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