RSVP to cccc-champaign-county-camera-club@googlegroups.com and check here for updates

Information is a little limited on this park, but it looks like a good photo hike.  Lets meet just inside the park at the first parking area we see.  After we all gather, there "should" be a parking area on the NW part of the park.  We will have to leave the park and drive around to Bucks Pond Road. 

Agenda:

7:00 am: meet in Lodge Park main parking

Drive to the north end of the park and access Buck Pond Road lot.  Start Hiking!

Lodge Park is just north of Rick Ridings on the left side of the road.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/illinois/lodge-park-west-side-trail-and-north-side-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/illinois/lodge-park-west-side-trail-and-north-side-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/illinois/lodge-park-trail

Ray Silva will introduce members to the “Double Exposure” technique in photography. This week’s challenges are muted colors, bumpy, and abstract.

RSVP to cccc-champaign-county-camera-club@googlegroups.com

This looks like it has the potential to be a real bird, wildlife and nature photography gem.  Be sure to look over the links below for more information.  Driving time is a little over 90 minutes.  

4:30am: Leave Caseys on University Ave in Urbana.

5:00 am: enter eastern time zone where it is now 6:00 am Eastern time

7am eastern time: Arrive at Hawthorn Park on Maple Street.  NOTE: I want to go to the eastern most parking area by the JI Case Wetland

Hike and enjoy the scenery!

Hawthorn Park Web Page - https://vigoparks.org/hawthorn-park-3/

Hawthorn Park PDF (map) - https://vigoparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Hawthorn-Park-Complete-Map.pdf

All Trails trail map  -https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_br_lat=39.48494303433969&b_br_lng=-87.31164299000453&b_tl_lat=39.494714395793835&b_tl_lng=-87.33204656885896

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/indiana/hawthorn-park-wetland-loop

PASTEL/MUTED COLORS

BUMPY

ABSTRACT

Rules:

Have fun! Be creative!

Up to 6 photos can be submitted, but only 2 of any one subject.  “Bonus points” for 2 or 3 subjects in one photo. Images should have been taken after July 15, 2025.

NO AI generated images (from a prompt).  Adding an object using AI is not allowed, but removing a distraction with AI is allowed.  AI noise reduction is allowed.

Jpeg format preferred.  Maximum size is 1400 pixels (horizontal) x 1050 pixels (vertical).  The latter size also applies to vertical images (max 1050 pixels vertical).  Square format should be no more than 1050x1050 pixels.

Email your images to champaigncountycameraclub@gmail.com with a subject line that states – Photo Challenge “Subjects” (e.g. Gold, Ripples, H Contrast or Pastel/Multed Colors, Bumpy, Abstract) so we can keep track of the challenge subject for which you are submitting your images.

RSVP to cccc-champaign-county-camera-club@googlegroups.com and stay tuned here if there are any changes.

Agenda:

4:30 am: Leave Quick Trip at Neil and Kenyon, Champaign, IL

6:00am: Stop at the BP in Winona for a quick restroom/snack stop.  (Note: there is a gas station in Granville N of the preserve a short distance we can go to for potty stops and snacks.)

6:17am:  Dawn 

6:30am: Arrive at Dixon Preserve, meeting at the parking near the observation tower.  Once everyone arrives, we will be moving to the north lot for the Marquis Oak Ridge Trail.  This is a 5.1 mile flat out and back hike.  There is a 20 foot drop down from the parking lot to the mostly flat trail.

6:36am: Sunrise

After the hike is done, if there's still the will to continue, we will go back to the main lot.  While the full trail there is 3.5 miles out and back, 100 foot total elevation change, there is a lot to see close to the lot.

7:09pm Sunset

7:47 pm:  Dusk

Driving directions:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hJ2GvVyxqtTKxooc8

https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/hennepin/nature-outdoor-recreation/sue-wes-dixon-waterfowl-refuge-at-hennepin-hopper-lakes/

https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-overview

https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-location-and-visiting

Trail Maps:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/567070822399a343227dd9c4/t/5eb0520123f39b65de80d8b3/1588613640676/Dixon+Refuge+Trail+System+Map.pdf

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/illinois/dixon-waterfowl-refuge

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/illinois/marquis-oak-ridge-trail

Tentative Agenda

1. Announcements, future meetings, and upcoming outings

2. Reintroducing challenge images! (6 photos total, 2 maximum from any one category. ) If possible, email photos ahead of time to champaigncountycameraclub@gmail.com   with the SUBJECT 9-8 Challenge - Gold, Ripples, High Contrast.  We will take photos the evening of the meeting, just please show up a little early to allow us to start the meeting on time. We want photos from roughly July 8th to the meeting date. 

3. Laurie Bergner will provide a presentation on Street Photography to us. Street photography is a special and very popular genre of photography. Laurie intends to present a wide variety of street photography, as well as some tips to get you started. So fasten your seat belts and get ready to enjoy and appreciate the many types of street photography. 

   Laurie Bergner is president of the KodaRoamers Camera Club. She considers herself a travel photographer who also loves documentary and street photography. She had a recent exhibit of her photography in the McLean County Art Center entitled “Congo: Beyond the Heart of Darkness,” and she has won the Best Adult Photography in their Amateur Art Exhibit in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The award in 2025 also garnered Best of Show. 

GOLD

RIPPLES

HIGH CONTRAST

The first challenge of the club year for the meeting on September 8!

Rules:

Have fun! Be creative!

Up to 6 photos can be submitted, but only 2 of any one subject.  “Bonus points” for 2 or 3 subjects in one photo.

NO AI generated images (from a prompt).  Adding an object using AI is not allowed, but removing a distraction with AI is allowed.  AI noise reduction is allowed.

Jpeg format preferred.  Maximum size is 1400 pixels (horizontal) x 1050 pixels (vertical).  The latter size also applies to vertical images (max 1050 pixels vertical).  Square format should be no more than 1050x1050 pixels.

Email your images to champaigncountycameraclub@gmail.com with a subject line that states – Photo Challenge “Subjects” (e.g. Gold, Ripples, H Contrast or Pastel/Multed Colors, Bumpy, Abstract) so we can keep track of the challenge subject for which you are submitting your images.

Dayton Bluffs Preserve near Ottowa has lots of trails and habitats, even Native American burial mounds. It is a relativly long drive. See the links blow. The are no known restrooms or porta potties at the preserve, but a gas station is just a few minutes away.

Agenda:
5am-Leave QuikTrip I74 and Neil
6:45am--stop at the Road Ranger at I80 and IL-71 exit
7am--arrive at Dayton Bluffs parking
Leave as desired after hiking.

Dayton Bluffs website
https://theconservationfoundation.org/abou.../dayton-bluffs/

Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/daytonbluffspreserve

AllTrails page about the trails on site
https://www.alltrails.com/.../dayton-bluffs-natural-area

RSVP to Steve Heater, Outing Coordinator at (heaterography@gmail.com)

Are you up for a high speed challenge? Join us for a day of Power Boat racing on the Kankakee River on August 31.  This should be a fun and challenging day of photography for an event many of us have not tried to photograph before.  

Parking will be provided on the South bank of the Kankakee River in designated areas ONLY.  Parking in other areas runs the risk of being towed.  We will be going to the River Road Sports Complex to park and prepare. 

IMPORTANT---Pre parking passes will be available starting August 1.  We suggest Parkling Lot A if available. This lot is close to rest rooms, and close to the river. If this fills up, Parking Lot B at Kankakee Community College will be used for overflow, but farther from the river.  See links and maps provided in this email.  

IMPORTANT #2-READ ALL FAQ PROVIDED IN LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL.   

I would encourage bringing chairs to sit on and stake out our spots.  Sunscreen would be advisable, and bug spray.  NOTE-No coolers, grills, or tailgating allowed. 

AGENDA:

8:00 am--Leave the QuikTrip at Neil/I74 

9:00am--(Gate opens)

10:00am--Arrive at River Road Sports Complex.  Parking Lot A is on Pirate Road at the L by the river across from Pirate Ship Park.

11:00am-Food trucks and Beer Garden Open

NOON: Races begin!

 Links: 

Home Page.  Make sure you read the FAQ section - https://kankakeeriverregatta.com/

Race information and park map -https://kankakeeriverregatta.com/services/race-information-2/

Event Facebook Page for event - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kankakee-River-Valley-Regatta/61577789000883/

RSVP to Steve Heater, Outing Coordinator at (heaterography@gmail.com)/

Welcome Back!!!!

As a tentative agenda, we will discuss what leadership has been working on all summer in our weekly zoom meetings. Since we do not have a President at the moment, we will share how we are going to handle this. Any other items about club plans will be shared, including upcoming meetings, outings and anything else club related.

As is the tradition, for the first meeting of the club year, we will be showing your favorite 10 photos from the summer, taken from mid May to the meeting date. If possible, please send these to [champaigncountycameraclub@gmail.com] with the title "2025 Summer Photos". This allows us to have photos ready to go quicker at the meeting, however, you are still welcome to bring photos on a flash drive for us to load on the laptop. Please arrive early if bringing photos on a flash drive.

Jpeg images are preferred. The maximum size for a projected image is 1400 x 1050 pixels. Images should be sized so they do not exceed 1400 pixels in the horizontal direction or 1050 pixels in the vertical direction. For example, an image that is 1400 x 1050 pixels is acceptable, but one that is 1450 x 1050 pixels is not. Also remember when entering an image in a vertical orientation, that the vertical dimension cannot exceed 1050 pixels. This also applies to the dimensions for a square format, which should not exceed 1050 x 1050 pixels.

We look forward to seeing everyone there to get reacquainted and tell us about your summer adventures!

We plan to leave at 8:00 a.m. and spend the day. Events include the following:

Saturday Morning – Hare & Hound Target Competition – 6:15AM

Saturday Evening Balloon Launch – 6PM

Saturday Evening Balloon Glow – 8PM/8:30PM

Other events include an art show, live bands, food trucks and balloon walks.

RSVP to Steve Heater

Join us for a day at the Monticello Railway Museum for the Southern 401 in Steam event.  The steam engines are impressive to see and photograph.  If you desire, you can even ride in a car pulled by the steam engine.  

We have been invited to come early to see the preparations for the steam engine event. Let's meet at the Museum, near the front door, at 9:00 am.  We can photograph there, and then move to a couple other locations that may give us opportunities for different perspectives.  We should be able to get some really amazing and unique images!

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP and for more information.

The planned rocket launch event at Dodds Park for 8/9 was canceled. We will, instead, be taking advantage of photographing the sunflower maze at Clearview Farm to start our morning of nature!

6:00 AM- Meet at the sunflower maze at Clearview Farm in NW Champaign.  This is on the corner of Olympian Drive at Saber Drive, near St. Thomas More High School. There should be ample parking.

After we are done there, we can cross Olympian Drive to Legacy Drive to walk around Legacy Ponds to look for birds, landscapes and macro photography. Note, there is parking on only one side of the street there. Try to park between the hydrants. Once we are done at Clearview Farm,  we will head over to Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Plan on using the Race Street parking lot.  Again, birds, landscapes, macro,  and the sculptures in the park. The prairie looks really good right now.

Weather:  currently, rain is expected to hold off until very late Saturday.  If this changes, any cancellation decision will be made Friday night.  Be prepared for humidity and heat and use appropriate insect and tick protection. 

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP or for more questions about this event.

Come join us at the Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Rd, Springfield IL for the Abe Lincoln Car Show on Saturday August 2nd. This looks to be a fun event, with a LOT of photo opportunities!I will wait at the QuikTrip, I74 and Neil St, Champaign,  until 730am for anyone wanting to caravan to Springfield. TRAFFIC NOTE - Woodside road will be closed from the railroad tracks to Chatham rd. All vehicles must enter from Chatham Rd. Directions - I72 to Exit 96. Left on McArthur Drive, and follow Knights Recreation Drive to Chatham Road.  Left on Chatham, then left into the church.  Let's meet at the NE corner of the spectator parking lot (near the C on the map) at 9:15am.

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP and for any questions you might still have about this event.