April is pure magic for photographers. Wildflowers, including Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes, are in full bloom, and that soft spring light makes everything glow just a bit more. Parks, streets, and open fields bursting in color provide the perfect excuse to grab your camera and get out there. Join us Saturday, April 18, for something special at Dallas Fair Park’s Texas Discovery Gardens butterfly house. We’ll get in at 9 AM (an hour before the public) for a peaceful up-close experience with exotic butterflies in a glass conservatory. Beyond butterflies, there are reptiles, specialty gardens, ponds, and fountains just waiting to be explored (and photographed).

Parvin Stiles

Our activity committee has planned two exciting trips you won’t want to miss this year.

Spring Adventure (May 15-17)

We’re headed to Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Caprock Canyons State Park, right here in Texas, home to the second-largest canyon in the U.S. The views are breathtaking, and as a bonus, there’s a new moon on May 16, giving us dark skies for astrophotography and the Milky Way.

I’ve already submitted my “clear skies request” paperwork and official forms to Mother Nature – feel free to do the same!

Fall Getaway (September 28 - October 3)

Destination: Ouray, Colorado (pronounced “yur-ay”), nestled in the stunning San Juan Mountains at 7800 feet. Often called the Switzerland of America, it’s filled with dramatic alpine scenery, steep cliffs, and deep canyons.

You’ll book your own lodging, but we’ll be centered at the Ouray Riverside Resort – so, reserving early is highly recommended. The itinerary plans for 5 nights there, plus additional travel days. As always, you are free to participate in all or just a portion of the schedule.

Be sure to check out our website for details and register for each trip so we can keep you updated as we get closer and refine the itineraries.

April truly is a sweet spot - wildflowers, festivals, butterflies, and even Easter Bunnies. So grab your camera, come along, and let’s capture some unforgettable moments together.

Happy Easter!

If you attended the Sherman Celtic Festival and Highland Games on Saturday, March 21, we'd love to see the photos that you captured.

Here are the guidelines for submitting photos:

• SEND UP TO SEVEN (7) of your best/favorite photos from the event to ppcsendphotos@gmail.com (note the new email address).
• The maximum dimension (long edge) for submitted images is 4096 pixels.
• Individual files are limited to 10 MB in size.
• Please include YOUR NAME and the TOPIC in the file name(s) (e.g., DonaldDinnie_HighlandGames_1.jpg).

Your photos will be included in the slide gallery at right and will be part of a slideshow at a future club meeting.

All submitted photos must be received by SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026.

Full-Screen Slideshow Gallery of Photos All Slideshows and Galleries

The award recipients of the Plano Photography Club's February print contest were announced during the club's monthly meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Detailed results are listed below; honored photographs are visible on the right.

Congratulations to the awardees, and thank you to all competitors.

• 1st: Blue Lake - Terence Jesper
• 2nd: Mount Saint Helens, 2017 - Mike Evans
• 3rd: Reflections of Solitude - Julie Yu
• HM: The Eight Wonder - Bernadette Dozier

• 1st: Cypress & Fog - Melanie Sandager (2nd Place Overall)
• 2nd: Oregon Dunes Day - Gregory Bullen
• 3rd: Creek in Yosemite - Rachel Allen
• HM: Mist in the Valley - Steven Wilson

• 1st: Cañon de Santa Elena - Richard Otto (3rd Place Overall)
• 2nd: Early Morning Mist in Yellowstone River Valley - David Hutchison
• 3rd: Grand Tetons Barn - Richard Kidner
• HM: You Are Never Alone - Cliff McKenzie

• 1st: Holding Ground - Anita Oakley (Best of Show)
• 2nd: Foggy Memorial - Lois Lehman (Honorable Mention Overall)
• 3rd: A Place That Remembers - Eddie Yu
• HM: Standing in the Shadow - David Swinney
• HM: Tranquil Reflection - Danette Volkmer

Full-Screen Slideshow Gallery of Photos Judge's Commentary

Standings - All Levels Entry Level Intermediate Level Advanced Level Master Level

The PPC's annual Special Contests themes are Cell Phone, Nature, Portraits, and Photojournalism.

These contests are outside of the annual competition. No points will be awarded. Awards will be presented to the first three places in each contest.

All competition levels will be judged together. There will be no judge's critique.

You may enter all four special contests, but only submit one image for each.

Please note that images awarded a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or HM in ANY previous Plano Photography Club contest (monthly or special interest) in any format or level are not eligible for submission to the Special Contests. Review the contest rules and guidelines before submitting.

Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site before 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Submit contest image(s)

NOTE: You must be a Plano Photography Club member to submit contest images.