It’s great to see interest in getting LPA field trips going again. Let’s get Field Trip Talk going in the Field Trip section, where it belongs.

Following up on comments found elsewhere…

Sharon Martinez, thank you for expressing an interest in leading an LPA field trip. Does “maybe” mean Yes? I’m sure you’ve already seen the big long list on the LPA website, but I will share a list of other places I know of and send them to you, or anyone else who wants the list. You have an excellent idea about pairing up Novices with Advanced/Master photographers. We've not ever done that before. I've not, because realize there are those outgoing people who are quick to say "Help Me" and other's who prefer to be quiet observers. We need to make the option available.

Sue Liberto, great suggestion on Placerita Canyon. The flowers are probably blooming there right now. If you’d like to pick a date for a LPA trip, I will help you set it up, be there, and co-lead with you.

As a field trip leader, YOU get to choose the place, the day, the time. To anyone who wants to lead a trip, I will guide you through the process if needed and help however I can. It’s easy, and it’s fun. As field trip leader, you get to pick a place, time, provide a write up/ sign up for the web ( I can help) and a map, and helpful hints (I can help with that too). If you don’t get enough interest, in my opinion, it’s ok to cancel the trip. If not quite ready to lead a trip on your own, I can help secure an advanced/master photographer, or former field trip leader to assist you. I'd be doing the job of a Field Trip Coordinator, which I’ve not officially volunteered to do, but will sort of do temporarily, just to help get field trips going again. My LPA job is Vice President, and as such secure programs for you, which I hope you all are enjoying.

Wildflowers are blooming like CRAZY right now along Hwy 223, East of Arvin. Thousands of acres of flowers, good for landscape type photography, as there are No Trespassing signs and barbed wire fences along the whole route. Probably not the best place to take a group, as the only parking available is in turnouts along the road, but excellent to visit!

A great spot for a LPA field trip now would be Wind Wolves Reserve. According to the reports on Calphoto.com the flowers are blooming like crazy there. It’s about 1 ½ hours from here. It would only be good to do on a Saturday or Sunday (soon), otherwise the gate is closed. I’ve not been before, but it looks like a great spot for Landscape and Macro photography. Anyone want to be a trip leader?

Another GREAT trip in the next 3 weeks or so, would be Descanso Gardens. Lots of stuff blooming there. This would be the easiest of the trips mentioned, to set up.

Ideally, LPA photo trips should be scheduled a couple months in advance, but forget “Ideal” and if you’re willing to lead a short notice trip, I can help make it happen.

Sue Craft

Sharon
I was Field Trip Chairman for about four years.
Back then, I had a committee to work with. We met every few months to hash things out. It worked out pretty good.

I'd be glad to share my experience or offer any advise if you like. Just let me know.

John