Big Meadow Va

[Randy Lawson]

Well, the articles on the website are great, But this could get habit forming. This past weekend I went over to the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge. Even though it was hot and gettng towards summer I had a good time with my new camera. In reading their broucher and the calendar, there looks to be some nice photo ops.

I did get the change to take some images of a doe in the field and a flock of turkeys (jakes). The end results are not 100 percent of my hopes however. Learnng a new camera body.

I am heading to Big Meadow Va. this coming weekend. Other than what else was in the artcle does anyone have any suggestions. We will arrive Friday afternoon and depart on Sunday around noon.

[artsnimages]

It's a great time for Wildflowers and butterflies too. You will find some really neat ones at the higher elevations. Don't just confine yourself to Big Meadows but do a little bit of the drive. You will find Black bears near Skyland too. Have a great trip!

Jim

[jckegley]

I am jealous, I have always wanted to go to Big Meadows! So far I have had to live through Robert and Lisel.

Somewhere I read that the deer and fawns will sometime get very close to the visitor center... or ranger station... or some structure out there. I guess what I am trying to say is that from what I have read.... you don't have to get off the beaten path to get good shots of deer... at least that is what I have read.

[mdupont]

After this weekend we are done with soccer tournaments. Big Meadow is on my list to head out to in the next couple weeks. Give us a report when you get back.

Mike

[Randy Lawson]

I returned home late Sunday night from my trip to Big Meadow and all I will say if none of my pictures turn out it was still a great trip. There was a learning curve that I over came thoughout the weekend.

I arrive Friday afternoon and check it to the lodge. We quickly gathered are cameras and headed into the Meadow. Deer were already in the field. I took a shots of does and buck up to the end of shooting light. No fawns.

Saturday morning I held back a little and did not enter the field at dawn but ½ hr later and there were already deer in the field. Looking for the fawns was a little tough around 8am I found one fawn and the doe. I also jumped a fawn with no doe around. Thought is was a rabbit. There were two fellas already photographing and I slowly moved into position. I no sooner got there they had enough and heading quickly away. Lesson learned

Saturday evening was about the same as Friday evening with photo opportunities of a variety of does and bucks but no fawns.

Sunday morning I got up and was in the field as the sun rose. There were already 6 or more photographers scattered so I parked and wander in.

I immediate found a doe and a fawn and fun shooting and watching the doe and the fawns interact. Two others joined me and I then hooked up with them ( one local) and for the next two hours photographed 6 other does and fawns . What a blast.

The lesson was patients and do not give up. They did come to you. I had fawns running by me and around me within 5 feet of my feet a number of times. What an experience.

Two big big extras of the weekend were a I had the change photographed a bear .

And as I stated earlier I also met and shot with several photographers who were very nice and informative. Andy from the local area and David and Eli from Virginia Beach Va/

I would head back tomorrow if I could.


I hope to post a picture or two on this site in a day or two if they up to the standards of this great site

Randy

[jckegley]

Glad you had a great time. Your description of you stay makes me want to go there!

[artsnimages]

Randy, Never be afraid to post images! This is a place to show your work but it's also a place to learn from others. I have been shooting for over 35 years and I still learn....................Heck, I even learn form Squatty!:p:D

Jim