We’re returning to Green Spring Gardens for our field trip in early July. Green Spring Gardens offers so much with only a fraction of the crowds. The gardens around the gazebo and the winding paths between the parking lot and the lawn will be showing their blooms. In addition to the flowers, you will also hopefully find birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and maybe even a hummingbird or two.

In the far end of the park, you will find several garden vignettes including a children’s garden.

The lower gardens is where you will find another gazebo and two ponds where you can capture water lilies and lotus flowers towering out of the water. This area is also home to great blue and green herons. These gardens are accessible from either a paved path leading down from the parking lot or the wooded stream valley path on the far end.

People walking the park and otherwise enjoying nature will also provide for unique photographic opportunities around the park.

More information about the park and its events can be reviewed online, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Where:

Green Spring Gardens

4603 Green Spring Rd.

Alexandria, VA

Please note that while the grounds are open from dawn to dusk, the gate to the parking lot will probably be closed when we arrive. There are two options for parking: (1) in the parking spaces on Witch Hazel Road (accessed from Braddock Rd.) leading to the parking lot; and (2) on Green Spring Road (accessed from Little River Turnpike) across from the Salvation Army. Parking is permitted there where noted from 7 a.m. on.                

When:

Saturday, July 6, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

(Rain date: Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)

Equipment:

• For the flora, lenses in the 24-70 range and macro lenses will work well.  If you have a Lensbaby or other creative lenses, bring them out for some fun and sun.
• Don’t forget your polarizer
• Tripods are helpful and permitted but not necessary
• For bird photography, bring the longest lens you have

Notes:

We will meet at the gazebo on the main level, i.e., the level with the parking lot, at 7:30 a.m.

Sunrise will be at 5:49 a.m.  If you want to start shooting before the meetup time you can return to the gazebo at 7:30 a.m. or look for us in the park.  If you arrive late and there is no one at the gazebo, you should be able to find us: it’s a small park.

The visitor center, which has restrooms, will open at 9 a.m.

We hope you can join us!

Rena Schild and Steven Glintz

Field Trip Coordinators 2023-2024