Planning Fossil Rim Wildlife Safari Trip - Texas

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

02/06/2004 01:03:28 PM · #52

Originally posted by Calvus:

Originally posted by MeThoS:
I'm interested. Where exactly is it located? How far from dallas?

I could bring my 300 2.8 and my 500f4 "IS"...I'd share of coarse. ;D

I'm going to rent the big Canon 100-400mm F2.8 Series L IS USM lens, but if that big lens (500mm) will work on my 10D I would love to use it at the outlook and maybe one or two other places :)

LOL

Just glad to have you along.
Looking forward to learning a lot on this trip.

Yeah, that 500 will work on any eos model. Of coarse on your 10d, it's like a 800mm f4 "IS" ;D

02/06/2004 01:27:38 PM · #53

speaking of renting lenses, anyone know of a place in the Houston area that rents lenses?? My Tokina 80-400 is ok, but its slow to focus and image quality is not very sharp for distant images.

James

02/06/2004 03:16:57 PM · #54

Yes it is.

I remember now because I was amazed at how much light it actually pulled in when I used it at the Dallas World Aquarium.

Even in low light situations it was remarkable.
I think it must have been because the glass was so large in diameter.
For a small lens it weighed over 3lbs and you were glad for a chance to set it down.

Originally posted by Gordon:

Isn't the 100-400 a 4.5/5.6 L IS USM?

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/06/2004 04:04:10 PM · #55

It all sounds great - is there anything else interesting near to Glen Rose that we could hit for the afternoon ? I noticed you'd talked about having lunch so I'm assuming the fossil rim trip is 'over' by lunch time ? [not trying to take over/ change things :) ]

A quick web search turned up the following. Sounds like there might
be some opportunity for great wildflower/ nature stuff in mid April up
that way too, if we headed out to the state park for the afternoon ?

Any interest ? We can shoot dinosaur footprints too, maybe!

The Dinosaur state park is 4 miles west of Glen Rose
//www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/dinosaur/

From Texan Traveler Magazine
Tucked into a valley about an hour south of Fort Worth, the peaceful Somervell County seat provides a perfect escape from the big city. Here you can find real dinosaur prints in the limestone bed of the Paluxy River at Dinosaur Valley State Park, tour a nuclear power plant, and encounter some of the world's most endangered species at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The rugged setting of rolling hills and expansive mesasâ��most sensational when blanketed with wildflowersâ��is as appealing now as it was in the early 1900s when sanitariums attracted droves of visitors who came to "take the waters" and be restored.

Glen Rose has more than 19 economical, 106 moderate, 25 first-class, and 55 deluxe accommodations.
Dinosaur Valley State Park

FM 205, Glen Rose, TX 76043

254-897-4588

//www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Within this 1,523-acre park on the banks of the Paluxy River are preserved the best examples of dinosaur tracks in Texas. Among the creatures that roamed here were the giant sauropod (more than 55 feet long and nearly 30 tons), the duck-billed dinosaur, and the theropod. Exhibits and maps show how Texas might have looked at the time. The park also offers 10 miles of camping and hiking trails.

Open daily 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; open 24 hours for camping. Admission: $5, seniors $3, children 12 and under free. Primitive camping $12 plus $3 per adult per night. Camping with electricity and water $20 plus $3 per adult per night. Partially accessible to the mobility-impaired.

we could also get all controversial and go to the Creation Evidence museum //creationevidence.org/

Nothing else jumped out //www.glenrosetexas.net./attractions.html

though the Texas Spring Bluegrass Festival is on

Musicians and Bluegrass fans alike converge on Tres Rios for foot stomping fun. Cabins, campsites and rv hookups are available. For more information call 254-897-4253 or //www.tresrioscamping.com.

Message edited by author 2004-02-06 16:22:12.

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

02/06/2004 06:40:55 PM · #56

I hesitated mentioning the Dinosaur Valley because there has been talk of closing it and flooding that area out! Another lake or dam project?

That and if it rains much at all, they close it because you can not see the Dinosaur tracks in the river bed.

I'm open for any ideas that members want to make for the rest of the day.

Quote Gordon:

Any interest ? We can shoot dinosaur footprints too, maybe!

deafwolf

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/06/2004 06:55:32 PM · #57

Were in, you got mail.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/06/2004 07:22:11 PM · #58

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 14 members 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 & Wife - ** Finalized total number of guests at 2
Gordon (x1) - Gordon McGregor
Goodtempo (x1) - Richard Carter
Anachronite (x2) - Jeff Cary
DeafWolf (x2) - T.E. Crumpley & Wife

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. We should finish the tour between 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
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.

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.

If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Canon EOS-20D

02/06/2004 07:28:55 PM · #59

Originally posted by Calvus:

DeafWolf (x2) - T.E. Crumpley & Wife

Deafwolf has a wife? The robot is sad.

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

02/06/2004 07:31:26 PM · #60

I'm sorry :(
He said they have children also

LOL

Originally posted by mk:

Originally posted by Calvus:
DeafWolf (x2) - T.E. Crumpley & Wife

Deafwolf has a wife? The robot is sad.

deafwolf

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/06/2004 07:31:49 PM · #61

Originally posted by mk:

Deafwolf has a wife? The robot is sad.

Does this mean you don't love me anymore? :(

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/06/2004 07:46:05 PM · #62

Originally posted by deafwolf:

Does this mean you don't love me anymore? :(

Wives and children cause robot love to malfunction.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/06/2004 10:14:56 PM · #63

Originally posted by Calvus:

Any other ideas ? Otherwise I'll plan out somewhere on the way back to Austin to break and shoot some late evening stuff...

crabappl3

02/06/2004 10:31:49 PM · #64

I believe that originally he stated that after lunch we could do a drive through on our own... otherwise, I'm not sure what else is around there. I'm game for pretty much anything though.

-danny

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by Calvus:
I hesitated mentioning the Dinosaur Valley because there has been talk of closing it and flooding that area out! Another lake or dam project?

That and if it rains much at all, they close it because you can not see the Dinosaur tracks in the river bed.

I'm open for any ideas that members want to make for the rest of the day.

Quote Gordon:

Any interest ? We can shoot dinosaur footprints too, maybe!

Any other ideas ? Otherwise I'll plan out somewhere on the way back to Austin to break and shoot some late evening stuff...

02/11/2004 01:14:16 AM · #65

I sent out emails with the final costs this evening.
If you are on the list and did not receive yours let me know ASAP.

I also have checked the Internet and I found all this info on what to do around Glen Rose, Texas.

There are music festivals, star gazing and etc.

If anyone wants to do anything in addition to the tour just let me know or you can schedule something on your own.

Glen Rose, Texas - General Information
//www.lone-star.net/mall/txtrails/glenrose.htm

This extremely popular Texas tourist town began as a trading post in 1849 located at a picturesque spot on the Paluxy River, just above its confluence with the Brazos River. In 1872 the town was incorporated and
received its name for a small glen and the abundance of wild roses found there.

Thus was the beginning of Glen Rose, on its way to becoming the seat of Somervell County. Glen Rose became a popular health resort, much like the towns' neighbor Mineral Wells, during the 1920s and 1930s. During this same time Prohibition outlawed the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Providing an excellent hiding place, the woods around town sheltered a prosperous moonshine business, making Glen Rose the "Whiskey Woods Capital" of Texas.

Like any good Texas town, Glen Rose has a few curiosities in its closet. Legend has it, they say, that in the 1870s a dying citizen named John St. Helen confessed that he was really John Wilkes Booth. However, instead of conveniently dying, the poor man recovered, and then found it convenient to kill himself. Witnesses who claimed to have had intimate knowledge of John Wilkes Booth came forward and identified marks on the body of the dead John St. Helen as identical to those on the body of the infamous assassin of Lincoln. Of course, like any good Texas town, nothing of a scandalous nature has happened since then.

In a state full of interesting and intriguing small towns, Glen Rose is one of the more fun and interesting of them all. The area around here quite plainly illustrates its history from the age when dinosaurs ruled the earth to the Nuclear age. Visitors can see 100-million-year-old Dinosaur tracks in Dinosaur Valley State Park and after that drive over to the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant.

When you find yourself in Glen Rose, you'll see you have many choices for things to do, from learning about the area's history â�� dating back to the fossil era â�� to enjoying a spectacular stage production about the life of Jesus Christ - to visiting one of the world's largest nuclear power plant.

All together, Glen Rose is one of the great destinations in Texas.

Scheduled events in the area for the weekend of April 24th

Texas Spring Bluegrass Festival - April 22, 23 and 24

Musicians and Bluegrass fans alike converge on Tres Rios for foot stomping fun. Cabins, campsites and rv hookups are available.
For more information call 254-897-4253 or www.tresrioscamping.com.

Dinosaur Valley - If the weather is good we can make a stop here after lunch

Giant replicas of dinosaurs dwarf surroundings in Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glenn Rose. Unique, picturesque park on scenic area of Paluxy River. The Paluxy flows over solid rock that contains the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in Texas. It was here the first Sauropod tracks in the world were discovered.

The Sauropods were plant-eating reptiles more than 60 feet long, weighing 30 tons. Two other tracks are also found in the riverbed, those of the duck billed dinosaurs, only 30 feet long, and Theropods, 12-foot-tall meat-eaters. Interpretive exhibits give visitors a glimpse of how Texas might have looked 100 million years ago.

The 1,204-acre park also offers camping, picnicking, and nature trails. Approximately five miles west via U.S.
67, F.M. 205. Admission. (254) 897-4588

Birding Program - April 3, 24 - 2004

Meet Lady, a 22-year-old imprinted red-tailed hawk, at this birding program presented by retired bird rehabilitators Lee and Bev Clauser. From dusk-till (254) 897-4588

Star Party - April 24 - 2004

Dr. Michael Hibbs, associate professor of physics and engineering at Tarleton state University, will present a star party in the amphitheater. A slide show presentation starts the show as an introduction to astronomy.

Afterwards the viewing will begin, so bring your telescope or share with others. Party begins at dark-till (254) 897-4588.

Squaw Creek Lake

Built for cooling a nuclear power plant, the 3,228-acre lake is unusually deep and clear, with a rocky shoreline.

Excellent fishing for stocked population of spotted, smallmouth and hybrid striped bass and walleye, and native game fish. Fee access; about 4 miles north of Glen Rose off Texas 144.

[b[Granbury, Texas[/b]
Grandbury is approximately 17mi from Geln Rose, Texas.

//www.granburytx.com/

Granbury Historic Railroad Depot
Representative of an early 20th-century rural Texas train station, the Granbury Railroad Depot looks very much like it did when it was built in 1914. Group tours available.
817-573-5299/573-9246 - 109 E. Ewell

The Windmill Farm

//www.thewindmillfarm.com/

Lake Granbury

Ft. Worth Texas
Ft Worth is 55 miles away.
We can drive back and do any of the following:

Ft. Worth Botanical gardens - Japanese and Rose gardens
Ft. Worth Zoo
Ft. Worth Stock Yards
Billy Bobs Saloon

Just let me know what everyone would like to do.

02/11/2004 08:40:35 AM · #66

I would like to do dinosaur valley, but I am pretty much open for anything not too terribly far from fossile rim (ie..in Texas terms thats with in 100 miles).

I would also be up for the star party. I could bring my telescope and let some of you image through it or piggy back on it for some wide field stuff.

James

Glen King

Nikon Coolpix 3100

02/11/2004 11:52:51 PM · #67

I think dinosaur valley would be a good idea. Especially if it is going to get flooded as part of a lake or dam project. We might never have the chance again.

02/12/2004 12:07:04 AM · #68

Once I saw the Star party I knew you would like that idea :)
It may be kinda late for some?

Originally posted by jab119:

I would also be up for the star party. I could bring my telescope and let some of you image through it or piggy back on it for some wide field stuff.

James

02/12/2004 12:08:54 AM · #69

If the weather is nice we can do that.
If it rains at all the tracks are usually under water.

Originally posted by Glen King:

I think dinosaur valley would be a good idea. Especially if it is going to get flooded as part of a lake or dam project. We might never have the chance again.

02/12/2004 12:41:23 AM · #70

Originally posted by Calvus:

Once I saw the Star party I knew you would like that idea :)
It may be kinda late for some?

Originally posted by jab119:
I would also be up for the star party. I could bring my telescope and let some of you image through it or piggy back on it for some wide field stuff.

James

You are correct, most will probablly want to hit the road soon after fossil rim...

I do have solar filters for viewing the sun in white light ( no fancy flares). I have one for my 8" scope (2000mm @ f10) and one for my spotter scope (400mm @ f5).

this is what the sun would look like

i know... not very inpressive...but still its cool...emm well hot actually

Again just let me know and I can pack all my scope stuff also....

James

Message edited by author 2004-02-12 00:42:33.

02/17/2004 05:46:24 PM · #71

Can you get close enough to see the solar flares? Or does that require to much power?

Originally posted by jab119:

I do have solar filters for viewing the sun in white light ( no fancy flares). I have one for my 8" scope (2000mm @ f10) and one for my spotter scope (400mm @ f5).

this is what the sun would look like

i know... not very inpressive...but still its cool...emm well hot actually

Again just let me know and I can pack all my scope stuff also....

James

03/05/2004 01:35:39 PM · #72

James

I would love to do some moon shots, but according to the solar calendar it is only going to be a half moon on April 24th?

//www.stardate.org/nightsky/moon/

Will you mount work on the Canon EOS 10D?

Originally posted by jab119:

Again just let me know and I can pack all my scope stuff also....
James

03/05/2004 01:46:09 PM · #73

Just a friendly reminder :)

My Update Photos From Fossil Rim

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.

If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Message edited by author 2004-03-23 11:08:11.

03/05/2004 02:22:38 PM · #74

Originally posted by Calvus:

Can you get close enough to see the solar flares? Or does that require to much power?

Originally posted by jab119:
I do have solar filters for viewing the sun in white light ( no fancy flares). I have one for my 8" scope (2000mm @ f10) and one for my spotter scope (400mm @ f5).

Calvus, most any scope of moderate or little power can view solar flares....however that requires a much different filter than what I have. I just have a boaring white light filter....you would need an H-Alpha filter to see the solar flares. They are pretty expensive, for one thats about 60mm they are $1,300.

However I do have access to a scope my Astronomy club has that has the H-Alpha filter, and I can see if I can check the scope out for that weekend.

James