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.
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
STATE OF MARYLAND'S DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES, 2021
Fan Favorite Finalist for 2022 nature calendar
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
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
VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 2022
1st Place Overall
"Rainy Day"
Salisbury University's Annual
WARD MUSEUM PHOTO FESTIVAL, 2022
Humans Category, 2nd Place
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.
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
Friday, February 8, 2019
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/siKuK0Wednesday, 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
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-onlytrek 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 ClubRegistration required: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/248376438/
May 26, 2018, 3-4:30 p.m.
Public book talk and book signingChantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628
Monday, June 5, 2017
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY DELIGHT
What better way to celebrate the American Hiking Society's "National Trails
Day" in the United States
than to take a hike to Sweden. Sweden? Yep. As
the author of "Walking Washington, DC" and a Sierra Club hike leader,
I led a hike from the capital's oldest neighborhood across the pulchritudinous
Potomac River into Virginia and then back into DC for our finale at the Swedish
Embassy.
As we stood literally gasping at the views atop the
riverside embassy's rooftop, our enthusiastic host Myriam Puryicky introduced
us to Sweden's famous hiking trails
and the concept of Allemansrätten.
Their constitutionally protected "Right of Public Access" encourages
hikers to saunter unfettered anywhere in the countryside if they leave it
undisturbed.
Perched on the rooftop, we relished the birds-eye view of our
entire 8-mile loop hike. We began at Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, a gem of
a pint-sized urban park commemorating the famous writer of "The Star
Spangled Banner." It's at the edge
of Georgetown, the District's oldest, toniest, and most walkable neighborhood,
with brick rowhouses adorning European-skinny streets. Then we crossed over the artistically arched
Francis Scott Key Bridge. That deposited
us in Virginia, where we hung a left onto the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail along
the Potomac River. First, we popped off
the paved trail to explore lush, green Theodore Roosevelt Island. Afterward we couldn't help but stop a few
times for selfies along the river for its Instagram-perfect views of the
Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. Then we crossed back into DC over the classically
designed Memorial Bridge. Along the way
on the riverside trail, we passed the Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center, the
Watergate, and other waterfront jewels. At
our second to last stop, we nibbled plump purple mulberries next to the
seldom-seen Mile Marker Zero of the 184.5-mile long C&O Canal. Then we wound up back at Georgetown's
bustling waterfront, with its restaurants, bars, parks, boats -- and Sweden's
stylish and welcoming embassy.
If you also want to enjoy the hike without leaving your
couch, just read "Walking Washington,
DC," my unique new guidebook for natives, newbies, and tourists. This hike was adapted from "Walk #13,
Potomac River Panorama and Watergates."
But you'll have to actually travel to Washington, DC if you
want to visit Sweden.
Walking Washington, DC:
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Autographed Books
Yes, "Walking Washington, DC" is still for sale in stores and online (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the publisher, local book stores, etc.), but if you would like to buy a PERSONALIZED SIGNED copy, please contact me. I am selling a limited number of autographed copies for $25, including shipping and handling along with whatever kind of inscription you would like. It's a great way to start your New Year -- and great motivation to start walking to fulfill your New Year's resolutions! Please email Barb22030 AT yahoo DOT com for details.
(Continental US sales only.)(Please note that this is the ORIGINAL user-friendly and official "Walking Washington, DC" guidebook, whose title was apparently "stolen" after this book was published)
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Sierra Club Hikes and Other Adventures
My book-related TALKS and WALKS are still listed under Book Talks below, but I will post some other adventures here, including some hikes in or around DC that I'm leading for the Sierra Club and other groups.
* FLYING SQUIRRELS AND SPIES? for the Sierra Club, Feb. 23, 2018
and Feb. 16 for the Vienna Photographic Society Details to come.
* PHOTOGRAPH BALD EAGLES AT CONOWINGO DAM & HIKE AT SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK, for the Vienna Photographic Society, Dec. 3, 2017. Details to come.
* GREAT FALLS, MD FALL FOLIAGE HIKE for the Harvard Club of Washington, DC
* ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO BEAT THE TIDE? for the Sierra Club, 14-mile late summer hike/run on the most pristine part of Maryland's Assateague Island National Seashore. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/243031295/
* UNFORGETTABLE RIVERFRONT RIDE AND HIKE for the Sierra Club,
See Peaking Pink Lotuses, Lively Waterfront Parks, an Island Oasis, an Important Civil War site, and Forever-Silent "Celebs" on this 19-ish mile ride and 3-ish mile hike along the paved Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/240790230/
* ROAN MOUNTAIN for the Sierra Club
If Thomas Jefferson had hiked amidst the orange flame azaleas and fiery purple rhododendron near Roan Mountain on the TN/NC border, he would have declared that area -- and not Harpers Ferry -- "Jefferson Rock, a view worth crossing the Atlantic Ocean." Okay, maybe that's a bit of hyperbole -- but no more than flower-loving Jefferson himself might have uttered. So come along with us to trek the Appalachian Trail's famous balds and gawk at a huge natural Rhododendron garden nearby that could melt a photographer's heart. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/237331540/
* FLYING SQUIRRELS AND SPIES? for the Sierra Club
What do flying squirrels and spies have in common? Both hung out at Arlington's Long Branch Nature Center. The spies -- convicted FBI traitor Robert Hanssen and his Russian pals who reportedly used the park as a dead drop -- are long gone, but the little southern flying squirrels who watched their clandestine maneuvers still hang out. Come watch these cute critters as they soar down from the treetops to lap up peanut butter and pose for your camera. Before we head outside, a park naturalist will teach us about the wide-eyed cuties and we even get to gently touch one! This might be your only chance for a close-up encounter with one of these super-common but seldom-seen furry night gliders. Details/registration: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/237668747/
* LONG RUNS IN NATURE: Sundays, winter/spring, C&O Canal. Details/registration:
https://www.meetup.com/DC-VA-MD-Marathon-Meetup
* WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY HIKE ALONG THE POTOMAC RIVER for the Sierra Club
* DESIGNER DONUTS, OYSTERS, & POTATOES hike for the Sierra Club:
* LORTON PRISON BREAK hike for the Sierra Club
* 7 PRESIDENTS AND A PARK hike for the Sierra Club
* COVERT CUPCAKES BOOK WALK for The North Face, Georgetown
* SUFFRAGETTE CITY: Workhouse Arts to Occoquan Park & Town of Occoquan hike for the Sierra Club
* SPIES, PARKS & GARDENS: Robert Hanssen, the W&OD Trail, & Meadowlark Gardens hike for the Sierra Club
* FLYING SQUIRRELS AND SPIES? for the Sierra Club, Feb. 23, 2018
and Feb. 16 for the Vienna Photographic Society Details to come.
* PHOTOGRAPH BALD EAGLES AT CONOWINGO DAM & HIKE AT SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK, for the Vienna Photographic Society, Dec. 3, 2017. Details to come.
* GREAT FALLS, MD FALL FOLIAGE HIKE for the Harvard Club of Washington, DC
* ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO BEAT THE TIDE? for the Sierra Club, 14-mile late summer hike/run on the most pristine part of Maryland's Assateague Island National Seashore. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/243031295/
* UNFORGETTABLE RIVERFRONT RIDE AND HIKE for the Sierra Club,
See Peaking Pink Lotuses, Lively Waterfront Parks, an Island Oasis, an Important Civil War site, and Forever-Silent "Celebs" on this 19-ish mile ride and 3-ish mile hike along the paved Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/240790230/
* ROAN MOUNTAIN for the Sierra Club
If Thomas Jefferson had hiked amidst the orange flame azaleas and fiery purple rhododendron near Roan Mountain on the TN/NC border, he would have declared that area -- and not Harpers Ferry -- "Jefferson Rock, a view worth crossing the Atlantic Ocean." Okay, maybe that's a bit of hyperbole -- but no more than flower-loving Jefferson himself might have uttered. So come along with us to trek the Appalachian Trail's famous balds and gawk at a huge natural Rhododendron garden nearby that could melt a photographer's heart. Details: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/237331540/
* FLYING SQUIRRELS AND SPIES? for the Sierra Club
What do flying squirrels and spies have in common? Both hung out at Arlington's Long Branch Nature Center. The spies -- convicted FBI traitor Robert Hanssen and his Russian pals who reportedly used the park as a dead drop -- are long gone, but the little southern flying squirrels who watched their clandestine maneuvers still hang out. Come watch these cute critters as they soar down from the treetops to lap up peanut butter and pose for your camera. Before we head outside, a park naturalist will teach us about the wide-eyed cuties and we even get to gently touch one! This might be your only chance for a close-up encounter with one of these super-common but seldom-seen furry night gliders. Details/registration: https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/237668747/
* LONG RUNS IN NATURE: Sundays, winter/spring, C&O Canal. Details/registration:
https://www.meetup.com/DC-VA-MD-Marathon-Meetup
* WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY HIKE ALONG THE POTOMAC RIVER for the Sierra Club
* DESIGNER DONUTS, OYSTERS, & POTATOES hike for the Sierra Club:
* LORTON PRISON BREAK hike for the Sierra Club
* 7 PRESIDENTS AND A PARK hike for the Sierra Club
* COVERT CUPCAKES BOOK WALK for The North Face, Georgetown
* SUFFRAGETTE CITY: Workhouse Arts to Occoquan Park & Town of Occoquan hike for the Sierra Club
* SPIES, PARKS & GARDENS: Robert Hanssen, the W&OD Trail, & Meadowlark Gardens hike for the Sierra Club
-end-
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