The Maryland Meetup Thread

[GrizzlyMan]

check thier website they have sales every week


Thanks....

When is the sale over?

[thrash_273]

are their any photo seminars along the area????

[milleker]

Tomorrow is the Blackwater National Wildlife Reserve Eagle Festival, free admission. Plenty of speakers and some great opportunities to get some birds of prey shots at one of the many demonstrations. There's a wildlife photographer speaking at one of the tents at 9am can't remember off the top of my head who.

[Methodical]

How was it?

Tomorrow is the Blackwater National Wildlife Reserve Eagle Festival, free admission. Plenty of speakers and some great opportunities to get some birds of prey shots at one of the many demonstrations. There's a wildlife photographer speaking at one of the tents at 9am can't remember off the top of my head who.

[SK6]

JSOH on sunday, who wants to let me barrow their 300mm+ lens :p

[milleker]

Whoops, shows you how often I check in! Eagle Fest was nice, lots of speakers, nice set up in tents, great activities for the kids but really not much to photograph. Tides were high and not much to be had riding the loop.

How was it?

[milleker]

We're going to hit up Bombay Hook on Sunday (weather depending). If anyone else is making the trip drop a line and we'll look for ya. We usually hit up Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic, DE for lunch.

[milleker]

Assuming weather remains cool, we're going to head over to Brookside Gardens for the 'Wings of Fancy' butterfly exhibit at 10am on Sunday. It's usually much warmer in the greenhouse for the butterflies.

Plenty of photo opportunities, bring macro and a macro flash if you've got one. They've been known to close early on warm days, get there sooner rather than later. Plenty of other stuff to shoot.

[aponi06]

When will be the next MD meet up? I'm from Baltimore and would love to join a meet up.

[milleker]

Aponi, we really haven't been too active lately. Any group interest for a Patapsco State Park meet/greet/bbq or Main Street Ellicott City meetup?

[aponi06]

If it's on a weekend and I get a notice, I can come up.

I've been wanting to go to DC but it's been too hot.

[milleker]

Is anyone else interested? I can set something up if we can come up with a common interest to shoot.

[JakAHearts]

Im trying to organize a meetup in downtown DC in late august. The 27th at Metro Center but location could be changed. Id be into a main st. ellicot city meetup also. That area has some sweet backgrounds/locations.

[aponi06]

I'm down for new places! :) The places in my area are getting old.

[JakAHearts]

Here is a smidge more information about the meeting Im trying to organize. http://www.meetup.com/strobist/

[Jon]

Several of us are heading over to Udvar-Hazy on Aug. 27th starting at 10:00 AM. We'll be bringing some oddball glass along for "educational" purposes (I'm bringing my 28-300 L; Jim Askew's got the 15 Fisheye, we'll probably have a few other odd bits). Parking's $15 - might want to car pool.

[AngryCorgi]

The Udvar-Hazy is pretty sweet. Somehow I totally missed the shuttle when I went last. :shock:

I blame my wife for distracting me with her kidney stone pain. :-P

[Jon]

Several of us are heading over to Udvar-Hazy on Aug. 27th starting at 10:00 AM. We'll be bringing some oddball glass along for "educational" purposes (I'm bringing my 28-300 L; Jim Askew's got the 15 Fisheye, we'll probably have a few other odd bits). Parking's $15 - might want to car pool.

Just a reminder - that's this coming Saturday for anyone interested.

[alt4852]

i would have loved to finally meet some of you, but i'll be out in boston that weekend. have fun!

[milleker]

Be careful guys, I've got another shoot but will be home before the nasty stuff hits.

[Jon]

All, since Irene decided to invite herself to the Meet Up tomorrow at Udvar-Hazy A&S Annex we have determined that it must be canceled :(

We are looking at the 10th or the 17th of September to reschedule. Does any one have a preference?

Thanks and sorry we have to pull the plug on tomorrow.

[aponi06]

September 17th works better for me.

[JakAHearts]

September 17th works better for me.

You still want to have the strobist get together tomorrow. Its just supposed to be some rain. We could work under awnings and maybe try to weasel into some hotels downtown.

[Jon]

Several of us are heading over to Udvar-Hazy on Aug. 27th starting at 10:00 AM. We'll be bringing some oddball glass along for "educational" purposes (I'm bringing my 28-300 L; Jim Askew's got the 15 Fisheye, we'll probably have a few other odd bits). Parking's $15 - might want to car pool.

We've rescheduled for the 17th, for those interested.

[Mark1]

Hey MD people!!

I know this is not a "meet up" post. But it is kinda MD centric. I need a few (2-3) high end cars for a shoot. Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus... That kind of car. Does anybody know of one we can borrow? I only have one contact with one vintage 944. But I would like current or fairley new cars.

Thanks!

EDIT>>>> We can turn it into a meet up and have a group car shoot before I need them. I want to shoot at sunset. So after might be a problem in the dark.

[SuzyView]

Still scheduled for the A&S in Dulles in 2 weeks. Hope people can make it. I'll be late, but I want to try Jim's 70-200 :).

[Methodical]

Wow Suzy that is a lot of bags in your sig

Still scheduled for the A&S in Dulles in 2 weeks. Hope people can make it. I'll be late, but I want to try Jim's 70-200 :).

[SuzyView]

Yeah, I have small to extra large and everything in between. I may unload a few in the next few months, but I use every bag at least once or twice a year.

[aponi06]

I don't know anyone! :( Only person I know has a corvette. If you find a few cars, would like to come and get pictures.

Hey MD people!!

I know this is not a "meet up" post. But it is kinda MD centric. I need a few (2-3) high end cars for a shoot. Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus... That kind of car. Does anybody know of one we can borrow? I only have one contact with one vintage 944. But I would like current or fairley new cars.

Thanks!

EDIT>>>> We can turn it into a meet up and have a group car shoot before I need them. I want to shoot at sunset. So after might be a problem in the dark.

[gherrry]

i just moved here from okinawa (military) need some direction as to who where and what when.

meets?
place to shoot?
blah blah blah.

[Jon]

i just moved here from okinawa (military) need some direction as to who where and what when.

meets?
place to shoot?
blah blah blah.
Some of us are going to be over at the Udvar-Hazy facility of the National Air & Space Museum this Sat:
We've rescheduled for the 17th, for those interested.
Starting around 10 until ? You're more than welcome to join us. Look for the guy with the big Domke bag.

[CanonCameraFan]

I'm new here on POTN, but look forward to catching up for a local Meet someday. Just got a 40D, been away from SLRs for a decade. Look forward to learning new things. My daughter is taking photography in HS, that drew me to get a DSLR. I'll be away this weekend, Air and Space is a fantastic location! I hda a group of 2 dozen there a couple years ago, all Titan truck owners though.

[Jon]

For those who are contemplating joining us at Udvar-Hazy this Saturday, there's a one-day-only display of a KeyHole reconnaissance satellite (http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/eventDetail.cfm?eventID=3332) outside in the parking lot.

[JimAskew]

Fun Meet Up at the A&S Space Annex yesterday. Had fun with Ken (KRB), Suzie (SuzyView), and Jon (Jon). Got to test some new (to me) lenses and have a long and fun conversation with some really awesome POTN photographers :-)

[SuzyView]

Loved seeing all of you. I miss getting together. Between all of us, we had a lot of gear.

My two that I wanted to share. The first is the 24-70 on the 5D2. Second, at a similar spot with the 8mm fisheye. Which is a more interesting shot?

http://sbphoto1.smugmug.com/Other/POTN-Meetings-2011/i-pZVsW5r/0/XL/IMG764824-70-view-XL.jpg

http://sbphoto1.smugmug.com/Other/POTN-Meetings-2011/i-B459f7T/0/XL/IMG76528-fisheye-XL.jpg

[milleker]

Did you guys get any images of the Satellite?

[Jon]

One or three . . .
NRO has released everything you could ever want to know about it (except the price, the resolution and the active CIA officers involved) at http://www.nro.gov/foia/declass/GAMBHEX.html

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-TN2CVFP/0/XL/i-TN2CVFP-XL.jpg


Whole thing - film recovery pods on the part at the near end; camera is just where it widens out and the thick end that goes all around is the control unit and feed reels.

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-KR8D8N6/0/XL/i-KR8D8N6-XL.jpg

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-QKNdGF6/0/XL/i-QKNdGF6-XL.jpg

Film recovery capsule (there are 4 of these per satellite)

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-NDczQQq/0/XL/i-NDczQQq-XL.jpg
Camera module

[krb]

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-NDczQQq/0/XL/i-NDczQQq-XL.jpg
Camera module
This was the separate "mapping camera" that was only on some of the satellites.

[milleker]

Thanks Jon and KRB, I wonder if it takes Kodak CTM-4 film stocks. They come in rolls of 100' and is 42" wide (And is completely fun to shoot). I'm going to have to look it up.

[OwensSi]

love to get up in something like this soon! When is the next "meet up?"

[Jon]

Sort of depends on when someone sees something they call to everyone's attention. Sometimes (like with the Keyhole at Udvar-Hazy) there's not a whole lot of lead time.

[aponi06]

Maybe we could meet up in DC?

[JakAHearts]

Maybe we could meet up in DC?

Im game, assuming Im available. :D

[aponi06]

How about after Halloween?

[CanonCameraFan]

I may be interested in this too.

[milleker]

From the Flickr:

The folks in the Bombay Hook Flickr group are having a meetup this Saturday October 29th. Meeting at the Pavilion at 7:30am.

Also, if there are any filmies among you, the 'Film in Baltimore' Flickr Group is having their 'every now and then' meetup at Frazier's on the Avenue in Baltimore. That's Saturday as well, start time of 4pm. (No shooting.. Just beer, food and discussion)

[JakAHearts]

whats a bombay hook flickr group?

[monokrome]

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook/

[milleker]

Jack, it's a group on Flickr.com for the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge located in Smyrna Delaware.

[milleker]

Currently planning to make a trip to Conowingo Dam on Saturday November 26th. Supposed to have a good showing of Eagles, come on down!

[Jon]

May just join you . . .

[Methodical]

I may be able to join you as the football season may be over by then. I plan to go up this coming Sunday, too, but it depends on how I feel after shooting the playoff game on Saturday.

Currently planning to make a trip to Conowingo Dam on Saturday November 26th. Supposed to have a good showing of Eagles, come on down!

[milleker]

Come on down Al, I'm thinking about bringing two carafes of coffee.

Be great to see you again Jon, been several years. Udvar Hazy A&S was the last time?

[Jon]

I think it was.

For those who are interested, Suzy and I are talking about meeting up Sat. 12/3 to shoot Christmas lights at the Mormon Temple off I-495 (Connecticut Ave exit, NB) and going on to Brookside Gardens after something to eat. Sunset's around 4:45 and the moon will be just past first quarter.

[Methodical]

If the playoffs are over I'm most likely there. I'm up your way for the games. The teams are playing at Polytech on West Coldspring Lane.

Come on down Al, I'm thinking about bringing two carafes of coffee.

Be great to see you again Jon, been several years. Udvar Hazy A&S was the last time?

[Jon]

Hey John - what time are you planning on hitting Conowingo Sat.?

[Methodical]

John, how will I know who you are? I've probably have seen you, but just don't know what you look like. I was there last Sunday, plenty of Eagles but no activity.

[Jon]

Look for the guy with a grey Domke, and a camo 300 2.8 on a monopod and you'll have found me. If there happen to be 2of us, I'm the one with the Domke jacket and the khaki Tilley hat.

Joh nhas his picture up on his blog (although I don't imagine he'll be wearing the bowler).

[Methodical]

Looks like it's going to be a great day

[torvaterra]

I'm at Conowingo right now. i have a pink jacket and a dark violet hat, shooting tamron 200-500 (yeah I know, lol) on a 7d. I'll see if i can find anyone.

[Wrench]

Where in the park is the best place to view the eagles? Best lens combo I own for this situation is a 70-200 with a 2x tcon which would give me 400 f/5.6.

[torvaterra]

I'm here at Conowingo right now with a 500 and it def feels too short. Try renting a longer Canon prime and Mb throw on a tc. When I get home ill upload a pic of the line of photographers all with super long lenses. There must have been over 50 ppl all with long primes. So jealous. :p

As to where at the dam to view... Drive down Shures landing road till you hit the parking lot where it dead ends. There is railing all along the river that overlooks the dam and islands in the water where the eagles roost. If I had a longer lens I could have gotten beautiful shots of them. I'm going to crop what I got and hope they are okay.

[Jon]

Where in the park is the best place to view the eagles? Best lens combo I own for this situation is a 70-200 with a 2x tcon which would give me 400 f/5.6.
Dang, Tony - haven't seen you since the Baltimore Dollar Day shootouts! How's it going?

Anyway - you need to be at Exelon's Conowingo Fishing Park at the base of the dam on the south side (right bank), just off US 1. Take Shuresville Rd. off US1 to Shures Landing Rd, which ends in the park. It's basically a parking area along the river, and anywhere along there is good for spotting them. With the 70-200, even with TC, spend your time looking at the trees in back of the parking area, not out at the river. I met torvaterra there this afternoon, but didn't see anyone else.

[dfbovey]

There was a handful of good in flight opportunities today at Conowingo. Light got pretty cruddy with clouds coming in around 1-ish though.

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/330/d/5/conowingo_eagle_3_by_bovey_photo-d4hewoj.jpg

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/330/a/a/conowingo_eagle_2_by_bovey_photo-d4hewe1.jpg

We also drove around afterward on the road on the other side of the dam. There was a nesting area there with about 75 eagles clustered together in trees along the powerline cutaways. I haven't had a chance to process those photos yet though.

[torvaterra]

Just got home. Dbovey you got so lucky. I was there from sun up to sun down and didnt get anything like that. Great job. I like the light in the eye on the second shot. :)

I did get some shots of the eagles on the rocks and with fish but they were far away, mb they will come out good I hope...

[dfbovey]

Thanks. Yeah, we did get a bit lucky. I just stayed right in the middle of the parking lot. There were eagles in the trees pretty much all day there. So I just sat there and shot those and then caught other eagles as they swooped in to land in those same trees. When I left, there were 4-5 eagles sitting within a few branches of each other.

[dfbovey]

Here's one of the trees on the other side of the dam that my wife and I saw from the road. Pulled over and walked under the power lines until we couldn't walk through the brush any further to snag a few shots. This was just one tree. There were about 3-4 trees that were just stuffed with eagles. In this tree alone, there are about 25-30 of them. Mix of mature and immature.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/330/2/e/eagle_tree_by_bovey_photo-d4hf79r.jpg

[alexclc]

Wow. Great tree shot.

I've been out there the past several days and heading back out shortly. For any one considering coming out with less than heavy artillery, there's plenty of opportunity for flight shots with 400mm of reach on a crop body.

http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/i-tSLKkK3/0/L/IMG6374-L.jpg (http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/19042130_g3rBWv#1601520962_tSLKkK3-A-LB)

http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/i-5cTrtWf/0/L/IMG5275-L.jpg (http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/19042130_g3rBWv#1601521644_5cTrtWf-A-LB)

http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/i-Gq37KBw/0/L/IMG1948-L.jpg (http://www.alextimages.com/Other/Wildlife/19042130_g3rBWv#1601535838_Gq37KBw-A-LB)

Alex

[Wrench]

Dang, Tony - haven't seen you since the Baltimore Dollar Day shootouts! How's it going?

Anyway - you need to be at Exelon's Conowingo Fishing Park at the base of the dam on the south side (right bank), just off US 1. Take Shuresville Rd. off US1 to Shures Landing Rd, which ends in the park. It's basically a parking area along the river, and anywhere along there is good for spotting them. With the 70-200, even with TC, spend your time looking at the trees in back of the parking area, not out at the river. I met torvaterra there this afternoon, but didn't see anyone else.

Hi Jon. I think you've got me mixed up with someone else. You and I met way back (winter '05-ish) at the Inner Harbor/National Aquarium meetup but the Dollar Day shootout doesn't ring a bell.

Thank you for the advice, I may try to find some time to head out there and give it a go. Heavy artillery (500mm+) isn't in my budget so 400mm will have to do.

[Jon]

Nope - that was it - Dollar admissions for the Aquarium, B&O RR Museum, etc. Rick (CoolToolGuy) was there too. We met Suzyview there in passing.

[Wrench]

Ahhhhh yeah, forgot that's what they called it! Good memory :)

[aponi06]

Awesome pictures everyone! :) How long will the Eagles be there?

[alexclc]

Awesome pictures everyone! :) How long will the Eagles be there?

Based on how slow it was out there this morning, you'd think they were gone. :p

Anyway, I think towards the end of December. But this is my first season there, so I'm only going based on what I hear others saying.

Alex

[aponi06]

Thanks Alex! I'm from Middle River and been waiting to take my family up to the dam.

I'm planning on going up Dec 3 if anyone wants to meet up.

[krb]

Awesome pictures everyone! :) How long will the Eagles be there?
There seems to be a few there year round, but Thanksgiving to Christmas is generally considered the best time to go.

[Methodical]

Last week there were 100s literally. Saturday there weren't as many because they had the spill gates going strong and covering all the rocks, so they had to hang elsewhere. Aponi06, as for how long they are there, my 1st time every going to Conowingo Dam was in early March '09 and there were still a few Eagles around, but not like this time of year and December and January. So you have time to go and see them, just make sure the family is well dressed if you go because it's colder near the dam than inland.

I got some fly overs Saturday and the typical Eagles in the trees (4 of them).

[milleker]

Didn't have access at Conowingo but we were there at 8am. Had coffee and hot water carafes set up on the picnic table but didn't talk to anyone but a few birders. The place was mobbed with photographers, I didn't bother to go asking everyone who they were.. :)

Guess I should start describing myself again, but I really didn't expect to see so many people.

Had one, maybe two shots at the eagles from 8-10. Too far away. My 400x2x1.6 (APS-C Sensor) was still not as close as I had hoped.

[torvaterra]

Im hoping to go again now that I know I need a longer lens. There were a lot of eagles but I just couldn't reach them. And with my luck I need the reach rather than hope ill get a fly by shot. I was there most of the day Friday and sun up to sun down Saturday and didn't get any useable eagle shots. Just far away landscape type ones with eagles in them. I'll post a few when I process them. The water from the spill gates was gorgeous though.

[Jon]

Im hoping to go again now that I know I need a longer lens. There were a lot of eagles but I just couldn't reach them. And with my luck I need the reach rather than hope ill get a fly by shot. I was there most of the day Friday and sun up to sun down Saturday and didn't get any useable eagle shots. Just far away landscape type ones with eagles in them. I'll post a few when I process them. The water from the spill gates was gorgeous though.

. . .as was the junior Great Blue Heron who wasn't all too sure how to deal with his fish :{)#

[Jon]

"Look What I Caught!"
http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-kBwfNN6/0/XL/i-kBwfNN6-XL.jpg

[philk54]

Love that shot of the GBH, Jon.

I was there on the 21st. There were probably 200 eagles there, mostly on the rocks and towers on the other side. Did get a few that flew by but I didn't get good shots (oof/motion blur/etc.) One landed in the tree above us and ate his/her fish. I took some shots of her, but the lighting was pretty poor and I wasn't pleased with the results.

Currently planning to get there again this Friday, if work doesn't get in the way :)

[alexclc]

I'm planning on being there Fri/Sat/Sun this coming weekend.

Alex

[krb]

. . .as was the junior Great Blue Heron who wasn't all too sure how to deal with his fish :{)#
Having seen how the eagles mob eachother when one has a fish, I'm surprised junior was able to hang onto his meal at all.

[aponi06]

I might be able to meet up Sunday.

I'm planning on being there Fri/Sat/Sun this coming weekend.

Alex

[torvaterra]

Junior was very happy with his catch. I got a few shots too but not quite as good. Im thinking of going again this weekend. I mean, I really want to... I just dont have a lens for the shots I want to get there. I might go because I dont have anything better to do and its only 2 hours away. But I want to be there for sunrise again so Id have to camp out in my car.

Here is one of my shots:

http://torvaterra.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v37/p941376401-4.jpg

[TheBrick3]

Hey, I am wondering if anyone can recommend a camera cleaning service anywhere in the area? I have an old 5D that needs a pretty good cleaning.

[SuzyView]

Dollar day at the Aquarium was how I got started meeting up with you all. My hubby and teenager sons could not believe I was meeting people I talk to on the net. :) That was a long time ago and I've net up with Jon several times a year. Love seeing him. He's like the worst friend if you don't want to spend money. :)

Today at the temple at 4:30?

[Jon]

Dollar day at the Aquarium was how I got started meeting up with you all. My hubby and teenager sons could not believe I was meeting people I talk to on the net. :) That was a long time ago and I've net up with Jon several times a year. Love seeing him. He's like the worst friend if you don't want to spend money. :)

Today at the temple at 4:30?
I resemble that remark! You don't want to get results, don't look at what other people use. And the last thing you asked me about runs under $15, tops, at Penn Camera (rubber lens hood for photographing through glass at the National Aquarium). Now, if you'll just get the RRS L brackets, you'll get a compact and veratitle flash bracket and interchangeability with Jim's and my tripods when you don't bring yours.

I am, however, looking at modding a thumbscrew so I can have a generic A-S plate that anyone can easily attach to their camera when they forgot their tripod (I didn't note her name at the Temple?).

[SuzyView]

I don't remember either. Thanks for the tip about the rubber hood. Getting it Tuesday, I hope. The trip is on Wednesday. I'm chaperoning 6 middle school girls. There will be 2 bus loads from the school I work at. Can't wait! Hope it doesn't rain, though. The Aquarium is so much fun, but walking from the Science Museum, getting lunch and then to the Aquarium may be difficult, and wet, with all my gear in one bag.

[CanonCameraFan]

Torvaterra, I love that image you captured!

[torvaterra]

Torvaterra, I love that image you captured!

Aww thank you so much, really. I was so jealous of all of the other people there with their gigantic lenses. I was happy to get something useable but I cant help but imagine what it would have been like with an 800 or even a 600... to capture that eagle landing with it filling the frame, the spray of the crashing water flying around behind it, the detail of its feathers, seeing its eye catching light from the water. Sigh.

[Methodical]

Jon, do they carry various size rubber hoods - do you know the sizes?

Thanks...Al

...And the last thing you asked me about runs under $15, tops, at Penn Camera (rubber lens hood for photographing through glass at the National Aquarium).

Suzy, I was at the Aquarium a couple weeks ago and saw that looooooooooooong line and though there must be a celebrity there, then found out it was $1 day at the aquarium. I had no patience, so I ended up at the Football State Championship game at Ravens stadium. Can you purchase the $1 tickets online?

Al

Dollar day at the Aquarium was how I got started meeting up with you all. My hubby and teenager sons could not believe I was meeting people I talk to on the net. :) That was a long time ago and I've net up with Jon several times a year. Love seeing him. He's like the worst friend if you don't want to spend money. :)

Today at the temple at 4:30?

[krb]

Jon, do they carry various size rubber hoods - do you know the sizes?
The rubber hoods just screw into the filter threads and they are available in pretty much every filter size.

[Wrench]

I'm bored and have been out of this hobby way too long. ANyone up for some kind of indoor get together?

[JakAHearts]

Sounds fun!

[Jon]

I'm bored and have been out of this hobby way too long. ANyone up for some kind of indoor get together?

If I'm here, I'm in. Got an aero historians meeting at NASM Udvar-Hazy on the 21st, but other than that, I'm pretty open after the holidays. U-H has some really cool stuff to shoot, especially since they've opened the restoration facility there.

[philk54]

Does anyone know if there are any eagles left at Conowingo? Would it be worth a trip down from Lehigh Valley, PA next week?

[torvaterra]

Does anyone know if there are any eagles left at Conowingo? Would it be worth a trip down from Lehigh Valley, PA next week?

I heard that they are still there, just slightly less than earlier in the month. Besides eagles though there are a lot of herons and gulls too. Im in Bethlehem PA and I want to get down there again next week as well. Just not sure if I can swing it again as I was just there last month.

[Jon]

I'll be going through this weekend. I'll try to have Ann driving over the dam so I can man the binoculars and report back. But it's my home turf as it were, so no promises. They seem to peak around the first week of December and it's kind of a bell curve with about 2 weeks before and 2 after for the transients. There are some year-rounders though.

[Jon]

Does anyone know if there are any eagles left at Conowingo? Would it be worth a trip down from Lehigh Valley, PA next week?
Sort of thought I might have seen a few dots on one of the pylons as we drove up, but I was at the wheel crossing the dam, so couldn't get a good look. Coming back down I had the 8x IS binocs on the area and didn't see any. So I'm thinking they're definitely on the down-side.

[philk54]

Thanks, Jon. I guess between the low numbers and the questionable weather for the days I'd be available, I'll postpone my trip for another time.

[Methodical]

It seems like the number of all birds species are down this year. I don't see many of the birds that I normally see in my backyard; it could be because of the mild weather.

[Mark1]

Keep an eye out for the sale. But Penn Camera just filed for Chap 11. They closed all but 3 stores already.

[JakAHearts]

Ah, thats a shame. The Rockville store was nice.

[Sandals]

Ah, thats a shame. The Rockville store was nice.

Rockville, Tysons and E Street will remain open.

[Mark1]

Ah, thats a shame. The Rockville store was nice.

I always thought just the opposite. I thought it was crap of a store.

[JakAHearts]

Thats fair Mark. Perhaps I just had visited early in my photography journey and was overwhelmed by all the mysterious doo-dads yet to be identified to me.

[Mark1]

They did have a good supply of trinkets. You couldn't help spending 20 minutes going through it all. But it was empty of real content beyond the basics.

[aponi06]

I'll have to keep an eye out when the store is Fairfax, VA has their sale. Perfect time for me to get my 50mm or backpack.

[monokrome]

There is no more store in Fairfax, it and the one in Springfield have closed, you have to go to the one in Tysons.


Plus I don't think they prices and stuff that people want you be all that competitive.

[squirrelsnest]

Penn Camera closing info:
http://www.penncameras.com/message.html

[Sandals]

I'll be going to the Rockville store to see if there are any good deals on a 7D.

[CanonCameraFan]

The 3 remaining stores are just open to liquidate, all will close after that is my understanding. I went to the Rockville and Laurel store last Saturday just to show my daughter, she'd never been to Rockville. It was not what i was 20 years ago. I'd only been a couple times in past ten years, spent lots at Penn years ago. Sorry to see them go, but it was inevitable.

[Methodical]

Just an FYI: When there's a going out of business sale, they typically raise prices to liquidate and get as much money to satisfy their creditors. You may find some crap that's 10% off msrp price. Do some comparison shopping before you drop the doh and realize B&H had it $100 cheaper with free shipping.

Just One Man's Opinion.

I'll have to keep an eye out when the store is Fairfax, VA has their sale. Perfect time for me to get my 50mm or backpack.

I'll be going to the Rockville store to see if there are any good deals on a 7D.

[Sandals]

I called on Monday to find out the price of a 7D body. It was listed at 1499.00 - 10% - 100.00 canon rebate. But when you added the sales tax it only came out to about $25.00 less than online. They only had one body left and it was the display model.

[Mark1]

So far 10% off.....10% is not worth me driving all the way in there.

[dfbovey]

It seems like the number of all birds species are down this year. I don't see many of the birds that I normally see in my backyard; it could be because of the mild weather.

I'm seeing more hawks and eagles in my area than I've ever seen before. But that could just be that I'm looking for them where prior to getting a camera, I didn't.

[TheBrick3]

I could actually use some frames if they have any big ones. Frames are 30% off.

[botw]

They had some ok deals on bags. Frames were overpriced to start.

[Mark1]

Is equipment still only 10% off?

I want a 2X but 10% is not enought for me to drive in to the store.

[Jon]

Base was 15% last Fri.; may be more now. Scored a few PPR SD carriers and a couple of OpTech Rain covers then. Bags were 20%. However they may not have the serious gear still around.

[Jon]

Air & Space Museum's announced that the Shuttle Discovery will be arriving at Dulles (with at least a fly-by) on April 17; they'll be bringing it into U-H on the 19th. Both dates weather permitting. That's a Tuesday and Thursday.

[CanonCameraFan]

That would be a neat thing to see land or brought in. I went to Space Camp with our daughter about 5 years ago and saw one shuttle, and weeks later saw what ever one is in UH now. Now I'll get to see one more! I'm not sure what other one may exist elsewhere. I never thought I'd get to see and touch 3 of them. :)

Calumet bought Penn Camera a week ago and will keep the 3 locations open. I do not know how fast the transition will be, but I'd expect it very quickly, if not already done. They will go back to being fully stocked! Great news!

[OldSchool]

Cool! A local group! Well...doubt anyone is where I am, but same State at least. LOL! :)

[Chris R/T]

Where are you at? I'm in Elkton.

[OldSchool]

Southern MD (St Mary's County). I have an Uncle that lives up your way though :)

[TheBrick3]

Calumet bought Penn Camera a week ago and will keep the 3 locations open. I do not know how fast the transition will be, but I'd expect it very quickly, if not already done. They will go back to being fully stocked! Great news!

Hmph. That's interesting and exciting.

[Mark1]

I hope Calumet will improve their stock. The had a full store, but never had anything to buy there. I hope they will become a good local resorse again.

[Mark1]

Anybody interested in getting a group together and head down to Summit Point?

I have not looked at the schedule yet, so I dont know what will be racing when. But I have been trying to get there for 3 years and never seem to make it. I thought If I could get a group together to go it would keep the excuses at bay long enough to get to go.

[JakAHearts]

Mark, have you done this before? I know that when I was racing, there were a select group of photogs that had access to the insides of turns and such and would sell their work during and after the event.

[Mark1]

I used to go a long time ago. Never had a problem. But also never went to try to sell anything. Just went to shoot and have a fun day at the races.

[JakAHearts]

Ah cool! Id like doing something like that. Motorcycle season is starting soon too!

[OldSchool]

Sounds fun. As long as I know at least a week or two before hand I should be able to swing the time off from work to go (crazy work schedule)

[Mark1]

Sounds fun. As long as I know at least a week or two before hand I should be able to swing the time off from work to go (crazy work schedule)

I need lead time as well. Just to make sure the wife does not have something planned for the same day.

[OldSchool]

Ah cool! Id like doing something like that. Motorcycle season is starting soon too!

I would skip work for the bikes! LOL!

[Mark1]

The last time I shot there is was bike day.... and rainy. Got so many wipeout shots that day!

[OldSchool]

Yuck...3 hour drive. I'm up for carpooling if anyone is in Southern MD lol

[JakAHearts]

The last time I shot there is was bike day.... and rainy. Got so many wipeout shots that day!

I bet! Those are fun days indeed, for both rider and photog. :D

[OldSchool]

Was there not enough interest for the Summit Point trip?

[Mark1]

Does not sound like to many. But I still want to go. Just have to find a good weekend on the schedule.

[OldSchool]

Well let me know when, and I'll try to make it out there. I'd love to take some photos at a track. There's also Maryland International Raceway down in my area. It's just 1/4 mile drag strip, but has tons of events and local tuners doing track times. I think they just opened back up for their "season", and can find out any info if anyone is interested in going there sometime. :)

[JakAHearts]

Hey gang. Im looking for a large weeping tree (like a weeping willow though others will do) that has leaves almost reaching the ground, to use in a shoot. Anyone have any leads on anything like that?

[ScoobySnacks]

Just wanted to post in the maryland thread. :) Northern Baltimore area here. Getting used to a real camera again. At the moment soaking up a lot of info now that I have the xti and getting used to it.

Anybody do any kind of meets/get togethers, weekly/bi-weekly/monthly, in maryland?

[Jon]

Nothing on a regular basis at the moment, but if someone has any ideas . . . .

[aponi06]

If it doesn't rain, I'll be attending the Andrews AFB show in May.

[JasonMK]

Cool! A local group! Well...doubt anyone is where I am, but same State at least. LOL! :)

I'm sure there are more on here than you (or I) realize. I'm in southern PG County, so very much in your area.

[PopTarts]

hello from Laurel, MD

[PopTarts]

If it doesn't rain, I'll be attending the Andrews AFB show in May.
The one in 2010 was amazing - hopefully the weather will be as good this time!

[aponi06]

It's been years since I went to the last air show.

The one in 2010 was amazing - hopefully the weather will be as good this time!