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Field Trips
July 11th, 2009 - Field Trip: *Cancelled* McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area *Cancelled*

The July 11th, 2009 NVPS Field Trip to the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area has been cancelled. The McKee-Besher sunflower crop is blooming late this year because of planting delays that resulted from this spring's heavy rainfall.  If you wish to photograph the McKee-Besher sunflowers this summer,  I would expect that they would be in full bloom towards the end of the July. 

The July 12th, 2009 NVPS Field Trip to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (Washington DC) will occur as scheduled.  Details are shown below.


Date: Sunday, July 12th, 2009
Time: From 7:00 a.m.  
Until 10:00 a.m.

Note that there will NOT be any organized car pooling from Dunn Loring.  Also note there is no need to "sign up" for this trip. Just arrive at the garden and begin photographing. 

Information about the gardens can be found at http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm

Directions:  The National Park Service provides directions (including metro) to the gardens at http://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/directions.htm

If you are entering Washington D.C. On I-395,  continue on the SW/SE FWY towards its end and take the right exit on to Pennsylvania Ave SE.  After crossing the Anacostia river, turn left onto the DC-295N (Anacostia Fwy). Take the exit toward Eastern Ave/Quarles St and merge onto Kenilworth Ave NE and then make a U-turn just before Eastern Ave. Turn right at Quarles St. NE and then left at Anacostia Ave NE. Take the second right turn which is the entrance to the Garden's parking lot. 

To find your own directions to the Kenilworth parking lot using www.googlemaps.com, set your destination to 38.91305,-76.94011 

Although the gardens officially open at 7:00 a.m.,  the gates are normally open earlier.  To take advantage of the early morning light, I'd suggest arriving around 6:30 and enter the gardens as soon as the gate opens.  After parking, gather your gear and proceed directly to the aquatic gardens and begin photographing.  

If you have any questions, contact gerry.abbott "at" cox.net or 703.967.9677 (mobile). 








Date: Saturday, July 11th, 2009
Time: From 6:00 a.m. (it is not a requirement that you arrive by 6:00) 
Until 9:30 a.m.

Note that there will NOT be any organized car pooling from Dunn Loring.  Also note there is no need to "sign up" for this trip. Just arrive at the parking lot and walk over to the sunflower fields to begin photographing. 

The field trip destination will be to the large sunflower fields located on the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area.  In addition to sunflowers, you may find numerous macro opportunities for subjects such as spider webs, dew drops, etc.   As there will be  mosquitoes and insects in the field, dress appropriately and bring insect repellent. 

There is a parking lot off river road but there are no signs to indicate the sunflowers.  Thus, follow these directions carefully and call Gerry (703.967.9677 mobile) if you can not locate the parking lot.

Directions from the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-66:

Head north on I-495, cross the Potomac River (for about 8 miles from I-66 intersection) and then take exit number 39 to merge onto MD-190/River Rd  (west bound towards town of Potomac)

Proceed west on River Rd. and pass through the town of Potomac  (beware of speed camera) until finally reaching a stop sign (about 12 miles).

At the stop sign, turn left. This is a continuation of River Rd.  Proceed about 2.7 miles and the parking lot will be on the left. 

There is a Maryland Historical Sign (silver and black) on the left side of the road just prior to parking lot entrance.  This sign says "Planetary Radio Emissions Discovery Site" plus a brief explanation.  Inside the parking area, the Wildlife Management Area has a large sign board with various postings but it does not give a unique name to the parking area.  Walk past the yellow gate to reach the sunflower fields.

To find your own directions to the parking lot using www.googlemaps.com, set your destination to 39.081321, -77.373067

If you have any questions, contact gerry.abbott "at" cox.net or 703.967.9677 (mobile). 

 
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