Here’s an opportunity to practice macro photography. Your task is to take really, really close up photos of really, really tiny things. It can be anything, taken anywhere. If you have a macro lens, use it. If you don’t, get as close as you can to create a macro look. Cropping is legitimate as a last resort, but the point is to work on your macro photography skills.

Have fun and let me know if you’ll be participating!

As Rick White previously reported, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is closed due to Covid-19; most, if not all, other park indoor venues are closed as well. Given that, Rick will lead an outdoor field trip as follows:

August Field Trip: Exploring Golden Gate Park, Individual exploration of the eastern end of Golden Gate Park (bounded by 19^th St [west],Stanyan St [east, Fulton St [north] and Lincoln St [south]) anytime between Saturday, August 8^th and Friday, August 14^th.

There are many photo ops within this area including some great architectural and horticultural features. To name just a few: the Conservatory of Flowers (a jewel of a Victorian glass greenhouse and the adjacent Dahlia Dell which should be spectacular at this time, the area around the Music Concourse featuring the music bandstand, the de Young Museum, the CA Academy of Sciences, the Rose Garden and Japanese Tea Garden. Throughout this area there are other gardens, ponds, statues and art works. In good weather there are unlimited opportunities for a peaceful picnic.

Good park maps and additional information may be found on line. Some links below:

https://sfrecpark.org/1159/Getting-to-Golden-Gate-Park

https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60713-d311684-Reviews-Golden_Gate_Park-San_Francisco_California.html

Please let Trisha know if you plan to attend.

This one will take place between August 21st through 23rd inclusive. The theme is “Spend an hour with a flower.”

I’m serious – a whole hour, one flower. You can photograph several, but the images only count if you spent an hour with each flower whose image you enter in the field trip competition. You have lots of time to spread it out! Three whole days.

Let Trisha know if you plan to participate.

Food. In this crazy time, food has a new focus.

Are you cooking something new? Bread, pickles, brewing beer?  In supporting your favorite restaurants, do they look different? Are they serving something different? Are you growing your food? Comfort food?

So any images related to food and its prepartion, consumption, growth, etc., is legit.

Inspiration from Cheryl: https://www.pinterest.com/kathitevlin/scary-halloween-photos/

If you wait to the last minute, you can make yourself up and take selfies with the bonus to scare the trick-or-treaters!

While the formal festival is canceled this year – the birds will still be arriving to their favorite places in Lodi and environs.  Since this is an outdoor activity, we encourage you to venture to Lodi with your bubble members for this self-guided Field Trip.

About the Cranes and links to everything Lodi Festival: https://cranefestival.com/cranes-about.php

With the timing of this event, this year’s November field trip will be considered part of the 2021 Field Trip competition.

Worth noting: the 2021 Festival is scheduled for the first weekend in November.  Each year there is an art and photography juried exhibition.  If you get a fabulous shot – do consider an entry for the exhibition in 2021.

Viewing Tips:  Limit your movement – While feeding, some cranes will be on the lookout. Your close movement will cause the flock to fly away, using valuable energy reserves. Keep your distance to at least 400 yards.

Be quiet – While there may only be a few watching for you, they will all be listening for you.

Be patient – Once you get a good view, sit tight and you’re likely to see some interesting behavior.

Map:

Bird Sightings checklist:  https://cranefestival.com/documents/Bird%20Sightings%20Checklist.pdf

Due to Covid, the event will run from March 7-13. Images can be uploaded by March 16 and then there will be a Zoom meeting on March 18 to see member images and discuss them. If you have further questions, contact Tony Reynes.

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