Post-Meeting Workshop

Lower Antleope Slot Canyon

The Southwest Tour, June 5-8, 2011
Sponsored by Nikon

After the annual meeting join Scott Diussa and Bill Fortney of Nikon Professional Services (NPS) in Page, Arizona for a whirlwind photographic tour and workshop of the Golden Circle.

Workshop Cost

The price of the workshop is $100 per person and includes entry into Lower Antelope Canyon. Participants must also be registered for BCA's Annual Meeting – Brilliance in BioCommunications, Phoenix, AZ, June 1-4, 2011.

The workshop registration fee does not include, hotel, meals, transportation or National Park entry fees. Participants are encouraged to arrange carpooling and share rooms.

The Schedule

Sun, June 5
Arrive in Page, AZ by 4:00 pm. Meet at the Courtyard by Marriott ($94 + taxes.) We'll shoot a sunset location, socialize and catch up. Scott and Bill will have some of the latest Nikon toys to play with!

Mon, June 6
Sunrise location at Horseshoe Bend. Remember, it is June. Sunrise is early! After sunrise we'll have breakfast, then on to the Lower Antleope Slot Canyon from 10:30 – 1:00. Then we'll break for lunch. After lunch we'll drive up to Red Rock Canyon State Park for an afternoon shoot. Finally, on to Ruby’s Best Western ($99 + taxes.) One of the best gift shops in the West!

Tue, June 7
Sunrise location in Bryce Canyon National Park. Remember, sunrise is early! After sunrise we'll have breakfast and then on to Zion National Park. In mid afternoon on to Paria Wilderness Area for a late afternoon shoot. Then back to the Courtyard by Marriott in Page, AZ again.

Wed, June 8
Sunrise shoot at Dykinga Rocks. Then it’s off to our various airports. Four hour drive to Phoenix. If you are flying in and out of Phoenix an afternoon flight should work.

Accommodations

Individuals must reserve their own rooms, both hotels room block is under the name BIOCOMM. Reservations MUST be made by April 15th to fulfill our block.

For June 5 and 7
Courtyard By Marriott
Page, Arizona
877-905-4495
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pgacy-courtyard-page/
Booking Code: Bill Fortney BioComm
Reservations can be made between 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM EST
Rooms are double so you can share rooms if you wish.

For June 6
Ruby’s Best Western
Bryce Canyon City, Utah
(866)-866-6616
http://www.rubysinn.com
Booking Code: 74G BioComm
Rooms are double so you can share rooms if you wish.

Transportation

It is suggested that you rent a larger vehicle, midsize to large SUV or mini van. We will car pool when we leave Page, AZ for our trip up to Bryce and Zion National Parks. Four wheel drive is not necessary. You just need room for people and gear. My suggestion is get with four to six friends and rent a large vehicle together.

Gear

The perfect lenses for this region are wide angle zoom, mid-range zoom, and a moderate telephoto zoom. For me that is 17-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-300mm.  Anyway you cover those focal lengths will work. And of course, a tripod, especially in the slot canyon.

What To Wear

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking or running shoes. Light to medium layers for mornings. Shorts and t‑shirts for afternoons.

Temperatures

Bryce Canyon: High 78 – Low 38 (elevation is 8,000 feet)
Zion National Park:  High 93 – Low 60
Page, AZ:  High 91 – Low 63

Looking forward to a great time and hope you can join us!
      – Bill Fortney

Bryce Canyon National Park