Current Field Trip Offerings
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 21 | Gems in the City’s Crown |
Gems in the City’s Crown
March 21, 2020
Burden Center and Hilltop Arboretum
It is said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Spring comes in March and brings April flowers. Please join our LPS field trip group on March 21, 2020, as we visit a couple of Baton Rouge’s scenic horticultural sites, the Burden Center and Hilltop Arboretum. Both are nearby, and seem almost hidden, like little gems in our local landscape.
Our LPS group will meet at the McDonald’s near the intersection of Drusilla and Jefferson at 7:30 AM to drive to the Burden Center about 8, moving on to Hilltop at 10:30 AM. There should be ample parking and restroom facilities at both locations.
The Burden Center is located at 4560 Essen Lane near its intersection with I-10. The Master Gardeners’ well-known Spring Plant Sale is scheduled 2 weeks after our visit. At this time most of the flowers and plants will have been moved from the greenhouses, but the succulents will remain in the greenhouse and be available for “posing” and “closeups”. The Burden Center grounds are expansive providing opportunities for landscapes, macros, close-ups, still life’s, abstracts and everything in between. Maps will be provided as some may choose to drive to the back of the property to seek out blooming irises in the natural setting of the Black Gum Swamp. With the club’s competition theme being “flowers and flower parts” for April 2020, the Burden Center grounds should offer numerous chances for those “competition” shots. Shoot away!
At 10:30 AM, we will group up in the parking lot of the Botanical Garden office and head to Hilltop Arboretum, located at 11855 Highland Road, between the Bluebonnet and Siegen Lane intersections. Hilltop is also “almost hidden” between some older subdivisions off Highland Road and is a “retreat” of sorts, featuring native trees, plants and shrubs. The grounds are laid out over a unique topography, with a winding, rising and falling path that takes you around the property. Hilltop also includes a reflective pond with water plants and wonderful scenery.
Pack extra batteries and cards for taking plenty of shots. Gear to consider include macro, telephoto and prime lenses, tripods, external flashes and other lighting equipment. Can’t predict the weather, (remember in like a lion out like a lamb) so be prepared for inclement weather.
So please sign up and join our group as we visit these two gems in heart of Baton Rouge. Experiment and increase your skills while capturing, digitally, the beauty of our local surroundings. After the shoot, I encourage all to submit their favorite images to the Visual Pursuit Field Trip Gallery.
Additional information can be found at each of the LSU properties’ websites:
https://www.lsu.edu/botanic-gardens/
Members may register on the Visual Pursuits Registration page.
Plans changed? Please cancel so that someone else can fill your spot.
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