NVPS November 2022 Field Trip
Please join us for an autumn morning safari around the zoo. The Smithsonian’s
National Zoo is a popular destination renowned for its wide assortment of exotic
animals. One of the best features of the National Zoo is the relatively natural
environments curated for each animal. Most of these photogenic animals you’ll meet are ready and willing to pose for your camera. Our task will be to capture their best in the warm morning light among the most natural backgrounds we can find. We’ll walk the outdoor exhibits starting with the Asia Trail. Then we’ll walk down Olmsted Walk (the main thoroughfare) downhill to visit the primates and Great Apes. When we’re done contemplating what it would be like if apes ruled over the Earth, we’ll complete the downhill trek to the Great Cats exhibit to get some of our best shots of the lions and tigers. The surrounding area also offers lots to capture before we begin our hike back uphill. Traveling the American trail, we’ll complete our loop starting with the otters and bears and finishing with the elephants. Unfortunately, zoo staff is still working on the birdhouse which is scheduled to open in 2023.
Check out the results from our past field trips in 2017 and 2014:
https://nvps.smugmug.com/NVPSGallery/Field-Trips/2016-2017/Zoo/
https://nvps.smugmug.com/NVPSGallery/Field-Trips/2014-2015-Field-Trips/National-Zoo-September/
Equipment:
· Tripods are welcome. Please be mindful of where you set up.
· Bring your longest lens because some exhibits can be pretty deep. 200mm is capable, but 300mm or higher is best to fill the frame with your subject. Those without long lenses will find subjects among the humans and smaller exhibits, so don’t skip out.
· Comfortable walking shoes for walking. The zoo is built on a hill and we’ll be covering up to two miles.
·
When:
Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Rain date on Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where:
We’ll meet at the Visitor's Center just inside the Connecticut Ave. entrance. This is the best location to start our safari as it’s right next to our first destination. Please note that the outdoor zoo exhibits will be open prior to our scheduled meetup so feel free to come early and snoop around nearby exhibits. Indoor exhibits open around 9 am.
Directions:
If you plan to drive, be aware that entrance to the parking lots is limited to Connecticut Ave. only. You cannot gain entry from the Harvard St NW entrance of the Rock Creek Pkwy. That said, Rock Creek Pkwy is still the best road. Just take the Cathedral
Ave NW exit before the Beach Dr. NW split. The National Zoo is metro accessible, though it's a little extra walking. If you want to walk downhill to the zoo, take the Red line to Cleveland Park. The Woodley Park-Zoo stop is a little closer to the main entrance, but it requires an uphill hike.
Parking and tickets:
Tickets to the zoo are free but reservations are required. Parking is free to members, but non-members need to purchase tickets for their vehicle which will include free ticket(s) to the zoo. If you want free parking, you will need to purchase a premiere level
membership before you reserve your tickets to this field trip. Coordinators will monitor the weather and provide guidance by Tuesday, November 8, 2022, based on weather predictions.
COVID precautions:
This event is outdoors, the zoo paths are generally wide, and the zoo is limiting timed tickets to prevent enormous crowds. Masks are not required by the zoo. You are likely to come into close contact with other humans in the outdoor exhibits as well as indoors. We anticipate this event will be relatively low risk. However, there is a high risk of fun. Should you crack a smile or laugh, please notify your coordinators immediately of your case of euphoria.
We hope you can join us!
Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
Field Trip Coordinators 2022-2023
* Photographs courtesy Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
