Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island National Seashore

[ben greenberg]

<p>I am geting ready to go to Chincoteague Island and the Assateague Island National Seashore to experience the many wonderful photo opportunities there, but especially the snow geese and waterfowl that migrate there in such great numbers this time of year. I will be planning to shoot the wild horses as well. I would appreciate any advice there may be regarding locations, techniques and the like to maximize my results.<br>

I am a landscape photographer of some reputation and experience who is now learning how to photograph wildlife. I have rented some equipment to assist me, including a 200-400 mm lens that I plan to put on a camera body that will give me 300-600 mm reach. I already have other lenses that go from 14 mm to 300 mm.<br>

Thanks for your help.</p>

[john_h.1]

<blockquote>

<p>I am a landscape photographer of some reputation</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Cute.</p>

<p>A reputation that can help is that of your subject matter. Research of behavior and traits, will go beyond f/stops and focal lengths.</p>

[tom_mann1]

<p>Sheesh, John, that was awfully harsh and uncalled for. :-( </p>

<p>Yes, it was a bit stilted expression, but folks express themselves differently, particularly if they are newbies at posting on discussion forums like photo.net. Why didn't you just assume that OP meant to say, "I am a relatively experienced landscape photographer, but with very little experience in wildlife photography", and go from there.</p>

<p>Ben - We have been going to that area off and on for 30+ years. My suggestion would be to forget the north end of the island and concentrate on the southern end. The wildlife loop is closed to cars till mid-afternoon, so I would suggest that you walk it in the very early morning. The impoundment that it circles will be virtually devoid of other folks that time of the day and often is filled with Canada geese, snowy geese, and swans. The surrounding forest will often be alive with the sound of various species of warblers, many of whom can be pished in. </p>

<p>I would suggest that you do the loop in a CCW direction so that you can get out to the leg of the loop nearest the beach (and least busy) as quickly as possible. This will also ensure that you are not shooting directly into the sun. </p>

<p>Once there, and if the main impoundment has lots of birds and you want some variety / more privacy / quiet, there are a couple of small ponds between the wildlife loop road and the beach. You'll have to bushwack a hundred yards or so to get to them (look on Google Maps), but we have seen the most impressive displays of snowy geese on these unmarked ponds. When we were last there, there were no restrictions on access to them, but obviously obey all posted warnings / restrictions. </p>

<p>Also, at that time of the morning on the wildlife loop, we have had the (semi-wild) ponies come right up to us to mooch whatever we had brought to eat. Don't succumb and feed them (it's against the rules), but have a field day photographing them.</p>

<p>I hope you have a very pleasant, productive time there.</p>

<p>Best regards,</p>

<p>Tom M</p>

<p> </p>

[ben greenberg]

<p>Tom, thank you for understanding what I was trying to say and defending my honor. More important, thank you for wanting to help me. I have helped others on this forum and, when I have needed some help, I have almost always found contributors to be generous in offering the benefits of their experiences, and I treasure the help I have received. I feel the same way when I have helped others. It works that way in the field as well. I have had the pleasure of meeting many photographers over the years and we have shared information to help each other. I am pleased when the competitive aspects of what we do (who got the best shot?) don't interfere with the opportunity to share. After all, we share a bond by what we do and that bond enriches us all. </p>

[tim_eastman]

<p>If you are inclined, sunrise from the wildlife loop can be wonderful. I agree with CCW. It used to be that you could drive out early but it would still be worth the walk. There are wood duck boxes and if you are lucky you might see one.</p>

[john_h.1]

<p>Yes, I cracked a little joke relating to statement that seemed like a bit of taking oneself a bit too seriously. If I misinterpreted the statement, I apologize for offense caused. The responses make it out as a grave and horrific purposeful effort to impugn. Unless there ARE cases of taking oneself too seriously, then apparently my remark was, likewise, misinterpreted.</p>

<p>As to wanting to help fellow photographers, I often offer knowledge or ideas I have. Here, I mentioned studying the subject matter beyond photographic equipment. The goal described is to spend time and effort shooting a subject rather than merely grabbing a few shots of something some afternoon.</p>

<p>Often photographers pursuing a new subject mention and ask about equipment but not their subject itself. Photographers success, when pursuing a subject or theme, is greatly enhanced by learning about the subject. Whether it is wildlife, sports, natural events, nude modeling, aviation, culture, law enforcement activity, weddings, medical, interior design, real estate, concerts and so on, learning about the subject matter itself provides an ability to intuitively interact and, thus, succeed Wouldn't you agree?</p>

[rnt]

<p>Ben,<br>

Beautiful work on your site! (www.bengreenberg.com). I always struggle with how to communicate that I'm not a rank beginner when asking questions in photography or (heaven forbid) on computer help lines. Sometimes it helps the other person cut straight to the chase, sometimes not.</p>

<p>Good luck with your shooting! Sounds like you'll have a great time.</p>

[edchambers]

<p>Ben,<br /> Thanks for asking this question . . . I went back and enjoyed looking at these to present to you . . .<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/08NOV08AsseteagueBEST">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/08NOV08AsseteagueBEST#</a><br /> One of my favorite Photos from this location:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438156039282466">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438156039282466</a> <br /> This is Sun Up right past the Toll Gate Entrance well before you get to the beach. At that hour there is no one to take the fee, so you may buy a Park Pass during regular hours. Depending on how long your stay is I believe you may purchase a week long pass. At the this location there is plenty of room for cars to pull off from the main road and prepare. Get there at least an hour before dawn, and you may be amazed at the combination of the sun, clouds, seika deer crossing the water bogs,<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438419616970738">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438419616970738</a><br />birds lading, eating, and various flight paths before they start their mid-day feasting.<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438025345781330">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438025345781330</a><br /> Then at sun down - go to the other side of the circle bird beltway, :-), and you could get these shots:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438111960568690">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269438111960568690</a><br /> Here is Sunset on the Marina on the South End of the town.:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269439122522014050">https://picasaweb.google.com/BlueridgePhotoWorkshops/AsseteagueGeneralEdChambers08NOV08#5269439122522014050</a><br /> Have fun!</p>

<p>ed</p>

<p>PS There is good food in town. Captains Galley ? Good Cream of Crab and home made desserts!!! :-)<br>

and while you are there you may desire to go see Wallops Island Museum. They also have a brand new bridge that enters town if you want to inspect the new opportunities that presents itself.</p>

[ben greenberg]

<p>Thank you all for the benefits of your experiences. You have added to my knowledge and have given me ideas to consider and pursue. Tom, thanks again for some wonderful advice. Bob, thank you for your kind comments. I have worked hard to make my web site one that provides people with a good overview of my images and photographic interests. Now if only I could update it more easily. I have worked hard in the last year, particularly in Virginia to expand my state portfolio, but it can be so difficult to do what I need to do to prepare my new photographs for my site. Ed, thank you for sharing those dramatic images of yours. You have demonstrated what hard work and talent can succeed in doing in such a place. And I am definitely looking forward to the Captain's Galley. I love crab soup. John, I absolutely agree with your statement. That is why I work so hard to research and study the tremendous amount of information I accumulate about the places and the subjects I want to photograph. If you saw my library of information and materials I have accumulated over forty years of photography, I think you would have a better understanding of the level of my commitment and hard work.<br>

Unfortunately, I was told today that the snow geese are late in heading south this year due to the warm weather and they haven't seen that many as yet. So, I will be working hard to locate subjects and gain a better understanding of how to photograph them in this habitat. This, of course, comes with the territory. It reminds me of my 12 days touring New England looking for fall color in a year that has to be the worst fall color in the history of the region.<br>

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Despite the news, I know I will be treasuring this experience, which I suspect will be one of many at this beautiful location.<br>

Ben</p>

[edchambers]

<p>Here is the place to eat: http://www.billsseafoodrestaurant.com/</p>

<p>and you can stay here - it is awesome and close - and you may call the front desk to get a bird report.<br>

<a href="http://www.refugeinn.com/">http://www.refugeinn.com/</a></p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Chincoteague is among my favorite nature photography destinations. When we lived in New Jersey back in the 1990's, we used to go there once or twice a year. I must have been there over a dozen times back then, but since we moved to the West Coast in year 2000, we have returned only once in 2004. Therefore, my information maybe somewhat out of date.</p>

<p>The ponies are well known for Chincoteague. There are plenty of bird photo opportunities as well as deers, etc. It can be good in sunrise as well as in the afternoon. We used to stay at the Driftwood Lodge by the park entrance; it looks like that inn has been converted to a Best Western.</p><div></div>