GVR Photography Club upcoming events

Rolling Thru Time Auto Museum - Friday 09/25/2026 (09/25/2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:45:00 GMT

Rolling Thru Time Auto Museum^TM - Friday 09/25/2026

Trip Cost $15.00

Rolling Thru Time Auto Museum is a relatively new 77,000-square-foot automotive museum in Tucson. The mission is clear -- to educate visitors about the history of automobiles and their significance in American life while providing a platform for local clubs and historians to share their stories. The museum features vehicles from every decade. There are galleries featuring tractors and farm equipment, and a fire station complete with all manner of fire-fighting vehicles and equipment. As noted on their website, behind every classic vehicle lies a story of innovation and passion that has shaped the road we travel today. As it moves forward, the museum remains committed to ensuring that the legacy of the automobile continues to roll through time for years to come. Additionally, their gift shop offers a fabulous selection of automotive-themed gifts, collectibles, and memorabilia that delight all ages.

Additional information about the Rolling Thru Time Museum is available here.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:45 AM for carpooling, departure at 9:15 AM. 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.

Upon arrival, you’re welcome to explore and photograph the museum’s five unique galleries and its many exhibits. Use of tripods and flash equipment is permitted. The tour should end around noon.

Following the tour, participants are invited to a no-host lunch at Barrio Brewing Company, 800 East 16^th Street in Tucson, where the trip will end about 1:30 PM. Find more information about Barrio Brewing here. We should be back in Green Valley around 3:00 PM.

The tour involves extensive walking and standing. Club members with mobility issues may find this tour challenging, although there are places throughout the museum to sit.

Danny Valenzuela will be our trip leader. Contact Danny at 602-568-5759 or 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.

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 September 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 Danny 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.

Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drums Behind-the-Scenes - Saturday 09/26/2026 (09/26/2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drums Behind-the-Scenes - Saturday 09/26/2026

Trip Cost: $15

Please Note: Do not wear perfumes, scented lotions or glitter since the studio is a glitter- and scent-free space.

Odaiko Sonora is Tucson's taiko, or Japanese ensemble drumming group. Serving southern AZ since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. They do this each year through classes and master workshops, performances, school residencies, team building workshops and by producing concerts that include internationally acclaimed taiko artists. Learn more about Odaiko Sonora here.

Taiko is most beautiful when players are performing in unison, with musicality and proper technique, striving for accuracy and focus. With over 60 appearances — for over 150,000 people each year — these players are committed to taiko as a performing art form. Performances vary from outdoor festivals to private parties to staged theatrical productions. Dedication, rigorous training, creative contribution, flexibility and a great attitude define these players. As with most things, practice makes perfect!

We’ll have a rare opportunity to observe, photograph and video one of Odaiko Sonora’s Community Group practice sessions. Their Community Group is for players who wish to work together as a group to increase skill levels, expand their repertoire, and work towards community performances 3–5 times a year. Check out this YouTube video to get an idea of the treat that’s in store for you.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 7:00 AM for carpooling, departure at 7:30 AM. Please do not wear perfumes, scented lotions or glitter since the studio is a glitter- and scent-free space. 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.

We’ll drive to the RiP Factory located at 1013 South Tyndall Avenue in Tucson for the 8:30 AM practice session. To avoid distracting the performers, flash photography is not allowed. Tripods are fine provided they can be moved to ensure performers can access personal items/water bottles during breaks. The session should end at 10:30 AM, followed by a short Q&A session where you’re invited to ask about the instruments and the taiko art form.

Following the practice session, participants are invited to an optional no-host lunch – a teppanyaki (hibachi) dining experience involving a different kind of performance -- at Hana Tokyo, 5435 South Calle Santa Cruz, Suite #185 in Tucson (in the Tucson Spectrum Shopping Mall next to Harkins Theatres). Find more information about Hana Tokyo here.

Monica Parker will be the trip leader. For questions call Monica at 618 304-1164 or email at mparker582@aol.com. 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 September 19, 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 Monica as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

NOTICE:

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.

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

Center for Creative Photography (CCP) - Wednesday 10/07/2026 (10/07/2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Center for Creative Photography (CCP) - Wednesday 10/07/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Founded in 1975 by photographer Ansel Adams and the University of Arizona’s then-president, Dr. John P. Schaefer, the Center for Creative Photography is the largest institution in North America devoted to the research and exhibition of photography. Beginning with the archives of five photographers—Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Frederick Sommer—today, the CCP stewards more than three hundred archival collections of photographers, scholars, galleries, authors, and organizations, complemented by unparalleled holdings of some 120,000 fine prints and an extensive oral history collection.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 9:00 AM for carpooling, departing at 9:15 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $2.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

Upon arrival, we will be provided an overview of the Center's history, its mission statement, and a tour of their facilities. Following the tour, we'll explore CCP's brand new exhibit where we'll “meet” a menagerie of furry, finned, and feathered friends depicted across more than 100 photographs and archival objects from the CCP’s collection. Animality: 100 Years of Photographs features a wide range of photographic formats, a diverse group of photographers, and all manner of animals across a century of time.

You're welcome to take photos in the gallery unless otherwise noted. For the safety of the works and to protect the copyright privileges of their creators, CCP asks that you please follow these guidelines:

Photographs are for personal use only and may not be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed or commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.
The use of flash or other supplemental light is not permitted.
Selfie sticks and tripods are prohibited.

Following the visit to CCP, you're invited to a no-host lunch. Details will be provided later.

Darrell Rude will be our trip leader. Contact Darrell at 907-227-4244 or email at akazphoto@icloud.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 September 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 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.

Field Trip Committee (10/08/2026)

Thu, 08 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 Photography Club in the Small Classroom at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Chiricahua National Monument Sunset & Night Sky - Saturday 10/10/2026 (10/10/2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 19:15:00 GMT

Chiricahua National Monument Sunset & Night Sky - Saturday 10/10/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Chiricahua National Monument preserves towering rhyolite pinnacles, balanced rocks, and mountain landscapes shaped by volcanic forces in southeastern Arizona. Visitors explore scenic drives, hiking trails, and campgrounds beneath dark night skies - Chiricahua provides rich scenic views from all areas of the park. Rising between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, the monument supports diverse wildlife and protects a rich cultural history tied to Indigenous peoples, Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers, ranchers, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. See thousands of balanced rocks as you drive the 8 miles up to Massai Point, Echo Canyon, and Sugarloaf. Chiricahua is a premier birding area of the country.

Chiricahua National Monument is officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park due to its exceptionally clear and dark night skies. The park sits far away from major city lights and light pollution, features clean air and low annual precipitation, with nearly 90% of the park designated as wilderness, all of which combined to create perfect conditions for stargazing. We've scheduled the trip during a New Moon phase with 0% illumination to take advantage of night sky photo opportunities.

Learn more about Chiricahua National Monument here.

October 10 offers a rare, perfect-alignment opportunity for capturing the Milky Way because it falls exactly on a New Moon. However, because October represents the absolute end of the Northern Hemisphere's Milky Way core season, our shooting window will be brief, shifting into a dramatic vertical orientation low on the southwest horizon right after twilight.

The plan is to do a late lunch/early dinner in Willcox, arrive at Chiricahua early enough to take in the park's amazing sunset, then set up and be ready to shoot the moment twilight fades. The (Milky Way's) galactic core will drop below the horizon quickly with the prime core visibility window lasting from 7:15 PM to 8:30 PM.

Following our dark sky photography session, participants are urged to stay overnight at one of the hotels in Willcox rather than risk driving back to Green Valley in a fatigued state. Each participant is responsible for arranging his/her own lodging. Find links to Willcox-area lodging here.

In the morning, you're free to return to Chiricahua to take in the park's unique features during daylight hours (no admission fee or pass is required), visit Apple Annie's, or check out other Willcox-area attractions on your own before returning to Green Valley.

Important Note: Night sky photography etiquette involves respecting the darkness, preserving other people's night vision, and minimizing disruption in natural areas. Use of red lights (headlamps and flashlights), avoiding random shining, warning others before using a light, giving others space to set up, and maintaining a quiet environment by keeping your voice low and turning off camera and smartphone sounds are just a few of the tips necessary for a fun and productive night sky photo shoot. We plan to hold a Milky Way/night sky photography refresher class before the trip -- details will follow via email.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 12:15 PM for carpooling, departing at 12:30 PM. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and be sure to dress in layers. A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $25.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

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.

The last date to cancel for a refund is October 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.

Bird/Nature Photography: The Paton Center for Hummingbirds - Thursday 10/15/2026 (10/15/2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Bird/Nature Photography: The Paton Center for Hummingbirds - Thursday 10/15/2026

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 in Patagonia (details to follow as we get closer to the event).

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.

Darrell Rude will be our trip leader. Contact Darrell at 907-227-4244 or email him at akazphoto@icloud.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 October 8, 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Skydive Arizona: World Skydiving Championships - Tuesday 10/20/2026 (10/20/2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Skydive Arizona: World Skydiving Championships - Tuesday 10/20/2026

Trip Cost: $10

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Skydiving Championships 2026 will be held from October 17–24, 2026 at Skydive Arizona, bringing together the world’s top skydiving athletes to compete across Formation Skydiving, Artistic Events, Speed Skydiving, and Canopy Piloting disciplines.

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.

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.

The last date to cancel for a refund is October 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 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.

Tucson Celtic Festival and Highland Games – Saturday 10/24/2026 (10/24/2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Tucson Celtic Festival and Highland Games – Saturday 10/24/2026

Trip Cost: Free (But be sure to register!)

Come Celebrate the Heritage and Culture of Ireland, Scotland and Wales just as it’s been done for centuries… with lots of great music, dancing, athletics and way too much fun, good food, & great friends. Enjoy the opening ceremony, parade of the bands and clans, musical performances throughout the day featuring a showcase of local Celtic bands, massed bagpipe bands, unique Celtic merchants and eateries, Scottish clans, heritage and cultural booths, Irish and Scottish dance and traditional Scottish highland games.

This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. Bring your lunch or purchase food at the festival. Additional information can be found here.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:30 AM for carpooling, departing at 9:00 AM. 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 drive to Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 North First Avenue in Tucson, where parking is free. There, you will pay your own entrance fee at the event, which for seniors 65 and over is $27.49 at the gate (or $24.34 if you purchase online)

Patty Ferguson and Monica Parker will be the trip leaders. For questions call Patty at 520-647-1264 or email at piferguson13@gmail.com. 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.

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 Patty 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.

Santa Theresa Tile Works - Tuesday 10/27/2026 (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Santa Theresa Tile Works - Tuesday 10/27/2026

Trip Cost: $50

How crafty are you?

Join us for a tile-mosaic-making workshop at the Santa Theresa Tile Works where you'll create a beautiful one-of-a-kind tile mosaic project. The workshop also includes a tour of the facilities.

Santa Theresa Tile Works makes brilliant, distinctive tile and mosaics that epitomize Tucson decorative style. Once you start noticing Santa Theresa tile, you'll begin to spot it all over town -- and across the nation. Santa Theresa Tile Works is a nonprofit organization that works to keep art accessible, rooted in place, and connected to the community. In 2016, the business was given to Imago Dei Middle School, a free private school for children from low-income families. Through collaborative ceramic art projects, public workshops, and creative learning opportunities, the organization generates earned revenue that sustains Santa Theresa Tile Works' ongoing work and directly supports the educational mission and programming of Imago Dei Middle School.

Learn more about the Santa Theresa Tile Works here.

Registration cost includes the price of a finished 4" wooden frame do-it-yourself mosaic. If you want to go with a different size or type of project, you'll just need to pay the difference at the Tile Works. Here's a copy of their price list. As noted, the price includes the frame, table or bench, tile, and setting and grouting for your do-it-yourself project. You choose your frame, compose your mosaic, and pick your grout color. Santa Theresa Tile Works will set and grout your mosaic. The trip leader will pick up the completed projects from the Tile Works, bring them back to the Photography Club, and notify you when they are ready.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:45 AM for carpooling, departing at 9:15 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

A no-host lunch will follow the tour -- details will be provided to participants via email.

Sue Ready will be our trip leader. Contact Sue at 612-240-2818 or email at suready@yahoo.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 October 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 Sue 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: Rancho Santa Cruz/Santa Gertrudis Lane - Tuesday 11/03/2026 (11/03/2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Bird/Nature Photography: Rancho Santa Cruz/Santa Gertrudis Lane - Tuesday 11/03/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Rancho Santa Cruz and Santa Gertrudis Lane are excellent spots to see berry-eating birds as well as view birds bathing in the Santa Cruz River. There are many excellent birding and nature photo opportunities nearby. Located in a fertile green valley fed by the Santa Cruz River under a canopy of large Cottonwood trees, Rancho Santa Cruz sits at almost 4,000 feet elevation, and its climate is substantially cooler and wetter than Tucson or Phoenix. The National Audubon Society recognizes Rancho Santa Cruz as part of an Important Bird Area called the Upper Santa Cruz River. Best birding is from the parking area and walking the trails to the river. Some birds observed include the Cassin Kingbird, Ladder-Backed and Gila Woodpeckers, Vermillion Flycatcher, White Breasted Nuthatch, Raven, Turkey Vulture, Gray Hawk and Abert's Towhee.

Santa Gertrudis Lane, once a major crossing of the Santa Cruz River, was closed to public traffic when Burlington Northern Railroad deemed the rail crossing on the east side of the river to be unsafe. The closing was a hardship for folks living in the hills above the river, but the lack of traffic created a peaceful sanctuary for birds and wildlife residing and migrating along the river. Santa Gertrudis Lane intersects with the Anza Trail at the Santa Cruz River. We’ll walk in the shaded riparian forest along the Santa Cruz River which is a fantastic location for three types of kingbirds (Cassin’s, Tropical, and noisy Thick-billed) along with a wide variety of other desert riparian species like Inca Dove, Gray Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell’s Vireo, and Blue Grosbeak.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Participants need to be comfortable walking on trails of mostly flat, uneven terrain. A hat and water are suggested. 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 if you wish to do so.

We'll meet at the Photography Club at 8:30 AM for carpooling. Due to limited parking at both sites, carpooling is encouraged. If you are going to carpool with someone, the minimum donation for gas should be $5.00. We will leave promptly at 8:45 for Rancho Santa Cruz/Santa Gertrudis Lane.

Lunch details will be provided via email when we get closer to the event.

Denise LeCount-O'Brien will be our trip leader. Contact Denise at 309-830-0177 or email 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 October 27, 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.

White Stallion Ranch - Wednesday 11/04/2026 (11/04/2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:15:00 GMT

White Stallion Ranch - Wednesday 11/04/2026

Trip Cost: $30

Visit one of Arizona’s best dude ranches. Originally built in the 1900s as a cattle ranch, White Stallion Ranch was bought by the True family in 1965 after they came to Arizona from Colorado. The ranch was once 200 acres and has now expanded to 3,000 acres, containing 43 guest rooms and a beautiful, restored four-bedroom Hacienda. White Stallion Ranch is one of the largest privately-owned cattle and guest ranches in Arizona and is home to 170 horses. For more information about the ranch click here.

We'll meet at the Photography Club at 9:15 AM for carpooling, departing no later than 9:45 AM. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes (not sandals). A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended. If you wish to carpool with someone, $10.00 is an appropriate amount for gas. Please wear your GVR Photography Club badge and shirt if you have one.

We will arrive at the White Stallion Ranch at about 11:00 AM. Meet at the entry patio to the office to learn about the dude ranch and all the photography opportunities. Members may wander around taking pictures until 12:30 PM. Horses and stables, the historic ranch house, birding area, western landscape, a petting zoo, and more are available to photograph.

Lunch will be served from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Lunch includes grilled meat choices and accompanying sides, drink, and dessert. Please let the trip leader know if you have any dietary restrictions no later than October 28th. We will be eating with other guests at the ranch.

At 1:30 PM you can explore the ranch on your own or check with the office for things to do. The gift shop is open until 2:30 PM.

Weather permitting, there will be a rodeo show beginning at 4:00 PM for the guests of the ranch. It ends about 5:30 PM. You are free to return home if you are not staying for the rodeo show.

Meet in the Photography Club lobby at 9:15 am for carpooling, departing no later than 9:45 am. If you wish to carpool with someone, $10.00 is an appropriate amount for gas. Please wear your GVR Photography Club badge and shirt if you have one.

Jim Gardner will be our trip leader. Contact Jim at 971-344-9340 or email at jgardner65@comcast.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 October 28, 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 Jim 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 (11/05/2026)

Thu, 05 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 Photography Club in the Small Classroom at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Native American Arts Fair @ San Agustin Mission Garden - Saturday 11/07/2025 (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Native American Arts Fair @ San Agustin Mission Garden - Saturday 11/07/2026

Trip Cost $12.00 (Donation)

Mark your calendars! Mission Garden is holding their Native American Arts Fair on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This annual event is a celebration of cultural sharing, traditional arts, and community gathering.

The fair will feature talented Indigenous artists from across the region showcasing jewelry, pottery, weaving, and other traditional arts. Visitors can also enjoy delicious offerings from local food vendors, highlighting flavors rooted in local foodways. Learn more about the Native American Arts Fair here.

San Agustin Mission Garden's mission is to preserve, honor, restore, recreate and promote the cultural heritage and historic landscapes of Tucson's birthplace at the foot of Sentinel Peak. Mission Gardens has 11 different gardens representing native plants, early agriculture, Hohokan and O'odham agriculture, a Spanish Colonial Orchard, Mexican, Chinese, African American, Anglo and Yaqui gardens.

We'll meet at the Photography Club at 8:00 AM for carpooling, departure at 8:15. Please be sure to wear flat shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. Please wear your GVR Photography Club badge, if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver for gas and parking.

Patty Ferguson will be our trip leader. Contact Patty at 520-647-1264 or email at piferguson13@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 October 31, 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 Patty 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.

Dia de los Muertos in Tubac – Saturday 11/07/2026 (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:15:00 GMT

Dia de los Muertos in Tubac – Saturday 11/07/2026

Trip Cost: $10

Día de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition that brings the community together to celebrate life and honor those who have passed. The day will include a procession through the village, altars, offerings, and a bonfire finale. There will also be many pop-up vendors, food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and live music. Whether you’re new to the tradition or a regular participant, we welcome you to get involved in this unique and heartfelt event.

The day begins at 9 AM with face painting, followed by an 11 AM procession from the Tubac Presidio Historic State Park. Visitors can explore altars throughout the village, enjoy food trucks, over 40 pop-up vendors, live music by Martín Marquez, a Catrina Contest, and a moving bonfire finale at 12:15 PM in the K Newby Gallery Sculpture Garden. This is an outside event, so please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. Purchase food at the festival. Further information can be found here.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:15 AM for carpooling, departing at 8:45 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $2.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver. The procession begins at 11:00 AM, so you’ll have time to take in the sights. Festivities conclude at 3:00 PM but you’re welcome to depart at your discretion.

If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Sue 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.

Cowboy Festival at Historic Empire Ranch - Saturday 11/07/2026 (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Cowboy Festival at Historic Empire Ranch - Saturday 11/07/2026

Trip Cost: $10

The Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival is the Foundation’s annual public event celebrating Arizona’s Western history and culture. Previously called the Roundup & Open House (2000-2017), the Festival also showcases Bureau of Land Management and Empire Ranch Foundation’s efforts to preserve the Empire Ranch for future generations. Enjoy Western heritage demonstrations including wild horse and burro training, cowboy mounted shooting, silversmithing, telegraphy, falconry; arena and livestock exhibits; cowboy cooking and Western entertainment. This event features many opportunities to capture live action shots and videos. You can even register directly with Empire Ranch for a 45-minute trail ride ($50 per rider).

Find more information about the Cowboy Festival here.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:30 AM for carpooling, departing at 9:00 AM. In previous festivals, hay bales were often used for seating during some of the events so please dress accordingly. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes (not sandals). A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $15.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

Most of the rooms of the Empire Ranch House are wheelchair accessible through the breezeway (zaguán) entrance, as are most of the other buildings/structures. The public restrooms, located north of the Ranch House, are wheelchair accessible. The grounds at Empire Ranch consist of rough grassy fields, bare ground, uneven gravel surfaces and mostly flat but uneven terrain that can be challenging.

Denise LeCount O'Brien and Sarah Sheehan will be the trip leaders. Please contact Denise at 309-830-0177 or email at rurt2dede@gmail.com if you have 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.

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.

Sonoran Glass School - Tuesday 11/17/2026 (11/17/2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 15:45:00 GMT

Sonoran Glass School - Tuesday 11/17/2026

Trip Cost: $24

Discover the magic of glass art at the Sonoran Glass School (SGS).

Founded in 2001 at the storied Philabaum Glass Studio (now Philabaum Glass Gallery), Sonoran Glass School began as the dream of a small group of local glass artists. Tom Philabaum and Dave Klein formed the Sonoran Art Foundation, Inc. They quickly outgrew their existing studio space and acquired a rusty, closed-down tire station in one of Tucson’s oldest barrios south of downtown and over 20 years later is still going strong. Today, they’re the only full-service, nonprofit glass arts education organization in the desert Southwest. SGS is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to discover the wonder of glass art.

Learn more about the Sonoran Glass School here.

Upon arrival, we'll be provided a guided tour that features an exploration through the gallery, the studios, and the Sculpture Garden. We'll be shown the tools utilized in each studio and examples of the kind of glass art pieces produced in these shops. with an exciting glassblowing demonstration at the end.

The school features a small gallery offering items for purchase -- something to think about this close to the holidays.

A no-host lunch will follow the tour -- details will be provided to participants via email.

The last date to cancel for a refund is November 10, 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 Sue 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.

Gammons Gulch Movie Set and Museum AND Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary - Thursday 11/19/2026 (11/19/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 15:15:00 GMT

Gammons Gulch Movie Set and Museum AND Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary - Thursday 11/19/2026

Trip Cost $30

Gammons Gulch. We'll take a trip back in time to the days of the old west as you walk down the streets of an old west town.

Gammons Gulch, a western town and movie set, was built by Jay and Joanne Gammons. It includes a saloon, blacksmith shop, jail, assay office, church, gallows, barber shop, and much more. The buildings are not just facades; they are actual buildings with vintage furniture, dishes, lightning, tools, etc. from the territorial era. It is truly a museum.

Gammons Gulch has served as a setting for many western movies, western-themed weddings and other events, with the surroundings and settings meeting the specifications of the actual decor of the time. A little imagination is all you need to complete this memorable "step back in time" experience. You'll marvel at the detail and authenticity that went into the building of this movie set and museum.

We'll start with a self-guided tour of the town after which you'll be able to take photos of the interior and exterior settings at your leisure. Pictures may be taken for personal use only.

Note: Due to lack of availability, western actors will not be a part of the field trip this year.

There is no food served at Gammons Gulch so bring water and a lunch. You can eat lunch in the saloon or outside in a nice picnic area.

Forever Home Donkey Rescue and Sanctuary. After lunch we will take a 2–3-minute drive to Forever Home. The Sanctuary has provided a loving home for donkeys since 1998. Many of these intelligent & beautiful animals have health issues because of neglect in their past. Others are in their 20s and 30s, requiring extra care and special feeds to keep them healthy.

The donkeys are roaming on 10 acres, and you can take pictures to your heart's content. If the donkeys don't want to come see you, you can walk within the Sanctuary to see them. If you have trouble walking, the Sanctuary will take you to them on a four-wheeler bike. Caretakers will be available to answer any questions and tell you the donkeys' stories--if you could understand what the donkeys have to say. The tour will last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. We expect to leave the Donkey Sanctuary at approximately 3:00 PM for our return to Green Valley.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:15 AM for carpooling, departing at 8:30 AM. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes (no sandals). A brimmed hat, sunscreen and water are also highly recommended. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $15.00 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 November 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 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.

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 Photography Club in the Small Classroom at 2 PM. Hope to see you there!

Please register here.

Winterhaven Festival by Party Bike - Saturday 12/12/2026 (12/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Winterhaven Festival by Party Bike - Saturday 12/12/2026

Trip Cost $40

Please sign up no later than October 15th so we can reserve the party bikes -- they fill up quickly.

Depending on your response, we may schedule a second Winterhaven Festival by Party Bike field trip this season. Be sure to get yourself on the wait list even if this trip fills up -- that will help us determine if a second trip is needed.

Since 1949 the Winterhaven Festival of Lights has grown to become a Tucson Tradition and one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country. The Festival of Lights celebrates the holiday season in Tucson and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over southern Arizona. In the past, one day was set aside to allow people to drive through the neighborhood, but there are no drive-through dates this year. Your choices are limited. You can walk or you can take a trolley tour.

Or better yet, you can take a pedal-powered group bike - the “funnest” way to experience the amazing Winterhaven Festival of Lights! We’ll pedal a 14-passenger party bike on a 45-minute Winterhaven ride and enjoy the festival’s sights while our captain steers. LED lights and pop Christmas music will provide a great ambiance for the ride. The captain will make one to two stops inside the festival so we can get a closer look at the displays and take photos. And yes, you do have to pedal but the bike has a pedal-assist motor so it’s easier than it looks. Check out a short video about the Winterhaven Festival and the Arizona Party Bike here.

Additional information about the Winterhaven Festival of Lights is available here.

We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 2:30 PM for carpooling, departure at 3:00 PM. Dress warmly and wear comfortable close-toed shoes. 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.

Prior to the party bike tour, participants are invited to an optional no-host dinner at Shooters, located at 3115 East Prince Road in Tucson. Arizona Party Bikes will pick us up at Shooters. Details will be provided once the reservation is confirmed.

The last date to cancel for a refund is December 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 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.