GNPA Macon and Gibbes Garden Field Trip

Join the GNPA Coastal Chapter for two days of cherry blossom, spring flower, and garden photography on March 26-28. Cherry blossoms, tulips and daffodils will be in bloom at this time of year.

Our field trip will begin with the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia. Macon boasts that it is the cherry blossom capital of the world. Each year Macon becomes a pink paradise as more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom throughout the city over a two week period. We will meet in Macon on March 26 at 9:30 a.m. and photograph along the Cherry Blossom Trail. We will depart Macon at 3 p.m. for our hotel in Canton, GA.

Our field trip continues the next day at Gibbs Garden where daffodils and tulips will be in bloom. If we are lucky, cherry trees may also be blooming.

The spectacular Gibbs Garden is a nearly 400 acre garden that includes 24 ponds, 19 waterfalls, 18 seasonal color gardens and 6 feature gardens – Daffodil, Manor House, Japanese, Inspiration, Waterlily and “Le Jardin” Color Gardens. James Gibbs designed the garden for continuous blooms from March to November. At the end of March, tulips and daffodils will be blooming. For more information of the garden and its seasonal blooms, check here,
**https://www.gibbsgardens.com/.**

The water lily gardens were designed to be reminiscent of Monet’s garden at Giverny. Enjoy asian garden design and Japanese maples in the Japanese gardens. Whether you enjoy garden views, close-up and macro photography, or infrared photography, Gibbs Gardens provides abundant opportunities for garden and botanical photography.
We will spend Friday, March 27, at Gibbs Garden for a full day of garden photography. The garden is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. We will meet in the garden parking lot at 8:45 a.m. and enter as a group with expedited entry and a reduced entrance fee of $18 per person. The garden features the Arbor Cafe that provides sandwiches, salads, and snack items.

On Saturday, you will have the opportunity to drive home or return to Gibbs Garden for more photography. You may consider traveling home by way of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to enjoy their orchid show and Spring Blossom Extravaganza.

Currently, Gibbs Garden is offering the BOGO Annual Membership Special. If anyone would like an Annual Membership as opposed to buying the day ticket only, Annual Memberships are currently Buy One, Get One Free (2 for $60 or $30 each). Anyone can pair up with a friend, family member, club member and make the 2-for-1 purchase. They don't need to visit together, they just need to purchase together. Memberships are valid from the date of purchase until Dec 31, 2026 and provide UNLIMITED visits for this year. This offer is available through January 31. Here is a link for the BOGO offer, https://www.gibbsgardens.com/2026-annual-membership-promo/.

A block of of rooms has been reserved at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Canton, GA. The GNPA rate is $109 for a double room with 2 queen beds, $99 for a King room, and $114 for a Double suite with 2 queen beds. Breakfast is included in the rates. Please request the GNPA rate when making reservations. The Comfort Inn and Suites can be contacted on 770-479-7300. The block of rooms will be held until February 26.

We look forward to Coastal Chapter GNPA members participating in this opportunity to explore photographic options in two beautiful Georgia settings.

This field trip is for GNPA members only. If you would like to join us for this event, please visit GNPA before this event.

GENERAL INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
Do not leave anything out in your car while on the trails. Keep any possessions in your car trunk or out of sight; do not provide temptations.
BY REGISTERING FOR THE EVENT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY
GNPA will make every attempt to execute each trip, workshop or event as planned and as described. However, circumstances beyond GNPA’s control may arise that that affect GNPA’s ability to complete a Trip.
If a Trip is cancelled by GNPA for any reason prior to its start date, GNPA will not provide any compensation for payments made by registrants such as non-refundable hotel deposits or car rental fees or ticket fees. GNPA reserves the right to make changes to the trip including changes to the itinerary and trip leaders at its sole discretion.
PERSONAL SAFETY is of utmost importance.
Nature photography includes inherent risks which all participants must evaluate for themselves as to the safety of any activity based on their personal abilities. Be constantly aware of your surroundings and any potential hazards which could result in injury to you or others.
DO NOT PLACE YOURSELF OR OTHERS IN DANGER!
By registering, you are AGREEING to the standard GNPA Warranty and
LIABILITY RELEASE:
As a condition of participation with the Georgia Nature Photographers Association [“GNPA”], I agree to release from liability and to hold harmless the GNPA and its officers, agents, employees or assigns for any injury, including illness, accident, emergency and death, and for damage to or loss of personal property, including equipment, film, and memory cards, while participating in any activities affiliated with the GNPA.
CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 WARNING DISCLAIMER
Coronavirus, COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily through person-to-person contact. Federal and state authorities recommend social distancing as a mean to prevent the spread of the virus. COVID-19 can lead to severe illness, personal injury, permanent disability, and death. Participating in any activities affiliated with the GNPA could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. GNPA in no way warrants that COVID-19 infection will not occur through participation in any activities affiliated with the GNPA.

PHOTO RELEASE
I do hereby give the GNPA permission to use my photo and its likeness for any and all print and video purposes it deems necessary but not limited to: newsletters, brochures, instructional and promotional videos, and press releases. The GNPA will not be required to reimburse me for use of my photo or its likeness.

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