Tag Archives: nature

Adventures in Antarctica – April 16 & 22

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with Corinne Flaws

In late January of this year, Gabriola Photography Club member Corinne Flaws embarked on an adventure to the southernmost part of our planet, Antarctica, with a group of 19 other photographers. Departing from the town of Ushuaia, also known as ‘fin del mundo’ at the southern tip of Argentina, in Tierra del Fuego, they boarded the MS Seaventure with Polar Latitudes for an epic 12 day journey that began on January 27.

After a couple of rough days crossing Drake Passage, the group sailed for eight days among the islands along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, then through the Antarctic Circle – further south than even the ship’s captain had ever ventured – and on to continentaal Antarctica.

Each day was a new adventure, cruising on Zodiacs among icebergs, rugged mountains and glaciers. The group was able to land at penguin colonies and walk on sea ice. They had many opportunities to photograph seals, penguins, whales and seabirds, and witnessed first hand the impact of climate change on the environment, including calving glaciers and melting icebergs.

Two separate events this month, one virtual and the other in-person, will provide opportunities to see and hear more about Corinne’s journey. She’ll share stories of her adventures and photos including marine wildlife as well as rugged landscapes, beautiful reflections and incredible icebergs and glaciers.

Icebergs along the shore with sharp, snow-covered peaks in the background.

First, Corinne will give a virtual presentation at our Club meeting on Wed. April 16, 2025, at 10 am PDT. The Zoom link will be emailed to all Gabriola Photography Club members on the weekend before the meeting; make sure your membership is up to date so that you receive this. Non-members: you’re welcome to attend this event as a guest; be sure to contact us by April 14 to receive the link.

Then on Tues. April 22 (Earth Day), Corinne will give an in-person presentation at 6 pm at the Gabriola Arts Council (Blue Building) at 476 South Rd. on Gabriola Island. Donations at the door will be welcomed, to support GROWLS and Gabriola Arts Council.

If you’d like to learn more about Corinne’s work, check out her website.

“Contemplative Landscape Photography” – April 2

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With special guest presenter, David Johnston

Landscape photography is full of amazing overlooks and epic scenes. However, David wants to introduce us to a new way of seeing landscape photography – the contemplative way. In this presentation, He’ll teach us the steps we can take to slow down, see landscapes more intimately and capture creative photos. He hopes his presentation will help us to have a deeper appreciation for smaller scenes, see landscapes more creatively, and take more high quality images while we’re out.

David has been a professional landscape photographer and has over a decade of experience in teaching and helping people improve their nature photography, especially through podcasting and online video content and tutorials. In 2022 he founded Landscape Photography University, with workshop-style courses that aim to cover the range of needs to improve people’s photography skills while fitting within most people’s budgets.

You can see some of David’s beautiful nature photos on his website.

The meeting will be held via Zoom, on Wed. April 2, 2025, at 10 am PDT. The link will be sent by email to all Gabriola Photography Club members on the weekend before the meeting. Make sure your membership is up to date so that you receive this.

A note to non-members of our Club: you’re welcome to attend this event as a guest; be sure to contact us by March 31 to sign up.

“Adventures in Photography” – Upstairs until Jan. 10/25

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Four gannets flying together, with wings outspread.
© Corinne Flaws

While our club continues to show our work downstairs at the Gabriola Medical Centre, this month you’ll find a new exhibit by one of our members upstairs as well.

“Adventures in Photography” is a new show by Corinne Flaws, a visual artist and photographer who specializes in landscape, wildlife and abstract imagery.

Corinne has always had a passion for nature and for capturing its beauty. It inspires her to share what she sees, through her photographs and her other art. As well as producing beautiful photographs, she enjoys capturing images with her camera to use as inspiration for her paintings.    

Corinne moved from Winnipeg to Gabriola Island in 2020. This show includes a collection of her favourite images captured right here on Gabriola and on Vancouver Island, as well as from Manitoba and her travels in Utah and Oregon, and the Shetland Isles.

The exhibit will be on display upstairs at the Medical Centre until January 10, 2025.

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.

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.