In line with our upcoming Birds Competition in May, Tom Jordan will be leading a field trip to Lake Casitas near Ventura on April 18, 2026.

We will be leaving very early to get to the lake for morning light and bird action. Only Tom and Kathy signed up, so we will be carpooling at 4:30 a.m., not from Lowe's.  If you want to meet up with us later, just call when you get to Lake Casitas Recreational Area, and we can tell you where we are. Please let us know early, so we will look for your call.

We will photograph near the lake shore, and near the eagle nest. A variety of shore birds, egrets, herons, small birds, and birds of prey frequent the area, as well as various mammals. The eagles do have one hatchling. 

Carpooling is recommended. 

You will need: Camera, a long lens (the longest you have), a chair, jacket for possible cool temps, sunscreen, water and snacks, extra battery/memory card.

We will stay for a few hours, and then head down into Ventura for lunch at Andria's Seafood (Yum!).

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On May 23, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association will be hosting a field trip to see the Oak Creek Wild Horses near Tehachapi.

This herd of wild horses is on private land and is only accessible with permission, so this is a great opportunity to photograph them up close. It is truly a magical experience to spend time with them. They are reasonably comfortable with people around, but you will have to sign a Release of Liability to be able to visit them. There are more than a few new babies!

These horses are unbranded and free-roaming for at least 100 years. They are possible descendants of animals released by or escaped from early ranchers, miners, soldiers, or Native Americans. They bear a strong resemblance to the Morgan horse breed.

Where: We will meet at the gate on Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road and Oak Creek Road on the left (just past Cameron Canyon Road on the right). We will meet at 9:30 to sign release forms and then enter around 10:00 or earlier. We will email a map to those who sign up.

How much?: $10.00 per person. We need to cover the cost of alfalfa that Diana will bring with her to coax the horses closer. This cost is based on 10 people attending, but more attendees is better, as it helps Diana to cover costs in caretaking this herd. 

Bring: Camera, wide-angle and medium telephoto lenses (24-70 and 70-200 or similar), extra battery and card, water, hat, sunscreen.

Higher clearance vehicles are recommended, but the road is reasonably well-maintained. We can car pool in once we are inside the gate as need be.

Please make sure to sign up if you are going, so that we have a good head count to let Diana know.

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On May 9, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association will be taking a field trip to a local fire station, Station 129, for their Fire Service Day Open House.

Where: 43110 6th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534

When: Meet at 10:00 - open until 3:00

What: Fire apparatus demos, including helicopter drop, jaws of life, dousing a car fire, etc. Great opportunities for Photojournalism and Hum

an Interest photos. 

Bring: Camera, wide angle and medium telephoto lenses, extra battery and card. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. It will be a warm day.

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Lancaster Photography Association is going to have a field trip to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens on March 14, 2026.

With 120 acres of stunning themed gardens, historic architecture, art collections, and seasonal blooms, this location offers endless creative opportunities for photographers of all skill levels. 

Time: Meet at 10:00 at the Entrance.

Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

Cost: Tickets are $34.00, Seniors (65+) $28.00. Click here to purchase your ticket on their website as reservations are required.

Bring: Camera, wide angle and macro lens recommended, extra batteries and memory cards. Don't forget water, hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes. You may bring a tripod for photos on the grounds (no blocking pathways). 

We will eat lunch there.

The botanical gardens include a Japanese Garden, Desert Garden, Rose Garden, and Chinese Garden. 

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. for a day of creativity, learning, and inspiration!

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Lancaster Photography Association will be going on a field trip to the Palm Desert area from Thursday, February 19, 2026 to Saturday, February 21, 2026. Please comment at the end of the article to sign up for the field trip.

Kathy Newman will be leading us for the three days. The planned activities will include:

• Thursday 3:00 p.m. - Hotel check-in; 3:30 - Meet at designated location to drive to Borrego Springs to see various Ricardo Breceda sculptures before sunset. Night photography and light painting at 2-3 sculptures.
• Friday - Morning - Meet to caravan to Salvation Mountain, Slab City, Sonny Bono Wildlife Preserve, Later Afternoon-evening - Bombay Beach sunset and night photography.
• Saturday - Morning - Living Desert Zoo - Head home.

There will be a variety of photography opportunities, including wildlife, night photography, lightpainting, zoo, and landmarks. You will need a wide-angle lens for night photography, long lens for the Sonny Bono WIldlife Preserve, and a medium zoom lens for the zoo and other activities. Also a remote trigger or intervalometer and a tripod for night photography.

Bring a chair for sitting, a hat, sunscreen, extra water and snacks.

We are looking at hotels in Indio due to room prices - Options are: Days Inn by Wyndham Indio - $146/night, Motel 5 Indio $117/night, Rodeway Inn near Coachella - $108/night, Budget Inn Motel Indio $64/night. These hotels are all fairly close to each other in Indio.

If you have any questions, call Kathy at 661.317.1884 or email her at kc_newman2001@yahoo.com

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On January 24, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association is excited to head down to the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve to do some early morning bird photography.  It is known to be a great birding location, especially in the early morning. This field trip will help you practice bird-in-flight techniques, long-lens composition, autofocus tracking and burst shooting, and working with changing light and backgrounds. You are welcome to photograph at your own pace, explore different trails or shoot alongside fellow members for shared learning and inspiration.

Suzanne LeRoy has volunteered to be our guide.

Place/Time: We will meet in the parking lot closest to the basin (it has restrooms) at 6:30 a.m. and then head out to find some great bird photography. We are hoping for some beautiful sunrise mist to enhance the photos. 

Directions: 14 South, 5 South, 405 South to Burbank Blvd, turn right. Turn right on Woodley, Follow sign to Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve (See map)

What to bring:

•     Jacket (it will be in the low 40s) and comfortable walking shoes
•     Wide lens and long lens (for environmental and close-up bird shots)
•     Tripod (helpful for low light and heavy lenses)
•     Extra batteries and memory cards (if needed)
•     Practice with auto-tracking focus mode and back-button focus for the best images

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On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Lancaster Photography Association will practice our Architecture photography skills with a field trip to Caltech in Pasadena. It is known for its blend of historic Mediterranean Revival buildings, modern scientific facilities, and beautifully manicured courtyards. There are elegant arches and colonnades, reflecting pools, courtyards, and fountains, geometric facades and bold contemporary forms all available on the Caltech campus. 

You will be able to sharpen your architectural photography skills - from capturing grand exteriors to discovering subtle architectural details. Make sure to look for light and shadow, vanishing points, patterns, and compelling angles highlighting form and structure.

We also hope to have time before sunset to go to the Colorado Street Bridge area after Caltech. Then we will grab some dinner and head home. 

The theme for our next competition in January is Architecture, so this will give you some great options!

Bring: Your camera and wide-angle lens. A polarizer will help manage reflections. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, and bring a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Place: Meet on Del Mar Boulevard at the Neuroscience Research Building (corner of Wilson Ave and Del Mar Blvd)

Parking: Grant Park (232 South Michigan Street - street parking, with bathrooms available) or North Wilson Parking structure at 341 S. WIlson Ave, Pasadena, CA - Free on weekends.

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On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, LPA will gather in the Sequoia National Forest to go fishing for airplanes. (Fishing, not catching). We will be sitting on a hillside, amongst the bushes and boulders, as aircraft MIGHT come through the canyon at low levels and high speeds (500 feet, 500 knots). We could get traffic from Edwards AFB, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Air National Guard planes from Fresno, Nellis AFB or other places. Planes we MIGHT see could include F35s, T38s, F/18s, F15s, odd and assorted helicopters, perhaps some surprises or unicorns. (Cargo planes, bombers, F117s COULD come through, again....nothing is ever guaranteed)

We will depart the Sierra Gateway Market (13432 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238) at 8:00 A.M. Get there early to grab snacks, drinks, use the restroom, get gas, etc. We will caravan about 14 miles to the turnoff, then head one mile up a very well-maintained dirt road (easily passable with a passenger car) to where we'll park. It's about a 300 foot walk to where we will sit to watch the planes. It's not a strenuous hike, but it is in between the bushes, and you want to watch for rocks, stumps, and other tripping hazards. It's an easy walk.

Things you need to know:

• There is NO SCHEDULE for the flights. We are NOT guaranteed any traffic, and we do NOT know when or if anything is coming.
• We are on the side of a hill. There are NO facilities. There are pit-style toilets a mile away at a campground.
• There is no cell signal.
• Things to bring:
  • Camera with the longest lens you have. I shoot with a 180-600 mm.
    • Empty/extra memory cards
    • Full/extra batteries
  • Folding, camping-style chair
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Scanner (optional) - sometimes we get warning, sometimes we don't
  • Patience. We can go an hour or two between passes. (Did I mention there's no set schedule, nor guarantee that we'll see anything?)

The planes can come through anywhere from sunrise to sunset. My goal is to be in location and set up by 9AM. We usually stay until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Remember, we have a 3(ish) hour drive home. Some may choose to stay in Kernville the night before or after the trip. There are decent motels, restaurants, stores in town.

Hit me with Questions - Andrew (805)512-2277

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