UPDATE (12/13/25 12:45pm) - Yes, sorry to say we have cancelled the meteor shower field trip. Weather just isn’t cooperating, once again this year.
But! We’ll still be meeting to attempt to photograph a sunset this evening. If you’re interested, meet me at 4pm at the Ernest Coe Visitor's Center parking lot (Homestead Entrance) and we’ll go out and see what we can see.
UPDATE! (12/10/25) Seeing as we have some new members who might not know how to photograph the night sky, but would still like to participate, that is NO PROBLEM!
Here’s a link to a YouTube video that talks about the basics of photographing a meteor shower so you know what to expect. Highly recommend watching if this will be your first time. Don’t worry if you forget something, we will be there to help.
PhotoPills has also put out YouTube videos for how to photograph the Geminids. Here it is in English and Español.
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The Geminids are one of the most spectacular meteor showers, peaking in mid-December, with the peak occurring around December 13th-14th, and will produce as many as 120 meteors per hour in perfect conditions. The shower originates from Earth passing through the debris trail of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, resulting in bright, white, and often yellow meteors. To view the Geminids, find a dark, open sky, allow your eyes to adjust to the dark for about 20 minutes, and look up without special equipment.
On Saturday, December 13th, the moon will set mid-afternoon so we’ll have a moonless night until into the wee hours of Sunday the 14th. Perfect for seeing meteors!
We’ll meet at the Ernest Coe Visitor’s Center (Homestead entrance) of Everglades National Park and caravan to our spot in Flamingo. We’ll get set up and (hopefully) lights out for the remainder of the evening. Remember photographing the night sky etiquette. Lights are a photo killer.
Bring some refreshments, a comfy place to relax, and enjoy. Sometimes waiting for meteors can be like watching paint dry, but when you see them, that makes it all worth while.
What to bring!
Camera gear: camera, wide angle lens with wide aperture (low numbered F-stop), sturdy tripod, remote shutter release cable (or similar).
Extras: chair to relax in while shooting, water, coffee, snacks, etc.
BUG SPRAY, THERMACELLS, BUG JACKETS might not be necessary in December, but have some bug protection in the car, just in case. Flamingo has been relentless this year so you never know.
Be sure your car is fully gassed up as we may go all the way down near Flamingo.
Hope to see you there! Click the button below to RSVP.