Tag Archives: outdoor

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. 

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

Club Field Trip to Buttertubs Marsh, April 13th

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Gabriola Photography Club members – and other photographers considering joining our club – are invited to take part in our first field trip of 2023.

When & where:
We’re heading to Buttertubs Marsh Park in Nanaimo, on Thursday afternoon, April 13.

Why there?
Buttertubs is a lovely, accessible bird and wildlife sanctuary, encircled by an easy 2-km trail. The field trip will provide an opportunity to connect face-to-face with other club photographers, and the destination is perfect for honing your skills in nature photography: nesting birds, waterfowl, and the marsh habitat.

Timing & travel:
We plan to catch the 1:30pm ferry off Gabriola. For seniors, it’s a ride-free day on the ferry, and if desired we can arrange car pooling to reduce the number of vehicles going over. After two hours at the Park (approximately 2 to 4 pm), we’ll return to the Nanaimo ferry terminal to catch the 4:35pm or 5:05pm ferry back to Gabriola.

To join in:
Please contact Sally Bullas. 

What to bring:
You might want to bring along a folding stool or light-weight lawn chair, water bottle, thermos of tea/coffee, and perhaps a snack.  In addition, we recommend that you wear layered clothing, walking shoes or boots, and a light all-weather jacket in case of rain. 

Come one, come all, it will be a grand excursion!   

A scenic image of Buttertubs Marsh with trees and shrubs in the foreground, on a bright spring day.