Spring Photography in local parks

Saturday, May 6, 2023
6:30 AM 7:30 PM 06:30 19:30

Google Calendar ICS

For this outing we will stay local and visit some natural areas that may not be as well known. This is an aggressive schedule, but will adjust during the day as needed. Some parks may be visited longer, others may get cut short if nothing is really good there. Landscape, nature, macro, and bird photography will be able to be done. Currently bird migration will be in full swing, so seeing birds you may not see very often will be possible. Surfaces we will hike on will vary from hard surfaces, boardwalks (can be slick), to soft surfaces-from grass to dirt/mud, so wear good hiking shoes. I included links whenever possible about each park to study.

Rsvp

TICKS: Use good tick and insect repellants. I spray my clothing, shoes, socks, and hats with permethrin a day or 2 before and let dry. This will kill ticks and mosquitos that venture onto the clothing. On exposed skin, I use a picaridin product. This will NOT damage cameras and gear like DEET does. Use DEET at your own risk.

Agenda:

Participants in this hike will have input on the day of the outing which parks we go to and when.

630am: Meet at Anita Purvis, 1505 N Broadway, Urbana.

630am: Start exploring Busey Woods and Crystal Lake Park. This has several habitats, and numerous opportunities for photography. If warblers are there, we may be able to see many species of birds.

8am: Go to Weaver Park, 2205 E Main Street, Urbana. This is next to metcad, and a small parking lot on south side of main street.

830am: Start hiking Weaver Park. Habitats include woodland, savanna, native grass, prairie, and wetland natural areas. An unpaved loop path winds through these many habitats. These will all be soft surfaces-grass to mud/dirt.

10am: Drive to Barnhart Prairie Nature Preserve, 1400 E Old Church Road, Urbana. There is a small gravel lot for parking on E Old Church Road between Race Street and Philo Road. NOTE: I HAVE A MESSAGE OUT TO THEM TO MAKE SURE IT'S AVAILABLE TO HIKE. IF NOT, WE WILL HIKE MEADOWBROOK INSTEAD.

1030am: Hike Barnhart (if available). If not, Meadowbrook Park.

Noon: Drive to Robert C Porter Family Park. Its on the NE corner of Windsor Road and Rising Road, enter parking lot off of Rising road.

1230pm: Hike Porter Park. Almost 2 miles of trails.

2pm: Go to Legacy Avenue Ponds. On Olympian drive west of Mattis Ave. There have been 25 to 35 species of birds spotted there over the last week. Google map below. I do not know what the parking regulations are out there, but I believe you can only park on one side of the road. We will park on the south end of the Legacy Ave loop.

330pm: Drive to Heron View Forest Preserve. See google map below. This has rustic trails, so be prepared with long pants, and good hiking shoes.

4pm: Hike Heron View.

530pm: If not totally exhausted, drive to the Sangamon River Forest Preserve, just north of Heron View. 2797 600E Fisher IL. Parking lot is off of CR 600E

6pm: Hike Sangamon River Forest Preserve

730pm: Leave and head for home.

LINKS:

Anita Purvis Nature Center:

https://www.urbanaparks.org/facilities/anita-purves-nature-center/

Busey Woods:

https://www.urbanaparks.org/assets/1/6/Busey_Woods_combined1.pdf

Weaver Park

https://www.urbanaparks.org/assets/1/6/Weaver_Park_2015_small.pdf

https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/weaver-park/

Barnhart Prairie:

https://www.barnhartprairie.com/