Tag: Mercer County

Isolation Photo Project, Day 93

Since I started re-learning film photography, Bhavna has been critical of the endeavour. She doesn't get why anyone would bother with all the limitations inherent in film photography. I am starting to agree with her. Film rolls are expensive to purchase and develop. Over the last two months, I have bought thirteen rolls of film costing about $120. I have developed four rolls for about $108. Assuming I shoot and develop the remaining nine rolls, I will have spent almost $500 for the privilege. Wow!

Last week I bought a gently used (no scratches, no dust) XF27mmF2.8 on MPB.com for $299 (including shipping and taxes). I realised today that for what I have spent on my film hobby, I could buy another "pre-owned" Fujifilm lens, perhaps the XF35mmF2 R WR, or XF50mmF2 R WR or even pay for half the cost of the XF80mmF2.8 R Macro.

There is also the wait time, made worse during this pandemic, waiting for the film to be developed, and shipping to and from (getting my negatives back) the developer. This is approximately two weeks and according to the USPS website, it could get worse.

I have been experimenting with Ritchie Roesch's film simulation recipes. While I don't think these are exact emulations (simulations) of Kodak and Fuji films, I do like the look of the results, especially Fujifilm Pro 400H.

Tonight's dinner was at the Brick Farm Tavern. It can get expensive but since we're not spending money anywhere else we're splurging.

Submitted as part of the 100DaysToOffload project.

Skyview & Garfi Preserves

Back in April, shortly after Governor Murphy and the counties and townships closed all the state and local parks, I went on a search for open spaces to hike to control my anxiety.

Two years ago when I was struggling with hyperthyroidism and undergoing treatment for Graves Eye Disease, I worked with a therapist to help me deal with anxiety caused by my thyroid as well worry over going blind. We determined that being in nature was relaxing for me. Something about the quiet sounds of wind blowing through leaves, birds calling out to each other and water rushing in nearby streams pushed out the unwanted worry about "everything".

Taking Bhavna along with me1, I bought hiking boots, pants, shirts and socks. I bought layers so that I could continue through the colder months of winter. I bought a new camera, my Fuji X-T2 so that I could document my adventures. Photography was part of the process and it requires attention to detail, focused concentration, and envisioning. After my final eye surgery in December of last year, camera in hand, I started visiting every trail I could find. Then COVID-19 hit and my mental health recovery was aborted and I had something new to be anxious about.

In April of 2020, shortly after Governor Murphy and the counties and townships closed all the state and local parks, I went on a search for open spaces for hiking. I needed to control my anxiety. Fortunately, many of the open space preserves were still open, one of which, Skyview & Garfi Preserves is just a few minutes drive in the nearby town of Hopewell.

Skyview and Garfi Preserves protect a series of meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and a portion of Woodsville Brook near Route 31. A hiking trail meanders through these habitats. The Garfi Preserve is owned entirely by FoHVOS, while the Skyview Preserve is co-owned with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

I went by myself, slowly inhaling the cool spring air and noticing the small flowers and budding plants at my feet. Dappled light covered my face. It didn't take long for me to find peace. I wanted to sit in the open meadow and enjoy the moment in the sun, perhaps take a nap. But I had not the forethought to bring a chair.

Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | Day 31 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | f/8.0 | ISO 250
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Agrimonia parviflora | Wednesday 22 April, 2020 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Map of Skyview Preserve
Map of Skyview Preserve

Submitted for the 100 Days To Offload challenge.

  1. I had double vision for the last four months of 2019. Bhavna drove me everywhere. ↩

Isolation Photo Project, Day 77 : Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market & St. Michael’s Farm Preserve

I convinced Bhavna to come with me to the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market. Earlier in the week, I ordered a rustic loaf of bread and a 7 year aged reserve cheddar from Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse in Milford. I ordered online, but pick up is at the farmers' market.

It seems my days have become so dull that I do all my photography on the weekend. I convinced Bhavna to come with me to the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market. Earlier in the week, I ordered a rustic loaf of bread and a seven-year aged reserve cheddar from Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse in Milford. I ordered online, but pick up is at the farmers' market.

Case-Dvoor Farmstead  Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market is hosted at the Case-Dvoor Farmstead in Flemington, about a 45-minute drive from home. We didn't know what to expect, but we pleasantly surprised. Beside Bobolink, we bought a few containers of spicy pickles from picklelicious for Kiran. She loves their pickles. I bought some native wildflower plants for my garden and roasted coffee beans.

Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Now for the strange bit. We stopped at one booth where a woman and her family were selling a sort of Balkan calzone and a sweet pastry which she thought I "needed". When I explained that I don't eat too many sweet things due to Type 1 diabetes, her husband, who was seated on the grass nearby perked up. He got up and insisted on praying for me to be healed. I was polite, but then it got weird when he tried to lay his hands on me. I did my best not insult the man when I insisted that I had to leave. But he persisted in explaining that disease was all in my mind and that he could cure me with prayer. Did I mention he was not wearing a mask and insisted COVID-19 was a hoax? Yup. Weird.

Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

After the market, Bhavna wanted to go for a hike. We quickly ate our "Balkan" lunch, changed, and drove over to the St. Michael’s Farm Preserve. The last time we hiked this trail it was winter, the air was cold, and the ground was frozen. We had a blast then, but this time, we were miserable. The preserve is mostly open fields. The air was humid with temperatures just above 30ºC. We were wilting. Bhavna wanted to turn around, but we persisted and found a fork in the trail that took us into the forest. That was more fun, but the trail wasn't as beautiful as the Rocky Brook and Mount Rose trails.

Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I was in the kitchen when I looked out the window and saw this foal strolling across the lawn. I grabbed the Canon 70-200mm, gingerly slid open the sliding door and was able to snap some photos.

Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Sunday 7 June, 2020 | Day 77 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Map of St. Michael’s Preserve
St. Michael’s Preserve Trail Map
Submitted as part of the 100DaysToOffload project.