Saturday, July 25, 2026, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM

“Peach State Pop-up” tours offer the chance to explore scenic, off-the-beaten-path places in Georgia, highlighting fun, seasonal birding experiences, as well as other natural wonders and cultural experiences.

Join Feathers with Furr for a morning of birding on the Marble Mine Trail and along the lakes at James “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, followed by a picnic lunch and a visit to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in nearby Summerville for the art show opening of celebrated Georgia folk artist Black Cat Tips.

Tour fee: $60

Tour fee includes: guiding at Sloppy Floyd SP, shared eBird lists, entry to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, and a picnic lunch.

Tour fee does not include: transportation or state park entry fee

Trip details: The tour will begin at Sloppy Floyd State Park at 8 AM where we will start the morning scanning around the lakes for herons, swallows, flycatchers, vireos, and more before making our way across the boardwalk to the Marble Mine Trail, a one-mile trail that ascends the old road to the mine, now a scenic resting point with a natural spring and 35-foot tall waterfall. We’ll be looking and listening for summer breeding residents like Acadian Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanagers, and Yellow-throated Vireos, as well as permanent residents and early fall migrants, including raptors and kites. We’ll also look for woodland wildflowers and other wildlife.

Late morning, we’ll make our way back down to the parking lot and a covered pavilion by the lake for a refreshing picnic lunch (tentative menu: chicken salad, pimiento cheese, crackers/rolls, fruit, and water). After lunch, we’ll caravan to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Summerville in time for the 2:00 PM reception for the Black Cat Tips art show opening. Artist Kyle Brooks notes that birds have been frequent inspirations in his art this spring and summer!

Pacing, physical difficulty, and travel considerations:

Though we will walk slowly at a birder’s pace, the Marble Mine trail involves one mile of steady incline on a wide gravel/dirt road, including a short, but fairly steep section at the end. In total we will walk approximately 2.5-3 miles.

Sloppy Floyd State Park is approximately 90 miles northwest of Atlanta, and Paradise Garden is in nearby Summerville. If you want to spend a night closer to the meetup location, Rome has many hotel options.

Maximum group size: 11 people

Your payment confirms your spot. No refunds will be given if you must cancel unless the spot can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a full refund will be given.

Please email Melanie Furr at featherswithfurr@gmail.com if you have any questions.