Meet at the parking lot between Starbuck's and Bed, Bath & Beyond on Bloomington's west side for those who want to caravan or catch a ride. On this field trip for wildflowers and spring landscape photography, first we'll visit Green's Bluff, a Nature Conservancy preserve not far from McCormick's Creek State Park. This is a beautiful wooded site with easy walking until you get to the bluff overlooking Racoon Creek. It can be muddy, too. We should have good photographic opportunities along the trail, at the bluff, and down by the creek.
Directions to Green's Bluff: From Bloomington take SR 46 west through Ellettsville toward Spencer. Turn South (left) on SR 43 (this will be before you get to McCormick's Creek State Park) and go five miles to Sheffied Road (also called County Road 525). Turn west (right) onto Sheffield Rd and continue for one mile to the ‘T’. Turn south (left) at the ‘T.’ After about 0.4 mile this road ends. Park near the cemetery. Walk 0.5 miles along the old logging road (which continues where the county road ends) into the preserve
After a couple of hours at Green's Bluff, we'll go to McCormick's Creek for more shooting. There is an organized run/walk event at McCormick's Creek State Park on the same day, but it should be finished by 11:00 a.m., if not earlier. We'll have lunch at the Inn in the state park or in nearby Spencer, or you can bring your own picnic. McCormick's Creek State Park is a great location for spring wildflowers, waterfalls, and streams. There are scenic overlooks as well as trails both easy and moderately difficult.
Questions? Please contact Neill Vaughn at neillva@yahoo.com