Riverbanks Zoo and Garden outing March 22-2008

[epayne]

CHARLOTTE CNPA OUTING

Columbia Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens Saturday March 22, 2007
8:45 meet in Zoo Parking Lot

We will meet in the zoo’s parking lot at 8:45 AM so that we are ready to enter the zoo when it opens at 9:00 AM. The zoo typically does not get crowded until closer to noon when the light gets bad so using tripods should not be a problem. The zoo’s habitats are much closer together than the NC zoo in Asheboro and the enclosures are somewhat shallow so a mid range telephoto 70- 200 or 200-400mm range allows for good close ups. I would suggest bringing your tripod as well as a wide angle and macro, if you have it, as there are opportunities to use a wide range of focal lengths.

The zoo is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway just off I-26 at Greystone Blvd. Presently, we have 9 members signed up to attend, and if we have 15 or more we can qualify for a group rate at $7.00 per person. We must, however, let them know 2 weeks prior to our visit to be eligible for the group rate. If we do not meet their group requirements the admission will be $ 9.75 per person. Members holding an annual pass to the NC Zoo in Asheboro qualify for free admission.

Driving time from downtown Charlotte to the zoo is about 1 hour and 40 minutes according to Google Maps. It is just under 100 miles. Additionally, there is a botanical garden associated with the zoo and admission includes both. There is a tram that travels between the zoo and gardens running a regular schedule. In mid March I am not sure what will be blooming in the gardens but it is worth a visit. I suggest you check out the zoo’s web site at www.riverbanks.org for additional information. There is a map of the zoo as well as schedules of exhibits offering additional interaction with the animals. Food service is available but I suggest we dine at a local restaurant outside the zoo after our outing. I am looking forward to a wonderful day of GREAT photographs, rain or shine.

[mikebaker]

Not sure if I will make this outing or not, but did want to mention for anyone who has not been to Riverbanks before, a couple of good photo ops.

The giraffe exhibit allows the giraffes to come up to visitors and be hand feed, the zoo even sells pellet food for this. Taking note of the feeding schecule and visiting the giraffes early is a good idea; the giraffes tend to lose interest in the handouts as the day goes on. The view to the giraffes is totally unobstructed and they'll be anywhere from immediately standing right in front of you, to 200 yards out. Also, visitors to the giraffe display are on a raised wooden deck with ample room for triods.

Another good sugestion is the Lorikeet display; you go into a screened area and many Lorikeets are out and about. You can also feed the birds little cups of nectar and they will perch on you, or swarm you as the case may be. They are very colorful and make good bird subjects at extreme close range. These birds are active all day so there is no rush to get to them, it's a little tight there for a tripod, but possible. VR and or a monopod would be easier than a tripod in this didplay, the birds are close but move a lot.

And depending on whether or not the Kola Bears ar hanging inside or outside, you can get some good, close, unobstructed shots.

Hope this helps those that do go.

Mike

[debra.dandro]

Thank you to Edgar for posting this information on our outing and to Mike for the follow-up tips. I look forward to attending this outing as Riverbanks is a fun zoo to photograph at. Take care and I'll see you all soon! :)DJGD

[epayne]

Hello All, Ann found this discount information for zoo admission for AAA members.

Save $2.75 on admission by purchasing tickets online through Riverbanks.org Wild Adventure Club. Contact AAA Carolinas for the promo code.
Restrictions may apply.
Just thought I would pass it on.
Hope to see you there for a good day of shooting. Remember the annual meeting's competition now has an animals in habitat catagory. Maybe a winning photo is there waiting to be taken. If you have any questions you can email me at epayne3804@aol.com or call me at 412-720-1702.
Thanks, Edgar Payne

[debrown]

Edgar,
I told you I would be there but it seems this is the date of our CNPA Board Meeting so I regretfully cannot attend!!

[jschornak]

Edgar,

I plan on attending. I seem to remember (but I just had a birthday, so ...) you were looking at the possibility of getting in earlier (like our SC CNPA brothers have done). Is that early admission still a possibility?

Thanks!
John

[epayne]

Hello to all who have signed up for the Riverbanks Zoo outing,
I am sorry to hear Don, that you will not be able to attend, and John I still do not have an answer regarding early entry. We technically still do not have enough interest ( number in group ) to qualify for their group admission. I will call their offices this week and inquire again regarding early entry. I was not leaning toward that due to the travel distance and the fact that I work until midnight the night before. When Ann and I went last year we arrived at 9:00 AM, normal opening time and had lots of good light without too many people around until lunchtime. I am out of town all next week on vacation to Charleston but should be able to post to the site from there. I will not be checking my email daily as I do now.
May good light be with you all.
Edgar Payne
epayne3804@aol.com

[dawnita]

I believe I am already signed up for this one, but if not, add me to the list.

Thanks.
Dawnita

[sjennings]

Edgar - I don't think I'm on the sign-up sheet, but I plan to attend the Riverbanks outing. I am looking into an annual pass, so I don't know if you want to count me in with the group or not.

Shawn

[epayne]

Hello All,
We did not have enough people on the list to qualify for a group rate, The request had to be made 2 weeks prior to the visit date and at that time there were not the 15 needed to qualify. Ann and I have an annual pass to the NC zoo as well which gets us in free. I hope we get a good crowd together as the zoo offers many good photo ops. I will not be at the meeting tomorrow evening as Ann and I are vacationing in Charleston this week. Scoping it out prior to next months annual CNPA meeting. I will have additional outing information prior to the trip. It was suggested that we meet at the welcome center on I 77 just inside the sC state line to drive down as a group. If some wish to carpool as on our last outing there,I believe cars were left at the next exit in a shopping center or fast food joint lot.
Thanks,
Edgar Payne
412/720-1702
epayne3804@aol.com

[epayne]

Hello All,
The day is rapidly approaching for our Saturday outing to Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia, SC. The weather forecast is calling for 72 degrees and partly cloudy. The zoo is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway just off I-126 at Greystone Blvd. Driving time from the I-77 Welcome Station just inside the SC state line is appx. 1 hour and 20 minutes. We will be meeting at the Welcome station to drive down as a group as we did on our last outing to the zoo. Plan on being at the welcome station between 7:15 and 7:30 AM on Saturday morning. If you wish to just drive on your own that's fine too. We will leave the SC welcome station lot at 7:30 sharp, planning on arriving at the zoo parking lot 10 to 15 minutes prior to 9:00 AM when they open.

An added bonus is Springtime at the Garden 9:00am-3:00pm Enjoy the Botanical Garden and get motivated for successful spring gardening with specialized demonstrations, vendors and a variety of experts and local businesses. Activities are free with paid admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. I am not sure what will be blooming but if you have a close up or macro lens it might be useful. I recommend tripods as well and medium to long teles for the animals in habitat. If the group wishes we can break for lunch in Columbia and reenter the zoo afterwards or go on home from there. It looks like we have upwards of 20 signed up along with some new visitors. If you have any questions I can be reached at work in the evenings 3:30 - 11:30 PM 704-335-4794 or on my cell 412-720-1702. Don't forget charged batteries, sunscreen and a water bottle.

Admission is $ 9.75 for adults with discounts for military and those over 62. We did not qualify for group rate due to not enough interest early on. They require 2 weeks advance reservation for their group rate. If you have an annual pass to the NC zoo they will honor that for free admission.

See you on Saturday.
Edgar

[epayne]

Great News to all attending the Riverbanks Zoo Outing this Saturday. I just got a call from the Zoo and they are going to allow us entry at the group rate of $ 7.00 dollars per person. See you on Saturday.
Thanks, Edgar Payne

[epayne]

I would like to thank everyone who attended our outing to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens outing on Saturday. I trust we all got at least a few keepers. Post a few or bring them to our next meeting in May to share with the group.
Again thanks and may all your light be good.
Edgar Payne

[dawnita]

Quote "Again thanks and may all your light be good." Edgar

Would it be too selfish to ask for a blessing that my picture taking skills be good, also? I have had good light loads of times, but it does not guarantee me good pictures. I think it is my camera causing the problems. (sarcasm) :p

Thanks for organizing the trip. I did get some shots that I am really happy with. I have already posted a couple on the image critique.

Thanks again,
Dawnita