Sandhill Cranes in flight at sunrise, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge © Chuck Luzier
By Frank Gallagher, NANPA Blog Coordinator
NANPA recently announced two new Regional Events. One is in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York in October, when the leaves should be colorful, the temperatures cool and the vistas stunning. The second is in December at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. If either location is on your bucket list, drop whatever you’re doing and sign up now. These are sure to fill up fast.
What is a Regional Event?
NANPA’s Regional Events are three- to four-day photography field events. Each is led by one or more NANPA members who are intimately familiar with the area and know where and when to get the best photo conditions. If you’ve never been to one of these locations (and, maybe, even if you have) this is the way to experience it! No need to do extensive research on top photo spots or search for hotel bargains. That’s take care of. You can relax and concentrate on photography, honing your photo skills, and making new nature photography friends. Check out what Regional Event participants had to say about some of last year’s trips to get a flavor of what they’re like: Eight Reasons to Go on a NANPA Regional Event, More Reflections from a NANPA Regional Event (the Badlands) and Leading a NANPA Regional Event (the Smoky Mountains).
© Chris Murray
Autumn in the Adirondacks
Adirondack Park covers about 5,000 square miles in upstate New York and includes some of the highest peaks in the state. In the fall, this area is full of brilliant color as the leaves turn and paint forests in beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. Mountains, ponds, waterfalls and rivers add to the scenic possibilities. Event leader Chris Murray is a New York native who leads frequent workshops and trips in the Adirondacks. Participation in the October 4-7 event is capped at ten attendees, so don’t hesitate or you might miss out. Get all the details here.
Sandhill crane coming in for a landing © Chuck Luzier
Bosque del Apache
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is on most bird photographers’ list of places they want to photograph. And no wonder! This 57,000 acre site in central New Mexico was created to provide a resting place for migrating waterfowl. It has become famous for the tens of thousands of sandhill cranes, ducks and geese that come every winter. After spending the night in the water, many of the geese take off around dawn, all at once, in a truly awesome spectacle. Other species, from blackbirds to wild turkeys, also call Bosque home, for at least part of the year. The husband and wife team of Chuck Luzier and Maresa Pryor-Luzier are your guides to the best locations and times to photograph these amazing birds, beautiful landscapes, colorful skies and mass lift offs. Both are experienced bird photographers and have been to Bosque many times. Now’s your turn. Sign up for this December 4-7 event while there are still open spots. Learn all about it here.
NANPA’s Regional Events are your opportunity to experience stunning landscapes, wildlife, locations and nature photography opportunities. If you haven’t been on one yet, you’re missing out.
Frank Gallagher is a landscape and nature photographer based in the Washington, DC, area who specializes in providing a wide range of photograph services to nonprofit organizations. He serves as NANPA’s Interim Marketing and Communications Coordinator and manages NANPA’s blog. He can be found online at frankgallagherphotography.com or on Instagram @frankgallagherfoto.
