Laotian Boy

WE'RE BACK!

When we return to meeting at Otter Creek Church, on August 3rd, it will have been 16 months since our last in-person meeting. To put some context behind that, I have since added a grandson who is now 8 months old! We had approximately 30 Zoom meetings during the stretch. More importantly, a Covid vaccine was developed, which makes a return possible.

Photo By It will be a welcome return, for sure! I have Claude Velasco spoken with many of you at outings and via email, so I know how much anticipation exists. As we get closer to the return date, you will receive reminders of changes we're implementing, both onsite and online.

For now, we'll take the month of July off from the Main Meeting and Mini-Clinic. Photography Basics and the July Outing will still be held. In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day and enjoy time with friends and family. We'll see you soon!

Jeremy Teran

BPG President

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Member Spotlight

I’ve always been a very visual individual, paying attention to the world around me. As the years passed, I naturally progressed along paths that satisfied that interest, from being a day trip leader for the Sierra Club to my career as an academic and community pathologist (now retired).

Claude and Brie Pathology, in particular, honed my attention to visual details. Not surprisingly, a love of photography has accompanied me along my life journey. I purchased my first camera in high school; a match-needle Yashica. I moved on to Nikon cameras and, ultimately, Canon DSLRs (and a Sony RX100 mark VII for on the fly).

I have very eclectic photographic tastes, including abstracts, macros, landscapes, people, and animals (particularly dogs). I’m an inveterate traveler, and some of my favorite subjects have been captured on a number of Vietnamese Student - Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia vacations in the US and abroad.

Although I enjoy photographing on my own, I also enjoy being with other like-minded people… there is always more to learn. I hope that you enjoy my photos, which go back nearly 40 years. Claude Velasco

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July Calendar

Gallery Wall

Gallery Wall is an opportunity to showcase your art in a non-competitive environment Main Meeting • 2021 Theme is an open category July meeting cancelled due to • Resize your image to 2000 pixels along the longest edge • Down-sample your image so it is less than 1MB July 4th holiday celebrations • Save image your image as a .jpeg format • Your email subject should be “BPG Gallery Wall” • Email 1-2 Images, in a single email, to [email protected] Mini-Clinic July Mini Clinic is also cancelled

Photography Basics Cheekwood Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Mansion

Time 7pm - 8 pm Photo by Claude Velasco Speaker: Gale Stoner Topic: Introduction to Water Photography

Zoom links are unique to you. Use links provided in your confirmation email

Outing

Tennessee Kentucky Thresherman Show Outing Upload Process Saturday, July 17, 2021 • Resize your image to 2000 pixels along the longest Time: 9 a.m. - 11.a.m edge • Down-sample your image so it is less than 1MB Location: 7615 Highway 41N • Save image your image as a .jpeg format Adams, Tennessee 37010 • Naming Convention: file name must begin with the word “outing”, contain your first name, last name, and outing location. Hold Harmless Agreement I.e.: Outing-First Name Last Name-Centennial Park

Upload Outing Images Here

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Photo of the Month Images submitted must be taken within the last 12 months Submit Images Vote 7/19/2021–7/23/2021 by 4:00 pm 7/26/2021–7/30/2021

1932 Ford V8 - Photo by Claude Velasco

Visitors First Place Juxtaposition First Place Open First Place Barry Sokol Phyllis Tatum Betty Cowart

Lyle Taylor Leslie Gill

Visitors Second Place Juxtaposition Second Place Open Second Place Phyllis Tatum Barry Sokol Ed Batsel

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Photography Competitions Been published or won any competitions? We would love to hear from you and showcase your art [email protected]

Brentwood Ash Contest Reelfoot Lake State Park Deadline: extended to 9/6/2021 7/16/2021 – 7/17/2021 Entry Fee: Free 10am-4pm Prize: up to $1,500 cash $10.00 Fee Each Entry, Ribbons will be awarded

Obed Photo Contest Big South Fork Photo Contest Deadline: 7/30/2021 Entry Fee: Free Deadline: 7/31/2021 Prize: Selected images will be unveiled at the artist reception, and printed for exhibition at Bandy Creek Visitor Center, and will be displayed on the park's official website, social media pages, and other venues.

Williamson County State Fair Entries due 6/15/2021 – 7/20/2021 online Entry Fee: $8.00 per piece for up to 3 entries per category payable online, with no additional charges.

Middle Prong R., GSMNP

Sara

Photo by Claude Velasco

National Park Photo Contest presented by Tamron Deadline: 8/31/2021 Fee: Free Prize: Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 lens, Tamron 150-600mm

Wilson County Fair Photo by Claude Velasco Expo Center - South Hall Entries due 10am - 3pm 8/7/2021 in the Expo Center

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What’s Happening Around Town Due to Covid, all events are subject to change Verify dates and times prior to event

Cheekwood Classic Car Show Stroll among impeccably maintained classic cars from the early to mid-twentieth century during our Classic Car Show! September 4, 2021

Sunset Pond Reflection, 1983 – Photo by Claude Velasco

Citroen - Photo by Claude Velasco

Huntsville Botanical Garden Peak Butterfly Season in the Purdy Butterfly House 5/1/2021 - 9/30/2021 Free to Cheekwood members call for appt & verify entry fee

Sunflower Farms / Mazes Green Acres Farm 158 Medina Highway Milan TN Coming in July

Lucky Ladd Farms 4374 Rocky Glade Rd, Eagleville, TN Summer bloom: late June – mid July Fall bloom: early to mid-October Nature's Graceful Curves – Photo by Claude Velasco Fun for Families Vintage Baseball Red River Farms Sunflower festival 5350 Draper Road, Springfield, TN 9/27/2021 2PM @ Oaklands Mansion 7/16/2021 – 7/17/2021

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What’s Happening Around Town Due to Covid, all events are subject to change Verify dates and times prior to event

Franklin on the 4th Patriotic festival in Downtown Franklin. The event concludes with an incredible firework display at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.

Franklin Main Street Festival Downtown Franklin 7/17/2021 – 7/18/2021 10am – 6pm

Night Sky Stories and Constellations Viewing Pickett Memorial CCC State Park July 9, 2021, August 6, 2021, September 3, 2021, October 1, 2021, November 5, 2021, December 3, 2021

Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree Carnaval Princess, SF, CA - Photo by Claude Velasco Smithville, TN Town Square 7/2/2021 – 7/3/2021 Bluegrass along the Harpeth 7/23/2021 – 7/24/2021 Franklin, TN Town Square

Williamson County State Fair Williamson County Agricultural EXPO Park 8/6/2021 – 8/14/2021

Wilson County Fair James E. Ward Agricultural Center 8/12/2021 -8/21/2021 Deciduous Magnolia Through Forsythia Photo by Claude Velasco

Nashville - Franklin Cars n’ Coffee Every Saturday 8am - 10:30am The first Saturday of the month has the addition of Exotic cars. 633 Frazier Drive, Franklin which is the AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 Theater parking lot closest to McDonald’s

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Birding Opportunities

Harpeth River State Park 35 minutes from Nashville.

The Harpeth River supports resident waders such as great blue and green herons, belted kingfishers and prothonotary warblers, to name but a few. The Gossett Tract, consisting mainly of old fields through which a pair of two-mile trails meander, allows observation of northern bobwhite, American goldfinch, and field sparrow. Mid to late summer is a particularly good time to see numerous field flowers, the insects that feed on them, and the songbirds that in turn depend upon them for sustenance.

Cedars of Lebanon State Park 40 minutes from Nashville.

Cedars of Lebanon is within a 10,000-acre state forest in the states’ Inner Central Basin. Characterized by thin limestone soils and little surface water, the area is forested with eastern red cedar or by hardwoods on low hills or where deep soils occur. Forests are interspersed with extensive level open cedar glades, unique habitats that support rare or endemic plants, and attract birds of open country such as indigo bunting, prairie warbler, field sparrow and yellow-breasted chat. Adjacent oak-hickory woods are home to forest species such as barred and eastern screech owl, tanagers, vireos, and several warblers. Over 121 species have been recorded.

Cedar Run Trail: 36.08537, -86.32484, Year-round. 1.90 Miles, Natural Surface, Easy. From trailhead next to Jackson Cave, this trail traverses cedar woods edges containing former farm ponds, sinkholes, and the interior of an ongoing prairie restoration project area managed by prescribed fire. Featured Birds: summer tanager, prairie warbler, common yellowthroat, yellow-breasted chat, field sparrow, indigo bunting, eastern towhee, red-tailed hawk, wild turkey, common nighthawk, American woodcock.

Dixon Merritt Trail: 36.08595, -86.32433, Spring, Summer, Fall. 0.90 Miles, Natural Surface, Easy. This trail begins in the picnic area next to Cedar Forest Lodge and winds through young woodlands and by a large spring. Featured Birds: yellow-billed cuckoo, Kentucky and various warblers, Carolina wren, red-shouldered hawk, eastern screech-owl, blue-gray gnatcatcher, tufted titmouse, red-headed woodpecker in the picnic area.

Hidden Springs Trail (south portion/road): 36.07694, -86.31624, Spring, Summer, Fall. 3.50 Miles, Natural/Paved Surface, Easy. When starting at the picnic area and using Susie Warren Trail/Cedar Forest Road, the route travels through oak-hickory forest, large open cedar glade, and road edge. Featured Birds: white-eyed, red-eyed, and yellow-throated vireos, black and white warblers, ovenbird, Cooper’s hawk, eastern whip-poor-will, great-crested flycatcher, wood thrush, barred owl, pileated woodpecker, chuck-will’s-widow (look for red eyeshine along the edge of the road).

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park 1 hour from Nashville.

Birding during spring and fall migration of the canopy can be productive, and the Northern Parula and Red-Eyed Vireo can be heard or seen throughout the summer as is the occasional Wood Duck.

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Cheekwood Membership Acceptable at 330+ Botanical Gardens, Arboreta, Conservatories Nationwide, and over 60 Museums in the Southeast. Click on the link at the bottom of the page for a full list of locations by state

Distance from Web Address location Nashville in hours

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Nashville, TN 37205 0.00

Huntsville Botanical Garden Huntsville, AL 35805 1.52

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center Chattanooga, TN 37419 1.57

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden Owensboro, KY 42301 2.08

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest Clermont, KY 40110 2.13

University of Tennessee Gardens Knoxville, TN 37996 2.42

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham, AL 35223 2.47

Aldridge Gardens Hoover, AL 35216 2.50

Dixon Gallery and Gardens Memphis, TN 38117 2.50

Memphis Botanic Garden Memphis, TN 38117 2.50

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Crestwood, KY 40014 2.50

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum Knoxville, TN 37914 2.51

The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40503 3.07

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Kennesaw, GA 30152 3.25

Anniston Museums and Gardens Anniston, AL 36206 3.28

Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta, GA 30309 3.33

Atlanta History Center Atlanta, GA 30305 3.34

Boone County Arboretum Union, KY 41091 3.48

The North Carolina Arboretum Asheville, NC 28806 4.13

State Botanical Garden of Georgia Athens, GA 30605 4.34

Highlands Botanical Garden at the Highlands Biological Station Highlands, NC 28741 5.00

Lockerly Arboretum Milledgeville, GA 31061 5.04

Columbus Botanical Garden Columbus, GA 31909 5.10

Massee Lane Gardens Ft. Valley, GA 31030 5.29

Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Dothan, AL 36303 5.41

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC 28012 5.53

Lincoln Memorial Garden Springfield, IL 62712 5.59

Mobile Botanical Gardens Mobile, AL 36608 6.00

Your Passport to Public Gardens Across North America! Due to Covid, call to schedule an appt, verify hours, and confirm no additional entry fees are required

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Photography Workshops & Conferences

ShutterFest Conference Osprey Scenic Sunrise Photo Tour St. Louis, MO Reelfoot Lake State PARK 9/8/2021 - 9/9/2021 7/17/2021 5:30 am – 7:30 am ShutterFest Extreme - 9/10/2021 Fee: $20

PSA Conference Autumn in the Smokies Rapid City, SD Nye Simmons 10/6/2021 - 10/9/2021 10/21/2021 - 10/24/2021

Macro Photo Conference Cost per participant is $425.00. Excludes lodging Spartanburg, SC Optional extensions may be available 10/9/2021 - 10/10/2021

Imaging USA Conference National Harbor, MD 1/16/2022 – 1/18/2022

Domestic & International Photography Tours & Workshops 2022 Workshops going fast

Action Photo Tours

Auroras of the Northwest Territories

Domestic and International Workshops

Jim Zuckerman Photography and Photo Tours

Milky Way & Night Sky

National Parks at Night

Nature & Wildlife

Nature Scapes Slonina Nature Photography Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop

Unique Outdoor Workshops Great Smokey Mountains Institute at Tremont

Viking International Photo Tours 10/29/2021 - 11/1/2021

Visionary Wild - Blackwater Falls

Yellowstone National Park Cost per participant is $750.00 (includes lodging)

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Astrophotography Information provided by PhotoPills in combination with the internet

Full Moon / Partial Lunar Eclipse 11/19/2021 Begin: 11/19 12:02 am Maximum: 11/19 3:02 am Ends: 11/19 6:03 am Carnaval Aztec Dancer, SF, CA Duration: 6 hrs, 2 min Sunset: 11/19 4:37 pm Photo by Claude Golden hour begins: 11/19 3:59-4:54 pm Velasco Blue hour begins: 11/19 4:54-5:05 pm

Moon rise: 11/19 4:54 pm Meteor Showers Maximum Peak rate (per hour) Moon Illumination M Moon Phase 7/30/21 11:53 PM 20 53.5% Wanning Gibbious 8/12/21 4:26 AM 90 16.5% Waxing Crescent 9/29/2021 (time unconfirmed) 50-100? 39.5% Waxing Crescent 10/7/2021 (time unconfirmed) 50-100? 4.2% Waxing Crescent 10/21/21 12:00 AM 10-20 97.7% 11/5/2021 (time unconfirmed) 10-20 2.5% Waxing Crescent 11/17/21 4:57 AM 10-20 96.7% Waxing Gibbous 12/14/21 2:36 AM 100-120 80.6% Waxing Gibbous 12/22/21 12:00 AM 10 Galactic Center Visibility Schedule GALACTIC GALACTIC VISIBILITY VISIBILITY CENTER GALACTIC DATE CENTER BEGINS, MOONRISE MOONSET MOON CYCLE ENDS, VARIES ON VISIBILITY VARIES ON LOCATION LOCATION 7/8/2021 7/7/21 9:55 PM 7/8/21 3:50 AM 5:55 7/8/21 4:11 AM 7/7/21 6:27 PM Waning Crescent 7/9/2021 7/8/21 9:55 PM 7/9/21 3:50 AM 5:55 7/9/21 5:01 AM 7/8/21 7:23 PM New Moon 7/9/2021 12:00 am 7/10/2021 7/9/21 9:54 PM 7/10/21 3:47 AM 5:53 7/10/21 5:56 AM 7/9/21 8:15 PM Waxing Crescent 7/11/2021 7/10/21 9:54 PM 7/11/21 3:43 AM 5:49 7/11/21 6:56 AM 7/10/21 9:01 PM Waxing Crescent 7/12/2021 7/11/21 9:53 PM 7/12/21 3:39 AM 5:46 7/12/21 7:59 AM 7/11/21 9:43 PM Waxing Crescent 8/5/2021 8/4/21 9:27 PM 8/5/21 2:04 AM 4:37 8/5/21 2:53 AM 8/4/21 5:15 PM Waning Crescent 8/6/2021 8/5/21 9:26 PM 8/6/21 2:00 AM 4:34 8/6/21 3:47 AM 8/5/21 6:08 PM Waning Crescent 8/7/2021 8/6/21 9:25 PM 8/7/21 1:57 AM 4:32 8/7/21 4:45 AM 8/6/21 6:57 PM Waning Crescent 8/8/2021 8/7/21 9:23 PM 8/8/21 1:53 AM 4:30 8/8/21 5:49 AM 8/7/21 7:40 PM New Moon 8/8/2021 8:51 am 8/9/2021 8/8/21 9:22 PM 8/9/21 1:49 AM 4:27 8/9/21 6:53 AM 8/8/21 8:18 PM Waxing Crescent 8/10/2021 8/9/21 9:20 PM 8/10/21 1:45 AM 4:25 8/10/21 7:59 AM 8/9/21 8:52 PM Waxing Crescent 9/1/2021 8/31/21 8:45 PM 9/1/21 12:19 AM 3:34 9/1/21 12:44 AM 8/31/21 3:05 PM Waning Crescent 9/2/2021 9/1/21 8:43 PM 9/2/21 12:15 AM 3:32 9/2/21 1:35 AM 9/1/21 3:59 PM Waning Crescent 9/3/2021 9/2/21 8:42 PM 9/3/21 12:11 AM 3:29 9/3/21 2:31 AM 9/2/21 4:50 PM Waning Crescent 9/4/2021 9/3/21 8:40 PM 9/4/21 12:07 AM 3:27 9/4/21 3:33 AM 9/3/21 5:35 PM Waning Crescent 9/5/2021 9/4/21 8:38 PM 9/5/21 12:03 AM 3:25 9/5/21 4:38 AM 9/4/21 6:15 PM Waning Crescent

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