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• High Country: Bird Photography Outing

  • When
    May 16, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Brookshire Park, Boone, NC

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  The High Country Region is hosting a fun bird photography outing at Brookshire Park in Boone, NC. 

  While the park is modest in size at 8 acres, it is located alongside the South Fork of the New River and attracts an abundance of birds, especially along its riparian path and forest trail. Here's a helpful report from High Country Audubon listing some of the species often found there. 

  This outing will provide a timely follow up to pro shooter Ray Hennessy's presentation at our May 8 Zoom meeting titled, "Shooting Birds Small in Frame." 

  We'll plan to meet up at 7am in the main parking lot near the restrooms. For directions, check this Google Maps link.

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• Triangle: Flower Hill Nature Preserve

  • When
    May 16, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Flower Hill Nature Preserve 9038 Flower Hill Road; Middlesex, NC
  • Registered
    1 registrant

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  We will meet at noon at Rosa Kitchen (1185 East Finch Ave. D) in Middlesex. The Flower Hill Nature Preserve is a short drive away. The preserve is heavily wooded with steep hills. You should bring hiking boots or shoes and stay within your comfort zone. Enter at your own risk.
  
  Most people drive by with a second thought. However, step inside and suddenly you're in another world. Steep drops, ravines, and mountain life thriving where it shouldn't. We are hoping to have the bloom of the Watauga rhododendrons my mid-May. This 10 acre preserve is a chuck of the Watagua County mountains deposited in Central NC by glacial activity.

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• Myrtle Beach: Myrtle Beach in person meeting

  • When
    May 28, 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Swig and Swine Restaurant 523 Broadway St; Myrtle Beach, SC

  CNPA member Kathy Stauss with Vision Art Gallery speaks on turning your photos into exhibited art. We encourage members to stay afterwards to socialize and enjoy a BBQ lunch.

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• Triangle: Frank Schwartz Water Gardens Creations

  • When
    June 20, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Frank Schwartz Water Garden Creations 4618 Jackson-King Road; Raleigh, NC
  • Registered
    Be the first

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  This is our annual outing to Frank Schwartz Water Garden Creations. Photograph water lilies and other aquatic plants along with frogs and dragon flies. The gardens are generally in the shade until mid to late morning. Bring a variety of lenses not just your macro lens. Strongly suggest you bring along lots of water, sun screen, hats, and bug spray. You'll be asked for a $5 contribution at the event.

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• High Country: Elk in Cataloochee Valley

  • When
    September 19, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Cataloochee Valley, North Carolina

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  Join the High Country Region for an outing to photograph Elk in the Cataloochee Valley near Cherokee, NC. We will be visiting during the start of the rut season when antlered bulls (males) bugle and fight for domination and the right to breed with the cows. We'll meet at 7am at the parking area near the Chapel. Bring a long lens for closer views of the action (park regulations require keeping a distance of 50 yards of Elk). A second camera or wider lens  is also recommended for capturing dramatic environmental images of the Elk in their surroundings. 

  We are grateful to High Country Region photographer Lisa Wilmoth for leading this outing!

  Be advised that portions of the road leading to the Valley are unpaved and winding, so plan for some extra driving time for safety. 

  Here's a Google Map link showing the route from a waypoint near Waynesville.

  https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQhWKUwv1zyRET7K7
  

  For those wishing to stay overnight before and/or after the outing, Waynesville and Maggie Valley are good options. 

  Questions? Email high-country-coordinator@cnpa.org

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