Mid-Atlantic Nature Visions Expo in November features Art Wolfe

I thought some of you might be interested in learning about the Mid-Atlantic Nature Visions Expo that is coming up Nov 11-13 in Manassas VA. The Expo is put on by the Mid-Atlantic Photography Association, including quite a few Virginia Photography Organizations at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. There are inexpensive accommodations at a nearby Best Western.

A few of us have signed up to hear Art Wolfe speak on the Art of Composition at an all day workshop on Friday Nov 11. Art is also the keynote speaker on Saturday. He is most well known for his TV show, "Travels to the Edge", a wonderful series of programs visiting beaufiful and exotic places.

There are lectures on Saturday and Sunday, workshops, an exhibit, vendors and also a chance to photograph hawks, owls and/or falcons with the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia for an additional $25 . To learn more about the Photo Expo visit  http://naturevisions.org/ We participated last year and enjoyed the lectures, exhibits and photo opportunities very much.

I'm including my photo of a North American Kestral to help inspire you.

Shenandoah National Park: A favorite place

We recently took a long weekend trip to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It has been one of our favorite places for years.  I was amused at the weather report.  If the prediction was rain, it was sunny.  If sun was predicted, it rained! The mountains seem to create their own unpredictable weather pattern.   We had lots of fog and mist too, which created some moody photography.  If you take proper care of your camera, rain doesn’t mean you can’t take good photos!

Big Meadows is one of the best locations on the Skyline Drive to see deer, especially at dusk.  Some of them are very accustomed to people and largely ignore you.  It is wise to use a tripod and stand fairly still to avoid scaring them away.  The wildflowers blooming along the drive and in the meadow in August added a nice touch to the landscapes.  I photographed delicate Queen Anne’s Lace from underneath the flower to produce an unusual viewpoint.

Other highlights of our trip included a van trip to Camp Rapidan, where Herbert Hoover spent his time away from the White House in a rustic camp, viewing a black bear while I was driving along the main road (sorry no photo) and a visit to see Charlie Maddox play music from Appalachia and the British Isles on hammered dulcimer, banjo and guitar in the tap room at Big Meadows Lodge.