Photo Hikes & Lectures at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
As a volunteer for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, I will be running 5 free photography programs. No sign-up is required. All skill levels are welcome.
Come and Enjoy the Refuge!
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge consists of multiple units that stretch from Bloomington to Henderson Minnesota. The refuge covers 14,000 acres, with all of the units located along the Minnesota River.
The refuge has two visitor's centers. The main visitor's center is located in Bloomington, MN near the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport. The other visitor's center is located in Carver, MN at the Rapids Lake Unit.
Each unit provides some fantastic hiking trails with all sorts of interesting nature photography opportunities. My programs at the refuge are designed to highlight some of these areas.
For more information on the refuge, visit their website:
2025 Photo Hike and Lecture Schedule
Winter Wonderland Photo Hike
January 11, 2025
10:00am - noon
Old Cedar Ave Bridge Unit
Join us for an early morning photo hike to capture the winter light at the refuge. This location provides some fantastic winter scenes. During the hike, Don will discuss camera settings, and help with subject selection and composition tips.
Recommended Equipment:
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Camera with spare batteries
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Traction device for footwear - the trails can be very slippery
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Warm clothing
Optional Equipment:
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Wired or remote shutter release
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Tripod
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Polarizer
Photographing Birds Lecture and Photo Hike
March 8, 2025
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Bloomington Visitor's Center
March is a great time for bird photography. The tree branches are still bare, and if there is snow, the backgrounds are really nice and clean. An added bonus is that the weather is getting warmer making conditions much more comfortable to be outside.
We will begin with a lecture on bird photography. Don will share tips on capturing photos that go beyond the typical “bird on a stick.” He will also discuss tools for researching bird behavior, and equipment required for bird photography.
Recommended Equipment:
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Camera with spare batteries
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Sunscreen
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Bug spray
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Telephoto zoom lens (at least 300 mm)
Optional Equipment:
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Tripod
Flower Photography Lecture and Photo Hike
May 24, 2025
10:00am - 1:30pm
Rapids Lake Visitor's Center
Spring is a great time to get out and capture images of flowers. In late May, we should have a wide variety of flowers to photograph.
We will begin with a lecture on photographing flowers. Don will discuss different techniques and go over some of the common mistakes people make. He is will discuss different types of flower photography.
Recommended Equipment:
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Camera with spare batteries
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Sunscreen
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Bug spray
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Either a macro lens, extension tubes, or a long lens (at least 200 mm)
Optional Equipment:
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Tripod
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Wired or wireless shutter release
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Polarizer
Photographing America's Public Lands Lecture
August 2nd, 2025
10:00am - 11:30am
Bloomington Visitor's Center
By mid-August, the refuge is full of fantastic photography subjects. There is everything from summer flowers, to wildlife and insects (especially butterflies).
We will stroll around the Bass Ponds Unit looking for interesting subjects to capture. During the hike, Don will provide tips for capturing some late summer photos. Don will also provide help with camera settings, composition, and subject selection.
Fall Photography
October 4th, 2025
9:00am - 11:00am
Bass Ponds
Fall colors in Minnesota can be an amazing sight to see and photograph. The wide variety of trees at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, makes this an ideal location for Fall colors.
Before heading out on the trail, we will go over:
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Camera Settings
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Composition
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Equipment
Recommended Equipment:
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Camera with spare batteries
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Sunscreen
-
Bug spray
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Wide angle to short telephoto lens
Optional Equipment:
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Tripod
-
Wired or wireless shutter release
-
Polarizer