July 2019

Wildlife Photo at Huntley Meadows Wins Top Audubon Prize

A photo of a red-winged blackbird blowing “smoke rings” at Huntley Meadows Park on a frigid morning won top honors in the Audubon Photography Awards, open to professional and amateur photographers. Kathrin Swoboda, an amateur shutterbug, captured the organization’s Grand Prize. Swoboda lives near Huntley Meadows and went to the park specifically to try to capture the "smoke rings" that can form from a bird’s breath as it sings out. She told the Audubon organization, “This particular bird was very vociferous, singing long and hard. I looked to set it against the dark background of the forest, shooting to the east as the sun rose over the trees, backlighting the vapor.”

Click on photo for full resolution version. Photo credit: Kathrin Swoboda/Audubon Photography Awards

Huntley Meadows is a Photographer’s Heaven

The vast wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park are a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers and photographers, and we love getting eye-catching photos from park visitors to post on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites. In recent months, two amateur photographers who have been perfecting their craft at Huntley Meadows have been sending us nature shots that would be the envy of many professionals.

Jane Gamble started taking photos as a hobby about a year and a-half ago after getting a new camera for Christmas. She lives near Huntley Meadows Park and is thrilled by the fantastic wildlife that visit or reside there year-round. She often travels for her job, and in the last year she has photographed wildlife in Papua New Guinea, Chile, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Costa Rica. Still, Gamble says she loves Huntley Meadows best because it is full of great wildlife and good friends who share a passion to photograph and protect what they love, as seen in these images:

Click on photo for full resolution version. Photo credit: Jane Gamble

Mike Hammer is another local photography enthusiast who has discovered the wonders of the wetlands and forest at Huntley Meadows. He is a semi-retired Associated Press journalist who spent his career writing news, not photographing it. With more time on his hands these days, he often can be found birdwatching along the boardwalk and trails at the park with a camera in his hands, capturing stunning images like these:

Click on photo for full resolution version. Photo credit: Mike Hammer

Click on photos for full resolution version.

If you have images to share, please send them to: parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Capturing Light at Huntley Meadows Photo Exhibit

“Light makes photography. Embrace light.”

Those are the words of George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak, and the magic behind a photo exhibit by Michael DuBois at Huntley Meadows Park.

The exhibit’s title, La Lumiere Dubois VIII, translates to “the light of the wood.” It’s a play on both DuBois’ last name and his passion for finding light in the dark places of woods or swamps. Go with DuBois on a “photo safari” nature hike during his exhibit at the Norman Hoffman Visitors Center, running now through August 30.

DuBois is an avid nature photographer who has had three solo exhibitions at Huntley Meadows, as well as shows at the H Street Gallery and the SOVA Gallery in Washington, DC. His work was featured on the stage of the Kennedy Center in the world premiere of “The Marionette Effect” and has been published in The Washington Post and in the book “Torn Apart” by Judy Rickard.

Click on photo for full resolution version.

Spread Some LOVE This Summer with Photo Op at Frying Pan Farm Park

The iconic “Virginia is for Lovers” marketing slogan is turning 50 this year, and Fairfax County is celebrating with the installation of a permanent LOVE sign. Before the sign is placed at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton for bedazzling, the plain white version is making appearances all around the county for residents to enjoy and photograph.

From July 26 through August 4, you can get a dose of LOVE at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Strike a pose during a visit to see the farm animals or while attending the Fairfax County 4H Fair & Carnival, which runs August 1-4.

Click on photo for full resolution version.

Summer Entertainment Series Provides Music and Photo Ops

When you think of park photography, you probably conjure up images of trees, babbling brooks and wildlife.

Park Authority photographer Don Sweeney found a way to practice the art of photography while enjoying the musical arts by snapping photos at one of the agency’s Summer Entertainment Series concerts. This series brings free performances to stages at parks throughout the county during the months of June, July and August.

The concerts offer opportunities to photograph colorful dancers in ethnic costumes, singers and band members swept away in a musical moment, and audience members tapping their toes or singing along with favorite tunes.

Here are a few concert moments that Sweeney captured when Moonshine Society performed at Nottoway Nights in June:

Click on photos for full resolution version.

Budding Nature Photographers Share Their Best Images

All professional photographers get their start somewhere – maybe even at a summer camp for shutterbugs.

Teens and tweens with an interest in photography and the outdoors had the chance to work on their skills the first week in July at the Park Authority’s Nature Photography & Hiking Camp based at Providence RECenter. The Fish & Explore organization took campers off-site to explore the outdoors and learn some techniques for improving their nature photos. The campers met from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and shared some of their favorite shots with Snapshots.

Click on photos for full resolution version.

Don’t Forget to Check the Expiration Date on that Permit!

All photographers conducting business on Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) property or in FCPA facilities must obtain a photography permit. Those permits are good for one year, so if you have one, please take a moment and check the expiration date. If it’s time to get a new one, you can quickly purchase that $25 Commercial Photography Permit online at:  Commercial Photography in the Parks.

Permit holders automatically become part of the Photographer's Ambassador's Club, which includes a subscription to SNAPSHOTS. Those who wish to participate in the creation of Ambassador's Club activities and materials are asked to contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.

SNAPSHOTS Reflections

We would love to hear from you! Comments or suggestions for SNAPSHOTS E-News are welcome. We encourage you to contribute an article and share your photographs to be included in a future SNAPSHOTS E-News.

Email comments, articles and photographs to Parkpix@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Contributors

Editor: Judy Pedersen, Public Information Officer

Writers and Contributors: Carol Ochs

Layout and Design: Don Tubel

Photograph Contributors: Don Sweeney, Elizabeth Duke