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Field Trip – Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
April 7 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers a wide variety of photographic possibilities. Participants will have the opportunity to capture landscapes and colorful images of flowers blooming in one of a dozen garden beds in this ever expanding park operated by the Northern Virginia Park Authority. There’s even something for bird photographers as this park attracts small songbirds with their bird feeders.
The park has nearly five miles of winding trails. The visitor’s center and conservatory overlook the valley gardens where you will find the Lake Caroline Gazebo surrounded by cherry trees. Azaleas should be blooming so a visit to the Azalea Woods Gazebo might be productive. The Korean Bell Garden is another popular destination so there is plenty of room to spread out.
For your convenience, here is a map of the gardens to help you plan ahead.
Equipment and Notes:
* You will find images to compose with every lens so bring your favorite. Consider bringing a macro lens to capture something uniquely colorful and up close or a longer lens if you want to capture the birds that frequent the garden.
* Don’t forget your circular polarizer to cut the glare some of the more waxy plants.
* Tripods and monopods are permitted provided they stay out of the garden beds.
* Bring comfortable walking shoes for paved and mulch walking paths. There are benches placed throughout the park and lots to see so don’t feel disappointed if you don’t make it all the way around.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens has a few rules and guidelines for photography. Please respect their wishes so everyone can enjoy the gardens.
Meadowlark has a small entrance fee:
Free for ages 5 and under
$4 for ages 6-17 and 55+
$8 for ages adults 18-54
When:
Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 10:00am – 1:00pm
Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 10:00am – 1:00pm (Saturday is our alternate rain date)
Where:
We’ll meet in front of the Visitor’s Center for our usual greeting and socializing. At that time, we’ll also decide if we want to reconvene for lunch afterwards.
Restrooms are located near the cashier’s window at the visitor’s center.
Directions:
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court
Vienna, VA 22182
We hope you can join us!
Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
Field Trip Coordinators 2023-2024
* Photographs courtesy Steven Glintz