Old Settler's Trail, Wildcat Mountain State Park, WI

Since I had done the Hemlock Trail a few weeks ago, I was curious to go back to Wildcat Mountain State Park and try the longer trail called Old Settler's
Trail.

The 2.5-mile loop trail is rugged and covers a 390-foot elevation difference. Once used by early settlers and later by area farmers, the Old Settlers Trail also winds through three separate pine plantations planted by Ontario students as far back as 1951. This loop trail can be reached from either the northern end of the upper picnic area or from the nature building. Alternatively, hikers can opt to walk only one segment of the Old Settler's Trail. Starting at the nature building, the trail can be taken on the accessible 0.4-mile (one-way) portion to the Taylor Hollow Overlook, Wildcat's best view of the Village of Ontario below.



This is a quote from Wildcat Mountains website describing the trail.
I will say this, the lookout doesn't really allow you to see Ontario.  Not unless you climb the barrier fence and walk out ~ which I didn't do.

I didn't visit the other scenic outlook as I was pressed for time and wanted to make the whole trail and be back home before the day's real heat kicked in.

I was surprised to find these little blue flowers that I'd like to call Bell Flowers. Well, technically I am not exactly sure of the name, but they are delicate blue flowers that tend to like more shaded areas.  I've seen them most near and around the northern side of the rock formations as the park.

I think I'd love this trail during early spring, late fall, and yes, in the winter.  The wonderful rock outcroppings would be easier to photograph.
In the spring I'd be able to languish in the Jack in the Pulpits, Blood Root, and other wild beauties.

Blood Root

I came across some bizarre things also, this neon yellow 'blob' growing on an old stump.  Now I don't think it was fungi, perhaps some sort of lichen?

The trail was narrow in places and wide in others.  If you do the whole trail you get quite a work out.  If you just go from the Nature Building and walk that .4 mile trail, it is wide and well traveled.

I prefer the less traveled parts of the trail.

There were spots that were just a footpath which I found very interesting.

And ... the rocks.  The formations of rocks are incredible and no matter how often I see them I am in awe.  I've lived in this area and after 20 years, still find the rocks something incredible.

My thoughts on this trail?  It is best to be in some sort of shape to do the whole trail.  It is a work out for the legs with the hills.  Since I am fairly new to checking out one trail against the other, I'd go with what the park website has to say.

I tried to do it as quickly as possible and I hiked hard and fast, more of a workout than a casual hike.

Bring water.  There are benches in more than one location if you wish to have a seat and enjoy the view.

Bring a snack.  It sometimes is pleasant to have to stop and have an apple or something.

Bring your trash out with you.

This trail can be done in all 4 seasons.  Part of it is a cross country ski trail.  I wonder if snow shoes are allowed. 

It is a unique trail and there is a lot to look at.  The trail is mostly shaded so it would be a nice way to spend some time out of the sun.

I can't wait to go back.

Topaz Glow, the Newest plug in ... a review

A Fractal made by JWildfire.
I decided to download the trial version of Topaz's new creative plug in called 'Glow'.

I'm all for trying something new and adventurous out.
This plug in intrigued me it is similar to Redfield's Plug in called Fractalius.

This was a very toned back version of the plugin.  I wasn't about to go over the top on it.

However....

I did here.  In fact I used Topaz ReMask to remove the backround and added the moon, clouds, and other effects in the backround.

Original:

Photoshop magic created in PSPX6.

Screen shot of Fractalious:

Screen shot of Topaz's Glow:

Glow is being offered at $49.99 for a limited time and then the price defaults to $69.99

Fractalious is offered at $39.99.  Now I have not tried this program.  Reviews have said it is slow and eats at memory.
I've seen some wonderful work with it though.

That said, I am an avid Topaz plugin person.  I use it quite often.

Here is another quick sample.

I used Simplify first and then reduced the 'Glow' layer slightly for the above piece.

Here is the original:

I have a little more work to do with this plug in to see if I can get some consistent results in turning some of my work into 'illustrations'.

If it all works out, you'll see me paying the price for this plug in.

It works very well with PSPro...Corel.
And this is my new go to program for editing.

First impressions of Dolica TX570 Ultra Compact Tripod with Professional Ball Head

...with Professional Ball Head.

I'm not a professional reviewer or professional photographer, but I am a hobbyist who enjoys good equipment and getting the job done.

First off, I never thought I'd really have a use for a good tripod.  After all I try like heck to avoid lugging my plastic long tripod through the woods.  I bought a small sturdy one from another company...I think it would withstand a hurricane.
I also have a very cheap telescoping one meant for pocket cameras, of which I have cheated with and used my light weight Olympus E-420 with.

When visiting my brother in Virginia, I borrowed his tripod.  It was not only heavy duty, but it worked so smoothly with my camera while photographing Crabtree Falls, that I decided at that moment to start the research for a good tripod.

I wanted one that I could carry in a backpack.  I wanted one that I could travel with.  I wanted one that would hold my camera with a long lens in any position I wish to put it.  My cheapo tripod did no such thing and it was difficult to get into position.  Sticky and cumbersome.

I chose the Dolica because it was so versatile and the reviews on it were quite good.  Well, as many as I could find at Amazon and B&H Photo, along with Adorama.  

One of the nicer features that it has it even if you loosen the quick release...even by accident, the camera still has to be released.  Meaning, it won't fall off the tripod unless you really try to make it do so.

It is fast and easy to set up.  At first you may fumble around a bit getting used to the twist release legs ...and figuring out how to lock them and unlock them.  But it took me only about 3 minutes of play before I had it working well for me.

I even reversed the legs and used the center column for shooting a macro.

I tried it out the first night I had it for a 20 second exposure after the sun went down.  [Shot facing east 45 minutes after the sun had gone down.]

I brought it inside and quickly sized it so grab a shot of Morris on the couch in the fading light.

It is taking me a bit to get used to using the ball head, but I think I'll quickly adjust.

I looked at the MeFoto and the Manfrotto brands and decided to invest in nearly $90 versus nearly $200 for banging around in the woods.
For me the price was right.
Now let's see how it holds up to snowshoeing, backpacking, and all the other stuff I can throw at it.

I'll update my thoughts as I go!

First impression FujiFilm FinePix HS 30 EXR

FujiFilm Finepix camera [all in one none DSLR].
Many folks don't believe you can take very good shots with anything but a DSLR.

I agree a DSLR is great.  But my one drawback I have found while hiking is that I either choose to bring only one lens and have often chosen the wrong one to use. 

I'd sold my FujiFilm FinePix S1500 a while ago [very cheaply to a friend so his daughter could experiment].  Frankly, I missed that camera which allowed me to go from one 'lens' to zoom lens with a flick of the finger.

It was one of the first digital cameras that was made this way.  I figured that improvements had been made in the past 6 yrs.
I was correct. 

This camera at first glance looks and feels like any DSLR.  It has heft to it and seems to be built quite sturdy.
Never having to change the lens and yet having the 24-720 zoom range is, to me, a huge plus!

I don't get caught without the wrong lens in the woods, or have to drag more than one lens along and try to change them in a hurry.

I can do super macro and lay the camera on the ground and use the tilt screen to capture my image.
Yeah, that it super cool!
Macro:

Colors:
Shot in Auto mode zoomed into the bush...

Morris:

B&W mode of the ridge where we walked:

Landscape mode using the tilt screen while laying on the ground:

 

Conclusion:

This camera has a lot of potential that I have not even tried yet.

It also has a one touch button to record movies.

I'll be trying this out in more ways.  One of the features I do like about it, is that you can take hand held 3 exposures without a tripod and do a fairly good HDR.

Most of the shots taken, though could use a tad bit of post processing.  But the average user can get along fine in the auto mode.

There are many functions to use.

It'll take time for me to get through them, but getting around the menus are not too bad. 

Just takes time to get used to them.