Attending field trips will assist you to improve your photography if you attend and ask questions to learn something or try something different. Ask someone what settings they are using.

  Saturday January 11 at 9 am. The Bay Sarasota. 655 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236. Meet at the large green field where YOGA will be taking place. Park near the Van Wezel. Walk toward Boulevard of the Arts along Van Wezel Way. See two White Ibis statues, shoreline on the Intercoastal, YOGA with perhaps 100 attendees. Architecture views. Opened in October 2022. Nearby Sarasota Garden Club had storm damage … plantings did not like salt water in the storm surge. www.thebaysarasota.org

  Tuesday January 14 at 10 am. Things of Interest Museum. 3155 9th St. W., Bradenton 34205. Near De Soto Mall/DMV License buildings. Enter between the two lion statues on the curve of 9th St. Big red race boat along 9th Street. Outdoor old gas station, cars, statues of David, Ronald McDonald, a pirate and a polar bear. See a phone booth, collection of over 100 clocks, Crosley music selection device, Sears/Robuck bike, girl toys, boy toys, musical instruments. This has been called “the best kept secret in Bradenton”. Owner “Butch” Glascow also owns USA Fence. The building is the former Moose Lodge. www.usathingsofinterest.com 

  February 1 Raptor Fest, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Arrive early at 9:30 to beat the crowd arriving at 10. Event runs until 4 pm. 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg 33705. FREE. Birds of Prey on tether perched or on a gloved hand or in free flight. Bring a ZOOM lens and a close-up lens. Birds can be three feet from your lens. See Owls, Hawks, Falcons, Kestrels, Bald Eagles and a Condor. Alternative parking:  Lakewood High School 1400 54th Ave. S or Lake Vista Recreation Center 1401 62nd Ave. S. FREE shuttle service.

  February 1, 2 and 8 from 10 am until 5 pm. Crowley Museum – Myakka River Rendezvous. $10 admission. Pre-1840 encampment of “living history”. 16405 Myakka Rd., Sarasota 34240. See the Tatum house built in 1889, vendors with merchandise/clothing, museum/general store, toys, tools, furnishings, chickens. Musicians will make music. Pick a day and time to go on your own. Myakka River Rendezvous has a facebook page. www.crowleyfl.org

  Manatee County Photography Challenge typically happens in January with submissions made by the end of the month. FREE. Size your photo to 11x14 inches. Photo categories in 2024 were:  Black and White, Plants, What’s For Dinner, Insects, Landscapes, Birds of Prey, Sunrises/Sunsets, At the Water’s Edge, People, On the Water, Wildlife, Birds, Wading Birds, Silhouettes and After Dark. Photos need to be taken at preserves, the beaches or Conservatory Park. Visit www.mymanatee.org and look for Natural Resources to find addresses for the preserves. Duette, Emerson Point, Jiggs Landing, Leffis Key (closed due to storm), Johnson, Moody Branch (overgrown trail), Neal, Perico, Riverview Pointe, Robinson, Rye and Ungarelli are names of the preserves. To view the finalists/honorable mentions of the 2024 challenge, search Manatee County Photography Challenge 2024 and enjoy the video. You will see submissions by club members.

  Give YOUR field trip suggestions to Bryan or better yet, lead us on a field trip. I try to keep them close to home and free. Evidence shows this to be the best way to gain attendance. A few members have the desire to drive more than 10 miles and perhaps pay an admission fee.