Landscape Photography

**NOTICE: The park is open until 8:45 PM for Sunset Closing** **This is copied from the website:** Savor the beauty of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in the soft glow of twilight. During these special extended hours, the gardens remain open until 8:45 PM, offering a peaceful and picturesque setting to unwind, take an evening stroll, or simply enjoy the changing light as day turns to dusk. **Admissions will end at 8:15 PM,** and the gardens will close promptly at 8:45 PM. Regular garden admission ($5–$9) and memberships apply. We will meet at the visitor center. Bring Water, a tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards There is no specific route in this park. Folks are free to wander around the trails in the park at their own pace. Check out Rob Trek's video from May 16, 2021: https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y For dinner, after the field trip around 8:00 PM, we will head to The Virginian Restaurant, 169 Glyndon St SE, Vienna, VA 22180 Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. Beauty, conservation, education, and discovery flourish throughout the year at this 95-acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. [https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/](https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/) By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

Think you aren't flexible enough for yoga? Afraid to get onto the floor? Living with physical aches or restricted range of motion? Then this is the perfect yoga class for you! Explore your body's strengths in a fun, supportive environment while maintaining and growing your range of motion, flexibility, balance, strength, and sense of peace. All are welcome in this therapeutic class. Come ready to try new things, laugh, ask questions, and support each other. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com.** The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 3,5,7,9.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St. Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.

The South Fork of the Shenandoah is a flowing mountain river, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, legendary for its canoeing excellence. Join us for two nights of camping at Golden Rock Campground at Compton Rapid (the prettiest spot on the river) and two days of paddling. We will drive to the campsite and spend Friday night there. The campground is primitive, which means no showers, no dedicated campsites, and lots of natural beauty. We will look out for eagles flying overhead or in their nests, and otters playing in the creek on the upper end of the campground. Next morning the Outfitter will shuttle us up the river to start our kayaking trip. After a fun day of paddling we will be back at the camp site to spend another night outdoors. We will wrap up our trip the next day with another 4 hours of paddling before we head back to our cars. Kayaks will be provided, but you would need to bring your own camping gear and meals including a tent, sleeping pad and a sleeping mat. **After you complete your registration on our website, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and event location.** There is limited space, so please register early. **Register and pay for this event on our website at this link**: https://washingtonwomenoutdoors.org/event-6658739 **Find out about WWO Member benefits at this link**: https://washingtonwomenoutdoors.org/Membership

**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU** You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments! At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as: * What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind? * How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you? * What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person? * What exactly is the goal of the subconscious? This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time. And the most important topic: **HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!** This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.

I'm putting this out there as a last minute to see if anyone is interested. The plan is to do the LHHT with 13/33/24 splits. Starting at the northern terminus, hiking to the 271 shelter area, then grindle ridge, then back to Ohiopyle and shuttle back to the car. Elevation is around 10k for the trail, water at all of the shelters along the way. I've made a reservation for the 2 shelters. Costs: *Camping: $10/per person for twp nights. - Carpooling: Standard DCUL rate (I will not be carpooling unless there are people coming from Ohio) DC ULers have maps! I will try to get us hard copies, but you can get a map of the route here: [https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/Hiking/LaurelHighlandsHikingTrail/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/Hiking/LaurelHighlandsHikingTrail/Pages/default.aspx) Caltopo: [https://caltopo.com/m/7F31R](https://caltopo.com/m/7F31R) The Fine Print I’m just a co-participant on this trip, not a guide or an expert. I have no special training, such as organizational, medical, or navigational. You are officially on the trip if you both RSVP on Meetup, we engage by email, text, or the app, and you meet me at the trailhead. Otherwise, you are doing your own trip until you make physical contact with me and I recognize you as a co-participant. By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. ([https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver](https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)) If you are a member, don't forget to pay your annual $10 dues. You can check to see if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip with the group. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15)

The Group gathers in the parking lot between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM to catch the sunrise over the Potomac River. Google Maps: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hCUuoxUPKhRbLLZn9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hCUuoxUPKhRbLLZn9) Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is known as a top regional birding spot; over **300 species** have been recorded here, including nesting bald eagles and ospreys. Bring your longest telephoto lens and binoculars. I can help you with camera settings so you can capture sharper images of both perched birds and birds in flight. It is thrilling to capture the amazing orange and red colors that are only available at that time in the morning. Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. Bring water, comfortable shoes, a tripod, fully charged batteries, and empty memory cards... Park Facts: Entrance Fee: Free Allow Dogs on a leash: Yes Bathroom: On the north side of the Marina is a building for restrooms National Park Service Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve: www.nps.gov/gwmp Friends of Dyke Marsh (www.fodm.org) By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations (where applicable) of the event location, and I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

**Leader**: Owen , OR owenpepstein@gmail.com **When**: Sunday June 21st, 8:00 AM **Location**: **1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019** **Meet**: Meet in the Parking Lot **Bring**: Your camera gear, a tripod, and a variety of lenses, extra batteries, and good walking shoes. **Tickets**: There is no entrance fee. **Info**: Hardy Water Lilies (Late May – Mid-September): These are the classic impressionist-style flowers that float directly on the water's surface, framed by tight networks of flat lily pads. They open in a vibrant spectrum of white, pink, yellow, and deep purple. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a tremendous site for birding in Washington D.C. Birding is one of many great reasons to visit Anacostia Park and the Aquatic Gardens. Over 250 different species of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens! **Breakfast**: @ IHOP , 3601 Bladensburg Rd, Colmar Manor, MD **Tripods**: Tripods are allowed so feel free to bring your tripod or monopod We meet at interesting photogenic sites in the area ranging from DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware. You can shoot on your own or team up with a helpful Club member for tips and inspiration. All Are Welcome - Members and Non-Members Are Welcome. If you wish to join the Silver Spring Camera Club Membership remains a very reasonable $50 for individual members, $80 for family and only $35 for students. Guests are always welcome to participate. Please see our group website to become a member at: Silver Spring Camera Club – [https://www.ssccphotography.org/](https://www.ssccphotography.org/) There is NO participation Fee for this Field Trip. Visit us on the web: [http://www.ssccphotography.org/](http://www.ssccphotography.org/)

THIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER **PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!** https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-06-20-national-zoo-field-shoot Join us for a morning at the National Zoo and learn tips for photographing animals. Whether you’re planning an African safari or just want to learn to take better photographs of the animals at the zoo or in your backyard, this class will help you capture more compelling images. Learn how to isolate subjects and effectively use available light to create dynamic photos. Improve your focusing skills to achieve sharp focus on moving and still subjects. **Topics include:** * Compositional choices * Options to control exposure * Shutter speeds and depth of field * Focus settings * And more This class is best suited for digital SLR or Mirrorless cameras that allow shutter, aperture, or manual exposure control. Any combination of lenses covering wide to telephoto range (18–300mm) and a circular polarizing filter if you have one. Tripods won’t be needed for this class. Admission to the Zoo is free, but entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. More information can be found here, https://rb.gy/t0htt3 Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com. Class Limit: 8-9 *** **THIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER** https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-06-20-national-zoo-field-shoot

Think you aren't flexible enough for yoga? Afraid to get onto the floor? Living with physical aches or restricted range of motion? Then this is the perfect yoga class for you! Explore your body's strengths in a fun, supportive environment while maintaining and growing your range of motion, flexibility, balance, strength, and sense of peace. All are welcome in this therapeutic class. Come ready to try new things, laugh, ask questions, and support each other. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com.** The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 3,5,7,9**. The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St. Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.

We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, May 17 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

Finally - after a six month break the Music Cave is back in operation. Please join June 20. Friendly get-togethers to play music, sing, drum, and learn. Musicians, singers, professionals, amateurs, beginners, all musical levels and all kinds of instruments welcome. We have informal/casual gatherings where you can enjoy playing music and singing with other members, can meet friendly people, and get inspired by others. Every meeting is adifferent combination! All musical levels, including beginners, are welcome, so long as you enjoy it! Bring extra instruments if you have them. Please come with 2 or 3 songs in mind that you would like to learn or play. Do not use the front door. Enter through the gate to the left rear of the house and the basement.

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.

These meetings will be a building block approach to learning photographic mastery over three disciplines: Mechanical Mastery (MM) - 13 weeks of the series Exposure Mastery (EM) - 26 weeks of the series Composition Mastery (CM) - A 52 week series All three series will run concurrently and will dovetail as follows: Q3/26 - MM (Iter 1), EM (Iter 1, Pt 1), CM (Iter 1, Pt1) Q4/26 - MM (Iter 2), EM (Iter 1, Pt 2), CM (Iter 1, Pt2) Q1/27 - MM (Iter 3), EM (Iter 2, Pt 1), CM (Iter 1, Pt3) Q2/27 - MM (Iter 4), EM (Iter 2, Pt 2), CM (Iter 1, Pt4) That's likely confusing, but essentially, MM offered 4 times in that period, EM offered 2 times, and CM offered 1 time. **TO BE CLEAR - THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THESE CLASSES.** This is an aggressive series, with presentations, homework, group shoots to be added in, likely at LEAST twice a month, image critiques, and an expectation that you are willing to put in the work to elevate your photography significantly. Open to all levels and all equipment levels. Don't let hesitation about your skillset and/or gear keep you from a one-time opportunity. The group will meet every Monday, with periodic exceptions, and we will try to keep as close as possible to the original plan. Obviously, more data to come, and will be published as this is further developed, but now is the time to decide if you want to be a part of this.

TOPIC (TBD): Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: NIK Collection 8 Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (iPhone images and Christmas Cards). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!