Wildflowers, Butterflies and Caterpillars!
August 14 – 16, 2020
The expansive 65,000 acre Shawnee State Forest and vicinity is a wilderness like no other in Ohio. It is an eden for flora and fauna: 1,000+ native plant species, 100+ species of breeding birds, and enough cool insects to fill a fleet of arks. The end of August is a fantastic photogrphy time in Shawnee and vicinity. Towering joe-pye plants atract masses of tiger swallowtail butterflies, and brilliant crimson spikes of cardinal-flowers lure scores of spicebush swallowtails and ruby-throated hummingbirds – the plant’s primary pollinators. Many species of showy goldenrods and asters – some of them quite rare – will be in flower, along with numerous other interesting plants. A major perk will be caterpillars. Yes, caterpillars! Shawnee harbors an enormous diversity of species, and many of them are tubular objets de art. Our knowledge of tactics to find them should result in many excellent photo ops. We’ll also place specialized equipment each night to lure a dazzling array of moths, many of which will be superb and intricately ornate models for our cameras. This workshop will provide such an abundance of photo subjects that you’ll want to bring extra memory cards!
Itinerary
Day 1
We will meet at noon at the lodge within Shawnee State Park, which will be our base of operations. Shawnee Lodge sits smack in the middle of Shawnee State Forest, and one need only step foot outside to be in the thick of photographic opportunities. Following lunch and getting to know one another, we’ll head out to some local hotspots and shoot until dinner. After dinner and a short rest, caterpillars will be found and photographed.
Day 2
After an early breakfast, we will spend the entire day photographing plants, butterflies, and much more, with additional nocturnal opportunities that evening. Dinner included.
Day 3
After our last foray on the final morning, we’ll wrap up in time to check-out of the lodge.
What's included:
- Photo instruction, guidance and field techniques
- Transportation during the workshop (large van)
- Farewell dinner as noted in the itinerary
- Critiques upon request
- Editing instructions
What's not included:
- Lodging (a special workshop rate will be available)
- Meals other than farewell dinner (as noted)
- Items of personal nature
- Alcoholic beverages at farewell dinner
Weather and other conditions
Expect warm to hot weather, and although rain is unlikely at this time of year, be prepared in case. We’ll go out rain or shine. Walking is easy, and involves mostly flat terrain. Expect about a mile round trip, at the most. Progress will probably not be rapid – there is so much to see and photograph and managing more than a snail’s pace is often difficult!
Interesting natural history highlights
Shawnee is a hotbed of very rare plants, due to a preglacial river that once flowed through this area and brought southern Appalachian plants with it. These botanical relicts, such as the incredible umbrella magnolia, persist to this day. We will see a number of these rarities. Botanical diversity spawns butterfly diversity and it isn’t hard to find 30 species in a day. Reptile highlights include up to four species of lizards: broad-headed, five-lined, and ground skinks, and fence lizards. Rich bird life includes scarlet tanager, cerulean, Kentucky, and worm-eating warbler, rose-breasted grosbeak, and nearly 100 other species. All of this and more set in an epic forested landscape that is sometimes called the “Little Smoky Mountains of Ohio.”
Enrollment Information
Deposit and Full Payment
All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. Deposits can be made using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card. Final payment for your trip is due 90 days prior to departure.
1 and 3 day workshops- full payment, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to reserve your spot.
4 days+ tours – your deposit, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to hold your spot. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you sign up for a tour within 90 days of departure, the entire amount is due when you register.
Cancellations and Refunds
We understand that unforeseen events may come up and prevent you from attending the workshop/tour. If you need to cancel, we must receive written notification. Refunds will be processed according to these schedules:
One and three-day workshops (full payment paid in advance)
- 30 days or more prior to the first day of the event - we will provide a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – we will issue you a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees) if your vacancy is filled.
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – if we cannot fill your vacancy, we will issue you a 50% refund (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
If for some reason an event is cancelled, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. However, we cannot be responsible for any non-refundable travel expenses you may have incurred.
Tours longer than three-days (deposit paid in advance and final payment paid 120 days prior):
- 121+ days prior to departure – refunded less 6% for administration and fees
- 120 to 90 days prior to departure – refunded 50%
- 90 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND
No partial refunds for unused services, lodging, meals, etc. Trips are sold as a package only.
Travel Insurance
Travel protection insurance is recommended to protect your investment. Travelguard.com and allianztravelinsurance.com are 2 options that provide various types of coverage options.
In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your money will be refunded in full, with the exception of expenses you personally incurred while preparing for the trip.
Health Considerations
Most of our trips will involve elements of physical activity easily accomplished by the average person in good health. While some of our locations are near a road or parking lot, some are not. PLEASE be sure you are comfortable walking over uneven rocky terrain with your gear for 30 – 45 minutes at a time. We may shoot at all hours of the day and night (we try to take advantage of the best weather and light conditions), which may not be typical for some participants. Specific considerations are included in the description of each workshop/tour.
Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy. Therefore, trip cancellation and interruption insurance is recommended.
Smoking is not permitted in group vehicles, during meals, and at other times when secondhand smoke can affect the health and comfort of others.
Costs
Information about what is included/not included are summarized in the individual descriptions of each workshop/tour.
Trips that include overnight accommodations will be double occupancy. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you request a single room.
Because of deposits forwarded and liabilities incurred by Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac with hotels, local guides, transportation, etc. no partial refunds will be given for unused rooms, meals, transportation, etc.
Weather policy
We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Locations have been scouted and options are in place in case of uncooperative weather. Without putting participants at risk, the workshop will commence rain or shine, cold or warm, clear skies or cloudy. Refunds will not be issued because of the weather.
Responsibility
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography act only as agents for the client in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac are not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy.
Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.
The Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks forms must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks, with no trip fee refund. No modification of the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form will be accepted.
