Tag Archives: field trips

Coats Marsh Field Trip – May 8

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Enjoy some local photo fun on Gabriola Island on Friday, May 8, when we head to Coats Marsh Regional Park for our next field trip.

View of a pond with forest on the other side and blue sky with cumulous clouds in the background.
Coats Marsh © Vicky Scott

We will meet at 10 am in the parking area at the end of Stanley Road. (Take South Road to Coats Drive and head uphill towards RavenSkill Orchards; turn left onto Stanley Road, which abuts the south end of the orchard.) 

We’ll walk the trails around Coats Marsh, and for those who are inclined, follow up with social time/lunch at Gabriola Golf Club. 

If we have rain prior to the walk, waterproof footwear would be advised; otherwise, it the weather remains mostly dry, running shoes should be fine.

Club members and other friends are welcome to participate. Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning to join in, so we can keep you apprised of any last-minute changes. 

December 7 Photo Walkabout: Drumbeg Park

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Gabriola’s beautiful Drumbeg Park is the subject of our next Photo Walkabout.

Plan to meet at 9 am on Saturday, December 7. Bypass Drumbeg’s main entrance and instead, park at the very end of Stalker Rd. (You’re in the right place if you see a large ornamental lighthouse on your starboard side as you face the water.)

Our plan is to follow the shoreline loop trail, returning through the forest.The entire trail is well maintained and easy walking. 

It’s a picturesque place and you should be able to find plenty of photographic subjects, including fir, arbutus and Garry oak trees, winding trails, the sandstone shoreline and various views and landscape possibilities – perhaps even some wintering birds. Along with the big picture scenes, try to narrow down your focus for some detail photography.

Drumbeg is not a long distance walk, so we’ll take our time and really try to observe things we might normally walk right past.

Dress accordingly for what will likely be damp and/or chilly weather. Option to meet afterwards for coffee and lunch at either the Ground Up, Mad Rona’s or the Golf Club.

Click on the first thumbnail below to see the entire photo and view the series in carousel format.

November 5 Photo Walkabout: Old City Quarter

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We’ll be heading to Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter for our next Photo Walkabout.

Meet on Tuesday, November 5 at 8:30am at the Gabriola ferry terminal, to take the 8:45am sailing to Nanaimo as a walk-on passenger.

From the Nanaimo side, we’ll pass by the Port Theatre in downtown Nanaimo and head up to the Old City Quarter. This photographically rich area was originally the economic heart of the city, and is nowadays a favourite shopping destination, housing an eclectic mix of independent shops and businesses, revitalized heritage buildings and newer development.

Photo opportunities should be diverse, as the area includes plenty of interesting buildings, architectural details and graffiti. Street photography and panning moving subjects should also be possibilities – in short, anything that catches your eye.

As we move along we’ll establish some specific meeting points so the group can stay together. There will be an option to meet for lunch afterwards at either Gina’s Mexican or The Vault Cafe. 

Photos by Romeo Rossi. Click to enlarge.

CHANGE OF DATE for Coats Marsh walk – now Oct. 23

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Because of the very wet weather expected over the next several days, our October Photo Walkabout to Coats Marsh Regional Park has been postponed.

The new date is Wed. October 23.

Meet at 9:00 am at the end of Fisher Road (off Hess Road).

From there, we will walk the trail to Coats Marsh and then loop back along the stump trail. We highly recommend you wear waterproof footwear.

Coats Marsh contains environmentally sensitive wetlands along with Douglas fir forest. Photo opportunities that morning might include marshland plants, birds, trees, autumn colours and whatever other nature scenes catch your eye.

After the walkabout there will be an option to meet for coffee/lunch at the Golf Club.

Photo © Romeo Rossi

As always, this is a weather-dependent event. You’re welcome to simply show up, but it’s much better if you can let us know ahead of time if you plan to attend, in case of any more last-minute changes – though hopefully no more “atmospheric rivers” are in the forecast for the new date.