Meet up Idea

[Randy Lawson]

This is just a thought but it would be nice to me everyone for weekend of photography and photoshop somewhere in the SE or Mid Atlantic states. I have been involved with other groups and some it worked out well and some not so well.

I know it is not 100 percent participation due to issues such as work, other commitments or location but I think it would be nice to plan a weekend somewhere in the future and work towards a photography weekend. Stay at the same place and share some photoshop times in the motel as well as photography tips in the field.

Thoughts

[obxguide]

I think it's a great idea. I've not been inspired by "the other" forum I was involved in and had no interest in that group's "weekends". It wasn't the people, it was the organization being so hamstrung with rules. I'm new here, I know, but I have a completely different feeling from this group. Though there's a lot of the same people, the atmosphere is completely different. There is obviously a LOT of expertise among the folks here, and an honest commitment to sharing and helping. I felt at home right away, and I think it would be a wonderful opportunity to share and learn. I don't think there's anything we can gain from visiting experts lecturing that we can't learn as well or better from each other. There's a lot of areas in SC I'd love to visit, and the VA/MD/Delaware coast would be a new experience for me too. The NC coast I'm familiar with, so it's all good for me. I think we should try to make it happen.

[skeller001]

How about canvasbacks in MD. I actually had off to go to Moab November 18-22 which was canceled....

[jckegley]

It's a great idea Randy, though so many of use live in different regions. I have thought about this often, but right now I just don't have the time to participate so I have left my thoughts to myself. Anyway, you're not alone thinking about the idea.

[paulie8pointer]

Can't swing it this year or the beginning of the next........but count me in, in the future!!!;)

[SkipP]

I think it's a cool idea. It would be impossible to accommodate everyone though...we're too spread out for that. One idea is to just pick a spot...and those that can make, well, can!

[barmstrong]

Would love to do something of this sort. Like others, it would depend on location and timing.

[artsnimages]

I was going to suggest this in the near future. I think someplace like the "Virginia's" would be central to everyone.

We'll work on putting something like this together perhaps in the Fall of 2012 (As long as the earth is still here -LOL)

We could do this during the Chincoteague "waterfowl" week. Rooms are pretty easy to get in advance and the rates are resonable too.

Jim

[jckegley]

I was going to suggest this in the near future. I think someplace like the "Virginia's" would be central to everyone.

We'll work on putting something like this together perhaps in the Fall of 2012 (As long as the earth is still here -LOL)

We could do this during the Chincoteague "waterfowl" week. Rooms are pretty easy to get in advance and the rates are resonable too.

Jim

I thought of the same thing ... Virginia. But my idea would have been somewhere in the Big Meadows area. But I do like the Chincoteague idea just as much.

The only thing is ... it still isn't convenient for the folks on the forum out west or mid-west. I guess there really isn't a perfect answer. There really is no convenient place for everyone.

[NCBobD]

Big Meadows has some appeal to me... not that there's anything wrong with Chincoteague either.

[MShartle]

I was going to suggest this in the near future. I think someplace like the "Virginia's" would be central to everyone.

We'll work on putting something like this together perhaps in the Fall of 2012 (As long as the earth is still here -LOL)

We could do this during the Chincoteague "waterfowl" week. Rooms are pretty easy to get in advance and the rates are resonable too.

Jim

I would be into that next year sounds good to me. I'm starting a new job next week so by then I will have some days I could take off.

I have always wanted to go down there, I think it's like a 5-6 hour drive for me.

[Randy Lawson]

Thanks fellas, I like Va, both ideas of are good. I Big Meadows has a NP Lodge as well as a campground within a 1/4 mile of the meadow and then if they wanted to could spread out into the woods. Bucks in the rut is nice.

Chincoteague would be nice as well.

The fall of 2012 time frame is far enough out there where we can plan ahead for time off or schedule adjustments.

again thanks

Randy

[Andrew Sentipal]

I am for Chincoteague in November 2012. Anyone have experience there to lead the group ? Two or three days should do it.

Let's kick this off.

Randy- Good idea to start this.


Andy

[skeller001]

I'm in for Chincoteague during waterfowl week.

[frankie]

Chincoteague sounds like an awesome idea. I'm sure between now and 11/2012 I'll get out there to scope it out and can try to figure out some of the better areas. It can't be that much more difficult than being a hike leader lol.

If anyone else wants to scope it out before then, let me know and we can plan something.

[skeller001]

During waterfowl week you can go places you normally can't.........

[Andrew Sentipal]

Let's pick the dates if that is possible. How many days is everyone interested in ? Two, three or more ?

This is sounding good and looks like we have some interest.

Andrew

[skeller001]

Waterfowl weekend for 2012 is November 22-25. The problem is the 22nd is thanksgiving. I would be up for arriving later on the 22nd and leaving on the 25th.

[jckegley]

If I went it would be for Snow Geese.

So I have two questions ...

1. What is the peak time for Snow Geese at Chincoteague? It would probably be worthwhile for someone to call the refuge and ask that question.

2. Are the Snow Geese winter residence or are most simply stopping on a migration further south?

The one time I went it was the last part of the 2nd week in Nov. There were thousands of Snow Geese at this time. While Thanksgiving would work perfectly for me (I actually prefer it) ... are there still thousands of Snow Geese there during the Thanksgiving holidays?

Here's a 2 minute video I shot of Chincoteague when I went. Not the best quality, I'm not posting to show off quality, but the second half of the video does show hundreds of Snow Geese in flight during the second week of November. Will the same scenario be available during Thanksgiving would be my question?

Chincoteague Video (http://www.wildlifesouth.com/Videos/ChincoteagueVideo.html)