We have a field trip scheduled to go to Goose Pond on Oct 29th. Fall at Goose Pond is interesting in terms of bird migrants and maybe winter residents coming in, like sparrows and hawks. Ducks and some shorebirds are around. However, you will not likely get close to many of the birds to get photos, even with a 400mm lens. The field trip would be more about appreciation other aspects of nature, fall prairie/wetland (browns and yellows - not red, yellow and oranges). We might not have a lot of photographic opportunity of the birds, but you might spot some funky spiders or dried flowers. See the last push of monarch butterflies or find a toad in a pond that is drying up. Or just enjoy a day outside away from town. I am happy to head out to Goose Pond with anyone interested in spending some time out there on Saturday. I'll likely go regardless. One of Chris' Photoshop workshop is on Saturday afternoon, but I don't think it is feasible to try to work to do both. The group as a whole doesn't seem to like early starts and I will be owl-banding on Friday night until 1:00-2:00am, so a later start suits me better. Though I can meet folks out there if others would like an earlier start.

Suggested departure time: 10:00am -- get out to Goose Pond ~11:00 (bring a packed lunch), we'll do some hikes out to some of the better bird areas but look for interesting vegetation or scenic shots. We can split up or not or just spread out on some of the dikes. I am very familiar with Goose Pond and am happy to give some advice on my favorite places to walk along. Plan to leave around 3:00pm or whenever everyone has exhausted their photographic desires. Back to Bloomington by 4:30ish. Obviously all cars don't have to have the same itinerary.

My husband, Jim, will be likely joining us and we'll certainly do some birding along with the photography and we'll have our scopes with us to show folks birds if they are interested. But again, photographing the birds isn't likely going to be great without and even with the bigger lens, but you never know what opportunities might arise.

Please RSVP to let me know if you want to come for any or all of the time. We can carpool out there by meeting at Walmart on the west side of Bloomington.