What are your favourite photo locations in Ontario? (and Why?, When in the year is best?, or any other comments you might have.

-- Mike Milton (mike.milton@sympatico.ca), March 24, 1999

Answers

The Toronto Zoo

The TO zoo always offers some photo ops. Here's an example

http://www3.sympatico.ca/mike.milton/photo/mkat.jpg

-- Mike Milton (mike.milton@sympatico.ca), March 24, 1999.

There are so many places in Ontario that I like to shoot, such that I can't even choose one to post. Perhaps people should post ideas of places they like or would like to go. Then those who have been there can comment on their experience.

I'll comment on the previous post. As far as dates and times for the zoo, early morning or late evening (just as it opens, or just before is closes) is best. The animals are much more active. Noon time they are sluggish, or sleeping. The light is very nice in the late afternoon at some of the outdoor pavilions (jaguar, siberian tiger, flamingo). Last time I was there, I saw a Blue Heron living in one of the marshy outdoor areas (not a zoo display).

-- Anil Mungal (mungal@ca.ibm.com), March 24, 1999.

Hi, Well I was thinking about getting together with a couple of photographers for a trip into Dundas Valley (Tew's and Websters Falls). This a beautiful valley with 2 larger waterfalls dropping off the escarpment into a lush meandering stream, with many smaller falls downstream. Definately one of my fav. places to shoot. It's only 25min. from T.O. If anyone is interested please drop me a line.

John www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/8847

-- John Wade (wadejl@ch.etn.com), March 29, 1999.

My favorite is Point Pelee the first two weeks of May. For warbler photography, around the 10 th of May is usually when the peak occurs. I you can be there for a few days around this date , and the peak migration of warblers comes through then, you can photograph several different species in a short period of time. They are typically not concerned with your presence during this time.

-- Scott Fairbairn (sfairbai@netcom.ca), April 11, 1999.

How close can you get to the birds at Point Pelee? How long of a lens do you need to get decent photos? And how crowded would it be at that time?

-- Anil Mungal (mungal@ca.ibm.com), April 12, 1999.

close lens crowded How close really depends on the bird species and whether a "wave" is coming through. When a group is coming through, many birds will be 10 -15 feet away, some will basically be a few feet away. This makes it seem easy, but they are always moving so they are tough to photograph. As for lens, I use a 500mm, but the minimum I would recommend is a 400mm. It is very helpful to use fill flash, as the birds will go in and out of shadows, some have black eyes on black faces, so it helps. I usually shoot at -1 to -1 2/3 to give a highlight without the flash being too obvious. Pelee can be absolutely packed in May with people, the second and third weekend are very busy, if your not at the tip by 8am , they will close it due to the parking lot being full. Hope this helps.

-- Scott Fairbairn (sfairbai@netcom.ca), April 21, 1999.