The best solar images will be seen in the late morning, after the sun has risen to a moderate height, but before most atmospheric turbulence has time to develop. A graphic plot of spot latitudes over the course of a cycle yields a plot resembling the wings of a butterfly. During periods of high solar activity, solar flares sometimes erupt on the sun's surface, usually in or very near to large sunspots. New spot groups can sometimes be predicted by observing the formation of flocculae. This pattern, caused by convective movement of the photosphere, can be seen to change in a matter of minutes.
Pores are often the precursors of sunspots.
The sun is, so far, the only star we are able to study in real detail. For the professional astronomer, the sun is a laboratory for studies in the UV, IR, radio, and X-ray portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. For the amateur, the sun can be a source of many satisfying observations easily within the reach of modest equipment. A number of books are available that contain much more information than I am able to provide here. And, as always, don't neglect your fellow astronomy club members as sources of information and experience.