Sunday, November 5, 2023

PHOTOS FOR SALE

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS, BLOOMS, & BEASTS TO GO


Looking for framed paper print photos, metal or canvas photos, or photos to turn into blank or personalized greeting cards, calendars, t-shirts, or more?  Some images are almost guaranteed to make you smile!


Here are some of my favorite images: 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/olympusbjs/7DG0Xz


Please contact me at barb22030 @ YAhoOdoTCOm for more photos and/or more info. Thanks.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

 NOVEMBER IS HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIME!

 

The Friends of Patuxent Research Refuge and the Natural History Society of Maryland (NHSM) are holding holiday sales in November.  I'll be selling photos, photo cards, tote bags, calendars, & more.

 

Patuxent's Holiday Bazaar is Nov. 4 at the South Tract from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  You can buy goodies from 35 vendors and meet a kestrel hawk and cutie-pie screech owl up close.  Maybe you'll even win a door prize.  For details, please visit: https://friendsofpatuxent.org/event-5425689

 

NHSM's Museum Store sales event is Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Please click here for more info: https://marylandnature.wildapricot.org/event-5444729











Thursday, August 24, 2023

Due to a water leak, the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge’s new visitor center is closed for the foreseeable future, so my “Loveable Birds & Beasts”exhibit will need to be removed in mid-November, 2023.  I hope everyone was able to enjoy it.   I will continue to post here about future exhibits. 


Please visit “Loveable Birds & Beasts at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge” in Woodbridge, VA.  Seventeen of my photos of Virginia natives — from an indiGLOW bunting to amorous snakes — are on loan to the fabulous refuge’s new visitor center.  

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/occoquan-bay












Sunday, February 12, 2023

Saturday, December 24, 2022

 BEWITCHING 

BIRDS, BLOOMS, & BEASTS 

EXHIBIT CAN HELP 

CHANGE THE WORLD

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Barbara Saffir, 571-449-0445, Barb22030@yahoo.com

https://www.NaturePhotographyDcMdVa.com

 

Group wildlife and nature photography exhibit 

to benefit historic Green Spring Gardens. 

 

"Nature photos can help change the world," says wildlife photographer Barbara J. Saffir, founder of Nature Photography DC/MD/VA.  "I hope that the images in our group wildlife conservation photography exhibit will inspire countless others   including lawmakers  to fall fervently in love with earth's finite treasures so they'll work passionately to protect them."

 

"Birds, Blooms, & Beasts" features perky puffins, picturesque sunflowers, powerful elephants and nearly three dozen other images from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and around the globe by Saffir and seven jet-setting photographers from Nature Photography DC/MD/VA.  Sales will help benefit historic Green Spring Gardens, a "must-see" four-seasons Fairfax County, VA park.  All photos are for sale  just in time for the holidays! The Friends of Green Spring nonprofit receives 30 percent of each sale.

 

SHOW DATES:          Dec. 13, 2022 - Feb. 5, 2023 

                                     Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

                                     and Sunday, noon - 4:30 p.m.

 

RECEPTION DATE:   Dec. 18, 1 - 3 p.m., Meet the Photographers Reception  

 

WHERE:                       Green Spring Gardens Horticulture Center

                                        4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA

                                        703-642-5173, 

                                        parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov

                                        

    https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring/

    http://www.friendsofgreenspring.org/programs-a-events/art-shows

 

NOTE: Please call Green Spring at 703-642-5173 to be sure the exhibit is available for viewing because venues are sometimes unavailable due to other park activities.  Green Spring Gardens' "Art In The Garden" program is sponsored by the Friends of Green Spring.

 

###






Thursday, November 3, 2022

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

* NOV. 1, 2022 to APRIL 30, 2023


BIRDS & BEASTS @ BROOKSIDE 

Eyeball a trio of colorful box turtles, a duo of lanky ratsnakes, and other beautiful beasts at Brookside Nature Center while enjoying some amazing print images of other beasts and birds by award-winning photographer and certified Virginia Master Naturalist Barbara Saffir. Eleven of her photos are on display from Nov. 1 to April 30 as part of Brookside's new program to exhibit work by local artists and photographers. Brookside Nature Center is adjacent to acclaimed Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Regional Park. 

Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 301-962-1480.
Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and weekends, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-nature-center/ 

Wildlife Photographer Barbara Saffir

Monday, September 12, 2022

Monday, June 27, 2022

TWO UPCOMING PHOTO TALKS!

Summer's Bounty: Birds, Blooms, Beasts, & Babies -- When and where to spot them in the Mid-Atlantic

Discover when and where to find some of the Mid-Atlantic's summer nature bounty, including electric-blue birds atop crayon-yellow sunflowers; itsy-bitsy green treefrogs with racing stripes and sticky toes; bedazzling bugs; backyard squirrels that “fly;” and a sea of native lotus blossoms, worthy of Monet.

https://anshome.org/naturalist-hour/

7/14, 7 p.m. : AUDUBON NATURALIST SOCIETY (Zoom. Registration required. $10 benefits ANS.)

 



Nature and Wildlife Photography: How to Hunt with Your Camera


Wildlife photographer and Virginia Master Naturalist Barbara Saffir will show her stunning wildlife photographs and talk about how you can learn to capture amazing shots with your camera in the DMV. 

https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/9196262

8/2, 6:30-7:30: CHANTILLY REGIONAL LIBRARY (In person. No pre-registration required. Free.)




Monday, March 21, 2022

HOW TO HUNT -- WITH A CAMERA!

Please join wildlife photography safari leader and Virginia Master Naturalist, Barbara Saffir, to learn how to stalk your best wildlife photos at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.  After a brief talk inside the visitor center, we’ll hike around Jug Bay to photograph birds, blooms, & beasts. Along the way, we’ll discuss some technical camera tips as well as tips for planning and executing your most productive — and fun — wildlife photography safaris. Learn what to wear, what to bring, what to do in advance, and methods to get the best photos along with some “dos and don’ts.”  All cameras are welcome, including cell phones, but long lenses are best for bird photography. Be prepared to walk 2-3 miles. Ages 16 and up, under 18 with a parent. $10 per person, includes park entrance fee. Current health guidelines and registration required. To register go to www.jugbay.org Event Calendar and click on the event.
Jun 25, 2022 9:30AM—12:30PM

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Visitor Center 1361 Wrighton Road Lothian, MD 20711

Cost $10 per person (Payable to and benefits Jug Bay.)









Monday, February 28, 2022

Spring Spectacles: When & Where to Find Jaw-Dropping Birds, Blooms & Beasts in the Mid-Atlantic

Tuesday, March 15, 2022: 7 - 8 PM
SMITHSONIAN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
Speaker: Barbara Saffir; nature photographer, author and Virginia Master Naturalist
PLEASE REGISTER HERE:
https://serc.si.edu/event/spring-spectacles-when-where-find-jaw-dropping-birds-blooms-beasts-mid-atlantic
Learn when and where to find some of the Mid-Atlantic's most jaw-dropping plant and animal life, with nature photographer and Virginia Master Naturalist Barbara Saffir. In this joyful spring jaunt, she'll reveal wildflowers worthy of Monet; a bounty of beasts; and close-up encounters with cobalt-blue, sunflower-yellow and ruby-red breeding birds that visit the DMV each spring. More than half of this "virtual safari" will focus on birds, with award-winning photographs of migratory and resident birds that capture their cool behaviors. Other animals and wildflowers will also make an appearance. You'll learn about curious critters—such as backyard squirrels that "fly" and dazzling bugs typically overlooked by their human neighbors—and wildflower spectacles, including acres of blush-pink blossoms; pink, yellow, and purple native orchids; and miles of perky bluebells meandering along curving creeks.

Monday, September 20, 2021

WINNING PHOTOS

 

Here are some of my award-winning photos.  More will be added soon.  If you want to see the high-res versions and/or buy a photo, please email me at Barb22030 aTy AhoOd Otc OM.




"Pop Tops"
Burrowing Owls, Tucson  
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF OWLS, 2019
Top 10 Winner



Handsome Meadow Katydid  
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, 2019
Honorable Mention (out of more than 20,000 entries) 




Ruby-throated hummingbird at bird banding 
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR, 2021
Finalist, Conservation Category 
(1 of 5 photos in portfolio) 





Indigo bunting flying up toward thistle 
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, 2021
Honorable Mention
Also published in "Virginia Wildlife" magazine, 2021





"Snakeball" 
(Five northern watersnakes mating)
VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALISTS, 2019
1st place, Virginia Native Wildlife




"Tumbling Toads"
STATE OF MARYLAND'S DEPARTMENT 
OF NATURAL RESOURCES, 2021
Fan Favorite Finalist for 2022 nature calendar



Green Treefrog, Western Honey Bee & Handsome Meadow Katydid
(Woodbridge, VA)
VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY
1st Place, 2021



BEST OF SHOW

1st Place, BIRDS  

1st Place, WILDLIFE

3rd Place, WILDLIFE


1st Place, BIRDS
Burrowing Owl with Bug, Sandhill Crane "Colts," Green Anole Lizard, and American Bird Grasshopper laying eggs 
(Florida State Parks) 
OSCAR SCHERER STATE PARK
Overall Earth Day 2022 

"Best of Show" Photo Contest Winner (owl) and other awards. 





BEST IN SHOW
Male Indigo Bunting on Sunflower
(Federalsburg, MD)
MARYLAND ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Annual Convention, 2022




Cope's Gray Treefrog 
VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 2022
1st Place Overall




"Rainy Day"
Salisbury University's Annual
WARD MUSEUM PHOTO FESTIVAL, 2022
Humans Category, 2nd Place  

 







Saturday, July 24, 2021

 

SUMMER may be considered a "slow season" for birders -- but NOT for bird photographers.  Baby birds are EVERYWHERE.  Join our private Nature Photography DC/MD/VA Meetup to explore the babies and the boomer birds.  Questions?  Email me at Barb22030 aT yahOoD otc Om.

   https://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photography-DC-MD-VA/




Tuesday, October 13, 2020

 PLEASE CONTACT THE PUBLISHER TO ASK FOR AN UPDATED GUIDEBOOK.  There is no reason why they aren't allowing an update, except perhaps to keep the author from writing a competing book.  

WILDERNESS PRESS, Birmingham, AL 

Wilderness Press 
c/o Keen Communications 
2204 First Avenue South, Suite 102, Birmingham AL 35233 
phone: (800) 443-7227 or (888) 60-HIKES 
fax: (205) 326-1012 

Online contact form: 

https://www.wildernesspress.com/help.php?section=contactus&mode=update


Sunday, April 26, 2020

CRITTERS (& more) CHALLENGE



LIFE’S TOO EASY RIGHT NOW! Right? Of course not. But to take our minds off the pandemic, here’s a nature photography CHALLENGE! From May 1 to May 31, try to photograph as many of the following as you can while social distancing, abiding by all CDC & locale jurisdiction rules, and following ethical photography guidelines. Most of these critters, birds, plants, & landscapes can be found in your own neighborhood or nearby.

Please join the Meetup BEFORE MAY 18 ( https://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photography-DC-MD-VA/events/270282039/  ) and then upload your photos (1 per category) to our Meetup album by May 31. Each find counts ONE point. The “extra credit” categories count FIVE points each. The photographer with the most points who uploads her/his photos by 5/31 at 11:59 p.m. wins. FIRST-PLACE WINNER GETS BRAGGING RIGHTS & FIVE PHOTO OUTINGS.  See Meetup for details.

We’re using the HONOR SYSTEM — but photos shot before May 1, 2020 do NOT count. Be prepared to send us your RAW photo if there’s a tie or a question. If there are up to three ties, all will win. If there are more, we will do the equivalent of a "coin toss."

Trouble finding these local treasures? Check iNaturalist, eBird & other online resources. I will also post a selected bibliography with some invaluable local guidebooks. Questions? Please post them here or message me. HAVE FUN!


******* 1. BIRDS *************************************************
Female Northern Cardinal
Osprey
Occupied osprey nest
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Hummingbird
Prothonotary Warbler
EXTRA CREDIT: Scarlet Tanger

******* 2. CRITTERS *************************************************
Gray Squirrel
Deer
Lizard or skink
Green treefrog
Any butterfly besides a swallowtail or monarch
Horse OR the cutest cat or dog you can find. Costumes permitted.
EXTRA CREDIT: Bear

******* 3. PLANTS *************************************************
Violet
Azalea
Tulip tree bloom
Mountain Laurel
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Morel mushroom
EXTRA CREDIT: Wild orchid

******* 4. LANDSCAPES *************************************************
Flower garden
Creek
River
Waterfall
Farm
Hill or mountain
EXTRA CREDIT: Combo of 2 of the above

Thursday, January 30, 2020

_____________________________________

FOR UPDATES, please visit 

www.BarbaraJoanSaffir.com

Thanks!

_____________________________________


Monday, April 1, 2019

WILD BABIES & BLOSSOMS: Photographing Summer's Nature Spectacles

Please join nature photographer, Virginia Master Naturalist, and author Barbara Saffir for a free talk on where to photograph happy hummingbirds, orange orioles, flower fields, native lotuses, flying "fairy diddles," and much more.  (Chantilly Regional Library, June 26, 7 p.m.)






Wednesday, March 13, 2019

BOOK UPDATE!  A new edition was supposed to come out in 2020 but now it's temporarily on hold.  Please stay tuned.  You can still buy the 2018 edition & I will update changes on this website to keep you current!  

Friday, February 8, 2019

COMING SOON!


    Would you like to arrange a free book talk for your group?

    Do you want to contribute an idea for the next edition of  "WALKING WASHINGTON, DC" or do you have an UPDATE you want to mention?  

    Please email me at BarbaraWalkingDCbook@gmail.com 


THANKS!





If you missed my recent Winter Wildlife Photography Hotspots talk, here is some praise it drew: 


      "Your talk was so uplifting and inspiring.  I think everyone left looking forward to trying their hand at wildlife shooting. Your images are incredible."


      "Great talk. Lots of good tips. Your joy at photography really shows."

       "Your talk was indeed worth the drive.  [Over an hour in DC's dreaded rush-hour!-bjs]  It was well-organized, had great photos, and was very informative."

       "You do a really good job at making a presentation interesting, aside from having terrific content." 


      "You did such a great job with so much enthusiasm...  All your photos were beautiful and inspiring and will surely get people 

motivated."


      "I thoroughly enjoyed your talk this evening....Evening well spent."


THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED!  NOW, GO OUTSIDE AND PHOTOGRAPH!


AND TO SEE SOME OF MY WILDLIFE PHOTOS, PLEASE VISIT: 







Wednesday, January 30, 2019

If you'd like to see more of my nature photos, 

please click here: 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/olympusbjs/siKuK0


Wednesday, January 16, 2019

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY MEETUP DC/MD/VA:

Please register to attend one of our nature photography excursions.  Our next outing is to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to photograph bald eagles, snow geese, swans, wintering ducks, and Delmarva fox squirrels.  Details here: https://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photography-DC-MD-VA/events/256931559/  



WINTER NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY HOTSPOTS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC:

Please join me at the Arundel Camera Club near Annapolis on 2/6/19 for a free photo talk. Details here: http://arundelcameraclub.org/




PHOTO BOOKS AND CARDS:  

If you would like to purchase a 92-page nature photography book or blank photo cards, please contact me for info.  Thanks!  Please use the subject line: PHOTO BOOK and email Barb22030 AT yahoo DOT com.




Saturday, September 1, 2018

New Book Talks and Walks (and unrelated hikes)

1. "Rich and Powerful: Eight Homes of Presidents and the World's Richest Man"
for nonprofit Cultural Tourism DC's annual "WalkingTown DC." 9/23/18.  To register
for this walk, visit: https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/tour-schedule

2. New "Nature Photography DC/MD/VA" Meetup with hikes and talks. 2018/2019
https://www.meetup.com/Nature-Photography-DC-MD-VA/


3. Winter Nature Photography Hotspots talk, Jan. 15, 2019, Chantilly Regional Public Library, Chantilly, VA.  Free talk.  Books and cards (and "Walking Washington, DC") sold and signed after the talk.
https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4358416





Saturday, May 26, 2018

BOOK UPDATES

Here are some updates to Walking Washington, DC.  Please check back from time to time for future updates.  I will also soon be updating Walk #21 "Southwest Waterfront," since many new businesses have opened at "The Wharf." 


p. 11:  As of March, 2018, Warren Buffett is third richest person in the world, following Jeff Bezos (1) and Bill Gates (2).


p. 17: Bao Bao returned to China in 2017. 


p. 18: The kingfisher died in 2017.


p. 36: Map: The Tombs is on 36 St., not 35th, just above the Exorcist Steps. 


pp. 37, 40: Restaurant changed from "Five Guys"  to"&pizza."

p. 45: After 30 years, the Sea Catch restaurant closed.


p. 48: On map, add "President Obama " at 2446 Belmont Road.  


p. 77: Sweetgreen skyrocketed & headquarters moved to California.


p. 99: After two decades, "InfoShop" closed.


pp. 114, 118: The Goethe-Institut moved.


p. 118: Library closed is closed for renovation March 2017 until 2020.


p. 123-124: Trump International Hotel opened.


p. 145: Wharf development is open for business!  Full updates coming soon.


p. 171: REI opened.


pp. 174, 175: Trolley opened.


p. 191: The ship is now gone. 


p. 192: Murder rate is changing. Updates to come.


pp. 196, 200: New leg of trail opened.

Monday, March 12, 2018

2018 Book Talks, Hikes, and Some Other Events

July 17, 2018, 7 p.m. 

  Free nature photography talk at Fairfax County's Chantilly Public Library: "Capturing Nature's Magical Moments."  Signing/sales afterward of 92-page photo book and "Walking Washington, DC."    
     Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, VA, 703-502-3883,      
     https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/chantilly-regional


   

April, 2018 

   Harvard Club of Washington, DC.   Members-only 
   trek to the most colorful wildflower display in the DMV
     http://hcdc.clubs.harvard.edu/


April 29, 2018, 7:30 a.m.

   "Hold a Wild Bird" hike and bird banding, Sierra Club
    Registration required: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/248376438/


May 26, 2018, 3-4:30 p.m.

   Public book talk and book signing
    Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628