Photo by Bob Baikauskas
Lincoln Hills
Photography Club
Field Trip Photo Adventures
If you want to have interesting photographic adventures in Northern California, have a look at the field trips the Lincoln Hills Photography Club has made in the past.
There are always field trips coming up. Get active and have a great experience - join one!
We have put together a rolling slide show of field trips we have taken. To view, click HERE
Click HERE to view planning details for Photo Locations where we have conducted Field Trips.
Field Trip Interest Selection
Hello Everyone. We have identified some ideas for field trips. These trips try to align with your feedback from the 2024 Field Trip Survey regarding subject, frequency, budget, etc. Please review. We would appreciate your feedback on what trips you may be interested in, feedback will help determine whether they stay, and we continue efforts. Please email me at jimlhpc@gmail.com for any questions. Jim Sakaguchi
Jim Sakaguchi
Field Trip Coordinator
WIX AI Generated Image
Field Trip to the Thunderbird Lodge
Tuesday July 22, 9:30AM Tour
Architecture and water landscape photographic opportunity.
The Thunderbird Lodge constructed in 1936-39, also known as the George Whittell Estate, is a historic 6.51-acre Lake Tahoe waterfront estate. Designed by Frederic DeLongchamps the estate encompasses the Main house, Card House, Caretaker's Cottage, Cook/Butler's House, Admiral's House, Boathouse, Gatehouse, and the "Elephant House"—home to Mingo (Indian Elephant). The large boathouse housed his custom 55-foot mahogany Yacht.
We recommend the 9:30am tour. You must purchase tickets direct at Estate Tours
There is no direct parking at the lodge. Attendee must park at Incline Village and take a shuttle to the lodge. Shuttles depart from the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome Center located at 969 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, Nevada 89451.
•Cost: Tours are $75 per person.
•Carpooling: Meet at Orchard Creek Lodge, in front of Fitness Center at 6:30am
•Social Lunch at Jason's Beachside Grille | Lake Tahoe After the tour.
•Contact: Email Heather Brown if attending the tour and lunch. heatherbrown.lhpc@gmail.com
Click [HERE] for detailed travel package for more information.
June Field Trip
Rock Valley Model Railroad Display
Thursday, June 19 from 8AM to 2PM
The Sacramento Valley Garden Railway Society is hosting the 40th Annual National Garden Railway Convention in June 2025. As part of the festivities Phil and Stephanie Huntingdale are opening their backyard garden train display for live viewing.
Phil/Stephanie invite members from the Photography Club to join them on Thursday, June 19 from 8AM to 2PM. This is a great opportunity to view and photography the model train hobby, up close. You are welcome to attend any time during this day. Location: 1794 Emily Lane, Lincoln CA.
This is a scratch built 1950’s setting of a Southern Pacific system with steam and diesel power trains. The railroad has approximately 300 feet of main lines with two interconnecting loops with wide radius curves through mature landscaping. Equipment is 1/29 and 1/32 scale with some narrow gage locomotives. Rock Valley railroad has been in operation since 2006. Please wear your Photo Club hat, Sun City name tag or Photo Club tag for easy identification. We will also have member roster on-hand if you don’t have the above. This is a no Fee Event.
NEW! - Field Trip
“The Force Be With You” - Aerospace Museum of California
Saturday May 3, 9AM to 2PM
It’s a special day to view over 35 aircraft with a number having their cockpits open to the public. And there will be Star Wars costume characters. We have secured Group Entry (Free). We must show-up as one group.
Meet at Orchard Creek Lodge Parking Lot by Fitness Center at 8am to Carpool over. Or at the museum: 3200 Freedom Park Dr, McClellan Park, CA If you are planning to go please email Jim at jimlhpc@gmail.com
SCLH has a discount deal for this event.
View details in The Compass.
Take the bus to the gate and become a VIP....see the details. This event was planned for us! MARCH 22.
Contact Heather Brown for further information.
heatherbrown.lhpc@gmail.com
NEARBY FOTO OP - Heron-Egret Rookery
They are back - Our Heron-Egret Rookery Is Alive With Activity!
Friday, March 7th, 8:00AM
Join Club members to capture the beauty and interaction of these territorial instinctive birds. Truman Holtzclaw will be on-hand providing tips on photographing these grand birds.
Photo by Truman Holtzclaw
Photo Location: Behind the Dollar Tree at 53 Lincoln Blvd, Lincoln. Or a footpath from opposite side (see red circles).
Date/Time: March 7th, 8am
What to bring: Telephoto lens work best for these close-up photos. Smartphone can capture the long shot with it’s telephoto, recommend using tripod set-up if you have.
Meet at Location.
Exclusive Event - Spring in Placer Land Trust (PLT)
Big Hill Preserve April 23, 2025 8:15am
Car-Pooling: Orchard Creek Lodge Parking Lot/front of Health Center: 7:00am (leave at 7:15am).
Stephanie Huntingdale, our fellow Photo Club member, has a arranged a private hike within Placer Land Trust. Our goal will be to capture the beauty of Spring’s rolling green hill, wildflowers, unique rock formation and new foliage of the old oak tree groves. Trail Rating: This will be a 2 to 3 mile Moderate hike. These trails are not open to the public. We will have two accomplished photographer guides from the PLT leading this hike. More about Big Hill Preserves – Placer Land Trust
Source: PLT website.
The hike is limited to 25 members. Donation suggestion is $10/person.
PLT has requested all attendees register via their website Placer Land Trust and sign a waiver form in advance Public Event Release Agreement for Placer Land Trust Activities. Registered attendees will be emailed additional information directly from PLT that include location directions.
We are purposing car-pooling. Access/parking is limited at the location. If you are attending, please register and sign waiver by April 14th Please let Stephanie or Jim know if you are attending via email to: smccoubrey@sbcglobal.net or jimlhpc@gmail.com
Click [HERE] for detailed trip package.
Source: PLT website.
Announcing Overnight Field Trip!
Spring on the Coast – Point Reyes and Tomales Bay
Tuesday to Thursday, May 20th to 22nd, check out on 23rd, 2025
Visit and photograph the scenic coastal areas of Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay, north of San Francisco and south of Bodega Bay.
The area is made of rolling green hills, colliding with Pacific Ocean. Seascape and landscape encompassing beaches, cliffs, wildflowers, Point Reyes lighthouse, historic coast guard station at Chimney Rock and coastal wildlife will be your photographic opportunity. The area is sprinkled with several small towns like Point Reyes Station, Marshall, Tomales and for if your a movie lover, Bodega Bay where the movie The Birds was filmed.
For those of you wanting a view of Tomales Bay from the water, we have arranged a local expert to cruise the bay. Space is limited and we need to be on the water at high tide, see details in travel packet. A fellow member also relayed information about local safaris, this also is in the packet.
We are recommending staying at Tomales Bay Resort and Marina located at 12938 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Inverness, CA. Space is limited. Room rates range from $175 to $285 plus taxes and fees per night. You can start booking March 1st. More information included in travel packet.
Please email Jim Sakaguchi at jimlhpc@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. We will be holding a pre-meeting to go over the travel packet.
You may view the detailed travel packet [HERE].
Chimney Rock at Point Reyes National Park Sunset
Source: Alan Majchrowicz Photographywebsite
Field Trip - Castle Air Museum - "The Big Boys"
Tuesday, March 11, 7:00AM (departure), On-site at 9:30AM
Address: 2150 Shuttle Dr, Atwater, CA 95301
The history of military flight can be a fascinating photo opportunity, especially when your photographing the “Big Boys”. By Big Boys this means bomber aircraft like the Boeing B-52 and B-36 Peacemaker (pictured) along with many other aircraft variations. Our Collection – Castle Air Museum
Senior admission is $20/person. After doing the shoot we will head over Isabella's Bar & Grill, Mexican Food. 2811 Shaffer Rd, Atwater, for lunch.
For detail field trip packet, click [HERE].
Please confirm your attendance and if you would need to ride-share with Jim Sakaguchi at: jimlhpc@gmail.com
Source: Castle Air Museum
Field Trip: Sac Tower Bridge at Sunset
Tuesday February 11th, 4:00pm
Park at the Tower Bridge Garage - 1289 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814
You may have driven on it or walked it, but have you photographed the Sacramento Tower Bridge at sunset? Come join fellow members as we set-up and capture our hometown bridge in the wading sunset. Truman Holtzclaw will be leading this photographic journey providing insights on best ways to approach this shoot. Around the bridge you can stroll along the river, or Old Sacramento building fronts for street photo opportunities. There is also the California Railroad Museum and Union Pacific station for a change a pace. Recommend a earlier departure if you plan to see the museum. It opens at 10AM.
Source: Mountain Dreams
At 4:15pm, we gather at Tower Bridge Garage (sunset is 5:46pm) and walk over the bridge to the area Truman recommends for the best angles. You will also be able to take dusk photos looking across the river of Old Sac. After the shoot, we will stroll back to Old Sac and have dinner at Bear and Crown (British Pub style food, sandwiches, burgers, etc.).
Come join the fun! Please contact Jim Sakaguchi if you are attending and need a ride share at jimlhpc@gmail.com
For detail field trip packet, click [HERE].
Upcoming Field Trip!
A Visit to the Wild Kingdom of Animals at the Sacramento Zoo
Friday January 24, 2025 at 9am 3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento
We are kicking off 2025 with a local adventure at the Sacramento Zoo. Nearly 400 native, rare and endangered animals call the Sacramento Zoo home. Sacramento Zoo | Accredited Zoo With Almost 400 Animals
We suggest getting there when gates open at 9am. If you need a ride, meet us at Orchard Creek Lodge parking lot by the Fitness Center. We will be leaving at 8am. For those interested, we are getting together for breakfast at Meridians at 7am.
Zoo Entry, if you are a Zoo member already you can get right in. For non-members, $20 for seniors. However, depending on the day the Zoo may offer discounts. Please book your access pass directly. Plan Your Visit | Sacramento Zoo
Source: Sacramento Zoo
Why we picked Jan 24. If you wish to visit select animals on behind-the-scene tours you can purchase tickets using this link. Behind-the-Scenes Tours | Sacramento Zoo Tour prices, availability, and schedules vary. Please book online direct.
Interested in joining us, please contact Rick Maness (field trip committee member) at rbmaness@aol.com
For detail field trip packet, click [HERE].
Field Trip - "Pebble Creek Christmas Lights Walk"
Rescheduled for December 20th at 5:30PM
On display will be 140 dazzling decorated homes with owners trying to outdo one another. Visitors can enjoy a magical experience as they stroll through the enchanting light-filled pathways and dressed-up sidewalks. Walk as much or as little as you wish as you snap off photos using all types of cameras.
We are meeting at the Bel Air Parking Lot located at 2341 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, having a tailgate gathering prior to our walk to share cookies and hot chocolate or coffee or....???. Look for us in the parking lot. We then walk over to Pebble Creek Dr which is next to the Bel Air store.
To kick off this joyous evening, we suggest bringing a warm drink in a Thermos as it may be chilly. Cookies or candy would be a sweet addition also. Please feel free to bring a little extra to share with other club members if you wish. We will supply plates, napkins and hot cups for all.
Areas are well be lit, but bring a flashlight for "just-in-case". Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
AI Generated Image by WIX
If you are interested in joining us, please let Judy Sykes (Field Trip Committee member) know. Please email Judy at judy.sykes@sbcglobal.net .
HOLIDAY FOTO OP
Lincoln Hometown Christmas Parade - Downtown Lincoln
December 7th, starting at 4:30PM
WHAT: Step into the holiday spirit at the Lincoln Hometown Christmas Parade! Join fellow Photo Club members for a festive procession filled with dazzling floats, marching groups, dancing horses, holiday cheer, and, of course, Santa Claus himself. Visit Beermann square for the Christmas tree.
Get your photos for the Holiday Challenge.
WHERE: Downtown Lincoln 5th Street, F Street, 6th Street, A Street
Upcoming Field Trip!
"Capturing Migratory Birds in the Sacramento Delta"
November 15th, 2024 - Leaving at 12:00PM Noon from OC Lodge
It’s the time of year to see migrating cranes and assortment of birds heading south for the winter. The Sacramento delta area is on the flight path for many.
On November 15th, 2024, leaving at 12:00PM Noon from Orchard Creek Lodge. We have planned a field trip to visit the following locations.
· Cosumnes River Preserve, Walnut Grove, CA
· Sandhill Cranes - Staten Island, Thornton, CA
· Isenberg/Woodbridge Ecological Reserve - Lodi, CA
All three are within a twenty-mile radius. At the last stop we will be going for photos at dusk and sunset.
Club members Larry White and Nancy Whitaker will share insight about bird species and tips on how they capture the splendor of these magnificent flying creatures.
Parking is limited at these locations, $5 parking fee at Woodbridge, we are advising carpooling. We’ll gather at the Orchard Creek Lodge at 10:45 for a 11:00am departure.
Lunch/dinner, this will be “out in nature” venue, please bring snacks, sandwich(s), etc. with you.
Please confirm your attendance to jimlhpc@gmail.com For more details please click [HERE].
Jim Sakaguchi.
"FOTO OP" - Day of the Dead
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
November 2nd, 2024 - From 2:00PM to 8:00PM
Experience the layers of color, culture, and community at our 6th annual Day of the Dead Festival at Beermann Plaza. Immerse yourself in Aztec dancers, heart-and-soul altar exhibits by our community members, mouthwatering street eats, funky artisan local vendors, and live music that’ll have you dancing. Bring your smartphones and cameras.
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When: Nov 2, 2024 starting at 2 to 8pm.
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Where: Lincoln CA, downtown Beermann Plaza.
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Why: Great opportunity to photograph folks aligning with the up-coming Special Learning Session on “Street Photography” by Charlie Schuman. As well as the past session on “Transforming ordinary candid images of people into the extraordinary” by Dennis Berry.
Don’t forget to wear your LHPC hat so we can spot each other.
Jim Sakaguchi
Field Trip Coming Up!
Fall Foliage in Nevada City & Grass Valley
Tuesday, October 29th
DOWNTOWN NEVADA CITY
SOURCE: DAVID H. COLLIER
Come join us for a walk/drive around Nevada City and Grass Valley to photograph the fall colors on Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Along with the beauty of capturing the tree colors, blend in the buildings and houses of a by gone era of the old west. We are also planning to meet at Sergio's Caffè located at 109 Mill St, Grass Valley at 2:00pm for lunch. Sergio's Caffé (sergioscaffe.com)
Please RSVP if you plan to join us for the walk around and lunch. Please email Heather at heatherbrown.lhpc@gmail.com .
EMPIRE MINE STATE PARK
SOURCE: NEVADA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Please click [HERE] to view the detailed trip package.
Milky Way - Galaxy Photo Field Trip
In the dark skies of Hope Valley near Lake Tahoe
August 4 & 5, 2024
What: A photo club field trip and adventure to the mountains south of Lake Tahoe during the darkest skies of the month.
Why: The Milky Way is highly visible during this time and your smartphone and cameras can see many details we cannot see with our eyes. All of us have seen these types of photographs displaying incredible beauty.
Who: Everyone from beginners to advanced. All cameras from smartphones (from ~ 2020 releases) to high-end cameras will be able to capture the incredible beauty of a vast array of stars.
When: August 4 & 5, 2024. This is the “new moon phase” which is the darkest time of the month. The location is one of the “dark skies” areas as there are no urban areas nearby. This combination means there is very little “light pollution” so the stars are highly visible.
Where: We will be setting up in locations in the Hope Valley where we have had great success in the past.
Milky Way Galaxy
Knowledge: Our club has expertise in this type of photography with in-the-field experience and the recent Special Learning Classes for both smartphones and cameras. We have presentation handouts we can email to you upon request. Some of our members will be available to help others with technical and set-up advice in practice sessions before the trip or on-site at the Hope Valley locations.
Jim Sakaguchi is planning this field trip.
Attached is his planning document for your review. It covers many aspects of the trip, lodging suggestions, equipment checklists, times and places to meet for photography, technical references, camera setups, travel tips and much more.
Jim will be keeping a list of attendees and will provide updates on the trip for everyone signing up. If you have any questions, please send an email to Jim at his email address noted below.
Sign-up Required. If you would like to go on this trip; send an email to Jim Sakaguchi: jimsakaguchi57@gmail.com.
Attachment, 11 pages, sent in both Word and PDF formats. Click [HERE]
Flash Mob Field Trip Announcement
Amador Flower Farm
When: Monday, June 24th
What: Spend a day with 1200 varieties of daylillies in your lens.
Where: Amador Flower Farm in Plymouth, CA
Bring your camera and smart phones to join fellow Photography Club members as we roam the gardens and fields of Amador Flower Farm in Plymouth, CA.
Afterwards, we'll be stopping at nearby Villa Toscao Winery for lunch.
Please RSVP to Heather Brown at heatherbrown.lhpc@gmail.com. If you need a ride share, please let Heather know.
Click [HERE] for detailed trip email.
Trip Coordinator: Jim Sakaguchi
Amador Flower Farm
Plymouth, CA
We would like the pleasure of your company to visit:
High Hand Nursery (website)
3750 Taylor Road, Loomis
Date: May 22nd, 2024 WEDNESDAY
08:15 AM we Meet at Orchard Creek Parking Lot at Rows 11 & 12
08:30 AM Wheels roll! A printed map will be given to each vehicle.
We should arrive when the doors open at 09:00, so there will not be many people to obscure your lovely photographs. We will spend time roaming the beautiful grounds and inside the gift shop area. There is also a place next to the Cafe and parking lot to purchase vinegar, oils, honey and preserves from their farm.
1100 AM meet at the Outdoor CAFE for LUNCH
EARLY BIRDS GET THE WORMS!
PLEASE RSVP to heatherbrown.lhpc@gmail.com NOW
Please tell Heather your preference. Do you wish to drive or be driven? Time to be home.
Photo Club Member Image
We will most likely set up lunch per vehicle and sit at separate tables near each other. Last time Diane managed to convince the hostess to put us all together which was absolutely wonderful. The reason for being an early bird.
Thus, this is a last minute FLASH MOB experience. The date was changed from Thursday as we have discovered Costco will be opening that day which could cause a traffic jam.
FLOWER MOON on Thursday will be a great day for us to edit our photos and enjoy flowers all over again! Very appropriate.
So charge up those batteries and bring all your mobile phone expertise to shoot some great photos. Need help? Don't be afraid to ask for assistance. We can share our knowledge with each other. This is a great opportunity for our SmartPhone people. It is good to have a 1/2 day field trip to rest our bodies. Would you consider a trip like this once a month?
Looking forward to you joining us. It really is our favorite nursery!
Photography Club Field Trip – Another Great Adventure!
Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Asilomar, 17 Mile Drive and Big Sur areas
April 23, 24, 25, returning home on April 26
Club member Images from past trips
Book your reservations early to get great rates and no-cost cancellations if your plans change.
Dates: We recommend booking reservations now for April 2024 with check-in starting on Tuesday, April 23, including 24 and 25, with check-out on Friday, April 26. Some people are extending their reservations to spend more time in the area.
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds in the Asilomar State Park and Beach.
For this trip, we are planning to make the Asilomar State Park Conference Center in Pacific Grove our central location. This historical “minimalist” state park facility is designed to encourage visitors to spend time outdoors or in group conferences. It is adjacent to the state beach, providing easy walks for sunrise or sunset times on the beach.
Having a central location will enable group meetups in the evenings at a fire pit or the beach for sunset, meetups for meals including a lunch at the Pebble Beach Golf Course, and classes for tips on great locations and times for photography opportunities. This also enables our participants to join together for day trips or meals in small groups if desired.
Asilomar has great rates for those who book early, starting at ~ $170/night, a bargain for this area, and if you reserve your room via the promotion code for seniors, you can cancel anytime up to 72 hours in advance and get your deposit back. Reservations require paying the first night as a deposit, and the remainder is due upon check-in.
Many conferences are held at this prime location, and rooms will quickly fill up so we encourage you to make a decision early to guarantee availability. We already know of a very large group of photographers from Chicago who are planning a conference at the same time.
We urge you to make your plans and reservations now! It is a classic, “You snooze, you lose” situation.
Note: You may book reservations at any hotel; you are not required to stay at Asilomar.
Wherever you want to stay, we still encourage you to book reservations as soon as possible before availability tightens and rates spike.
Sunset at Carmel Beach.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Hearst Castle
Trip Packs, Pre-trip Planning Meetings, and “Show & Tell” Gathering post-trip.
For this trip, we will have a complete, detailed Trip Pack available, a pre-trip planning meeting so you can make the best use of your time on the trip, and a separate “Show & Tell” gathering after the trip. Because many members/guests will be going on this trip, these materials and gatherings will be limited to those who make a reservation for lodging.
Planners for this trip include Jim Sakaguchi, Truman Holtzclaw and Les Thomas. Input from others is encouraged. Contact any of us if you have any questions.
After you have booked your hotel reservation, send an email to Les Thomas, 7thomas33@gmail.com and we’ll add your name(s) to the participant list.
How to make hotel reservations. Click [HERE] for a step-by-step guide for making reservations prepared by Jim Sakaguchi.
- Les Thomas 7thomas33@gmail.com
Wildflowers Yuba River-Buttermilk Bend Trail
Friday, April 20, 2023 – 9 am to 3:00 pm
Meet up to Carpool @ 8 am
Photos from Trip Advisor & Park Websites
Join hosts Bill Kress and Les Thomas on a field trip adventure to the South Yuba River State Park along the "Buttermilk Bend" wildflower trail. The focus will be on the wildflowers, the raging river, and the large covered wooden bridge which we can walk through. Record rainfalls are providing special wildflower blooms.
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The pre-trip information meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2023 from 4pm – 5:30pm at the home of Les and Marilyn Thomas. Light snacks will be provided. Sign-up for the Pre-Trip informational meeting is important. If you are unable to attend the pre-trip, but plan on participating in the field trip, please RSVP to Les Thomas at Lthomas33@gmail.com. During the pre-trip meeting, Steve Stewart will demonstrate creative concepts to encourage you to take great flower images. Steve will provide suggestions to help advance your skills to transform your images into art
During the pre-trip meeting, Steve Stewart will demonstrate creative concepts to encourage you to take great flower images. Steve will provide suggestions to help advance your skills to transform your images into art.
Additional details =>
McKinley Rose Garden
Sacramento
Friday, April 28, 2023 – 9 am to 11 am
meet up to carpool at 8 am
McKinley Rose Garden is a highly renowned rose display garden in our own backyard. This is one of the largest rose gardens in northern California and has been an All-American Rose Selection display garden. The garden Features 1,200 rose plants in hundreds of varieties.
Steve Stewart and Les Thomas, planners for this trip, did a “scouting trip” recently and the rose bushes were already budding. Some of the roses were opening. This field trip date will correspond to a spectacular first-season bloom display which is often the most beautiful.
Additional details =>
Crocker Art Museum
Crocker Art Museum
Friday March 3, 10am – 2pm
Join us for a field trip to a local world class art museum! This field trip offers something for everyone at every photographic skill level. The Crocker welcomes photographers with some understandable limitations. We’re requested not to use flash or tripods and neither are necessary to get some very memorable photographs.
We plan to arrive at the Museum at 10am. You can depart anytime up to the 5pm closing. A special Docent tour will be offered at a cost of $8 per person but this is voluntary.
Carpooling is recommended to share expenses for gas and parking. Details to be announced.
If you have any questions, planners for this trip are Les Thomas, 916-698-7783 and Diane Margetts, 916-955-1809.
Additional trip details, including the trip planner. =>
Photography Club Field Trip & Great Adventure
Day Trip to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Gray Lodge is a winter stop over for thousands of migrating birds that use the Pacific Flyway. This is the prime time to see many winter-only birds of the water, land and sky. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Gray-Lodge-WA
All LH Photography Club members using cameras from Smartphones to the latest high-end brands are invited to participate.
Plan your own activities. At Gray Lodge, there will be several nice, flat trails to the various ponds as well as observation decks and vistas. Traveling to the Wildlife Area photographers will have an opportunity to photograph farmlands with old barns and livestock and the Sutter Buttes mountain range.
For important details, including a map, please click on the PDF document here. ==>
Eastern Sierras Fall Colors Field Trip
October 13,14,15,16 & 17 of 2022
Concurrent with the Lake Tahoe Area Trip -All or Part Trip Pack
Field Trip team members are hitting the road running for 2022-2023 adventures. The first scheduled trip offers a combined Eastern Sierra and Lake Tahoe area trip scheduled for October 13 - 17, 2022. This trip is arranged so members can partake in any number of the 5 days in one location, split the days between the two locations, and spend five days traveling to both Eastern Sierra and Lake Tahoe. Or some combination thereof.
Les Thomas and his team have researched Photography locations, websites, maps, resources, places to eat, photographer equipment needs, safety, and more. Their extensive research results are published in the "Planning and Information Trip Packs " below.
Lake Tahoe and Eastern Sierra trip packs (below) include photographic locations well-known for exquisite fall color, beautiful lakes, streams, wildlife, and opportunities for capturing incredible sunsets, sunrises, and the galaxy.
Pete Henshaw
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors October, 2016
Fall Colors Eastern Sierras Trip Pack 2022
Fall Colors Lake Tahoe Trip Pack 2022
Safety Equipment
ICE Trekkers Diamond Grip
Death Valley -- March 2 - 7 2020
Truman with "Barney" at Racetrack Playa, Death Valley
after a very long and bumpy jeep ride over the worst roads.
Some very serious photographers getting the best angle for those moving stones on Racetrack Playa
Dorothe and Bill Kress at Darwin Falls, Death Valley
Our previous trip was in 2017 and was one of our club's most adventurous and fun trips. Les had provided a lot of PDF resources for that trip, and you can see all of them on our Locations page HERE
We have significant amounts of "tips" and recommendations for everything from where to stay, equipment suggestions, daily agendas or "menus" of activities, places to eat, special Death Valley expert presentations on-site and the award winning videos we created to provide you with insights on more than 50 "world class" photographic locations.
As in all places that are special, the past several years have experienced an increase in the numbers of people who are traveling to these sites at the prime times for photography.
While there are generally no crowding issues in the vastness of Death Valley, there are limited numbers of lodging options available.
There are many beautiful places we plan to visit on this unique trip, including Darwin Falls, Ubehebe and Little Ubehebe Craters, The Racetrack Playa, Golden Canyon and many others.
If Death Valley gets some rainfall at the end of the year, we may have an interesting wildflower bloom.
Those staying in Beatty will pass the ghost town, Rhyolite on the way to Death Valley, and might see wild buros roaming the area.
Planners include Charlie Schuman, Truman Holtzclaw, Kathy Houston and Les Thomas. Les has provided lodging suggestions. To read his PDF file,
click HERE
Trip Pack #1 of 2, which is a Zip file of PDF documents, may be found HERE. Trip Pack #2 will be sent out just prior to our trip which starts on March 2 and also will be posted to this website.
Northern California and Oregon Coast -- May 2020
Bandon Beach during a Circles in Sand event
Main Street, Ferndale, California
Our previous trip to west coastal areas was May 27 to June 2, 2018 and we saw a diversity of beautiful cities, lighthouses, landscapes, sunrise-sunsets and wildlife.
Last year we met in Bandon, Oregon, a 450 mile drive from our community. There are different routes to get there and interesting sites to see on the way.
The central route can include metal sculptures near Weed, CA, Crater Lake (watch for passable roads) and the many waterfalls along Route 138. There is a covered bridge in Glide, OR.
A coastal route can include stops in Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Ferndale, Redwood National Park, Crescent City, Eureka and many other interesting attractions.
We have placed a few places that are on this field trip's agenda on our Locations page and they can reached by clicking below.
We will provide many "tips" and recommendations for lodging, equipment, restaurants and specific locations.
Planners include Truman Holtzclaw and Bill Kress.
Carson Mansion
Eureka, California
Bandon Beach at Sunset
Battery Point Lighthouse
Crescent City, California
Click on the trip dates & title below to navigate to the desired article.
Mono Lake, June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, Bishop, Manzanar, Alabama Hills and more
California Highway 395
Bears, Fall Foliage, Vistas, Salmon
South Lake Tahoe
Sunsets, Sunrises, Sea Lions, Elephant Seals, Wildflowers, Hearst Castle
Monterey to San Simeon
Lots of Herons and Egrets nesting
A local attraction. Park at the Dollar-Tree lot and walk behind the building.
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
Bears, Ducks, Fish, Foliage and More
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
July 2017 Field Trips: Wildflowers and Gallaxy
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
April 2017 Filed TripsTrips: Table Mtn, High Hand Nursery & Ferrari Pond
Club made three trips to some favorite local places
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
2017 Death Valley Field Trip - Trip Report and Photo Galleries
A Comprehensive Trip Report by Kate McCarthy and Galleries of People and Places
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
2017 Death Valley Field Trip - Trip Planning Documents and Maps
Complete set of itinerary, maps, lodging recommendations, and photography suggestions in downloadable pdf files
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
Ferrari Pond November 16th "Super Moon" Flash Mob
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
October 2016 Eastern Sierra Field Trip - Follow-up
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
2016 Fall Eastern Sierra Field Trip Announcement with Trip Planning Package Contents
Complete set of itinerary, maps, lodging recommendations, and photography suggestions in downloadable pdf files
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
July 2016 Milky Way Galaxy Photo Shoot
Click Photo to go to Photo Gallery
April 2016 Baldo's Rose Garden & Ferrari Pond
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February 16, 2015 Yosemite & Firefall
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November 15, 2015 Flash Mob
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October 11th 2015 Eastern Sierra Field Trip
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