Month: April 2023

Skillman Park

For years, I've been wanting a super-zoom lens. Previously, I rented lenses like the Fujinon XF100-400mmF4.5-4.6 for bird photography workshops. Finally, after saving up, I bought Fujifilm's latest super-zoom, the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR. The weather was great, so I headed to Skillman Park in Montgomery Township to try it out.

Located in Montgomery Township in Central New Jersey, Skillman Park is one of my township's newest parks. The park is named after the Skillman family, prominent landowners in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Originally, the park was the site of a mental health facility called Skillman Village. However, the facility was closed in 1995, and Montgomery Township purchased the property intending to create a park. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the buildings on the property contained asbestos and untreated sewage. This led to a series of lawsuits. Eventually, Somerset County purchased and rehabilitated the property, creating the park. Since then, the township has acquired additional land, bringing the park's total size to over 247 acres.

Within the park, individuals can find a multitude of opportunities for recreational activities. These include various sports fields and courts for sports enthusiasts, lovely picnic areas for those seeking a peaceful break, a playground for children to enjoy, and extensive hiking and biking trails that seamlessly weave through lush wooded areas and vast open fields, providing for an immersive outdoor experience.

Skillman Park is a haven for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, foxes, bird species, and the American Robin. It's a well-known birdwatching destination; designated birdwatching areas are scattered throughout the park.

I had hoped to capture some photos of birds, but unfortunately, I didn't come across many. Though I could see birds flying above, they were too far away, even for the long end of my lens. Feeling disappointed, I strolled along one of the park's trails.

American Robin

The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR super telephoto lens I had ordered on Amazon.com a few weeks earlier had arrived, and I was itching to use it. I walked around Skillman Park looking for the early signs of Spring.

The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR super telephoto lens I had ordered on Amazon.com a few weeks earlier had arrived, and I was itching to use it. I walked around Skillman Park looking for the early signs of Spring. I hoped to find something exotic, but after thirty minutes of walking near Sylvan Lake's edge, I settled for whatever was possible.

Turdus migratorius, the American Robin, is a common migratory songbird in Skillman Park. During the breeding season, male American Robins have bright orange breasts and dark grey upper parts, while females have paler orange breasts and grey-brown upper legs. Both males and females have a white eye ring, a yellow bill, and a distinctive upright posture.

American Robins are known for their melodious song, a series of clear, flute-like notes. I typically see them foraging for food on lawns and in open fields, including my backyard. They use their keen eyesight to search for earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates.

This American Robins was perched on nearby tree branches after hopping across the grass for food. They mate in the area before migrating south for the winter.

Better is subjective

The Internet is full of debates along the lines of:

  • Whether Sony colors are better than Nikon colors
  • Whether Canon colors are better than Sony colors

Sometimes, people are talking about in-camera JPEGs, and it is possible to have a moderately fruitful discussion. How fruitful it might be depends on the definition of better. If better means more accurate, careful image analysis can yield objective insights. If better means, “what I like”, a meeting of the minds is far less likely. ~ How Your Camera and Image Processor Determine Colors