{"id":21415,"date":"2021-04-12T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T10:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/?p=21415"},"modified":"2021-04-08T10:00:13","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T14:00:13","slug":"june-12-2021-field-trip-shenandoah-national-park-big-meadow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/june-12-2021-field-trip-shenandoah-national-park-big-meadow\/","title":{"rendered":"June 12, 2021: Field Trip: Shenandoah National Park, Big Meadow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The drive to the Big Meadows inside Shenandoah National Park from Fairfax is just over two hours.\u00a0 This area has been chosen for its wildlife, landscapes, waterfalls and other diverse nature photography opportunities.\u00a0 It also happens to be one of the best destinations we can occupy to avoid COVID.<\/p>\n

June is a particularly fortunate time as the fawns should be out frolicking with mamma doe.\u00a0 The trails surrounding Big Meadows campgrounds have also frequently reported black bears.\u00a0 The nearby waterfalls may not have as strong a flow, but they should also provide unique opportunities for those who are looking for a hike to go with their photography.\u00a0 Others will find many opportunities to pull off the side of Skyline Drive to find inspirations a few hundred feet from the side of the road.\u00a0 (Skyline Drive is about 106 miles long and takes about 3 hours to drive.\u00a0 Add in frequent stops and you’re looking at a better part of a full day of shooting.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Shenandoah Valley also makes for a spectacular subject should conditions present themselves for a sunset shot or nighttime astro-photography.\u00a0In fact, this field trip offers so much to photograph that you might just want to include an overnight stay at the Big Meadows Lodge or at a nearby accommodation.<\/p>\n

Big Meadows Lodge<\/strong>
\nSkyline Drive Mile 51
\nShenandoah Natl Park, VA 22835<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.goshenandoah.com\/lodging\/big-meadows-lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: new\u00a0COVID cancellation policies<\/a>\u00a0include no-charge cancellations “by 4:00 pm EDT 2 days before the scheduled arrival date.”<\/p>\n

What<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>As mentioned above, this destination is abundant in all things wild, from wildlife to wildflowers.\u00a0 On June 12 (or June 13 in case of rain), we’ll meet in the afternoon at the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center to plan our late afternoon photography activities.\u00a0 From there, we’ll decide if it’s best to trek the Big Meadows loop trail across the road for deer, explore the campground trails for bears, or start the landscape hunt early.\u00a0 We’ve timed this field-trip in hopes of capturing the fawns and cubs that inhabit the Big Meadows area, but there are opportunities for other nature inspired photography you may not want to miss.<\/p>\n

Sunrise is expected at 5:49 a.m. (EDT)
\nSunset is expected at 8:38 p.m. (EDT)<\/p>\n

Milky Way will be visible for most of the night.<\/p>\n

Moon will be in a Waxing Crescent Phase (4%, New moon on June 10) \u00a0https:\/\/www.moongiant.com\/calendar\/june\/2021\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Equipment<\/strong>:<\/p>\n