Leapin’ wildflowers

Sunflowers by Janet Ballard

Sunflowers by Janet Ballard

Wildflowers are blooming. With the rain last year, the predictions for a wonderful year of flowers is upon us. Let’s leap into spring a little early with or without our trusty groundhog to lead the way. Local areas not too far can be found if you head east towards the Superstition Mountains or west towards the Estrella Mountains. Either direction, you can find interesting compositions with the landscapes, cactus, starry skies and possibly some remnants of wintry snow. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Picket Post, Picacho Peak and Saddle Mountain are a few locations to check out.

Our spotlight image of the month was taken by Janet Ballard. This beautiful image highlights a field of sunflowers as they are accented by a gorgeous sunset. The composition favors the subject and yet advantageous use of the road draws you into the exceptional use of time of day. Well done, Janet!

The Spring Round Up is ready to lasso your submissions for competition. The Arizona Camera Club Council (ACCC) will once again be seeing red. This year’s Rotating subject is “Red.” Our hosts this spring 2016 will be the West Valley Photo and SC Festival Digital Photo Clubs. The event will be held at the Sage Recreation Center located at 26501 W. Desert Vista Blvd. Buckeye, AZ 85396. Save the date of Saturday, March 12. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. Bruce Taubert will share his extraordinary knowledge on Macro and Hummingbird Photography. Not-to-be-missed! Please contact Mac Davey to coordinate your prints for submission at your earliest convenience if you have not done so already at [email protected].

Fundamentals of Digital Photography is underway to a smashing success. All class members be sure to stop by a Sun Lakes Camera Club meeting or competition to find out more details of how to become a member, if not one already! Any first or third Thursday of each month through April. We look forward to seeing you!

Scavenger Hunt 2016 has begun! Be sure to coordinate with your group leaders about our topics, submission parameters and deadlines. Each group can coordinate outings of their own when time permits while wrapping up their shoots with lunch and/or dinner. Let’s get out and capture our beautiful state of Arizona. Most of all, have fun! Contact John Livoti for group details, information and any questions you may have.

The Sun Lakes Camera Club (SLCC) meets the first and third Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club starting in October through April. In the summer months, the club meets the first Thursday of each month in the Ceramics Room at the Cottonwood Country Club from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. For more information about the SLCC, please contact the following: President John Livoti at 480-895-6880; Vice President Burt Williams at 602-354-0266 or past President Fred Giese at 480-220-4394; visit us at sunlakescameraclub.com.