Posted by Byron West on March 31, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Hi to all you fortunates to live in such a beautiful region. We are flying into Raleigh/Durham on April 20th and staying through May 3rd. We've rented a car and are anxious to see the mid-atlantic coastal area and inland to some mountain areas. Looking avian subjects as well as some intimate landscapes. I know this is a huge spread but thought that some of you out there could suggest a route.
We would do the same for anyone heading out to Colorado. We have a place boarding the Pike National Forest and know some of the opportunites for visiting photogs.
At this point, we have nothing specific planned so we are wideopen for suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Have you thought about the Blue Ridge Parkway ? Not sure how much driving you plan on doing. Enjoy yourself wherever you find yourself. The recent rains, snows, etc. of this winter should give you some great chances for waterfalls.
Most of the parkway will be barely touching spring by the time of your trip. I'd recommend you visit the creeks and rivers of the Smokies and partake of wildflowers and dogwoods. . .
Posted by Lori Kincaid on April 1, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Hi Byron,
I'm not an avian photographer so can't help you in that regard, but the Outer Banks are always a good choice. If you go to the Outer Banks you might visit Lake Mattamuskeet on the way:
http://www.fws.gov/mattamuskeet/nathist.html
I've actually never been there, but it's high on my list of places to go and is supposed to be a good birding location. I also like Hunting Island in SC, which is pretty far south but also a good birding location:
Byron, as Lori mentioned, Lake Mattamuskeet is a great place. Also not too far away is the Pocossin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. As you travel toward Manteo and Nags Head on US 64 Highway you will pass through Alligator National Refuge and on the Outer Banks south from Nags Head is Pea Island National Refuge. All of these are great for wildlife and birds. There should be some migrants passing through right now and there will be some nesting Herons and Egrets. As Matthew said, in the mountains there are some nice areas along many of the streams. The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is excellent this time of year also.
Hi Byron,
Since you are starting in North Carolina, I'll second a trip along the Blue Ridge Pkwy. It can be VERY moody at that time of year with lots of intimate landscape opportunities. One place in particular I'll recommend is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In Gatlinburg there is an annual wildflower pilgrimage that starts the day after your arrival see - http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/ They hold inexpensive guided walks of amazing wildflower displays. I've taken a guided walk and then returned later to return and shoot what I saw. The streams of the area are also classic for their spring beauty.
As to bird photography sites, I'll recommend two in my area. One is in northern Virginia near Alexandria - "Huntley Meadows" a local nature preserve with a wetland boardwalk that gives very good photo opportunities (AM is usually best) with birds that are fairly used to people. April is a good time as the vegetation is low and the birds are active. Here's a link:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley/
The other spot is Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in the outer banks of Virigina. A great spot for spring migration with excellent photography opportunities. Actually there are several coastal areas along Virginia/Maryland/New Jersey (Backbay and Cape May are two) that are very good in April/May, but I'm most familiar with Chincoteague.
Discussion
5 repliesWe would do the same for anyone heading out to Colorado. We have a place boarding the Pike National Forest and know some of the opportunites for visiting photogs.
At this point, we have nothing specific planned so we are wideopen for suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Have you thought about the Blue Ridge Parkway ? Not sure how much driving you plan on doing. Enjoy yourself wherever you find yourself. The recent rains, snows, etc. of this winter should give you some great chances for waterfalls.
Andy Sentipal
I'm not an avian photographer so can't help you in that regard, but the Outer Banks are always a good choice. If you go to the Outer Banks you might visit Lake Mattamuskeet on the way:
http://www.fws.gov/mattamuskeet/nathist.html
I've actually never been there, but it's high on my list of places to go and is supposed to be a good birding location. I also like Hunting Island in SC, which is pretty far south but also a good birding location:
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1019.aspx
Hope this helps.
Lori
Since you are starting in North Carolina, I'll second a trip along the Blue Ridge Pkwy. It can be VERY moody at that time of year with lots of intimate landscape opportunities. One place in particular I'll recommend is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In Gatlinburg there is an annual wildflower pilgrimage that starts the day after your arrival see - http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/ They hold inexpensive guided walks of amazing wildflower displays. I've taken a guided walk and then returned later to return and shoot what I saw. The streams of the area are also classic for their spring beauty.
As to bird photography sites, I'll recommend two in my area. One is in northern Virginia near Alexandria - "Huntley Meadows" a local nature preserve with a wetland boardwalk that gives very good photo opportunities (AM is usually best) with birds that are fairly used to people. April is a good time as the vegetation is low and the birds are active. Here's a link:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley/
The other spot is Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in the outer banks of Virigina. A great spot for spring migration with excellent photography opportunities. Actually there are several coastal areas along Virginia/Maryland/New Jersey (Backbay and Cape May are two) that are very good in April/May, but I'm most familiar with Chincoteague.
Enjoy your trip!
Julie