DC/ National Zoo - this Saturday!

04/14/2008 01:46:38 AM · #1

I am going to be in the DC area this weekend and I should have some time on Saturday to shoot, if one or more of you are interested in an informal GTG!

I've never really done any serious photography around the DC or surrounding areas, so I'm game for any suggestions and hopefully others interested in shooting together.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED

04/14/2008 01:00:00 PM · #2

afternoon bump...anyone interested?

The Eskimo

Nikon D3s

04/14/2008 01:24:52 PM · #3

Neil,

Wish I could join you this weekend but unfortunately I'm 6K miles away for a couple weeks. Anyone else in town?

Dan

04/14/2008 01:42:27 PM · #4

I'm not so far away...and possibly free for part of the day. :)
It'd be nice to meet up. What do you have in mind?

04/14/2008 02:12:25 PM · #5

I just had in mind good photography opportunities and meeting more DPCers!

I'm completely open to ideas.

I'm sure you have some places you want to go, or go back to that are photo gems. Falls and outdoor landscapes are my favorite places of course, so great, as long as the weather and timing is good (late or early in the day). DC architecture, flower gardens, ...maybe the zoo--that would be "different" for me since we don't have a zoo anywhere near here! Or even the aquarium for that matter. Anywhere we can take good pics!

What would you like to do? What part of the day are you free?

(FWIW, I'll be staying in Fairfax.)

04/14/2008 02:29:43 PM · #6

The zoo would be great! I haven't been there in awhile. It's free. :) And it's on the Metro line, too! It also qualifies as outdoors.

Other places could include the National Botanic garden near the capitol. I was there yesterday and they have a display of orchids going on. I wouldn't mind getting back there again.

Hmmm... DC has so many possibilities....

As for timing, I'm not sure yet. I'm the sort who could get up early and be on location an hour away by 7:00 a.m. Let's see if anyone else chimes in.

Like...

levyj413, for one example...

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

04/14/2008 02:32:57 PM · #7

I think I would love to do something. I might be able to talk my dad into going too. The National Arboretum is a nice place for an idea.

National Arboretum

Of course I am up for the zoo too :)

We are from MD

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

04/14/2008 03:14:43 PM · #8

Other Links

Rock Creek Park

National Zoo

Great Falls

levyj413

Nikon D7100

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

04/14/2008 03:27:36 PM · #9

Originally posted by KaDi:

Like... levyj413, for one example...

Thanks, KaDi. Neil had sent me a PM already. :) I'm available only Friday night, unfortunately.

But I was just thinking it's about time to start planning a big GTG. I'm pretty busy in June, so I'll start a thread shortly for September (let's skip the worst heat).

04/14/2008 04:25:51 PM · #10

National Arboretum is always nice. Flowering trees should be pretty still.

I've never been to Great Falls but it looks awesome. It's less than an hour drive for me and that's great!

At

levyj413: Too bad you're not free Saturday! I agree we should get a big GTG going again. Last year's was a nice event...especially with that wonderful dinner we had. :) September seems so far away, though. Can't we get a night shoot in before then? I've never been brave (or foolish?) enough to do July 4th on the Mall...or even here in Baltimore's Inner Harbor but wouldn't mind some brave/foolish souls who would like to attempt such a thing.

Back to the original topic... I like the FDR Memorial. It has lots of fountains! And it's near the Tidal Basin with lovely views of the Jefferson Memorial. Not far from the Lincoln Memorial, either.

So many choices, so little time. Good thing I don't have to chose. ;-)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

04/14/2008 04:40:16 PM · #11

Thanks for all the good choices Christina :)

I'll look through them tonight when I have a good block of time!

MaryO

Nikon Z8

04/14/2008 10:48:05 PM · #12

Fairfax?! That's right next door! Actually I'll be in Fairfax Friday night for a Board meeting (not really a great photographic opportunity) and am travelling to Newport News Saturday to see my son STAR (yes, I'm bragging) in a play at CNU. Should be around here Sunday but I don't promise I can focus ;-)

I agree about the FDR memorial; it's really an educational and inspirational tribute, and besides the fountains it has some intriguing bas relief art.

There is an aquarium in DC, BTW, in the basement of the Commerce Department. Cheaper than the one in Baltimore and it gets good reviews; I'm somewhat ashamed to say I've never been there.

Looks like there is an Earth Day festival type thingy on the Mall in DC Sunday.

If you're tired of the tourist thing by Sunday you can also consider looking for Bald Eagles at Mason Neck State Park or more mundane wildlife at one of the many other parks in Fairfax County, though on a nice Sunday in spring there may be as many joggers and bicyclists as wildlife. Lots of historic places to visit, too; Old Town Fairfax City isn't very big but Alexandria is and it's on the Potomac to boot.

If you go to Great Falls in VA you can enter via the County park and hike to the National park and avoid the minimal parking fee if you want to be frugal. The Maryland side has the canal towpath as well as riverside views but there are lovely scenes from either side. The Virginia Bluebells and some other wildflowers along the VA paths are gorgeous this time of year, should you be feeling florally inclined. The cherry trees are past their peak but the Redbuds are starting to bloom in the woods along with Crabapples and a few others, and most trees are leafing out. It's spring, tra-la ;-)

My ... looks like about 10 cents ;-)

levyj413

Nikon D7100

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

04/14/2008 11:13:55 PM · #13

Originally posted by KaDi:

National Arboretum is always nice. Flowering trees should be pretty still.

I've never been to Great Falls but it looks awesome. It's less than an hour drive for me and that's great!

At levyj413: Too bad you're not free Saturday! I agree we should get a big GTG going again. Last year's was a nice event...especially with that wonderful dinner we had. :) September seems so far away, though. Can't we get a night shoot in before then?

Oh, a night GTG. Well, as you can see from my portfolio of DC images, I just hate shooting around here at night. ;) I won't be able to do July 4, though. I'll be on my 15th anniversary trip to Hawaii! :)

levyj413

Nikon D7100

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

04/14/2008 11:15:16 PM · #14

Oh, Neil, you could come with my Girl Scout troop on our hike Saturday morning. "Just ignore the man with the camera, girls." *grin*

04/15/2008 04:42:06 PM · #15

Sorry--I've not had a chance to really look things over carefully. With parks and such, I now try to explore online and see what I might want to photograph. That worked out pretty well on my last trip, as I picked the right lighthouse to visit!

Though I'll confess I'm leaning towards the zoo. Mainly because I haven't been to one for ages, and the closest one to here is 3+ hours away. We have lots of parks here, so a park has to be pretty special! (Some nice waterfalls would qualify however!)

But it's a group decision. Why doesn't everyone who's coming post their preference, and we can go from there!

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

04/15/2008 07:29:13 PM · #16

I am good for the zoo. I am not too big on going into the city, so having more than two people will make me feel better. The arboretum is just inside the line and by my old office so I will have no problems going there anytime.

btw just checked the weather. We are looking at a few showers with a high of 75. 30% chance of precip.

04/17/2008 01:49:42 AM · #17

So Saturday, at the National zoo, what time? Morning or afternoon? When are the best critters available?

I'll be taking the metro in from Vienna station.

04/17/2008 09:05:26 AM · #18

Originally posted by nshapiro:

So Saturday, at the National zoo, what time? Morning or afternoon? When are the best critters available?

I'll be taking the metro in from Vienna station.

Morning at the zoo is a good time for the light and early animal activity. There are less human critters then, too. ;)

I'd suggest buying a day pass for the Metro ($7.50, I think). It will give you unlimited on/off privileges. You can use a credit card to purchase them from the machines at any station. To get to the zoo from Vienna you'll take the Orange line to Metro Center. Go upstairs and find the Red line toward Shady Grove...you'll be getting off the 3rd stop at Woodley Park/Zoo. The main gate of the zoo is across the street and up the hill a short distance...we could all meet there.

We could go to Chinatown for lunch. There's a colorful arch there, as well. Or, within walking distance from the zoo there's a street full of restaurants in Adams/Morgan. Lots of options. We can play it by ear.

04/17/2008 09:35:00 AM · #19

Sounds like morning at the zoo!

Christina suggested meeting at the great cats area, on the other side of the park from the main entrance.

She also suggested "early", but that's a relative thing ;) If the animals are up, though, early is good because light is better and crowds are fewer.

I wouldn't mind early, but I have to get a ride to the metro, and that means someone else has to be up. (Anyone know how "difficult" it is to park at Vienna station on a Saturday, and the cost?)

So far we have just the three of us and guests. Others are welcome, you need to chime in so we know who to expect.

04/17/2008 09:47:26 AM · #20

Originally posted by nshapiro:

...
I wouldn't mind early, but I have to get a ride to the metro, and that means someone else has to be up. (Anyone know how "difficult" it is to park at Vienna station on a Saturday, and the cost?)

Parking should be abundant and free on Saturday. If not free, I think the daily fee is $4.50. I've never been to that station by car, so I'm not an authority on it but I park at Greenbelt for free on Saturdays and there are always plenty of spaces.

edit to add: This may be handy for getting driving directions //www.wmata.com/metrorail/Stations/station.cfm?station=103

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 10:03:56.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

04/17/2008 10:06:29 AM · #21

If you are taking the metro the best place to meet would be the main entrance. Park grounds open at 6:00 and the buildings open at 10:00. I just checked the weather again. Looks like party cloudy with a high of 84 chance of precip is 10%.

Ok so far we have

nshapiro

kadi

rwo82939

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 10:11:59.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/17/2008 10:56:23 AM · #22

By the way, the Zoo in the morning and DC in the afternoon (after lunch in Chinatown) sounds great, depending on whether we feel we've had enough of the zoo by lunchtime.

Is there any reason to bring a flash to the zoo?

noraneko

Canon EOS-7D

04/17/2008 11:03:31 AM · #23

Just an FYI for you considering a photoshoot of the orchids at the nat'l botanical garden. They are gorgeous, but keep in mind there are no tripods allowed and a lot of people in there. I did a photo shoot there a couple months ago and got some great shots, but needed my combo macro-telephoto lens to pull it off.

04/17/2008 11:13:28 AM · #24

Originally posted by noraneko:

It is crowded. However tripods are allowed. You just need to stop at the welcome desk and fill out a piece of paper. I haven't tried that on a weekend but it's not an issue weekdays. They also don't consider a monopod to be a tripod and do not require a tripod permit for those.