Great Places for Great Photos

Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser known destinations, as well as the famous “Icon Locations” for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to insure a quality guide to great locations for photography.

Wildlife Refuge Destinations

US National Wildlife Refuge System

National Wildlife Refuge System is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants. Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida’s Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the system has grown to over 568 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts encompassing more than 150,000,000 acres.

National Wildlife Refuges manage a full range of habitat types, including wetlands, prairies, coastal and marine areas, and temperate, tundra, and boreal forests. The management of each habitat is a complex web of controlling or eradicating invasive species, using fire in a prescribed manner, assuring adequate water resources, and assessing external threats such as development or contamination.

Among these, hundreds of national refuges are home to some 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species, and more than 1000 species of fish. Endangered species are a priority of National Wildlife Refuges in that nearly 60 refuges have been established with the primary purpose of conserving 280 threatened or endangered species.

National Wildlife Refuges are also places where visitors can participate in a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. The National Wildlife Refuge System welcomes nearly 50 million visitors each year. The system manages six wildlife-dependent recreational uses in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, including hunting, fishing, birding, photography, environmental education, and environmental interpretation. Hunters visit more than 350 hunting programs on refuges and on about 36,000 waterfowl production areas. Opportunities for fresh or saltwater fishing are available at more than 340 refuges. At least one wildlife refuge is in each of the 50 states.

Other Refuges

There are also many private, state and local wildlife refuges and wildlife management areas that are open to the public and can make for excellent locations for photography.

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Refuge Destinations
Nestled in gently rolling foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is home to wildlife as unique as the bald eagle and as elusive as the bobcat. Fertile bottomlands at the confluence of the Arkansas and Canadian Rivers make this east-central Oklahoma refuge a terrific wildlife viewing destination. Listen to the din of quacking mallards and honking geese in winter. Mallards by the thousands choose the Refuge as their seasonal home along the central flyway. They’re joined by gadwall, pintail, teal, wigeon, shoveler and wood ducks, along with the largest flocks of snow geese in Oklahoma. Bald eagles that had once all but vanished, now nest on the Refuge. In winter, you can see numerous eagles roosting in cottonwoods or swooping over the waters in search of fish or waterfowl.  I’ve also photographed Raccoon, oppossum, armadillo, and lots of deer, not to mention some gorgeous sunsets. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Cost: There is no fee for this area. Best Time to Visit: Winter is the best time for viewing Bald Eagles which nest in the refuge, and thousands of snow geese. Where it is: Located on the Arkansas River in Eastern Oklahoma near Vian. Directions: The refuge is located approximately 150 miles east of Oklahoma City, and 35 miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, off of Interstate 40. Take the Vian exit from I-40, follow county road 3 miles south. Map: Click map to enlarge Links:  Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Contact Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Route 1, Box 18A Vian, 74962 918-773-5252 History Established in 1970, Sequoyah NWR is one of more than 540 refuges in the United States. The refuge name honors Sequoyah, a Native American, who invented a Cherokee alphabet consisting of syllables that allowed his tribe to preserve their traditions and history in writing.By the close of the century, outlaws found the hardwood forests and rivers ideal for their wild lifestyle. Belle Star, Frank and Jesse James, the Daltons, the Youngers and “Pretty Boy” Floyd roamed the area. HoursThe refuge is open from sunrise to sunset except for a few special hunt days.  There is a gate that you can leave after closing but cannot enter after sunset. Tips for the Photographer Equipment: You will want to bring as long as lens as you have for shooting the eagles and other birds and wildlife. What to Photograph: White-tailed deer, armadillos, bobcats, and opossums. Great blue herons, snowy egrets, pied-billed grebes, snowgeese, mallard and wood ducks. Diamondback watersnakes, southern leopard frogs, gray treefrog, and numerous varieties of turtles are all common on the refuge. Photography Tips: Early morning and late evening are the best times to see wildlife.  If you visit during the middle of the day in summer you will be greatly disapointed. When photographing birds you usually are shooting into a brighter sky and will need to compensate and 1 to 2 stops of exposure to avoid the silhouette effect.Please keeping mind that there are active Bald Eagle nests and that you are not permitted within 500 feet of them. Auto Tour The best means of finding wildlife is to take th 6 mile auto tour through the Sandtown Bottoms.  Shoot from within the car as wildlife is used to vehicles in the refuge. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Oklahoma: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
Platte River Sandhill Cranes For eight weeks from late February to early April, the fascinating Sandhill Crane Spring Migration happens in the heart of Nebraska. More than 80 percent of the world’s Sandhill Crane population converge on Nebraska’s Platte River. The Sandhill Cranes fly from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska & Siberia. They stop along the Platte to rest & gain body fat as they prepare for their journey north. Crane fossils dating back nine million years have been discovered in Nebraska. Other wildlife such as Whooping Cranes, eagles, ducks, geese & shorebirds also migrate through Central Nebraska during this time. It is an enchanting experience. One that can only be truly appreciated in person. The highest concentration of sandhill cranes occurs near the National Audubon Society’s Rowe Sanctuary. Take a guided tour at Rowe Sanctuary, there you will be watching from a discovery station strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of the Sandhill Cranes while they are on their river roost.  Tours last approximately two hours and are led by trained guides. This option will get you closer to the cranes and out of the elements. Rowe Sanctuary offers multiple options for guided crane viewing experiences. Located just 20 minutes from Kearney, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary lies right in the heart of a critical spring staging area for migrating Sandhill Cranes. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is a non-profit organization set up to conserve the Platte River ecosystems for sandhill cranes and other wildlife through conservation and education. You will need reservations to participate in one of their guided tours but the visitor center is open daily during crane season for indoor viewing, family viewing and a fantastic gift shop. Where it is: The Kearney area has multiple options for public viewing, designated areas are provided for different times of the day. Pull-offs offer opportunities for day-time viewing while cranes are as in the fields, while the Plautz Viewing Platform and Fort Kearny Bridge, spanning the Platte River, offer perfect sunrise and sunset viewing. The Platte River Valley is the most important stopover on this migration. The river provides the perfect spot to rest, and the nearby farmlands and wet meadows offer an abundance of food. Without the energy gained along the Platte, cranes might arrive at their breeding grounds in a weakened condition — where food may be limited until the spring growing season begins. The Platte River region has a variety of habitats that support cranes. The most important is the Platte River itself. The river is very shallow and sandbars dot the channels. It is here the cranes rest at night, gaining protection from predators like coyotes. Best Time to Visit: The spring migration is during March and April, Sandhill Cranes pass through in the fall but do not stay like they do in the spring. The cranes are eating in the cornfields during the day. The designated pull-offs allow you to view them in the field. At sunset, they congregate on the Platte River to sleep, then return to the fields at sunrise. The blinds at Rowe Sanctuary are located on the river and allow you to go out at sunrise and sunset. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.   Click image for larger view.     Cost: The costs can vary from free public viewing areas to private VIP blinds running hundreds of dollars per night. Hours: The cranes roost on the river from sundown till sunrise and then scatter to fields during the day to eat. Location Contact Information: The Kearney Visitors Bureau  Telephone: (308) 237 – 3178 1007 Second Avenue PO Box 607 Kearney, Nebraska 68847 Office Hours Monday-Friday    8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Platte River Sandhill Cranes Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Nebraska: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
The National Bison Range is a diverse ecosystem of grasslands, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine forests, riparian areas and ponds. The Range is one of the last intact publicly-owned intermountain native grasslands in the U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Bison Range on May 23, 1908 when he signed legislation authorizing funds to purchase suitable land for the conservation of bison. It was the first time that Congress appropriated tax dollars to buy land specifically to conserve wildlife. The overall mission of the National Bison Range is to maintain a representative herd of bison, under reasonably natural conditions, to ensure the preservation of the species for continued public enjoyment. The original herd of bison released in 1909 was purchased with private money raised by the American Bison Society and then donated to the Refuge. Today, 350-500 bison call this refuge home. What to Photograph: The first obvious thing to photograph is the bison, but the in addition to herds of bison, it supports populations of Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep as well as coyotes, mountain lions, bears, bobcat and over 200 species of birds.  In spring there are many native wildflowers including  balsamroot, yellowbells, lupine and paintbrush.  There are also scenic drives such as the Red Sleep Mountain Drive (mid-May to early-Oct). This 19-mile, one-way loop road gains 2,000 feet and there are many switchbacks and 10% grades along the drive. Best Time for Photographers: Dawn and dusk are the best times for photographing wildlife, keep in mind that the refuge closes at dark and it can take quite a while to complete the Red Sleep Mountain Drive. Operating hours: Gate times will change frequently as days get longer or shorter.  The Refuge closes to all public use at night. Getting There: The National Bison Range is located in the Mission Valley of Northwest Montana. From the south, take Highway 93 north to Ravalli, turning west on Highway 200 to Highway 212. Travel north on Highway 212 for 5 miles to the entrance. From the north, take Highway 93 south of Polson for 18 miles to State Highway 212; travel 12 miles to the entrance. From the west, turn north off Interstate 90 onto Highway 135 at St. Regis. Turn east at Highway 200 to Highway 212 just east of Dixon. Travel north on Highway 212 for 5 miles to the entrance. GPS coordinates to Front Gate: N47 22.338 W114 15.807 Decimals and degrees: 47.372302 -114.263445 Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click here for larger version Cost: Day Passes to the Bison Range: Private vehicle – $5.00 Commercial van – 5 or less people – $5.00 Commercial van – 6-10 people – $10.00 Commercial van – over 10 people – $12.00 Bus and Tour Groups – $25.00 Bison Range Season Pass – $15 (Valid for one year from date of issue) Facilities: The closest lodging and camping are available in the nearby communities Ronan and St. Ignatius (18 miles and 15 miles respectively). For an extensive list of state-wide accommodations, check out the official State Travel Site of Montana. Gasoline (no diesel) and basic supplies are as close as the front gate, at the Moiese Mercantile as well in communities on the way to the Bison Range. There are no public phones in the immediate vicinity of the Bison Range Visitor Center and cell phone reception is spotty. Please plan accordingly. Location Contact Information: National Bison Range Office: Mailing/Physical Address National Bison Range 58355 Bison Range Road Moiese, MT 59824 Main phone – 406/644-2211 FAX 406/644-2661 General email: bisonrange@fws.gov National Bison Range Website Nearest City or Town: The National Bison Range is about 50 miles north of Missoula Mt. National Bison Range Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Montana: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State   All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Bosque del Apache is the crown jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the best location for bird photography in the United States. The refuge serves as a winter home for tens of thousands of snow geese and Sandhill cranes. Bosque he is located 9 miles south of Socorro New Mexico and comprises nearly 60,000 acres along the Rio Grande River and is critical for sandhill cranes and other migratory birds providing food protection and shelter. One of the highlights of a winter visit to the refuge is a morning flight out or blastoff which is a sight and sound you must experience in person to fully appreciate. Thousands of snow geese take off all at the same time creating a solid mass of waiting before your eyes. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1939 and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a favorite spot to watch the migration of the Sandhill cranes in the fall. The reserve is open year-round and provides safe harbor for its varied wildlife. The name of the refuge means “woods of the Apache” in Spanish, named for the Apache tribes that once camped in the forests along the Rio Grande. The heart of the refuge comprises approximately 3,800 acres of Rio Grande floodplain and 9,100 acres of irrigated farms and wetlands. In addition to this, the refuge contains 44,300 acres of arid grasslands and foothills of the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains. About 30,000 acres of this is designated as wilderness. A twelve-mile-long  loop road divided by a cutoff into a “Farm Loop” and “Marsh Loop” allows automobile drivers excellent views of wetland wildlife and raptors.  The road affords good views of the fields where crops are grown for the benefit of the birds under cooperative agreements with farmers. Adjacent to the Visitor’s Center, a desert plant garden is maintained.  What to Photograph The primary opportunity for photography is the thousands of geese and Sandhill Cranes that make Bosque del Apache their winter home.  The best time to photograph these birds is from mid November until mid February. Where it is: Directions  From the north (Socorro, NM), drive south on I-25 to exit 139 (San Antonio), go east 0.25 miles on US 380 to the flashing signal at the village of San Antonio, turn right onto Old Highway 1, and drive south nine miles to the Visitor Center (on right).  From the south (Las Cruces, NM), drive north on I-25 to exit 124 (San Marcial), go east on the dirt road 1.5 miles, then north on Old Highway 1 to the visitor center (on left). GPS: The lat/long to the visitor center is 33.804777, -106.890917. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Links: Bosque del Apache Website Hours: The tour loop is open every day from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, year-round. Members of the public are not allowed to enter closed areas. This includes walking, biking, or driving. Please obey all area closed signs. Visitor Center Fall, Winter, and Spring Hours: September 1st through May 31st  Daily – 8am to 4pm. Summer Hours: June 1st through August 31st  Thursday – Monday 8am to 4pm. *The visitor center is closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July and on Tuesday and Wednesdays during June, July, and August. The Visitor Center may close early on the day before the above and other federal holidays.   Cost: Daily Entrance Fee — $5 Single private, non-commercial vehicle rate (including pedestrian and bicycles) Daily Entrance Fee for Single Commercial Vehicle — $50 Fifteen passenger van or tour bus Entrance is free:  to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge with the following passports, which can be purchased at the visitor center.    Bosque del Apache Annual Pass – $15 Annual entrance pass to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Good for one year from the month purchased. Available to the general public. Federal Duck Stamp – $25 Permits entrance to all National Wildlife Refuges that charge an entrance fee. Valid July 1 – June 30. Available to the general public. Annual Pass – $80 Annual entrance pass to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. Available to the general public. Annual Pass for Active Duty Military – Free Annual entrance pass to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. Available to active duty military members with proper identification. Senior Pass – Annual – $20 Annual entrance pass to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. Available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that are age 62 or older. Senior Pass – Lifetime – $80 Annual entrance pass to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. Available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that are age 62 or older. Access Pass – No fee Lifetime entrance pass to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. No fee. Available to citizens of the U.S. that are permanently disabled. 4th Grade Pass – No fee Permits entrance to National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management sites that charge entrance fees. Available to 4th graders with valid voucher. Learn more and obtain voucher: everykidoutdoors.gov   Facilities: Restroom facilities are available on the auto tour loop, concurrently with hours the tour loop is open and at the visitor center.   Location Contact Information: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Mailing Address: P.O. Box 280 San Antonio, NM 87832 Physical Address: 1001 Highway 1 San Antonio, NM 87832 Phone: 575-835-1828 Fax: 575-835-0314 Email: Refuge Staff   Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in New Mexico: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Aransas National Wildlife Refuge It is the principal wintering ground for the rare whooping crane and also attracts almost 400 species of other waterfowl and other birds, who vary with the seasons—especially geese, ducks, pelicans, herons, egrets, gulls, sundial cranes, roseate spoonbills, ibises, quail, osprey, a variety of migrating songbirds, and various shorebirds. Deer, javelinas (peccaries), armadillos, alligators, and turkeys are also abundant. Bird-watching is the primary recreational activity. Although much of the refuge is closed to visitors, available facilities include an observation tower, an automobile touring road, a wildlife education center, and some hiking trails. The refuge was established in 1937 by presidential executive order to save the whooping cranes, then faced with extinction. The refuge’s resources are still largely devoted to this purpose, and Aransas has helped boost the species’ population. Headquarters are in Austwell. Whooping Crane Named for its whooping sound, the whooping crane is the tallest North American bird. It is an endangered crane species. Along with the sandhill crane, it is one of only two crane species native to North America. The whooping crane’s lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. After being pushed to the brink of extinction by unregulated hunting and loss of habitat to just 21 wild and two captive whooping cranes by 1941, conservation efforts have led to a limited recovery. The total number of cranes in the surviving migratory population, plus three reintroduced flocks and in captivity, now exceeds 800 birds. The best time of year to see Whooping Cranes is from December to February, though they typically begin arriving by mid-October and leave mid-April. Watch for them feeding in the refuge’s marshes during daylight hours. Visitors can also enjoy seeing the birds from boat tours offered by private operators. Photography Recommendation If you are wanting to photography the Whooping Cranes and other shorebirds I recommend taking a commercial tour by boat into the refuge.  While there is the chance to see them anywhere in the area the tour operators know where the birds are and stand a good chance of getting you close enough for good photos.   Where it is:  Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is located on Blackjack Peninsula, eight miles southeast of Austwell and midway between Rockport and Port Lavaca, on the Gulf Coast. The refuge comprises 54,829 acres of scattered blackjack oak woodlands, fresh and saltwater marshes, ponds, and coastal grasslands on the mainland, as well as 56,668 acres on Matagorda Island. Directions From the South: Follow Highway 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and go approximately 6 miles, winding through the farm fields. Turn right again on FM 2040. Drive another 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Contact Station to register. From the North: Travel south on Hwy 35 to Tivoli. Continue past Tivoli approximately 1 mile to the FM 239 exit (on your left). Follow FM 239 to Austwell. Upon entering Austwell, FM 239 turns into FM 774 at the curve. Continue on FM 774. Follow 774 and take a right at the stop sign. At the end of the street, take a right again. As you exit Austwell, drive ½ mile to the FM 2040 intersection. Turn left on FM 2040 and drive 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Contact Station to register. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.   GPS: 28.313449,-96.804022 Cost: General Entrance Fees 18 years and under, entrance is free $3 – one adult in a vehicle $5 – two or more adults in a vehicle $25 – commercial vehicle (van or bus) with up to 20 people $50 – commercial vehicle with 21 or more people Entrance is free to the Aransas Refuge with the following federal park passports: Aransas Annual Pass Federal Duck Stamp Federal Duck Stamp Annual Pass for Active Military Senior Pass Access Pass “Every Kid in a Park” 4th Grade Annual Pass Hours: Auto tour and trails are open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Visitor Center: October 15-April 14: 9 am – 4 pm daily April 15-October 14: 9 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Sunday (Closed Monday-Tuesday) Closed for all Federal Holidays Facilities: Public restrooms are available at the visitor parking lot, picnic area, and observation tower. There are no food or drinks available at the refuge. Information on Nearby Lodging and Businesses Rockport Chamber of Commerce Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce   Location Contact Information: Visitor Contact Station (general questions/planning your visit): 361/349-1181 Refuge Office (administrative questions): 361/349-1138 Mailing Address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 100 Austwell, TX 77950 Shipping Address for UPS / FedEx: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 1 Wildlife Circle Austwell, TX 77950 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Texas Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...