· Date: Sunday, July 23, 2023
· Check-In: 6:45 AM-7:00 AM
· Walk Start: 7:00 AM
· Walk End: 10:00 AM
· Location: Lake Sammamish State Park
· Address: 2000 Northwest Sammamish Road
· Issaquah, WA 98027
· Meeting Location: Parking lot closest to Tibbetts Beach in first row (use below GPS coordinates for exact location)
· Map: https://www.google.com/maps?q=2000+Northwest+Sammamish+Road+Issaquah,+WA,+98027+United+States
GPS: 47.55503761987595, -122.0680202532973
Parking Pass: Washington State Discover Pass (pay kiosk on site at entrance)
Trip Leader(s): Amanda Buse, k9birdnerd@gmail.com
Overview: Join us for a morning of learning, sharing, supporting, and bonding with other women photographers. This field trip is geared towards women interested in birding and photography. All skill levels and equipment welcomed. If you do not have equipment, but are wanting to learn, compare equipment, come on out and ask your questions. We will spend some time in three different locations, depending on crowds, wildlife activity, and interests of group. We will start at the parking lot closest to Tibbetts Beach (first parking lot on left when entering park). We will meet near the first row closest to the main road. As a group, we will walk towards Tibbetts Beach (47.55676383970261, -122.07148681881749) and will stop to take photos along the trail if the area is particularly active or interesting, and end at Tibbetts Beach. We will then move towards Sunset Beach (47.55856668233037, -122.06585417981972) to do the same, and then conclude at the boardwalk that looks onto Lake Sammamish and Otel Island (47.56179931842129, -122.06534287132168). Please see below map for specific route. For those wanting to continue with photographing at the park, they may choose to continue to some of the back trails or head over to the boat launch by foot or car, where both Eagles and Osprey are often spotted hunting and perching near the boat launch. There are plenty of trails along the route that we can photograph varying birds as well. This field trip will be focused on photography so we will be staying in certain areas for awhile and focusing less on counting birds. If the group is large, we may split up into smaller groups.
Skill Level: Novice to Expert
Equipment: Camera gear (if have), Binoculars, Chair
Pace: Very Leisure
Terrain: Mostly flat grass/pavement/boardwalk.
Distance: About 2 miles round trip
Facilities/Amenities: Indoor restrooms with water are available at Tibbetts Beach and Sunset Beach, as well as other spots in main beach park area. There are also restrooms at the Boat Launch, for those planning to continue. No restrooms in back fields. Portables are available at soccer fields.
Misc: Mosquitos can be an issue. Participants may want to bring sunscreen or clothing to protect from sun/heat, as we may be in the open sun at times. Bring water, snacks, and anything else needed for personal comfort.
Your safety is of paramount importance to Eastside Audubon. The following COVID-19 safety protocols apply for this bird walk:
This event is entirely outdoors, mask wearing is optional but welcome.
Participants are required to self-assess prior to the walk and must not attend if they have any COVID related symptoms (e.g. elevated temperature) or have been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
The trip leader is fully vaccinated.
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Conditions such as weather, road or park closures can potentially impact this event. This is especially true during Winter months. Eastside Audubon will do our best to update this web page if any cancellation or rescheduling is required. So be sure to check this web page prior to heading out for this event.
