Tag Archives: field trips

September 5 Photo Walkabout: Saysutshun / Newcastle Island

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We’re heading off Gabriola for our September Walkabout, to Saysutshun / Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park.

Meet on Thursday, September 5 at 8:30am at the Gabriola ferry terminal, to take the 8:45am sailing as a walk-on passenger. From the Nanaimo side, we’ll walk to the Saysutshun / Newcastle ferry (see below for ferry info).

Once we get to Newcastle Island we’ll mainly hike the trails that follow the shoreline, but we’ll also include Mallard Lake and the smaller swimming lake. You may find items of interest to photograph on the boat ride over to Newcastle as well as on the island itself, including on and around the dock, the totem pole, heritage building, architecture, canoe and kayak rental area, scenes along the trails, the beach and numerous different landscapes…there should be many photographic opportunities, in other words.
Photo © Romeo Rossi

This will be a full, day-long trip with no pre-set time limit. Pack water, snacks and a hearty lunch. Upon returning to Nanaimo, there will be an option to meet for dinner at the Pantry at Port Place.

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 last-minute changes.

Saysutshun ferry info:

Adult fare: $15. Senior: $12. Credit card, debit & cash accepted at the ferry dock.

Ferry departs Nanaimo every half hour from 9am to 8:30pm. Returning: ferry departs Saysutshun every half hour from 9:15am to 8:45pm.

August 17 Photo Walkabout: Skateboard Park & the Commons Walk

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Our August walk is in the heart of Gabriola’s Village, where we plan to catch some action and practice our photography skills!

Meet at 2 pm on Saturday August 17, outside the skateboard park at Huxley Community Park.

For the first hour we’ll watch the skateboarders in action, while we focus on panning, freezing the movement and finding interesting angles for our compositions.

During the second hour we’ll walk to the Timber Frame at the nearby Gabriola Community Commons, photographing whatever details catch our eyes.

We’ll carry on along the boardwalk in the upper Commons grounds, wander through the Labyrinth and then through the trails, before returning to Huxley Park.

We plan to finish at 4pm with the option of meeting at either Mad Rona’s or the Skol Pub for some social time.

As always, this is a weather-dependent event. You’re welcome to simply show up, but it’s great if you can let us know ahead of time if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

A cement skateboard park, with a young boy skateboarding in a lower level area, and an adult man in the hgher foreground area., with one foot on his tipped up skateboard.
Photo © Romeo Rossi

July 25 Photo Walkabout: Degnen Bay

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This month we’ll be exploring photo opportunities at the south end of Gabriola.

Meet at 9 am on Thursday, July 25. Park near the top of Degnen Bay Road (near where it meets South Rd.), and we’ll walk the narrow road to the Degnen Bay Public Wharf, finding subjects worthy of photographing as we go. As well as the lovely tree canopy along the road, other attractions might include various vistas of the bay with its moored boats and details of the pier and dock area along with the boats tied up there.

If time permits and interest warrants, we might also drive over to Gray Road on the opposite side of Degnen Bay, to photograph details such as the old boats on trailers along the road, boats at the sandstone beach’s launch area, and more shoreline vistas.

For lunch or coffee we can meet afterwards at the Golf Club at 11:30 am (optional).

As always, this is a weather-dependent event. Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know ahead of time if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

Photo © Laurie MacBride

June 21 Photo Walkabout: Protection Island

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Here’s a great way for Gabriola photographers to celebrate the summer solstice! Meet at the Gabriola ferry terminal at 8:30 am, to catch the 8:45 am sailing to Nanaimo. From there, we’ll walk around the seawall (giving those who missed our earlier Nanaimo Walkabouts a chance to catch some Harbour photos), then ride the Dinghy Dock ferry to Protection Island, where we’ll have plenty of time to explore.

Plan for many diverse photo opportunities, along the seawall, during the ferry ride and during our time on Protection Island – whatever each of us finds of interest is worth photographing!

We’ll head back to the Dinghy Dock Pub at 1 pm for lunch (optional), then catch the ferry back to Nanaimo.

Note that you’ll need $14 for the Protection Island ferry (cash only). For the schedule and info about the ferry: https://www.dinghydockpub.com/protection-island-ferry-schedule/

As always, this is a weather-dependent event (though we have proven to be a hardy bunch, as witness our May Walkabout). Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know ahead of time if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

View of Protection Island from the water, with red spar buoy in foreground, white beacon on shore and houses along the shoreline.
Protection Island © Laurie MacBride

May 16 Photo Walkabout: Sunset at the Galleries

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This month we’ll walk the beach from Taylor Bay to Malaspina Galleries, in time for sunset.

Meet at 7 pm at the parking area at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park (AKA “Twin Beaches”).

It will be low tide, so we’ll walk along the sandstone shoreline to Malaspina Galleries, where the view – and the photo opportunities – can be amazing.

We’ll return to our starting point via the roads. Be sure to bring a flashlight for the return walk!

Though you’re welcome to simply show up, we suggest you let us know if you plan to attend, in case of any last-minute changes.

Sunset viewed through an opening in the sandstone shoreline overhang at Gabriola Island's Malaspina Galleries
Photo © Corinne Flaws