October 18, 2025: Bird Photo Meetup at Cochran Shoals | Meetup
- Peachtree Corners Photography Club
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Register for the Bird Photo Meetup at Cochran Shoals on Saturday, Oct 18th!
This event is open to all! Our meet-up will offer excellent opportunities to practice the “unwinding” technique Tom described at the October monthly meeting last week. He will conduct a brief refresher Saturday morning.
Cochran Shoals is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CHNRA). The park is popular among joggers, walkers, families with dogs and/or strollers, anglers, hikers, birders, and photographers.
Our Show & Tell for November will be on Birds, so you’ll have plenty of great new shots to share! We’ll probably see a wide range of birds. Perhaps a few deer, rabbits, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, lizards, and turtles too. We may see some BIF (birds in flight), such as geese, herons, and ducks, as well as what many consider the ultimate BIF challenge: belted kingfishers!
Meetup Details:
Location: Cochran Shoals Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Address: 152 Columns Dr, Marietta, GA 30067
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Park Fee: $5 per vehicle
Meeting Location: We’ll meet at a parking lot in a residential area that connects to Cochran Shoals.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Meetup Leader: David Dunagan, with Special Guest Co-Leader, Tom Wilson
Location website: https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Contact us at info@pcphotoclub.org for questions
Additional details:
Overall, the terrain isn’t rugged, but a walking stick is recommended for additional stability.
A field stool or chair too if you like to shoot from a sitting position.
Sturdy walking shoes or boots are necessary.
The longest lens that you can carry comfortably while walking would be best.
Public restrooms are available in the parking lot.
Park Fee Information:
NOTE: Site passes are not available for purchase at this time due to the Government Lapse in Funding. David Dunagan will update with more information closer to the event regarding park fees. The information below is provided as FYI/preparation.
Once you park, you’ll see the Parking Fee Station. Detailed instructions are posted there on how to pay the $5 Single Day parking fee. Please check the "Directions & Parking" section further down for more details and pictures.
Website:
Standard Entrance Pass - $5.00
An entrance pass is required to enter Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Entrance passes are valid for one day.
For Vehicles - If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.
Annual Entrance - Park - $40.00
Frequent visitors may save money with an annual entrance pass.
The park annual pass admits the cardholder and the other persons in a private vehicle to the park.
You may purchase the pass online or in person at the Island Ford Visitor Center.
America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.
In-person Purchase Locations: Island Ford Visitor Center - Credit/Debit Only
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Type | Available to | Price |
Everyone | $80.00 | |
US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old | $20.00 | |
US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old | $80.00 |
Here are a few shots from the Chattahoochee showing the types of targets we’re likely to encounter at Cochran Shoals.
Check out David Dunagan's photography below!
Check out Tom Wilson's photography below!
This should be a fun event with lots of opportunities to practice your photography skills. We hope you will join us!
Contact us at info@pcphotoclub.org for any questions!
Directions & Parking:
152 Columns Dr, Marietta, GA 30067
We’ll meet at a parking lot in a residential area that connects to Cochran Shoals.
Google Maps directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LTW7yPHmSTEbn8h86
If coming from Peachtree Corners, Johns Creek, Norcross, etc., on Johnson Ferry, you will take a left (just after crossing the river) onto Columns Dr. After 2 miles, the road dead-ends into the parking lot.
Parking:
Once you park, you’ll see the Parking Fee Station. Detailed instructions are posted there on how to pay the $5 Single Day parking fee.
Liability Notice:
By signing up and attending Peachtree Corners Photography Club Meetups you acknowledge that you could be injured or your property damaged. You also agree that you are voluntarily participating in this activity and assume any risk of physical injury or damage to your property. Peachtree Corners Photography Club or any of its members will not be held responsible for injury to oneself or damage to any property.
Registration:
If you are on mobile, click here for a mobile compatible form!