Planning Fossil Rim Wildlife Safari Trip - Texas

01/27/2004 03:52:30 PM · #26

The last time my wife and I went (just a few weeks ago) a couple of the Aoudad rams were fighting and one rammed the rear bumper of our new Jeep :)

Thank goodness it was plastic!
Nice little scare though :)

Aoudad:

//www.fossilrim.com/animals/aoudad.php

I'm not trying to scare anyone away mind you!
It was great fun and the scenery was great for Texas.

They have a great Cheetah breeding program there, but they were all in large fenced off areas and more interested in the herd of Elk that were passing by the last time we went :)

Hopefully we can get better shots of the Cheetahs the next time.
It will be through a fence mind you.

//www.fossilrim.com/animals/cheetah.php

Message edited by author 2004-01-27 15:56:45.

01/27/2004 04:01:12 PM · #27

Here are some shot I got when we went a few weeks ago.
I do not have all of them cleaned/processed yet.
I have a back log of processing I need to do.

Edit: These shots were taken late in the afternoon and just before sunset.

//www.pbase.com/rholdensr/fossil_rim&page=all

Note the level of the land in the one shot of the Oryx:

//www.pbase.com/image/25228023

Also we will have to hope the Elk and all the others keep the battles to themselves!

//www.pbase.com/image/25228107

Message edited by author 2004-01-27 16:28:25.

jab119

01/27/2004 04:09:07 PM · #28

time of day does not matter to me, since its only about 4 hours away, I can get there by 9 am or sooner. I just might drive up the night before, who knows, but I can make it at any time

I dont like the Ostriches either, they freak me out and make my skin crawl

plus they are not very easy on they eyes

James

01/27/2004 04:15:52 PM · #29

The Giraffes are what is a pain in the neck! LOL

Originally posted by jab119:

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/27/2004 04:44:41 PM · #30

I case anyone is wondering what I look like, I have posted a shiny new 120px x 90px photo of me and my family in my profile.

I took the photograph of Thor and Richard Dean Anderson down :)

Flash

Nikon D700

01/27/2004 04:48:46 PM · #31

Calvus...got your messages. Thank you. Checking air fare...will know in 48 hours. (Currently $700, want better) Regardless of my participation on the 24th, sure want to say how much I appreciate your efforts. I will be in Texas this year, so will be at the Ranch either in April with you'all or another time. Very eager to give it a try. Price for jeep w/driver rentals seems quite fair.

Thanks again.

Flash

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Canon

01/27/2004 05:06:03 PM · #32

Flash

Keep an eye on the prices.
Maybe you can find some one with extra advantage miles :)

We really would like to see you make the trip.
Our wifes could keep each other company amongst all of us shutter bugs!

Waiting with our fingers crossed :)

Good luck.

Originally posted by Flash:

deafwolf

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/27/2004 05:38:40 PM · #33

Robin, Got your messages. I'll let you know as soon as I can get my schedule together. Also, it may be two instead of one. If someone takes my slot prior, perhaps we can plan another excursion also.

Message edited by author 2004-01-27 17:39:30.

01/27/2004 05:45:39 PM · #34

T.E.

I just sent you a PM.

Hope you can join us! Look like it is going to be a lot of fun!

If one or two others would join in we could reserve two vehicles and it would be great.

There will be a slot not matter what, we can work it out.

Originally posted by deafwolf:

Robin, Got your messages. I'll let you know as soon as I can get my schedule together. Also, it may be two instead of one. If someone takes my slot prior, perhaps we can plan another excursion also.

01/28/2004 09:25:49 PM · #35

Still open for members to join in.
Send me an email or PM.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/28/2004 10:23:16 PM · #36

I'm in, let me know which date though - earlier in April works better for me...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/28/2004 11:36:20 PM · #37

Gordon

As it stands right now the majority vote was for Saturday April 24th. As I mentioned in the previous post.

The park opens at 9:00am and I think the meet time will be 9:30am at the park with a tour start time of 10:00am.

We have a total of 9 members/guests with a possible 11 total.

Flash (Daniel) just sent me a private message and said it looks like a reality for him and his wife to make the trip from Michigan! I will keep my fingers crossed for them to make the trip.

I will probably go ahead a schedule 2 open air vans/jeeps.

Originally posted by Gordon:

I'm in, let me know which date though - earlier in April works better for me...

Flash

Nikon D700

01/30/2004 09:07:43 PM · #38

Calvus..

Just sent you a note. Plans are essentially set. I may need a 3rd vehicle (5 people). Will know this weekend. I can make the arrangements from here. Pretty excited. Regardless of how it works out, hope to be included in the days (24th) activities.

Thanks....Flash

01/30/2004 10:22:23 PM · #39

Flash

I just sent you a PM.

Originally posted by Flash:

02/04/2004 05:29:59 PM · #40

Update:

I called Fossil Rim Wildlife Park and talked with the scheduling staff.

They were concerned about keeping the schedule open for April 24th so I went ahead and scheduled our private behind the scenes tour.

Each person on the tour gets one free "same day" pass to drive through on their own afterwards.

They have overnight campers there that also have private tours in the morning and they will be going out first thing.

So they suggested our start time to be at 10:00am.

Meaning the park opens at 9:00am we can meet at 9:00am and start our tour at 10:00am.

They have two types of open air vehicles for guided tours.
I have not seen either one, other than the picture on the website.
Judging by what they said the photo on the website is the open air van.

Open air van - Bench seats facing center towards each other.
Open air jeep - Bench seats facing forward.

I chose the open air jeeps thinking it would be better for photographers to just turn right/left (sideways).

Flash is coming from Michigan and is working on how many will be in his party. I'am working with him to try and finalize the total number of members/guests and cost per person. I will post that information as soon as I can.

As I mentioned previously I'm trying to keep the per person cost under $50.00.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/05/2004 12:06:25 PM · #41

Updated list:

List of members for behind the scenes tour so far:

DPC Username (# on Tour) - Real Name

Calvus (x2) - Robin & Penny Holden, Sr

Crabappl3 (x1) - Danny Shaw

Glen King (x1) - Glen King

jab119 (x1) - James Benton

MeThoS (x1) - Brent Ward

Flash (x2) - Daniel Fegan - ** Finalized total number of guests at 2

Gordon (x1) - Gordon McGregor

Goodtempo (x1) - Richard Carter

Anachronite (x2) - Jeff Cary

Waiting to hear from:

DeafWolf (x1) - T.E. Crumpley

Message edited by author 2004-02-05 14:29:39.

Flash

Nikon D700

02/05/2004 02:11:31 PM · #42

Update from Michigan......Plan on 2.

Robin.....sending you a pm.

Flash

02/05/2004 02:32:03 PM · #43

Flash

So glad to hear you and your wife will be making the trip and joining the group!

We are all looking forward to the big day :)

Thanks again for keeping me informed.

Originally posted by Flash:

Update from Michigan......Plan on 2.

Robin.....sending you a pm.

Flash

02/05/2004 03:33:56 PM · #44

Tour update:

DPC Behind the Scenes Wildlife Tour
Saturday April 24th, 2004. Meet 9:00am, Tour starts 10:00am

I mentioned the delay in start time previously, it is due to the fact that they have overnight campers and their private tour starts very first thing in the morning.

We now have a total of 12 members possible 13 scheduled for this trip.

The list of members is as follows:

DPC Username (# on Tour) - Real Name
Calvus (x2) - Robin & Penny Holden, Sr
Crabappl3 (x1) - Danny Shaw
Glen King (x1) - Glen King
jab119 (x1) - James Benton
MeThoS (x1) - Brent Ward
Flash (x2) - Daniel Fegan - ** Finalized total number of guests at 2
Gordon (x1) - Gordon McGregor
Goodtempo (x1) - Richard Carter
Anachronite (x2) - Jeff Cary

Waiting to hear from:
DeafWolf (x1) - T.E. Crumpley

Trip details:

1. Meet at Fossil Rim Wildlife parking lot starting at 9:00am

2. The DPC Behind the Scenes Wildlife tour starts at 10:00am

3. Tour takes 2-3 hours to complete.
There is a cafe and overlook about halfway through the tour and I'm sure the guides will stop there for us to snack and etc.

//fossilrim.org/visiting/overlook.php

4. We will be in 3 open air vans (4-5 per van)the vans were recommended over jeeps because most members will be photographers. Once the tour starts you are not allowed out of the vehicles unless authorized.

5. The tour is rain or shine.

6. I had planned on meeting afterwards for lunch.
There is a small Italian restaurant in the village of Glen Rose that is very nice and costs are reasonable.

The rest of the day is how ever we choose.

I was also informed that the new website url for Fossil Rim is .org, the corrected the links are:

//www.fossilrim.org/visiting/guided_tours.php

Driving directions:

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is located 55 miles southwest of Fort Worth and 75 miles southwest of Dallas, near Glen Rose.

From Dallas:
1. Follow US 67 approximately 3 miles southwest of Glen Rose.
2. Turn south onto County Road 2008 at the Fossil Rim sign.
3. Go 2 miles to the stonework entrance to the Scenic Wildlife Drive which is on the right.

If anyone wants a better directional map let me know I can email or post one.

We do have room left if anyone else is planning on being in the area and wants to attend. Just send me an email or private message (PM).

I will be sending out emails with the finals costs and etc to all those who are signed up.

I would like to have the cost per member taken care of at least 2 weeks prior to the trip (April 10th) or as soon as you would like.

If any member cancels the cost will be refunded.

Cancelation of the entire tour needs to be 1 day prior to the tour. Otherwise there is a 50% cost charge.

One email is easier than 10 PM's.

If possible I would like to have email addresses for the following members:

jab119
Gordon
deafwolf

To make everyone feel at ease I posted a new photo in my portfolio for members to view.

If anyone has any questions please let me know.
I can't wait for the big day!

Message edited by author 2004-02-05 15:34:41.

Glen King

Nikon Coolpix 3100

02/05/2004 11:57:49 PM · #45

Would anyone be interested in sharing a car? I wouldn't mind paying gas or possibly driving. Just don't like to drive alone. I live in Plano, north of Dallas.

crabappl3

02/06/2004 12:02:42 AM · #46

I have a Honda Element that seats 4. The rear sunroof pops out to allow 2 photographers to stand and shoot pics from it. I'll be willing to drive 3 others down.

-danny

Originally posted by Glen King:

Would anyone be interested in sharing a car? I wouldn't mind paying gas or possibly driving. Just don't like to drive alone. I live in Plano, north of Dallas.

Brent_Ward

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

02/06/2004 01:22:31 AM · #47

when and where do i pay?

jab119

02/06/2004 10:59:00 AM · #48

Originally posted by Calvus:

If possible I would like to have email addresses for the following members:

jab119

I sent you a PM and an email....

James

02/06/2004 12:39:07 PM · #49

Originally posted by MeThoS:

when and where do i pay?

I will be sending out emails with the finals costs and etc to all those who are signed up.

I would like to have the cost per member taken care of at least 2 weeks prior to the trip (April 10th) or as soon as you would like.