Memphis Camera Club

in focus for over 60 years

Who: Jack's Pond

What: Lotus Pond.

Where: Tennessee St RT 59 just north of  Mason, TN.

Located on private property at the corner of Hwy 59 & Jack’s Pond Rd. The owners have given permission to come on their property to photograph the Sacred Lotus. From early June until late July the Sacred Lotus (nelubo nucefera) blooms around the shore area of this heart shaped pond.

Who: Oneal Lake Hatchie NWR

What: Natural Area.

Where: Brownsville, Tennessee.

Located on St Rt 76 just off of I-40 at exit 52.

This area is part of the Hatchie wildlife area. With a large lake you will see all manner of waterfowl. You may see Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Pied-billed Grebe, Belted Kingfisher and Canada Geese. There are many other migrant birds that pass through depending on the season. You may also see white tailed deer, American Bald Eagle and Hawks.

Who: Land Between the Lakes

What: Natural Area.

Where: Dover, Tennessee.

Located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley on the Tennessee/Kentucky State Line

Owned and operated by TVA it is a multi-use area. It includes fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, camping and any number of outdoor activities. In addition there is a working turn of the century farm, Bison range, Elk & Bison range, Nature station & Planetarium. In the winter it is a place to observe Bald Eagles.

Who: Memphis Botanic Garden

What: Garden and Aboretum.

Where: Cherry at Park, Memphis Tennessee.

Throughout the year the botanic garden seems to have something to see and to photograph. In addition to the myriad flowers that they have, there are also small wildlife that inhabit the gardens. Green Frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, Canada Geese and some Turkey.

Who: Bollinger Mill

What: Old Grist Mill & Covered Bridge.

Where: Jackson, Missouri.
Just NW of Cape Girardeau, Missouri

180 miles from Memphis.
Take Interstate 55 north to Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Take state route 72 to Jackson, Mo.
Take state route 34 to Burfordville, Mo.

The Bollinger mill is located in Burfordville, Missouri. Burfordville is approximately 15 miles from Jackson, Missouri. The mill is open to the public. The covered bridge is 140 long and is accessible for foot traffic only. There is a walking trail that loops around from the mill and back to and over the bridge. This is primarily a morning shoot.

The Jackson area has some restaurants and motels. For more variety Cape Girardeau has all of the major chains available near the interstate.

Who: Clark Creek Natural Area

What: 2,000 acre natural area with hiking trails and 6 visible waterfalls.

Where: Located in Wilkinson County Mississippi in southwest corner of the state.

344 miles from Memphis.
Take I-55South from Memphis to McComb, Ms.
Travel west on state Route 24 to Woodville, Ms.
From Woodville continue west On route 24, 13 miles to Pond, Ms.

Who: Hockaday Broomfest

What: A Crafts fair at Hockaday Handmade Brooms.

Where: Selmer, Tennessee.

Hockaday Brooms is located on state route 142
92 miles from Memphis.
Take either US 64 or state route 57 from Memphis.
At Selmer take US 45 to state route 142
Head east approx 5 miles. The place will be on your left.

Every September the owner, Jack Martin, of Hockaday Handmade Brooms has a crafts fair. It includes Blacksmiths, wood-carvers, weavers, potters, furniture makers, entertainment and prizes. It is an interesting place to do photography.

Who: Lake Martin

What: Wildlife Natural Area

Where: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana (Lafayette)

Just east of Lafayette. 420 miles from Memphis.
Interstate 55 south to Interstate 12 at Hammond, La.
East on I-12 to Baton Rouge and Interstate 10.
West on Interstate 10 to Breaux Bridge.

Lake Martin is an 800 acre natural area that has Cyprus and Tupelo stands that create a large rookery (nesting) area for wading birds, waterfowl and migratory birds as well. It is administered by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. In the spring an estimated 20,000 nesting birds use the area. A large portion of the area is visible from the road that runs along the south and east edge of the lake. You could expect to see and photograph, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Morehen, Anhinga, Cormorant, Black Crowned Night Heron, Yellow Crowned Night Heron and Roseate Spoonbills. In addition to the migratory birds there are Barred Owls, Screech Owls, Redtail and other species of hawks and on the ground Alligator, Nutria, Possum and Raccoon.

In addition there is within 100 miles the Rockefeller nature area, the Cajun trail, Sabine Pass nature area and myriad plantation homes. Lafayette is the closest large city and has all of the major motel chains, restaurants as will as local restaurants that are primarily Cajun style.

Who: Reelfoot Lake State Park

What: 25,000 acre state park with a 15,000 acre lake.

Where: Located 125 miles north of Memphis at Tiptonville, Tn.

Take US 51 north to Dyersburg, Tn.
At state route 78 go North to Tiptonville.
Take state route 21 ESE to the visitor center.

Reelfoot Lake was formed in the earthquakes that occurred in the winter of 1811 – 12. Depending on what time of year you are there it has a verity of wildlife and flora to see. During the winter it is home to migrating American bald eagles as well as some resident eagles. Late spring to early summer is a time for the Osprey to nest and have young. Summer is also the time for large areas of the lake to be covered with American Lotus and Water lily. When the wind blows out of the north in the winter the trees along the south shore will have ice hanging from their branches. The cyprus knees have ice form on them that appear to be hats. At the visitor center they have resident injured eagles.

Who: Wapanocca NWR

What: Wildlife Refuge

Where: Located 35 miles north of Memphis at Turrel, Ark.

Take I-55 north from West Memphis. Get off at the
Exit marked SR42, go east to SR77.
Cross over that road
And follow the road to the entrance.

A former duck camp the refuge was donated. It is a primitive location with no facilities of any kind. Depending on the time of year that you go you might expect to see;

White tail deer, river otter, bobcat, coyote, beaver, nutria, turtles, lizards, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk), Redtailed Hawk, ducks, many species of songbirds both local and migratory. Spider-webs, flowers, etc.

This area is one that requires a good insect repellant.

Who: Shelby Farms

What: 4500 acres within city limits comprising the largest urban park in the US

Where: Memphis, Tennessee

Take Walnut Grove Road exit off I-240 (going east you will see the park on both sides of the road)
Turn left at the third stop light to Farm Road and drive straight into the park. Patriot Lake will be on your right and the Bison and Longhorn Range on the left.

From Cordova to reach the gates on the east and north side of the park, exit Germantown Parkway at Trinity Road. Drive about 1 mile on Trinity that soon becomes Raleigh Lagrange Road, then turn left at the rail tracks and follow Mullin Station Road.

Shelby Farms offers 31 fishable lakes and ponds, infinitely long paved and wilderness trails, huge areas of spoiled and unspoiled forests, and several recreational opportunities. Wildlife habitat and versatile scenery can be seen from almost any spot in the park. The fenced north side of the park is open from sunrise to sunset. The unfenced south side behind the Agricenter still has the rural aura of Cordova with cotton fields, a gorgeous lily pond, and narrow creeks heading south into the Wolf River

Who: Windsor Ruins

What: Historical Site

Where: Located in Claiborne County MS. about 12 miles south of Port Gibson, approximately 240 miles from Memphis.

The ruins are a fascinating place to not only visit but to photograph. The site has 23 Corinthian columns that are still standing. They are all that is left of what was a majestic ante bellum home that had 25 rooms and 25 fireplaces. Having survived the civil war it was accidentally burned by a guest that failed to extinguish a cigarette properly. In the area are historic Bethel church, Alcorn State University, Rodney Mississippi and the ante bellum homes of Port Gibson and Natchez.

Who: Big Hill Pond

What: Tennessee State Park

Where: Located approximately 80 miles east of Memphis on State hwy 57 McNairy county, Tn. 18 miles south of Selmer, Tn

A 5,000 acre state park that has a 35 acre pond and the dismal swamp. The swamp area has an 1/8 of a mile boardwalk in it. There is an old (refurbished) fire tower that stands 70’ tall. Waterfowl and other fauna are to be found. There are hiking trails and it is a nice place in the fall for autumn color.

Who: Magness Lake

What: Trumpeter Swans spend winter on a 30 acre oxbow lake

Where: Heber Springs, Arkansas.
Off Little Red River east of Heber Springs

To view the swans, drive east on Arkansas Highway 110 from its intersection with Arkansas highways 5 and 25 just east of Heber Springs. Go 3.9 miles from the intersection to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, marked with a white sign. Turn left on paved Hays Road; the road sign is very small. Magness Lake is about a half-mile down Hays Road.

Although this is a privately owned lake, visitors can view the swans from a public road, with parking space available in an S curve of the road. Clean shelled corn is the only recommended feed.