parkway to the Butterfly Conservatory which will be on your right.

I love the conservatory. I'm totally in and may have a couple seats left in my car but will be holding them out for people I've met in person before, and keeping in mind that I will have to get back to Clarkson in time to walk the dog (around 8pm). I can meet up at the clarkson Go Station or somewhere in that area or between there and niagara.
We might also consider hitting up the bird kingdom afterwards if there's time, eh.

I can offer rides. Room for 3 people and gear. Depending on the direction I take (will be determined by the first person to ask for a ride) I can either take the 401 and pick people up at Yorkdale Mall or take the Gardiner Expressway and pickup someplace downtown. Either route I can pick up at Don Mills Subway station (Fairview Mall).

J.

I'll be in Boston!

I can be at Yorkdale Jordan. I just have to check GO bus schedule for Sunday.

had a great time last year!

I got the setup:

I got the setup by ofermod, on Flickr

... But mostly sure that day won't be good

I should retake that with the 150mm macro on.

doing what?

Marathon shooting!

It appears that I will need to leave around 12:30.

The baby marmosets are rather cute, if this helps lure anyone to the event...


Baby Marmoset II by MichaelEric, on Flickr

Janet has come up with a coupon that provides a $2 discount and is good for 6 people. I am not sure if I have to collect the money and pay as a group or we can just show the coupon and all pay individually. Guess we will find out when we arrive, but I wanted to give you the heads up so you don't get there a little early and immediately buy your ticket. I will plan on arriving a little early to find out how we use the coupon.

As a reminder parking is now $5 at the Conservatory. This is new for this year as it has been free.

DG

Given the success of the Fifty Point Beach event this past weekend, would there be interest in a Fifty Point Beach sunrise event before the Conservatory? We could do the sunrise and there would still be time to drive on to Niagara and even do some shooting around the Conservatory and gardens. If there is interest I will set it up as separate event in case someone wants to come for the sunrise, but not the butterflies or vice versa.

DG

I would like to do it, but it could be tricky for those who have already organized carpools.

True. I had thought of that possibility. I guess it depends on if everyone can agree and is available to go earlier. Another option may be the to do the sunrise before the waterfall event on the 28th. Depending on the meet time of that event.

DG

Yes I am one of those people providing car pools and cannot come earlier, but I will be there for the butterflies!

I'm interested.

Would it make more sense to set up a return to Fifty Point on the day of the waterfalls shoot (April 29th) rather than before the butterflies given it is a bit late and many people have made arrangements for rides and such? It would be dependent on the start time that Ions settles on (and where)?

DG

I think if you have interested people then go for it! Won't affect the rest who will see you all at the conservatory

J.

+1

I've been to Fiffty Point too many times, I won't if we're not going this Sunday.

If anyone needs a ride I still have room for two more, picking up at Yorkdale Mall.

J.

Maybe I am just going for the bridge too far. I have a busy weekend planned as it is and this may be just pushing it too much. When ions posts more details on his waterfall event I will look at a sunrise event as the pre show to the waterfalls if it works with the start time ions sets and the first waterfall location.

DG

This sounds like great fun, count me in. I would like to speak up for one of your remaining seats J. PM me with the location at the mall and the time and I will be there.

Terry.

Car is tentatively full.

Change of plans, so I don't need to leave early after all.

No problem J. I will just drive down myself which means I have some empty seats. I could take up to 3 if anyone else needs a ride. I'm in North York and can meet at the Sheppard subway or Yorkdale. PM me and we can work out the details.

I might end up making it after all... depends on how I feel in the morning. Allergies really hit when I got home this evening.

I would come this prepared:


Untitled by ofermod, on Flickr

Cool. Just remember no tripods in the conservatory. They have been OK in the past with tripods used as monopods (not opened).

DG

Fifty Point event is set up for Saturday the 28th before the waterfall event.

DG

Thanks Daryl for organizing it was fun and great to hang out with everyone. I'll guess I'll have to see how that hand warm works next winter.

J.