Twelve of us participated in the first LPA 2010 Wildflower Workshop, led by Noella Ballenger, based out of the home of Helen and Jerry Henry.
We were amazed by the Henry's Hacienda. It felt like a Bed and Breakfast...and the view of the poppy reserve was awesome! I discovered we had a "famous" castle in the AV, “Shea’s Castle” and learned online that Roy Rogers trained his horse Trigger there... and a few horror flicks were filmed there too.
Led by David & Chris Wilkins
Ahhhhhhhh… what a fun trip!!!
The fun started a week before, when all who signed up for the trip were invited to a potluck chili dinner at the home of Sue & Paul. David passed out a list of photo sites with the locations to be at sunrise and sunset, and shared photo tips. Sue shared a list of gear to take, which included all the usual camera stuff, plus thermals, hand warmers, snow boots, Yak Trax (shoe stabilizers for walking on ice), snow chains, and radios. We watched landscape photographer Steve Kossack’s DVD Yosemite in the Winter.
David and Chris Wilkins arranged this field trip to Red Rock Canyon to photograph star trails on a cold dark moonless night in January. Seven of us showed up for the adventure (David/Chris Wilkins, Paul/Sue Craft, Bill/Leslie Sutton, and Anita Kratofil).
David and Chris staked out a campsite, tossed the charcoal into the fire pit, tossed a match, and got the coals all hot and glowing, and ready for all of us to toss in our “Hobo Packets” to cook our dinner. A “Hobo Packet” consists of whatever meats and veggies you want, with seasonings, all wrapped up in heavy duty aluminum foil to withstand the heat of being directly cooked upon the coals. The aroma emanating from the hobo packets was heavenly!
Our photo adventure began at the Coffee Cantina in Frazier Park. Yummy Mochas! Eighteen photographers met, and ride sharing was arranged. After a quick cup of coffee, the group headed out to catch the nice morning light.
Our first stop was in Cuddy Valley, where we were greeting by a very inquisitive llama. A grove of brilliant yellow Cottonwood Trees was waiting to be photographed. Old farm equipment and wooden wagons were nearby.
Another great trip!!! Twenty four of us had a blast photographing, and enjoying each others company.
To kick off the event, generate excitement, share information, and answer questions, a potluck was held the Sunday before at the home of Tylene and Marty Trout. After a yummy BBQ, fifteen trip takers sat around the fire pit, and David, Tylene and Sue all shared photo tips on star trail photography, sunrise/sunset, and Bodie.
Sea Gulls to the left, right, straight ahead and behind. It seemed like a scene straight out of Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds”.
In case you haven’t seen it, it is a movie where the gulls and other birds mass and attack people and buildings. It resonates with me especially since Chris and I were married in the Church at Bodega and lived in Bodega Bay (where “The Birds” was filmed) for two years. But no, I was only on Anacapa Island and the gulls didn’t draw blood. They did let you know when they thought you were invading their territory by making noise and strafing attacks.
On May 17th, Glenn Olson and Lyle Trusty lead a local field trip to Willow Springs.
This was one of the largest attended trips in a long time. Somewhere around 40 people signed up to go and I believe about 30 showed up.
I think the huge attendance was a combination of the fact that it was fairly close to home and held on a Sunday when most people were available. The free admission that Glenn had arranged didn't hurt either (a $10 benefit).
Great trip, great photographs.
