PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERSPECTIVE ON LOCATION SERIES: VIRGINIA

INDEX

CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ASSATEAGUE ISLAND
HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK, ALEXANDRIA
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, LURAY

CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, VIRGINIA
Text copyright Heather Forcier, image copyright Bob Boner, all rights reserved

ACCESS
The Refuge is accessed from Chincoteague Island by traveling Maddox Boulevard to Assateague Island. The entry has a gate and booth where a $10 entrance fee is collected which provides access for seven consecutive days. Holders of a current National Wildlife Refuge Duckstamp may enter without an additional fee. Refuge hours are indicated as:

May to September: 5am-10pm
November to March: 6am-6pm
April, October: 6am-8pm

AREA LAYOUT
A blend of woodlands, fields, salt marshes, beach and oceanfront, parts of the Refuge can be accessed by vehicle. The major roads are the Wildlife Loop and Beach Road. Other areas may be accessed only on foot or bicycle. A point called “Tom’s Cove Hook” is inaccessible from March 15 to August 31 due to nesting Piping Plovers. The species is considered threatened. The eggs and chicks blend so well with the sandy environment they are hard to spot and avoid unless the area is closed off.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Chincoteague is famous for its wild ponies and is gaining fame for its other abundant wildlife such as Sika Elk, White-tailed Deer, the endangered Delmarva Squirrel, and a great variety of birds. Wildlife at the refuge is relatively approachable, and much can be photographed right from a vehicle. It is important to remember that while the ponies are accustomed to humans and many even appear tame, they are still wild creatures and maintaining a respectful distance is prudent.

Autumn migration brings passerines and waterfowl, with some waterfowl staying to winter at the Refuge. Notable numbers of Snow Geese collect in the pools on their southward migration. Winter on the Virginia coast sees little in the way of snow, and while the wildlife activity is slightly diminished at Chincoteague NWR there are still plenty of subjects to photograph. The ponies, deer, elk and squirrels make the Refuge their home all year long, and there are still good numbers of birds. Spring sees migratory activity from birds and the plant life starts to flourish, although evergreens provide some color all year long. Throughout spring and summer the Refuge is busy with foals, fawns and nesting birds.

Close to the ocean, temperatures are more moderate and quite tolerable year round. Of particular note however is the population of bugs during summer months. Some years are worse than others, and regular bug sprays appears to be an adequate deterrent. Temperatures usually allow for long pants even in the summer which also helps.

LIGHT
With such a combination of terrain there are areas throughout the Refuge exposed to the early morning sun as well as the last light before sunset so coveted by photographers. A small channel alongside Beach Road is a good place to scout for wildlife in different lighting conditions. Sunrise and sunset scenics can be photographed from the Wildlife Loop, but it should be noted that vehicle access is not allowed on this loop until 3pm.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the internet visit www.chinco.fws.gov.

This article would not have been possible without detailed input from Bob Boner, who considers Chincoteague NWR among his favorite places to photograph. Heather Forcier's web site can be found at www.hforcier.com.

HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Text and image copyright Richard Hogg, all rights reserved

ACCESS
The park is open dawn to dusk every day and has no usage or other fees.

AREA LAYOUT
The 1,425 acre park is located 10 miles south of Washington DC. Located at Harrison Lane and Lockheed Boulevard in Alexandria, Virginia, it may be reached by taking Beltway Exit 177A which is Richmond Highway (Route 1) south for three and a half miles to a right on Lockheed Boulevard. The park entrance is approximately three blocks down on the left at Harrison Lane. It’s a short 10-minute walk to the 1/2 mile long boardwalk and wetland trail. The easy access is an important consideration especially when carrying a heavy lens and tripod.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Huntley Meadows has long been considered the leading birding site in the area. An impressive list of over 200 species has been seen in the park. Walking along the trails, you’ll find many other species of woodland birds such as Northern Flickers, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers. In winter many species of ducks inhabit the marsh: Mallards, American Blacks, Gadwalls, Wood Ducks, Green-wing Teals, American Wigeons, Blue-winged Teals, and Hooded Mergansers.

You will see many sparrow species popping in and out of the cattails at the end of the boardwalk. Near the observation tower, you could see Catbirds, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Towhees, and Vireos. Numerous Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and Egrets are so close to the boardwalk you’ll need to back up to get the whole image in the frame. From late winter to early spring an Eagle or Osprey may often be seen flying overhead.

LIGHT
The light at Huntley Meadows is usually better in the morning which gives you a better lighting direction. Front lit and side lit images can be photographed in the main marsh areas. The marsh area is surrounded by trees, so you may have to wait until the light clears them. Another reason for going in the early morning is that fewer people are visiting the park at that time. If you plan on photographing using a tripod on the boardwalk it can be very unstable when people are walking nearby, resulting in soft images. The birds also tend to be more active in the early morning.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information visit http://friendsofhuntleymeadows.org or http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley/index.htm.

Richard Hogg is a dedicated and passionate photographer interested in all subjects in nature, but especially avian. To see Richard's personal web site please visit www.naturephotographs.net.

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
LURAY, VIRGINIA
Text and image copyright Chris Earle, all rights reserved

ACCESS
Shenandoah National Park is situated in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C. The Skyline Drive is the park’s only accessible road and runs the length of the park from Front Royal to Waynesboro. If the 110-mile drive is too far for your tastes, access to the drive can also be had from US Rt. 211 (Luray) and US Rt. 33 (Harrisonburg), which divide the park into nearly equal thirds. Access to the park is unlimited, with the exception of when winter weather conditions close Skyline Drive and from mid November through early January when access is limited to the hours of 8am to 5am. The entrance fee for the park is $10 for a seven-day pass, or $20 for an annual pass. National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass holders may enter the park free of charge. Backcountry permits (free) are required for camping outside of designated campgrounds.

AREA LAYOUT
Skyline Drive follows the ridgelines of the Blue Ridge Mountains, nearly parallel to the Appalachian Trail. The terrain is mountainous and forested with numerous scenic viewpoints. Hundreds of miles of trails can be found in the park that lead down to several streams and waterfalls or higher up to mountain peaks with fantastic panoramic views. Big Meadows is the park’s only open area with over 135 acres of grassy meadows and wetlands.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND
Shenandoah National Park offers a wealth of photographic opportunities to satisfy all nature photographers. For the landscape photographer, the Skyline Drive’s many scenic overlooks provide great opportunities to capture views of the Shenandoah Valley and sunsets over the distant mountains. The park also offers nearly 20 different waterfalls, which are readily accessible via the park’s extensive and well-maintained trail system. Get to the falls early though to avoid the hikers who will inevitably congregate just inside your perfect composition.

Wildlife is abundant in the park, with Whitetail Deer and Black Bear being the major attractions. Black Bear can be found foraging in the woods along Skyline Drive in the spring and early summer, and they occasionally will wander into the park’s many campgrounds. The Whitetail Deer are quite habituated to the presence of cars and people. A slow approach can lead to some amazing close-up opportunities. For guaranteed whitetails, head to Big Meadows just before dusk. Other mammals that can be found include Bobcat, Red and Gray Fox, squirrel, chipmunk, Opossum, Skunk, Raccoon, and Cottontail Rabbit.

For the bird photographer, a variety of songbirds spend time in the park’s woodlands. Wild turkey and many species of hawk and owl can be found throughout the park. Hawksbill Mountain also has nesting Peregrine Falcons which can be photographed from the viewing area at the summit.

Wildflowers are abundant along the drive and hiking trails from early spring to late fall. Wild Columbine, Virginia Rose, Spiderwort,Mountain Laurel, Wild Geranium, and Bull Thistle are just a few of the species that can readily be found.

LIGHT
For the sunrise/sunset photographers, the light is very weather dependent. On a clear day, visibility can be greater than 30 miles. Unfortunately, haze from northeast and midwest power plant emissions can obscure some of the most distant mountain ridges. But on occasion, the combination of haze and weather can combine for some dramatic images. In Big Meadows, the sweet light of early morning and later afternoon will make your Whitetail Deer photos glow.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information on Shenandoah National Park, visit www.nps.gov/shen/.

Chris Earle spends the majority of his free time photographing the wildlife and wildflowers of Shenandoah National Park.