November 5 Photo Walkabout: Old City Quarter

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

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.

Eyes on Nature – on now, until November 8, 2024

As an ongoing project, Gabriola Photography Club curates the art display space downstairs at the Gabriola Medical Clinic on Church Street, Gabriola Island. Club members take turns having solo exhibitions or taking part in group exhibitions.

Six members of Gabriola Photography Club have joined together to present our latest exhibition. Each of us is drawn by something a little bit different in our nature photography.

Linda has been pulled in by the splendour she sees in a bird’s outstretched wings and the details of its feather composition, with each feather adding to the overall effect of grandeur.

For Ian, photography is about having fun, and he’s been doing that recently from a bird blind in his garden. He’s also enjoyed using his macro lens to discover the uncommon beauty in some of our “common” backyard plants and fungi.

Corinne is fascinated by the variety of colour and forms in rocks, so she jumped at the chance early this year to explore the rock formations of Monument Valley, Utah, to try to capture the essence of this spiritually powerful place.

Nature never ceases to fill Sher with wonder and delight, no matter the season. She embraces the transition from fall to winter, when migrations bring beautiful new visitors to our region.

As a lifelong boater with her roots firmly planted on the west coast, Laurie is passionate about the natural environment of this place  – both land and sea – and the amazing, complex web of life it supports.

John says his photographs record moments when his perception of the natural world is at its strongest, when he experiences a wonder based on a sense of the energy and processes that underpin our planet’s ecosphere.

We hope you’ll enjoy and appreciate the diversity of life and the beauty of the natural landscapes we have chosen to highlight in this exhibit.

October 18 Photo Walkabout: Coats Marsh

We’re back on Gabriola Island for our October Walkabout, this time heading to Coats Marsh Regional Park.

Meet on Friday, October 18 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 last-minute changes.

September 5 Photo Walkabout: Saysutshun / Newcastle Island

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.