GVR Photography Club upcoming events

Sunset with the Bats - Broadway Blvd Bridge - Friday 07/24/2026 (07/24/2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:45:00 GMT

Sunset with the Bats - Broadway Blvd Bridge - Friday 07/24/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Join us at sunset as we watch thousands of bats come out of their man-made roosts below the East Broadway Boulevard Bridge in Tucson to feed!

Compared to other places, we have many bat species living in and around Tucson. The most common are the Mexican free-tailed bats. Those roost in the thousands, and 99.9% of the time, if you guessed you saw a Mexican free-tailed bat fly out from beneath a bridge, you’d be correct.

The large roosts we see under the bridges are maternity roosts. The females arrive here in April already pregnant. Over the summer, the females give birth to their young – one pup per female in June or July. In the fall, usually around September, they fly back to Mexico with their offspring. In the meantime, the females and their pups come out around dusk to eat. With the sunset as a natural backdrop, it’s an amazing sight to see. And the Broadway Bridge is one of the region's most popular viewing spots.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 3:45 PM for carpooling, departing at 4:15 PM. Comfortable shoes, water, a tripod and a folding chair are suggested. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $2.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

We’ll stop first at Little Anthony's Diner located at 7010 East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson for an optional no-host dinner. Check out their menu here. Who knows, you may even catch sight of Elvis and Marilyn while we're dining.

We’ll depart Little Anthony's by 6:30 PM for the short drive to the Broadway Boulevard Bridge, which is conveniently located near the Hilton Tucson East Parking Lot (7600 East Broadway Boulevard). Upon arrival, you’ll have time to set up and get ready for nature’s amazing show. We never know precisely when the bats will start heading out, so we’ll be sure to get there in ample time. The “show” should end shortly after dusk, at which time we’ll head back to Green Valley.

Tom Parker will be our trip leader. Contact Tom at 618-304-1456 or email at tparker324@aol.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.

GVR requires that every person participating in the club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs if you haven't already done so.

The last date to cancel for a refund is July 17, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Tom as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.

Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement. To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.

We will no longer meet in the parking lot. We will meet in the GVR Photography Club where you will scan your GVR card confirming your eligibility to go on the trip. We’ll also review important/late-breaking information, pair up drivers and riders, provide driving directions, and give participants a chance to visit the restrooms prior to departure. Again, be sure to have your GVR card with you.

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Night Ops at Pima Air and Space Museum AND the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum – Saturday 07/25/2026 (07/25/2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Night Ops at Pima Air and Space Museum AND the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum – Saturday 07/25/2026

Trip Cost $18.00

Night Ops is a unique summer event that enables you to experience both the Pima Air & Space Museum and the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum during the cooler evening hours.

First, take a tour of one of the largest non-governmental air and space museums in the world. You’ll be fascinated by approximately 400 historical aircraft and spacecraft from the United States and around the world. Check out the Spirit of Freedom Hangar featuring many historic and iconic aircraft as well as the Flight Grill and Museum Store. Three World War II hangars feature bombers such as the B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and B-29 Superfortress; fighters like the P-51 Mustang and P-40 Warhawk; and transport and utility aircraft such as the C-47 Skytrain. The Aerospace Gallery includes the capsule from the movie Apollo 13, exhibits highlighting the space race, and the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. Learn more about the museum here. For Night Ops, you'll also be able to tour NASA’s now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft, a Boeing 747-SP.

Then visit one of the area's newest museums. Opened in March 2025, the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum houses over 60 vehicles including armored personnel carriers, tanks, artillery and amphibious vehicles from World War I through the Gulf War - over 60 vehicles in all.

You'll be given a wrist band enabling you to visit both museums. A shuttle between the museums will run between 5:30 and 8:45 PM. You may also drive your own vehicle between the two parking lots.

For a nominal fee, you can take a ride in a military vehicle or try your hand piloting a flight simulator.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 3:30 PM for carpooling, departure at 4:00 PM. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat or sunshade and bring water. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

THIS TOUR WILL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE WALKING AND STANDING.

You may bring your own water, but no outside food or beverages are allowed. You can enjoy snacks on your own at the Flight Grill, which will be open until 7:30 PM.

Tom Parker will be our trip leader. Contact Tom at 618-304-1456 or tparker324@aol.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.

The last date to cancel for a refund is July 18, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Tom as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Field Trip Committee (08/05/2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The field trip committee meeting is held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is an opportunity for committee members to discuss upcoming field trips.

We will be meeting at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Sunset with the Bats - Elephant Head Bridge - Thursday 08/06/2026 (08/06/2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Sunset with the Bats - Elephant Head Bridge - Thursday 08/06/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Join us at sunset as we watch hundreds, if not thousands, of bats come out of their man-made roosts to feed!

The large roosts we see under the bridges are maternity roosts. The females arrive here in April already pregnant. Over the summer, the females give birth to their young – one pup per female in June or July. In the fall, usually around September, they fly back to Mexico with their offspring. In the meantime, the females and their pups come out around dusk to eat. With the sunset as a natural backdrop, it’s an amazing sight to see. And we’ll be checking them out within minutes of Green Valley.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 6:00 PM for carpooling, departing at 6:15 PM. Comfortable shoes, water, insect repellant, a tripod and a folding chair are suggested. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $2.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver. We should arrive at the viewing site -- the Elephant Head Road bridge over the Santa Cruz River -- by 6:30 PM.

Upon arrival, you’ll have time to set up and get ready for nature’s amazing show. We never know precisely when the bats will start heading out, so we’ll be sure to get there in ample time. The tour should end shortly after dusk.

GVR requires that every person participating in club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs if you haven't already done so.

The last date to cancel for a refund is July 30, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Tom as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Bird/Nature Photography: The Paton Center for Hummingbirds - Wednesday 08/12/2026 (08/12/2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Bird/Nature Photography: The Paton Center for Hummingbirds - Wednesday 08/12/2026

Trip Cost: $10

NOTE: This trip is designed especially for those members who have mobility issues. There is a covered sitting area which is easily accessed through a beautiful butterfly garden. You can simply sit and enjoy/photograph the birds.

Located on the edge of Patagonia, the Tucson Bird Alliance's Paton Center for Hummingbirds is a place to explore and experience the special birds of southeast Arizona. It is dedicated to the celebration and conservation of hummingbirds—and all of southeast Arizona’s astounding biodiversity—through recreation, education, and sustainable living. 213 bird species have been reported for this cozy home lot on the outskirts of Patagonia, including Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, Gray Hawks, Varied Buntings, Thick-billed Kingbirds, and many more local specialties.

If you have binoculars, you may want to bring them along. A small notebook and pen or pencil would be useful to record your sightings. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended.

Following our visit to the Paton Center, you're invited to a no-host lunch at the Velvet Elvis located at 335 McKeown Avenue in Patagonia.

Meet at the Photography Club at 7:30 AM for carpooling, departure at 8:00 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $15.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver for gas.

Denise LeCount-O'Brien will be our trip leader. Contact Denise at 309-830-0177 or email her at rurt2dede@gmail.com with any questions. She will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.

The last date to cancel for a refund is August 5, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Denise as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Colossal Caves Guided Tour - Thursday 08/20/2026 (08/20/2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:15:00 GMT

Colossal Caves Guided Tour - Thursday 08/20/2026

Trip Cost: $27

THIS TOUR WILL INVOLVE WALKING IN A DIMLY LIT CAVE FOR ½ MILE AND TAKES 45-60 MINUTES TO COMPLETE. If you are claustrophobic or have mobility issues, this is not the field trip for you.

Colossal Cave is one of the largest dry caves in north America and was recognized in Tripadvisor's® Travelers' Choice® Awards for 2026 as one of the top 10% of places in the world to travel. On this guided tour, you’ll learn about the Cave’s history, its legends (like train robbers and ghosts), and its unique geology. As you gradually descend approximately six stories deep (363 stair steps) you’ll see some amazing cave formations including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, box work, and helictites that were sculpted by millions of years of geological activity.

The guided tour of Colossal Cave begins at 10:00 AM. No special gear is needed on this tour, just wear comfortable walking shoes. Regardless of the temperature outside, the temperature in the cave is a constant 70°. There are three sets of stairs that are steep with about 20 steps each. Some of the steps are narrow so you'll need to navigate carefully.

You may take photographs inside the cave; however, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED. While the tour is dimly lit, there is enough light to navigate and take photographs, just make sure you set a high ISO on your camera, or set your ISO on automatic.

Following the tour, participants are invited to a no-host lunch at Montgomery's Grill and Saloon located at 13190 E Colossal Cave Road, Suite #190 in Vail.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:15 AM for carpooling, departing at 8:30 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $10.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

Danny Valenzuela will be our trip leader. Contact Danny at 602-568-5759 or email at dvsundevil@gmail.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.

The last date to cancel for a refund is August 13, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Danny as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park - Thursday 08/27/2026 (08/27/2026)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:45:00 GMT

Bird/Nature Photography: Agua Caliente Park - Thursday 08/27/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, is a unique 101-acre park that features a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mix of plants and animals. Agua Caliente Park has a long and interesting history with evidence of human habitation dating back about 5,500 years. In 1873, a ranch and health resort was developed to promote the curative properties of the warm springs. In 1984 local businessman Roy P. Drachman donated over $200,000 toward the purchase of Agua Caliente Ranch and Pima County named the park in honor of this contribution. Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park opened to the public on January 19, 1985. On July 9, 2009, Agua Caliente Ranch Rural Historic Landscape was placed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Improvements have added modern conveniences without eliminating the historical aspects of the park. Renovation of the main pond was completed in July 2020. It consisted of grading and deepening the pond and installing a polymer liner to reduce pond seepage to conserve water. A bridge to the island was reconstructed after many years of inaccessibility. The ponds support diverse wildlife habitat and the lush environment that visitors have come to expect when visiting the park.

Following the trip to Agua Caliente Park, you're invited to a no-host lunch at Saguaro Corners located at 3750 South Old Spanish Trail in Tucson.

Meet at the Photography Club at 7:45 AM for carpooling, departure at 8:15. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $10.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver for gas.

The last date to cancel for a refund is August 20, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Denise as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Field Trip Committee (09/02/2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The field trip committee meeting is held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is an opportunity for committee members to discuss upcoming field trips.

We will be meeting at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Sunset with the Bats - Campbell Ave Bridge - Thursday 09/10/2026 (09/10/2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Sunset with the Bats - Campbell Ave Bridge - Thursday 09/10/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Join us at sunset as we watch thousands of bats come out of their man-made roosts below the Campbell Avenue Bridge in Tucson to feed!

The large roosts we see under the bridges are maternity roosts. The females arrive here in April already pregnant. Over the summer, the females give birth to their young – one pup per female in June or July. In the fall, usually around September, they fly back to Mexico with their offspring. In the meantime, the females and their pups come out around dusk to eat. With the sunset as a natural backdrop, it’s an amazing sight to see. And the Campbell Avenue Bridge is one of the region's most popular viewing spots.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 3:30 PM for carpooling, departing at 3:45 PM. Comfortable shoes, water, a tripod and a folding chair are suggested. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

We’ll stop first at Villa Peru, 1745 East River Road, Suite #165 in Tucson for an optional no-host dinner. Check out their dinner menu here.

We’ll depart Villa Peru by 5:30 PM for the short drive to the Campbell Avenue Bridge. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to set up and get ready for nature’s amazing show. We never know precisely when the bats will start heading out, so we’ll be sure to get there in ample time. The “show” should end shortly after dusk, at which time we’ll head back to Green Valley.

Darrell Rude will be our trip leader. Contact Darrell at 907-227-4244 or email at akphoto@ak.net with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.

The last date to cancel for a refund is September 3, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Darrell as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Skydive Arizona: Women's Upright World Record Training Camp - Saturday 09/19/2026 (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Skydive Arizona: Women's Upright World Record Training Camp - Saturday 09/19/2026

Trip Cost: $10

The Women’s Upright (head-up or stand) freefall skydiving world record is a 96-way formation. Set in 2024 over the skies in Eloy, Arizona, this achievement required 96 female skydivers to link up in a head-up orientation and maintain the formation in mid-air. Event organizers are again hosting this year's event at Skydive Arizona™ to train large-formation upright flying skills and to select team members for the Women's Upright World Record attempt.

Founded in 1986, Skydive Arizona™ has become the world’s largest skydiving center. Spread across nearly 90 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert midway between Phoenix & Tucson, Skydive Arizona’s fleet can put up to 240 skydivers in the air at one time!

Skydivers all over the world have recognized that Skydive Arizona™ is different from any other drop zone. Although close to major highways, there is vast, open desert all around, providing for ample landing zones. There are three well-maintained grass landing areas to make life easier on skydivers and their gear. Skydive Arizona™ has invested heavily in the sport of competitive skydiving and are proud to sponsor Arizona Airspeed — the winningest skydiving team in history. They've hosted every major world skydiving competition, and multiple world records have been set here.

There's a set of bleachers where you can photograph parachutists coming into the main landing area which can be pretty exciting. There are also picnic tables and benches dispersed throughout the complex. If you want a guaranteed seat, you can bring a camping chair from home. Just be mindful that operations are geared toward jump operations and that some of the facilities may be off limits to spectators.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 7:30 AM for carpooling, departing at 8:00 AM. Comfortable shoes, water, headgear, and sunscreen are suggested. Be sure to bring your telephoto lens and binoculars so you can observe people in free-fall. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $15.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

The Bent Prop Saloon and Cookery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located close to the landing zone. Check out their menu here. You can chow down whenever the urge strikes.

The last date to cancel for a refund is September 12, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Tom as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Field Trip Committee (10/07/2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The field trip committee meeting is held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is an opportunity for committee members to discuss upcoming field trips.

We will be meeting at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Bird/Nature Photography: Peña Blanca Lake - Monday 10/19/2026 (10/19/2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:45:00 GMT

Bird/Nature Photography: Peña Blanca Lake - Monday 10/19/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Designated as an Arizona Important Bird Areas Program site, Peña Blanca Lake is an artificial 49-acre waterbody nestled in the rocky outcrops of the Coronado National Forest. The lake is one of many exceptional birding opportunities in the area that comprise the Atascosa Highlands Important Bird Area. Waders and waterfowl abound here, including black-necked stilts and American avocets, pied-billed grebes and several species of duck. Try the West Shore Trail to an old dam and keep your eyes out for gray hawk, northern beardless-tyrannulet, and the secretive Montezuma’s quail that can be found in the hillsides surrounding the lake.

Following the trip to Peña Blanca Lake, you're invited to a no-host lunch at La Bocanita Seafood Restaurant located at 1185 Circulo Mercado in in Rio Rico.

The last date to cancel for a refund is October 12, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Denise as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.

Field Trip Committee (11/04/2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The field trip committee meeting is held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is an opportunity for committee members to discuss upcoming field trips.

We will be meeting at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Field Trip Committee (12/02/2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The field trip committee meeting is held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is an opportunity for committee members to discuss upcoming field trips.

We will be meeting at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.