GTG in Bay Area (California) anyone?

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5

03/12/2009 09:23:38 PM · #51

The D-day is arriving.

Any final thoughts? Anybody changed their plan/mind? ;-)

Those coming, please mark your calenders:

Date: March 21, 2009, Saturday.
Time: To be decided.
Site: Lake Merritt, Oakland.
Activities (besides photography:-): To be decided (e.g. lunch/dinner?).
More info (parking/directions etc.): To be announced.
Tips:
[a]

jdannels: Saturday mornings, Lake Merritt has a huge Farmer's Market, could be good for candids or just shopping/lunch. It runs from 8 to 1 or 2 pm. This is right by the Grand Lake Theater and just outside the park area. Also the East Side of the Lake's Path is closed as they are doing some construction to replace the old path. This is about a .6 of a mile and opposite the bird area. Not a big deal but just a note if you are thinking of walking around the Lake. You may have to pay for parking because Children's Fairyland should be open and when it is open I think you have to pay to park in the park's lot. I am pretty sure but not positive. I think it is a few dollars for the day or you can just park in the neighborhoods. Fairyland would be a lot of fun to shoot too but for safety reasons you need to have a child with you to enter the park so I haven't been yet.
...

---------------------------------------[b][CONFIRMED]---------------------------------------

mpeters: 3, B

C_Steve_G: 3, B

Sfalice: 3, B

Prash: 5, B

Gaurawa: 5, F

Rasai: 5, F

keibo84: 5, F

Venom: 3, F(?)

---------------------------------------[TENTATIVE]---------------------------------------

EstimatedEyes: ?, B

Moose408: 1/2/4, F

Digifotobuddy: 2/4, ?

GeneralE: 1/3, B (tentative)

Blue Moon: 5, A/D

Philipdyer: 3, ?

---------------------------------------[UNDECIDED]---------------------------------------

jdannels: ?, ?

pastortimmr: ?, ?

---------------------------------------[CANT COME]---------------------------------------

macpapas: ?, ?

C_Steve_G

Apple iPhone 12

03/17/2009 01:08:09 AM · #52

Still committed, waiting instructions.

03/17/2009 03:27:24 AM · #53

From this link,

"Lakeside Park
Entrance at Grand Avenue & Bellevue Avenue"

"...jog or bike along paved trails, or bird watching nearby the five bird islands on the lake that serve as the oldest Wildlife Refuge in Northern America."

Does anyone know if there is public parking for this park?

jdannels or anyone else?

If there is one, we could meetup in the parking lot, or at a landmark inside the park.

The entrance seems to be here.

What about the time? Is 10 AM ok or too early?

Message edited by author 2009-03-17 03:27:57.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8

03/17/2009 01:31:44 PM · #54

There is public parking where indicated on your map, costs a few bucks on the weekends if the booth is manned. The entrance is right near Children's Fairyland.

As far as a meetup point, there is a big play structure right on the lakeshore just to the right of that loop road, where it starts to curve left (if you make a beeline from Fairyland to the lake shore you run right into it). It looks like something out of the 60s, with lots of curvy lines and shapes to shoot while waiting for everyone to arrive. (My kids used to play on it when they were younger). ETA -- the play structure is in the little beach area just below the gazebo ... you can see it on the google maps link above if you click on satellite and zoom in on the area just to the left of the road (which also shows you where to park)

That said, I am still undecided. The wildflowers are just starting to bloom in the EB hills, and I am toying with the idea of hitting Briones Saturday instead. It will probably be a last minute decision for me.

Message edited by author 2009-03-17 13:41:26.

03/17/2009 01:38:46 PM · #55

10 a.m. sounds like a decent time...I'll keep an eye on the thread.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/17/2009 03:08:32 PM · #56

Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:

Thanks for all the info. I sincerely wish you could join, and the rest of the tentative ones too, so we can pester everyone to do another GTG in the Briones RP hills:-)

By the way.. do you know if it is easy to get a spot in this paid parking on a Saturday? What are the charges?

Moose408

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/17/2009 03:29:17 PM · #57

Wish I could join you guys, but unfortunately I have to work on Sat. If it weren't for the fact that I'm a teaching a class on Saturday I would blow off work and join you.

Have fun!

03/17/2009 04:36:51 PM · #58

Does anybody have any suggestions about an alternate place if it rains on Saturday/Sunday?

_________________________
Current status:

Attendees for Saturday March 21, 2009

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

C_Steve_G

Prash

Gaurawa

Rasai

keibo84

Venom

Philipdyer

_______________________________________________________________
(Tentative attendees if the GTG is pushed to Sunday, March 22, 2009 due to rain etc.):

EstimatedEyes

Moose408

Digifotobuddy

GeneralE

Blue Moon

Prash

Philipdyer

Sfalice
_______________________________________________________________

Time : 10:00 AM Pacific Time

Place: Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA

Meeting Point:

Directions: Get directions from your place to "Grand Ave & Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610". Then enter the park's parking lot on Bellevue Ave. Go a bit farther if you can, park, proceed to the gazebo shown in the thumbnail above.

Weather: Current conditions. Looks like its gonna be partly cloudy. Hopefully it wont rain :-(

Notes (please fill in if you have information about the area):

[1] There is supposedly a parking fee to park there, I dont know the amount. Please carry enough cash to pay for that.

[2] Not sure if there are any eateries inside the park. It may be a good idea to grab lunch around 1-ish or so if everyone is ok with that. If we have to take the cars out of the lot to go for lunch, we need to confirm if a day-parking-pass is available. If we dont want to come back to the park post-lunch, we can delay it and spend more time in/around the park.

Message edited by author 2009-03-18 12:30:56.

Blue Moon

Canon EOS-40D

03/17/2009 04:38:43 PM · #59

I wish I could go but my hours at work have been cut back so I'm only working 1 day this week... and it happens to be Saturday from 11:30-8pm :(

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/17/2009 05:53:26 PM · #60

The bird islands are towards the lower-right from the previouly-posted picture -- here's a satellite map showing where the birds are -- it's nearer the intersection of Bellevue & Perkins.

keibo84

Canon EOS-50D

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

03/17/2009 06:49:41 PM · #61

Hi I am still in for the GTG. Looking forward to meeting everybody!

03/17/2009 06:57:32 PM · #62

All those attending:

If you feel comfortable, please PM me your cell# and/or personal email-id, so I can include mine, consolidate a list and send to everybody before we start on Saturday. This is for any last minute communication. Its not required (obviously) but may help in tracking people down on saturday, or in the event of change in plans.

Kei, thanks I got your #.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

03/18/2009 11:12:40 AM · #63

Prash you are doing a fantastic job of organizing this event. I hope it goes well.

Unfortunately for me, I do have an engagement in the afternoon and should be firmly in the "maybe" column for Saturday; I could probably make it on Sunday if rain creates a one day delay.

If I can't get over to Oakland for the GTG, (and it looks doubtful) I shall certainly look forward to the pictures.

Alice
:-))

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/18/2009 12:36:17 PM · #64

Guys,

It looks like weather is gonna play with our plans:

[Forecast for ZIP Code 94601]
Saturday: 58° F | 43° F | Rain, 40% chance of precipitation
Sunday: 58° F | 43° F | Chance of Rain, 50% chance of precipitation

I am looking for alternate places to meet in case rains do come down strong. I will post a backup plan here soon. I am hoping that we can still make it with a changed location (just in case), so please keep an eye on this thread. I will also send PMs with my contact# so you have a way to reach me at the last minute.

Alternate locations in case it rains:
- Calif Academy of Sciences, San Francisco: Entry fee: $24.95.
- Serramonte shopping center: Covered shopping area.
- Chabot Space Center: Entry fee: $14.95.

Message edited by author 2009-03-18 15:24:48.

DigiFotoBuddy

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/18/2009 12:45:58 PM · #65

I would have to miss this one. We are planning a 3-4 days vacation this weekend. I will keep an eye on the thread for the GTG photos. I will also try to make the next GTG.

03/18/2009 02:18:29 PM · #66

Hi Prash,

HOpefully the weather cooperates...I'd like to spend the morning outside and save the money too!

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

03/19/2009 08:38:10 AM · #67

Well, for me, it's final. I got word yesterday the contractors are coming today to start tearing apart my front deck, and it won't be completely repaired by Saturday. So, I'll be home on Saturday watching it - with luck - coming back together again.

Take lots of pictures. I wanna see where you went!

Alice

03/19/2009 12:18:54 PM · #68

Alice, Uh oh. But looks like saturday is gonna be bad too looking at the weather forecast.

Lets decide by friday evening if we meet as scheduled, or at an alternate place, or if at all this is happening.

All interested, please keep an eye on this thread.. esp. on friday evening.

03/20/2009 12:04:27 PM · #69

"Saturday
Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Saturday Night
Rain becoming likely in the evening. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Rain with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph."

It looks like we will be safe during the morning/through noon.

03/20/2009 12:28:59 PM · #70

I'll check the thread later tonight for any updates/changes.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8

03/20/2009 04:15:24 PM · #71

I'm leaning towards coming down. Stormy skies make nice photographs. Will check the thread tomorrow a.m. for any last minute changes.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5

03/20/2009 08:49:15 PM · #72

Guys, what do you think??? I am on the edge here:-)

________________________________________
Saturday weather forecast in Oakland, by hour:

Time of the day> 8AM | 11AM | 2PM | 5PM | 8PM | 11PM
Chances of rain> 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 100% | 100%

Condition:

Sunny(8 AM)
Slight Chance Light Rain(11AM)
Definite Light Rain Showers, Slight Chance Thunderstorms(5PM)

(Source)

C_Steve_G

Apple iPhone 12

03/20/2009 10:17:47 PM · #73

You know how Bay Area weather is; could be just as predicted, or could be plus or minus 4 hours. I'm coming from west Sonoma County, it might be raining when I leave, or not. Only decision for me is ride the motorcycle or drive the car. I'll certainly check here at seven-ish in the AM before I leave to pick up

rasai.