Lake Marmo and Sterling Pond – November 2, 2019
Eight members signed up for this outing to meet the morning sun. Well, a bit on the chilly side with the sun hiding behind the clouds members took advantage of the situation as long as they were there! The Fall color was great and the sun did pop up now and then for some wonderful chances. Some members also saw deer and Blue Herons!
Images can be viewed here!
Starved Rock – October 19, 2019
This outing had fifteen people signed up for a bus trip to the Rock. Days before going, three canceled, three drove their own cars, leaving 9 people to ride the bus. The bus ride had very comfortable seating and we quickly arrived at the parking lot at 8:15 am.
The members paired off on their separate excursions. For those who took the route from French canyon to Pontiac canyon, to Wild Cat canyon, to the river front path then back to the French canyon found it to be exhausting traversing over hundreds of steps mostly going up. To add insult to injury, the walk up to the lodge for lunch we encountered another set of steps, at least a hundred if not more!
Everyone was back in the bus before 2:00 pm for the ride back. We arrived at the Walmart parking lot by 3:15 pm.
Images can be viewed here!
Sagawau Canyon – October 4, 2019
This outing had eight of the ten members show up for the rare opportunity to photograph the Sagawau Canyon. Two members with tripods were the first to follow and descend the narrow stairway down to the canyon floor. There was up to two feet of water rapidly flowing amongst the rocks. The main rule was not to trample over the lichens and mosses and other protected plants. When the first two members reached the halfway point, the guide went back for more members. The guide came back for the first two members as they approached the waterfall and climbed up the rocky steps along the rock wall. A trail led them out of the canyon and were able to photograph the falls below and above the bridge. Everyone met back at the picnic area at the end of the excursion.
Three members decided to go to check out the Sag quarry where they saw a lot of geese, a cormorant and crane at a distance high in a tree. However, there was this unusual white duck that we couldn’t identify. It kind of looked like a large sized mallard.
Three members ended the outing with lunch at Portillo’s.
Images can be viewed here!
Heritage Village – September 12, 2019
Five people had the opportunity to photograph the interiors of the Calaboose, Wells Corner One-Room Schoolhouse, Greenho Farmhouse, Wabash Railroad Depot, and the Smokehouse. Antique dolls, furniture, looms, pianos, kitchen tools, covered bed, stoves, glasses, books, bells, maps, travel gear and much more. Hundreds of images using wide angle and macro photography were taken by those lucky members.
Images can be viewed here.
Nina Koziol Garden – August 24, 2019
Nine people were in awe photographing all the flowers, plants, and interesting objects in Nina’s garden. Her garden is absolutely huge and even though it is late in the season for some flowers, the photographic opportunity was there waiting for us. It was a cool morning for an early start but soon the sun peaked over the tops of the trees from the east to brighten up the garden for some excellent shooting.
Images can be viewed here.
Illinois Railway Museum – August 10, 2019
On Saturday August 10th, MAPS members traveled to Union, IL to visit the Illinois Railway Museum and the Diesel Days event. The warm, dry weather allowed our MAPS photographers to investigate and explore the grounds and events at Diesel Days. We explored the grounds and the many operating diesels, steam locomotives, and railroad equipment offered by the museum. Diesels operated throughout the day and were switched between trains or yard work throughout the day. Some members explored the backlots and train sheds in depth to obtain their own unique photos from the day. When members got warm, they were able to enjoy an ice cream, beverage, or a burger at the Diner on-site.
Everyone who visited enjoyed the warm weather and Diesel Day event at the Museum. Several MAPS members stayed into the late afternoon hours, continuing their exploration and photographic possibilities.
Images can be viewed here.
Chicago Botanic Garden – July 13, 2019
Fifteen MAPS members visited the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was a hot day and difficult to find shade but there was beauty all around. The gardens were spectacular. We met at the Visitor Center by 8:00 AM. The members paired off or went individually to photograph the 385 acres of various gardens.
There was the Daylily Society daylily Show and the Bromeliad Society Show to visit. In fact, there were gorgeous displays of colorful daylilies in the Landscape and Lakeside gardens. Some members captured the rainbow from the Esplanade fountain! Some of the flowers displayed were Weigela, Speedwell, Meadow rue, Roses, Clematis, Cone flowers, Lilies and more than you can photograph in a few short hours.
At the end members met for refreshments, lunch, and good conversation in the coolness of the garden’s restaurant. We’re sure each one was able to capture some of the beauty in their lens. We are so blessed to have the Morton Arboretum and the Botanic Garden so readily available to our members.
Images can be viewed here.
Little Red School House – June 27, 2019
A very beautiful morning greeted 9 MAPS members for the wild life photo shoot at the Little Red School House. Members were able to point their lenses to Ospry, Green Herons, Frogs, Song birds such as Gold Finches, Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and even a couple pairs of Humming birds.
Images can be viewed here.
Brookfield Zoo with Jim Schulz – June 20, 2019
The rain ceased early Thursday morning just before Jim Schulz met with 27 members at the South gate employee entrance at 9:30 AM for a fabulous opportunity of photography. Jim led the group to the Southwest area of the zoo to visit the Great Bear Wilderness, Habitat Africa, the Savannah, as well as Feathers and Scales. Along the way we photographed some Peacocks with new chicks, and pelicans, at the Formal Pool. Passing through the Great Bear Wilderness we photographed Bison, African Painted Dog, Reticulated Giraffe, an Eagle, a Wolf, Polar Bear, and Grizzly Bear. Around 11:30 AM Jim left the group at the Feathers and Scales building where we were shooting tropical bird species, snakes, and lizards.
Everybody had a great time. Some of the members continued shooting other animals at the zoo. Next spring we hope to meet Jim with a smaller group to see “behind the scenes” action at the zoo!
Images can be viewed here.
McDowell Grove – May 18, 2019
Approximately seventeen MAPS members gathered for a photo outing at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville on Saturday May 18, 2019. The weather turned out to be excellent for a photographic outing. Some of the members walked to Mud Lake on the north end of the park. Falwell Dam, a limestone dam constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps on the West Branch of the DuPage River and situated at the south end of the park was visited by several of our photographers. Along the three mile stretch of the West Branch of the DuPage River there were numerous opportunities to obtain river landscape images. A variety of songbirds were noted at several locations within the park.
Images can be viewed here.
Wolf Road Prairie – June 1, 2019
A handful of MAPS members drove to Wolf Rd. Prairie to capture images in this unique spot paved with sidewalks during the Great Depression. There were several varieties of wildflowers as well as a few birds that captured our interest, This prairies is a great spot all during the summer months. Something new is always blooming every week. After the outing we went to Butterfields for food and conversation.
Images can be viewed here.
Hausermann’s Orchid Nursery – April 13, 2019
More than 20 MAPS members met at Hausermann’s Orchid Nursery. They were generous to let us come in early before they opened to the public. Many of us found favorite blooms that were photographed for nearly two hours using our elaborate set-ups. Others wanted to take images of every different kind of orchid Hausermanns had to offer. Afterward about half the participants went out to brunch.
Images can be viewed here.
Black and White Macro Outing – March 23, 2019
Twenty five MAPS members enjoyed a morning of experimenting with different lighting scenarios set up in the spacious PROCAM photo studio in Aurora. A big THANK YOU is extended to Bill for his demonstration on lighting, lighting effects, tripods, and hints on macro photography. Members were also awarded 10% discounts on purchases and equipment rentals. Two of our members won a raffle and Facebook selfie contest for cash!
Several members of the group brought and shared nature-related props such as shells, flowers and dried leaves to pair with antique watches, cameras and containers. Everyone designed their own setup to photograph and after making their way around the tables. All were all treated to a pizza lunch generously provided by PROCAM. Thank you again, PROCAM, for providing MAPS with the opportunity to work with indoor lighting and a place to shoot nature indoors!
Images can be viewed here.
Rock Run Rookery – March 27, 2019
Fifteen members chose this beautiful Wednesday morning to photograph the Rock Run Rookery Preserve. The submerging loon, coots, turkey vultures, herons, and geese entertained the crowd for a couple of hours. Some members also visited surrounding locations such as McKinley Woods to try their luck for pelicans.
Images can be viewed here.