East African giraffes. Beth Tollefsen will present “The Magic of Africa” at the Pagosa Springs Photography Club meeting on March 8.
By Gregg Heid | Pagosa Springs Photography Club
The next meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis St.
Our topic this month is “The Magic of Africa,” presented by Pagosa Springs-based photographer Beth Tollefsen.
This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m. for socializing; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Photography Club meetings are open to the public.
Tollefsen has photographed extensively in the American West and in East Africa. According to Tollefsen, after one visit to Kenya she was hooked, falling in love with the people, land and, of course, the animals.
Being on safari in the heart of the African bush is one of the few places left to experience nature that is still raw and wild.
According to Tollefsen, “It does not matter if you are new to photography or a seasoned photographer, you will come home with images that you will treasure. It is hard to explain the feeling when you watch the bonds between mother and baby. Lions live in a pride and it is quite evident the love and respect they have for each other. You will see them eating, sleeping, playing, grooming and simply showing affection for each other. The elephants are such intelligent, family-oriented animals. Then there are the zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, rhinos, hippos, buffalo, colorful birds and the very entertaining baboons and monkeys. Just too many animals to name them all.”
It is Tollefsen’s hope that the images she shares will bring awareness of the lives of animals and the heart and soul they each have, and why it is important to protect the wild areas that sustain these magnificent creatures.
Tollefsen will share photos from three trips, two to Kenya and one to Zimbabwe. She will touch on the different types of safaris available, what to expect and look for if you choose to take a trip of a lifetime to Africa.
The Photography Club sponsors monthly programs on photographic topics and field trips to various areas of photographic interest. Longtime photographers and those just starting out are welcome in the club. Nonmembers are invited to attend a meeting and may receive the Zoom link by email to abutler@mac.com. For information on joining the club, visit https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .
