What we have
Following another member suggestion we are going to the new Demex Wharehouse. This is not the Demex store we went to previously but is on Price Road. You can see it from the Alberni Highway and if coming from Parksville it is just before the Coop gas station.
We have over 20,000 square feet and two floors to explore. The upstairs is set up with one main large area and several rooms off that area which are decorated in specific themes.
It should be a fun and very interesting
Lunch will be at the Bayside Bistro and Lounge at 12:00pm
240 Dogwood Street, Parksville BC
It is finally time – we are going outside to play. Using another suggestion from one of our members we are going to head to Naniamo and Maffeo Sutton Park
I have gone to check it out and there is something for everyone here.
Our Landscape people have the water and its views plus New Castle and Protection Island
Our macro enthusiasts there are flowers blooming and lots of spots for close up photography
For our texture assignment there are so many things here that you will find it hard to choose only three.
I think it will be a fun and exciting trip for all.
Lunch is right next door at Lighthouse Bistro and Pub.
50 Anchor Way
You can walk from the from our field trip or move your car over to the parkade next to them.
For our gluten free members they actually have a special menu just for you
Our speaker for this month is TJ Watt , an award-winning nature and conservation photographer from Victoria, BC. He combines his passion for rainforest conservation with professional photography, TJ sheds light on BC’s endangered old-growth forests in an effort to help see them saved. A self-described ‘big-tree hunter’, he can often be found driving rough backroads and exploring remote regions of Vancouver Island in search of the last old-growth giants. TJ is also a co-founder, campaigner, and photographer with the Ancient Forest Alliance, a non-profit organization that works to protect BC’s old-growth forests and ensure a sustainable second-growth forest industry.
TJ will present an overview of the ecology and politics of BC’s endangered old-growth growth forests and the role conservation photography plays in the fight to protect them. He will include photographs from across Vancouver Island and BC, including the spectacular Great Bear Rainforest. Click here for TJ’s website. Click here for the Ancient Forest Alliance.
We will show the slideshows from our field trip in Nanaimo, the texture assignment and our March favuorites.
There will be coffee and tea at $1!
loonie for coffee
No the location is not a typo. We are going on an adventure to see the many treasures that are on the property of Sheilds Industrial in the Comox Valley.
There is something for everyone here. They have a large property with treasures that have arrived throughout the years. It should a lot of fun
Here are some directions to our location
Using the inland highway-
Take exit 117 toward Courtenay/Comox (Courtenay Connector)
Pass the Lafarge plant on your left
Left at set of lights – Cumberland Road (don’t go straight or you go into Courtenay)
follow past an “S” curve
Left on Marsden Road
at stop sign Left onto Lake trail
next stop sign Left onto Comox Logging Road and they are on the left side
Lunch will be at the White Spot in Courtenay at noon
If you back track the instructions to get to Shields Industrial then follow down to Cliffe Ave
(T intersection)
Left past Canadian Tire and it is in the next mall- Driftwood – Shell on the corner)
2299 Cliff Ave
BUTTERTUBS MARSH-
Buttertubs Marsh is a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
There is a 2 km very easy loop around the marsh and a few observation decks and a tower perfect for photographing birds
The pathway is groomed so easy to walk on. Besides birds we may see spring flowers, shadows for our May assignment and so much more
We will be meeting at the entrance of Jingle Pot Road -1780 Jingle Pot Road
If you would like to or need to car pool please contact me
From Woodgrove Mall -Nanaimo, BC
Stay on Highway 19 S – 9.7 km
Turn left onto Jingle Pot Rd (signs for Jingle Pot Road/City Centre) – 750 m
Turn left to stay on Jingle Pot Rd – 95 m
Turn left – 43 m – Buttertubs Marsh Parking Lot
Lunch will be at Original Joes at noon
3280 N Island Highway
Our speaker this month is Nanaimo photographer, Judy Hancock-Holland. Judy has presented to the club previously and we received excellent feedback about her spiritual approach to her photography. Judy has a new presentation and we are looking forward to her visit. Visit Judy’s website here.
We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing and the monthly assignment.
Bring your loonie for a coffee.
loonie for coffee
Moorecroft Pond in Nanoose is a great gem on the island. It was originally a United Church Camp but was purchased by the RDN in 2011. It is being kept very natural and you will see so much with the logs and rocks that have been washed for so long by the ocean creating fantastic designs. Lots of flowers, eagles, trees with very interesting fungus on them plus a pond full of bull rushes and trees. There will something here for every kind of photographer. Walking can be as easy or a little challenging, there are trails but you can explore out onto the rocks
Weather permitting we would like to have a picnic in one of the picnic areas in the park so pack a lunch and come and join us. We will meet at noon
There will be extra for those who forget
If the weather doesn’t cooperate we will be going to the Kicking Horse Pub
Our speaker this month is Vancouver Island photographer, Chris Istace.
Freelance writer & photographer as well as community leader who calls the Cowichan Valley home. Through written and visual storytelling he strives to inspire others to be mindful of themselves and to embrace ecological wisdom. His photography specializes primarily outdoor pursuits such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking and the beautiful landscapes those activities take place.
Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/stasher_bc/
Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/MindfulExplorer/
Website is www.ChrisIstace.com
We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing and the monthly assignment.
Bring your loonie for a coffee.
loonie for coffee
(disclaimer – the photo used is from the internet not me)
Top Bridge is complete with a suspension bridge, water view and the fantastic ragged rocks make for great photos. For those of you who like taking impromptu photo pics there may be swimmers giving you a wonderful opportunity
If you have any questions during the event see Barb Hooper
Directions;
Take the old highway (19A south) Do NOT turn to go to Nanaimo but go straight ahead onto Kaye RD. Turn right onto Chattle RD- go past the gun club… the road turns to gravel. Follow this road to the end. There is a large parking lot and the suspension bridge is right there.
Lunch will be at Boston Pizza in Parksville
430 East Island Highway- Parksville
Our speaker this month is Qualicum Beach photographer, Joan Larson.
Joan’s original passion for horses led to her interest in art
and she has never stopped to look back.
Joan has an extensive CV chronicling 25 years of
professional achievements which include international
shows, awards and documentaries. However it is the
present and future that hold her attention. Her recent
ground breaking series of artworks honouring the RCMP
Musical Ride has been used for exhibitions supporting
non-profit organizations. This was followed by a series
based on her trips to remote and restricted Sable Island to
paint it most famous denizens, the wild horses. Next on
her radar is a series of paintings based on “Life at the Race
Track.”
Joan is a Senior member of the Federation of Canadian
Artists (SFCA), a full member of the American Academy
of Equine Artists (AAEA) and holds the Premier Pastelist
designation with the Pastel Society of Canada (PPC).
Joan and her husband Paul Smith own and operate
Creekside Studio from their acreage in the rural area of
Coombs where they live with their family and assorted
animals, including horses . . . which Joan states “are simply
necessary.”
Website is www.joanlarson.com
We will be showing our favourites, field trip outing and the monthly assignment.
Bring your loonie for a coffee.
loonie for coffee
