SORRY FOLKS - FIELD TRIP CANCELLED - SEE YOU ON THE NEXT ONE
Date set, location to be announced depending on the weather. I’m leaning towards the Big Cypress area. That could change. If there’s weather to the north, we’ll have to meet in the southern Everglades (Homestead). If its clear in the Big Cypress, I’m thinking Monroe Station. Nice large area to spread out and get a big look at the dark sky. Stay tuned!
And yes, I will have meeting points at either Miccosukee Casino if we go to Big Cypress, or Ernest Coe Visitors Center if we do the Everglades.
Please be sure to RSVP so I don’t leave anyone behind before taking off to the Big Cypress. RSVP no later than Friday Aug. 5th (yes, you can change your mind later, that’s fine. Just let me know you plan on it.) Click the RSVP button above.
I’ve researched a few websites and this one states that the most active period is from early August right up to the peak nights. So we’ll be heading out EARLY morning on Sunday Aug. 7th to capture shooting stars, and possibly the milky way. Unfortunately, the bulk of the stars come out in the pre-dawn hours so you’ll have to get up at a very unusual hour to capture them.
If we encounter extremely bad weather, I’ve chosen a PLAN B date for Aug. 28th (new moon). It’s still within the wide range of dates, but just a little later that the peak. Hopefully it won’t come to that.
What to bring!
Camera, widest focal length lens you have with the fastest aperture. Think 24mm or lower with an aperture of f4 or f3.5 or lower. F2.8 is the standard, f1.8 or lower is even better. Bring what you have. You’ll need a tripod and a cable shutter release or intervalometer (I’ve been told wireless ones don’t work well at night, I could be wrong. If that’s what you have, bring it.) Other helpful items include a lens warmer or packs of mitten warmers you can stick to your lenses to keep them from fogging up as it gets colder at night.
Of course, come prepared with every tool in your arsenal to keep the mosquitoes at bay. DO NOT THINK THEY MIGHT NOT BITE! They will. I highly recommend ThermaCells, bug spray with DEET, and a bug jacket. Wearing light colored and lightweight clothing also helps.
Traveling!
If we’re going to the Big Cypress, we’ll meet at the Miccosukee Casino at midnight and travel in a caravan to the location in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Where in the casino parking lot? Drive in and turn right towards the “Hotel Conference Center Parking” and follow until you find us. Click here to see the location on a map. You all know my SUV, it’s red, I’ll be standing outside. If things change, I’ll message those that RSVP.
Hope to see you all there!