The Boyce Thompson Arboretum has two events planned over the next two weekends, one set for photographers and one just for the ladies.
Photography Class at Boyce Thompson Arboretum June 30
Want to learn more about photography and how to create amazing images? Award-winning nature and travel photographer Alex Coleman will coach a hands-on Saturday class starting with an outdoor shoot around our colorful gardens June 30, then moving indoors to our air-conditioned Lecture Room for a post-processing session where he’ll demonstrate how to import and edit images using Adobe Lightroom software. Designed for beginner and intermediate photographers, Alex’ goal is to provide a clear understanding of how to approach landscape and nature photography – and he’ll explain composition, exposure, focus, and ‘best practices’ when photographing.
Photographer Alex Coleman used a macro lens to capture the beauty of this photo.
Post-processing class will include tips on how to unlock all the potential of your images through adjustments, as well as tips and tricks related to Lightroom, many of which are also applicable to Photoshop or other image editors — featuring live edits of fresh photos taken just an hour before during the walkabout.
Bring your camera for the shoot; also bring your laptop with image editing software if you want to follow along with steps during the post processing demonstration.
Online enrollment is $40; with separate $12.50 admission to the Arboretum. cals.arizona.edu/bta/photoclass
Learn Your Lizards, Ladies! Sunday July 8 Guided Walk
Your daughter, sister, niece or mom loves the outdoors – perhaps in particular those colorful little lizards that scurry through your backyard? Invite her for a Sunday morning visit to Boyce Thompson Arboretum July 8 and attend the singular ‘Learn Your Lizards’ guided walk – featuring two adventurous AZ women who defy the stereotype that girls are squeamish about wriggly reptiles.
ASU Now – Heather Bateman – CISA – 6/9/2018 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum
CISA Professor Heather Bateman during the lizard walk at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Ariz. Saturday morning June 9th, 2018. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASUNow
Heather Bateman, for one. Was this ASU research professor into reptiles and amphibians as a kid growing up in Colorado?
“Absolutely! I would bring home gartersnakes and big fat salamanders. I loved to play in ditches to catch leopard frogs and tiger salamanders.” Now she earns a paycheck catching and studying lizards and snakes along the San Pedro River and the Verde, and teaching ornithology and other classes at ASU.”
Girls who’d like to learn more about a career in science and ecology can spend two hours July 8 exploring Arboretum trails and gardens with Heather – her guided 8:00 a.m. tour is included with Arboretum daily admission of $12.50 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12. Free, or course, for BTA annual members and Arizona State Parks pass-holders. Is wildlife biology a good career choice for an AZ girl interested in nature and native critters?
“Yes!,” says Heather, “there are so many great role models for young women and girls interested in nature and science. I’m co-leading this walk with Audrey Owens who is the Ranid Frogs coordinator for AZ Game and Fish Department. All our state universities offer course work in science and biology. I work at ASU on the Polytechnic campus and our biology program focuses on applied aspects of science. We have many courses with field trips and give our students opportunities to engage with wildlife professionals. Our campus hosts science camps that girls and boys can participate in. We also host Open Door night, where the public is invited to come tour campus and see what type of projects are done by professors and students. We have some faculty who have taken an interest in girl scouts and helping with the STEM-related badges.”
Confirm Arboretum event dates and times at cals.arizona.edu/bta.