Hiking + Photography

Join us for a golden-hour wander along one of Richmond's hidden gems. Tuckahoe Creek Parkway features a boardwalk looking west over a beautiful expanse of wetlands — a perfect vantage point as the sun drops toward the horizon and the light goes warm, then amber, then fire.
The walk itself is short (just 0.6 miles out and back), so this is less about the miles and more about slowing down and really seeing. We'll keep our eyes open for herons, egrets, turtles, and whatever else is moving through the marsh, while watching the sky and water transform as sunset approaches. With clear skies and temps in the low 70s, conditions should be ideal.
What to bring:

• Your camera, phone, or whatever you shoot with
• A telephoto or zoom lens if you have one — great for distant birds and wildlife
• Optional tripod or monopod for longer exposures as the light fades (the boardwalk railing also works)
• Bug spray (it's a wetland at dusk — plan accordingly!)

We'll start at 7:00 p.m. and have roughly 90 minutes of changing light before sunset at approximately 8:30. Stick around after for blue hour if you like — the boardwalk takes on a whole different feel once the sun dips below the treeline.
All skill levels welcome.

This is a great outing for anyone wanting to practice shooting in dynamic, fast-changing light.

Sometimes the best reset is a quiet boardwalk, good light, and a great blue heron minding its own business. Come take a mid-week breath of nature before the week wraps up.

Take Two! This seems to be a popular event so we're doing it again.

This will be a fairly brisk walk with two or three 5-10 minute photo opp stops on each section. I believe the total distance will be around three miles, although it's hard to gauge using Google Maps. Just walking will take an hour, and with another hour or so to stop for photos I'm guessing around two hours. I posted it for three just in case we end up moving more slowly than expected.

• Start at the Floodwall parking lot near the South end of the Mayo Bridge.
• Walk west along the Floodwall
• Turn north and cross over the river via the T-Pot bridge
• Turn east and walk along the Canal, to the north end of the Mayo Bridge
• Walk south along the Mayo Bridge, crossing Mayo Island
• ^ Galk at whatever they are doing over there
• Check out the popular birding/fishing area under the bridge
• End at the parking lot where we started
• Find a place to eat and talk about our adventures.

Tips:

• Level, paved terrain.
• Wear a hat or bring sunscreen.
• Grab your long lens if you want to get shots of the plentiful birds that live around the river in that area.
• Bring snacks and water.
• Optional lunch after.

This beautiful winery is a 30-minute drive from Richmond (+/- ~15 minutes depending on where you live). There are a variety of outdoor photo opps from old barns to horses, landscapes, ponds, nature trails, and more.

While there, we can partake of wine tastings and/or lunch, and then take more photos before heading back.

We will meet near the entrance to the tasting building at 11:00 and decide on lunch plans etc.

There's no limit to the number of people so feel free to bring your significant other, kids, grandkids, or a friend or two. Making pictures is the #1 priority but there's plenty of room for fun and socializing as well.
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From the website:
"Wine tastings are provided indoors or al fresco, at private tables where guests can linger and enjoy their stay. Areas include decks flanked by lush gardens and koi ponds; sprawling lawns; a shaded pond-side grove of pine and poplar; a large field surrounded by horse pastures; an expansive hard-scape patio; and in a charm-packed indoor tasting room located in a transformed 1940's barn. Grayhaven appreciates age diversity and cultural diversity and strives to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone. Family Friendly, Dog Friendly, Non-Drinker Friendly"