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We have reached the magical number of ten for the workshop so it is a go. Rain or shine (barring a tropical storm or hurricane of course), we will proceed. Attached is a preliminary schedule that can be easily adjusted to suit the needs of those in the class. Friday's workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Please be sure to allow enough travel time as the secondary roads can be slow. Please be prompt!

Note: Even though Port St. Joe is on the "Central Time" side of the river, it is actually on Eastern Daylight Time! All times will be Eastern Daylight Time.

The following information should answer most of your questions. If you have additional questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me.

Looking forward to meeting all of you in person. We should have a great time!

Bill

--

Bill Boothe The PhotoNaturalist
Natural Encounters
P. O. Box 715
Bristol, FL 32321
(850)643-2583
PhotoNaturalist@NatureInFocus.com

"To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wildflower" - William Blake


Costs

The workshop cost for Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves is $60.00 (see below if you wish to join). All others pay $70.00. Payment should be made by check payable to Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves and mailed to Billy Boothe, P. O. Box 715, Bristol, FL 32321. I need to have your check in hand by Monday June 11. There is a non-refundable $20.00 fee for cancellations after June 11.

Join Friends for Discounted Fee

For those who are not Friends already, you may join at the time of payment to receive the discounted price. Just fill out the membership form at MemShipForm and include the form with the payment for the workshop. Individual membership is $15.00, Senior (65+) is $10.00, and Family is $25.00. Keep in mind that a Friends membership also entitles you to enter our Nature Photo Contest (entry deadline August 27, 2012) at a discounted price as well.

How to Get to the Buffer Preserve

The Preserves Center is at 3915 State Road 30A. It is about 4 miles south of Port St. Joe on the bay side of the road. A general map may be viewed at Map. I've included some general routes to the Preserve from several locales:

Directions from Bainbridge, Georgia: Bainbridge, GA to St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve - Google Maps
From Dothan, Alabama: Dothan to St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve - Google Maps
From Thomasville, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida: Thomasville, GA to St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve - Google Maps
From Bluffton, Georgia: Bluffton, GA to St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve - Google Maps

Lodging

Sorry, all lodge rooms are filled at this time.

Your workshop fee includes the cost of one night's lodging at the Preserves Center. Each room has its own bathroom. You may see an example of a room at CenterInfo . If you want to stay Friday night and have not already made arrangements with me, please call ASAP as there may still be a space available. There may also be space if you want to stay overnight on Thursday, but there is an additional small fee. I will let you know what size beds are in your room. You should bring bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Please go to the Preserves Center Office to sign in and pick up your room keys.

Meals

We will provide a "continental" breakfast (juice, pastries, fruits) on Friday and Saturday. You are responsible for providing your lunches and dinners. Please have your Friday lunches prepared in advance of the workshop as there will not be time to go to Port St. Joe to purchase food during the lunch break. (You can get food for Saturday's lunch on Friday evening). You can store your food in the refrigerators. We will provide iced tea and water. There is a kitchen with refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves for food storage and preparation. There is also an ice machine. For those who want to join us, we will go out on Friday night to eat at a local restaurant in Port St. Joe. Weather permitting, we will watch (and photograph) the sunset (between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.) from the deck of the Preserves Center after eating.

You can get lunch fixings at the Piggly-Wiggly or get a prepared lunch from several local venues such as Subway or Gant's BBQ ((850)227-9311) in Port St. Joe.

Please note that alcohol is not permitted on the premises.

Communications

You may make local phone calls from a phone in the Preserves Center. There is also wireless internet access. Be aware that cell phone reception is very spotty in the Port St. Joe area and almost non-existent at the Preserves Center! If you or someone else needs to contact the Preserves Center, please call (850)229-1787.

What to Bring for the Workshop

Laptop or netbook on which to install 30-day free trial of Lightroom and/or to download your photos to .
AC charger
Card reader (if internal one is not on the computer)
You do not have to have a laptop for the workshop, but it is helpful.

Camera(s)
Multiple media cards
Camera manual
Various lenses if you have them (macro, wide-angle, telephoto)
Flashes
Tripods
Extra camera batteries
Camera battery charger
Lens cloths in case of dust.

In the Field

After the indoor session on Friday, we will be in the field starting around 3:00 p.m. or so. We will also be in the field early Saturday morning and again in early afternoon. We will take a tram (or trucks) to several areas where we will photograph. We will be photographing near the vehicles so you will not have to carry your equipment any great distances. Walking will not be extensive and will be over mostly level terrain. You should dress for hot and humid weather. Wear comfortable clothing, hats, and footwear that can get wet (e.g. tennis shoes). There could be some biting insects so bring bug repellent. Old towels are always a good item to bring to use for kneeling on the ground, wiping off your sweat, and many other useful tasks! We will provide a water cooler, but you may want to bring your own water bottles to fill as well. We will also supply some energy snacks.

Other Places to Visit

In addition to the Buffer Preserve, here are some places to see in or on the way down to Port St. Joe:

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park: Welcome to Florida State Parks and Saint Joseph Peninsula State Park - Google Maps
Cape San Blas Lighthouse: Gulf County, Florida - Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Indian Pass, Wewahitchka, St. Joe Beach Free except for lighthouse tour.
Salinas Park: Salinas Park - Google Maps Free
St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge St Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Boat access required.
St. George Island state Park Welcome to Florida State Parks and st. geore island state park, florida - Google Maps
St. George Island Causeway (for birds) Free
S. R. 65 through Apalachicola National Forest and Tate's Hell State Forest: Carnivorous plants. Pitcherplants are quite visible now. FL-20 E/Hwy 20 E/Rte 20 E/State 20 E/State Hwy 20 E/State Route 20 E to Sumatra, FL - Google Maps Free
Dead Lakes Park: On SR 71 north of Wewahitchka. Great landscape opportunities of bald cypresses and tupelos.Dead Lakes State Park, Wewahitchka, Florida - Google Maps Free

Gulf County, Florida - Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Indian Pass, Wewahitchka, Mexico Beach has places to see, stay, eat, etc. in Gulf County.
A list of Gulf Co. Parks and their locations may be seen at Gulf County, Florida Government .

I have the times if anyone is interested. but it runs all day Friday and half a day Sat.