Location: Clymer Meadow Preserve (4318 FM1562,  Celeste, TX 75423)
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025

Late Lunch/Early Dinner: 3:30 PM CT in Blue Ridge, Texas
Location:  TBD

Arrival Time at Preserve: Approved entry time is 5:00 PM CT | Specific meet-up/gate address will be provided closer to the event date

What's It All About

This is a joint activity with the Heard Nature Photographers Club.

Expect wildflower photography! Native prairie! Birds! And bugs!

Clymer Meadow Preserve (photo by Jacqueline Ferrato)

From the March 2018 issue of Texas Highways: “Researchers say 99 percent of the Blackland Prairie habitat that once covered 15 million acres has been lost. What remains exists in mostly small chunks. Clymer Meadow Preserve contains one of the largest contiguous remaining pieces.

"Even more remarkably, no plow blade has ever cut through the soil on some sections of the property. Its gently rolling land, pockmarked by micro- topography—wetlands just a few meters wide perched atop hillsides—acts as a laboratory for researchers studying everything from monarch butterflies to water quality.”

About the Preserve

Clymer Meadow Preserve, located about sixty miles northeast of Dallas, contains some of the largest and most diverse remnants of the Blackland Prairie—the Texas version of the tallgrass prairie that once stretched from near the Texas coast to southern Manitoba. This rare, 1,475-acre “island” of natural history is part of a larger conservation area that includes land owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and other private owners. As an excellent example of remnant prairie, the preserve is a key site for research and educational activities.

Named for pioneer Jim Clymer, who bought tracts there in the 1850s, Clymer Meadow’s diverse offerings include tallgrass prairie with abundant wildflowers, wildlife and wetland habitat. One of the more unusual features of the preserve are shallow, moisture-drawing basins called “gilgai.” Normal gilgai are irregular or round and generally arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern on level, heavy clay soils. Because they tend to hold water, gilgai often influence the composition of plant communities, like those at Clymer.

Equipment

Dress to protect yourself from scratchy weeds and chiggers, chiggers, and more chiggers (DEET has been suggested if you are comfortable using it. Heavy doses suggested!) Snakes are possible. Tall boots are recommended.

Bring your tripod and a lens selection appropriate for flower, birds, and bug photography.

Don't forget water, a hat, and sunscreen (there is very little shade available).

Important Things to Know

The terrain is not level and is very uneven with tripping hazards.

On-site, each participant will need to sign the Nature Conservancy’s Liability Release and acknowledgement of their photography policy (no selling of images, etc.).

Resources

• Nature Conservancy Website
• Dallas Camera Club Newsletter (May 2023, pp. 13-15): Clymer Meadows Field Trip Announcement
• Master Photographer Sean Fitzgerald - Photographing Prairies Zoom Presentation to Dallas Camera Club
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Location: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218)
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM CT

During this time window, any member of the Plano Photography Club attending with our group may walk and photograph the grounds of the Arboretum. Tripods will be allowed.

Irwin Lightstone has once again used his connections (Thanks Irwin!) to get us access to the Dallas Arboretum early in the morning to photograph tulips and all the other beautiful plants on display.

Details

1. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this event (click the Registration button below)
2. There is no limit on the number of PPC members who can attend
   
3. Attendees must park in the lot accessible at the Gate 1 entrance (located at the intersection of Garland Road and Whittier) 
4. Attendees MUST be physically present at the Main Entrance of the Arboretum by 7:00 AM; please plan to arrive a few minutes early so that members can enter as a group
5. Attendees will be admitted onto the grounds as a group; any individual who arrives at the Main Entrance after the group enters the Arboretum may be denied admission
6. Attendees will be allowed to use their tripods until 9:00 AM (when the Arboretum opens to the public); no tripods may be used after that time
7. Attendees may remain at the Arboretum after 9:00 AM and continue taking photographs for as long as they wish, subject to item (6) above
8. There are no official lunch or brunch plans, but some people will almost certainly get together after the shoot; this will be decided on-site

As a condition of providing access under these terms to the Plano Photography Club, the Dallas Arboretum is requesting copies of five (5) photographs captured by each attendee. Details will be communicated when we collect images for display on the club website.

REGISTER FOR THE DALLAS ARBORETUM PHOTO SHOOT

Registration closes on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 9:00 PM CT. 

If you have questions before the event or when you arrive onsite at the Arboretum, contact Mary Ruehle (email/214-676-6469).

We hope you can join us for an all-day photo shoot at Texas Rose Horse Park on Saturday, March 1, 2025 (the rain date is March 8).

Texas Rose Horse Park is a premier equestrian facility located in Tyler, Texas. Spanning 1,700 acres of beautiful rolling hills, it offers a wide range of facilities and services for horse enthusiasts and event organizers.

The park is highly regarded for its well-maintained facilities, Texan hospitality, and the quality of its events, making it a favorite among equestrians and visitors alike.

Details

Location: Texas Rose Horse Park |
  14078 State Hwy 110N, Tyler, TX 75704 | (directions)
Time: This is an all-day event, so come and/or leave at your convenience; you may arrive as early as 8:00 AM
Admission: FREE

Photo by Larry Petterborg; used with permission

What and Where Can You Photograph?

The equestrian competitions feature multiple arenas hosting simultaneous events, along with two dedicated warm-up areas. Competitions span various age groups and skill levels, offering a diverse range of photographic opportunities.

Capture the excitement of show jumping, the focused preparation of riders, and the relaxed moments after their performances. Don't miss the behind-the-scenes moments like horses being bathed and cared for. And there are award ceremonies at the end of each event.

Beyond the action, you'll find abundant opportunities for candid shots throughout the venue. Get close and capture the details with macro photography, focusing on the beautifully decorated arenas, adorned with floral arrangements at each jump.

Bleachers are available at select arenas, offering elevated and unique perspectives. With a sprawling event space, you're free to explore and discover captivating images around every corner.

What Lens(es) Should I Bring?

According to professional photographers we have spoke with on prior trips to the Horse Park, a 200mm lens should be good for most events, but you may want to consider a 400mm prime or 100-400mm zoom for shooting the horse jumping.

Important Things To Know

Please do not get too close to either the riders or their horses. They are wild animals and unpredictable.

Also be aware that there are professional photographers on the grounds and we do not want to get in their way and interfere with their shots.

What About Food?

There is a food pavilion at the Horse Park or you may bring your own food. There are picnic tables to relax and enjoy the experience.

Information Resources

• Texas Rose Horse Park Site Map
• Texas Rose Horse Park Information for Visitors (including A Guide to Horse Shows)
• Camera Settings for Horse Photography
• Horse Event Photography Guide: Techniques and Tips 
• How To Take Great Photos and Videos at Horse Shows
• Tips for Taking Great Photos at a Horse Show

Questions?

Please contact club Activity Chair Mary Ruehle.

We hope you can join us for a photo shoot at Texas Discovery Gardens on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

Located in Dallas' historic Fair Park, Texas Discovery Gardens is a year-round organically maintained urban oasis filled with natural wonders and is home to the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, along with the snake and reptile shack, indoor axolotl tank, koi ponds, fountains, outdoor playscape, garden trains, many specialty outdoor gardens, art gallery, and picnicking areas.

General admission gets you access to the gardens, butterfly house, snake and reptile shack, outdoor playscape, garden trains, ponds and pools, and the entire 7.5 acres of exploration, experience, entertainment, and education for the entire day.

Details

Location: Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park |
  3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75210 (Fair Park, Gate 6) | (directions)
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM
Admission: Adults (13+) $12 | Seniors (65+) $10

You may purchase tickets online or at the gate.

Please plan to join us early on Saturday, January 25, 2025 for a sunrise photo outing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (map) in Sherman, Texas.

Featuring 11,000 acres of outdoor recreation opportunities, Hagerman NWR is the largest natural space in North Texas freely available to the public. 

Hagerman MWR was established in 1946 to provide habitat for migratory birds, wildlife, and plants native to the area. The 11,320-acre refuge is an overlay of the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.

Shallow marshes, creeks, bottomland hardwoods, forested uplands and grasslands, and managed farm fields provide habitat for more than 300 species of birds and many varieties of wildlife.

Details

Location: Hagerman NWR | 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman, TX 75092 (directions)
Meeting Time: 6:30 AM CT
Admission and Parking: Free

Nautical Twilight begins: 6:30 AM CT
Blue Hour begins: 7:00 AM CT
Golden Hour begins: 7:10 AM CT
Sunrise: 7:27 AM CT

After the photo outing, attendees are invited to attend a group breakfast at Mom's Cafe at 317 W. FM 120 in Pottsboro, a short drive (directions) from the refuge.