What is the best time for wildlife photography? Surprisingly, winter can be one of the best times. Fewer people out and fewer leaves on the trees mean fewer ways to mess up your shot. Critters tend to be bolder when food is scarce, finding their way into the open more often. Let’s use winter to our advantage on a walk for black squirrels and our favorite birds with Master Naturalist and award-winning photographer, Barbara Saffir. This walk is the first in a series of photo safaris emphasizing ways to maximize your shots of an array of natural subjects and some of the most dependable places to see birds and critters up close. All are welcome to join this walk, even if you are not passionate about photography.
We’ll wander the flat, one-mile-ish paved loop trail at Mariner Point on the lookout for the squirrels who rule this neighborhood park. The common Eastern Gray Squirrels and the black morph varieties are numerous, whose fur resembles mink. Birds that are easily found include chickadees, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, red-bellied woodpeckers, blue jays, white-breasted nuthatches, and red-winged blackbirds. Possible winter visitors are yellow-bellied sapsuckers, fox sparrows, ruby- and golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed juncos, and white-throated sparrows. Unusual winter wanderers may be found, too, such as a palm warbler and American tree sparrow that visited last December and a yellow-headed blackbird that dropped by in February 2022.
You can capture action shots and close-up portraits of your favorite birds using any type of camera, from a cell phone to a DSLR. Medium-focal length lenses are recommended. Participants should have working knowledge of their cameras. This is a photo safari and not a technical workshop, but you can garner some tips from trip leader Barbara Saffir.
Note: There may be construction around the center parking areas, but it should not impact our exploration.
Barbara Saffir, our trip leader, is a certified Master Naturalist, seasoned hike leader, award-winning photographer, and author of Walking Washington, DC. See her blog here: https://www.barbarajoansaffir.com, and find her photostream here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/olympusbjs/K8U8LL9K5K.
Look for our next Photo Safari trip this spring, where we’ll work toward the most beautiful bluebell and wildflower photos possible.
- Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
- Watch for additional details in a welcome email a few days before the date.
- Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Include a hat for sun protection or warmth, depending on the season.
- Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
- Bring your camera and accessories.
- Bring water and snacks.
- Bring binoculars, if you have them.
- Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
- No pets, please.
- Rain date is Saturday, March 1.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.