(c) Jack Ballard

Shenandoah National Park, VA – Just 75 miles west of Washington, DC, Shenandoah National Park is recommended by a photographer who’s wowed by whitetail deer, our nation’s most abundant big-game species. Deer can be viewed year-round, but June is a prime month to photograph spotted fawns. Fall colors often persist into early November, an excellent time to photograph large-antlered bucks that spar for dominance during the mating season. While photographing deer, also be on the lookout for black bears and pixie-cute birds such as chickadees, nuthatches and tufted titmouse.