Shorthills Photo Walks with Leigh Daboll

Shorthills is beautiful this time of year. As I indicated at the Club's opening night gala on September 11th (and in response to several member requests) I am going to be running a twice-weekly photo meet-up and walk in the various scenic areas around Shorthills Provincial Park and the Niagara Escarpment during the Fall 2013 photography season. We will be offering a wide range of tours this year, from easy, to moderate, to challenging, tailored to the group's wide range of abilities and fitness. We will be shooting beautiful fall colour scenics, waterfalls, and those magnificent deer herds (the biggest and best bucks I've seen in years). One thing is certain, I will ensure we will show you many interesting spots and subjects that you would never otherwise find on your own!

Why not come and join in on the fun!  Tentatively, rain-or-shine hikes will be held on each Tuesday evening commencing at not later than 6:00pm sharp (until Oct 29th) as long as the light is good and it is not pouring rain, and each Saturday morning (until Nov 29th) commencing at 9:00 am sharp.  Don't let cloudy or stormy weather be a deterrent.  Those are often the best days to shoot fall colours and waterfalls. In case of really inclement weather on Saturdays, the hikes may be postponed until the next day (ie: the Sunday) at noon.

Here is my tentative calendar of events (be sure to check back in the Blog as dates draw near, since weather conditions and last minute changes are inevitable:

Date	Time	Activity	Rating	Meeting Spot
Sep 17	06:00 PM	First fall colours	Moderate	Mewburn Rd. (the dead end at Laura Secord Trail)
Sep 21	09:00 AM	Secret Waterfalls	Moderate	St. John's Outdoor Centre, Holland Rd.
Sep 24	06:00 PM	Deer Hunting	Easy	Shorthills – Roland Rd. Entrance
Sep 28	09:00 AM	Woodend Ponds	Moderate	Woodend Conservation Area (Outer Entrance)
Oct 1	06:00 PM	Deer Hunting	Easy	Shorthills – Wiley Rd. Entrance
Oct 5	09:00 AM	Fall Colours / Big Birds	Moderate	Welland Canal Access Rd. and Holland Rd, North of Allanburg Bridge
Oct 8	05:45 PM	Deer Hunting	Easy	Shorthills – Roland Rd. Entrance
Oct 12	09:00 AM	Waterfalls / Fall Colours	Strenuous	Shorthills – Eller Rd. Entrance
Oct 15	05:45 PM	Swayze Falls Canyon	Moderate	Shorthills – Roland Rd. Entrance
Oct 19	09:00 AM	Waterfalls / Fall Colours	Strenuous	Shorthills – Wiley Rd. Entrance
Oct 22	05:30 PM	Deer Hunting	Easy	Shorthills – Roland Rd. Entrance
Oct 26	09:00 AM	Waterfalls / Fall Colours	Strenuous	Sulphur Springs / Orchard Hill intersection parking area
Oct 29	05:30 PM	Secret Streams	Moderate	Daboll Farm, 1991 Hansler Rd.
Nov 2	09:00 AM	Waterfalls / Fall Colours	Strenuous	St. John's Outdoor Centre, Holland Rd.
Nov 9	09:00 AM	Decew Falls Challenge	Strenuous	Morningstar Mill Parking Lot
Nov 16	09:00 AM	Balls Falls Gorge	Moderate	Glen Rd. Parking Lot, Jordan
Nov 22	09:00 AM	Old Locks and Resevoir	Moderate	Old Lakeview Cemetery, Townline Rd., Thorold (West of the Walker Brothers Yard)
Nov 29	09:00 AM	Woodend Birds and Cliffs	Moderate	Woodend Conservation Area (Interior Parking Lot)

As always (especially for the moderate and strenuous hikes) good water-resistant hiking boots are a must.  It is always advisable to carry a small backpack with a drink, a snack, spare socks/gloves, and a few first aid items.   

I hope to see everyone out to at least a few sessions!  

J. LEIGH DABOLL