2012
Listed below are the photo tours for 2011. Scroll down for a brief description. If you would like more detail, I will e-mail you a PDF file that that provides an itinerary as well as what to expect.
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Spring Birding Tour, April 26 through 28, 2012
Summer Lake Birding Tour, Oregon, May 1 and 2, 2012
Columbia Gorge Waterfall Tour, May 16 through 18, 2012
Mt. Rainier Tour, August 15 through 17, 2012
Bosque del Apache Tour, New Mexico, December 5 through 8, 2012
Southwest Florida, February 2013 (see note below)
These tours are for those new to photography as well as those individuals with many years of experience. Tours given by many other companies have 10 to 20 individuals, but that's too many to provide individual attention and getting the best out of your experience (and money). I keep my tours small, a maximum of six individuals, so that I can give as much attention to each photographer as possible. For overnight tours, I give evening workshops and critiques. I can’t guarantee that you will get award-winning shots, but I can put you in the time and place that will offer the most potential, and with my help, you might just get that shot of a lifetime. Each tour will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. To secure a place, you must provide the non-refundable deposit. For multi-day tours, lodging accommodations and transportation are the responsibility of each participant, unless otherwise stated in the description. I will provide information for the recommended lodging. Although I tailor workshops so each individual maximizes their photo opportunities, some tours require more physical effort than others. For each tour, I can provide a PDF file that describes agenda details and what type of effort that we will encounter. So, if there is a particular tour that interests you, let me know and I will send that file.
Why join one of my tours?
1. I keep my tours small so I can provide individual attention to everyone.
2. I help you take the best pictures possible, both in terms of your tools and in terms of the subject. Many other tours will take you to the location, but that's all they do.
3. I have a Bachelors degree in Conservation and a Masters in Natural Science. I am a naturalist, and, as an outdoor photographer, I can help explain about various subjects (from astronomy to zoology) as well as about photography.
4. My prices are reasonable.
5. I love teaching people.
6. My tours are active. They are not just stepping out of the car and taking your shot, but they require getting into different positions, doing a bit of walking and hiking, and trying to get images that are different and beyond the "postcard" scene. One of my goals is to give you enough familiarity of the tour location so you can go back on your own and take great pictures.
For more details regarding any of these tours, contact me via the e-mail address: Imagenorthwest@comcast.net or call me at:
360 970-4291.
In addition to conducting the scheduled tours listed below, I will also offer individual outdoor day classes, which can be scheduled according to participants choosing of time and place. My charge for day trips with a single individual is $300. For more than one person it is $250 per individual.
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is one of the premier areas to see and photograph many different species of birds, lots of birds and many different kinds, including waders, waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and well as upland game birds. The area is known for sandhill cranes and snow geese at this time of year, as well as sage grouse, where we will visit a lek where males display. Many birds are migrating through at this time, and others are taking up residence throughout the refuge. We will be staying right on the refuge at the Field Station, where only short drives are needed to get to some of the more productive areas. The cost of this three-day tour is $750 and it includes lodging at the Field Station. Food and transportation to the refuge are the responsibility of each participant. Once we are on the refuge, we will carpool to the various locations. A $200 non-refundable deposit is required by March 1, with the remainder due by April 1, 2010. Limited to six individuals. Click here to see a few shots taken during last year's Malheur and Summer Lake tours. If you have further questions about this trip and would like complete itinerary, just send me an e-mail: Imagenorthwest@comcast.net
Summer Lake Birding Tour, Oregon; Tuesday and Wednesday, May 1st and 2nd, 2012.
This is a great place to fill up your flash card really fast.
Shooting is primarily from the car as we travel around the loop road within the
refuge. During this time of year there are lots of different birds moving
through, including egrets, h
erons, pelicans, herons, stilts, avocets, grebes,
ducks of all kinds, mergansers, as well as songbirds. This is a good spot
to locate and get lots of shots of yellow-headed black birds. Limited to
six individuals. The cost of this tour is $550. This includes
lodging at Summer Lake. Transportation to Summer Lake and food is the
responsibility of each participant.
A $200 non-refundable deposit is required by March 1, with the remainder due by
April 1, 2010.
Columbia Gorge
Waterfalls, Oregon
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; May 16-18, 2012
This is one of the best times to go to the Gorge. The leaves are just coming out and the trees are a brilliant green. Together with the many waterfalls, this provides for great pictures. The Gorge has some of the best waterfalls in the world, with many that are only a short walk away. Some of the falls
we will visit include Latourell, Multnomah, Horsetail, Ponytail and Elowah
Falls. The first two days we'll focus on waterfalls, while the third day we will
visit the wildflower country along the eastern Cascades. There will be a three
night stay at the Best Western in Cascade Locks, Oregon, which is near many of
the falls. Participants need to secure their own lodging.
We will be doing some short hikes on this tour. Price $650 per person,
$200 non-refundable is required by April 1, and the remainder by April 15.
Limited to six individuals. If you have further questions about this trip and would like complete itinerary,
just send me an e-mail:
Imagenorthwest@comcast.net
Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Wednesday August 15 through Friday August 17, 2012 (tentative date)
This is the peak of the wildflower bloom, which is
spectacular at this time of year. We will visit a number of prime
photo areas beginning with the south side of the park,
working Paradise, Reflection Lake as well as a few other selected sites.
The second day we will travel to the east side of the park and visit the old
growth at Ohanapecosh, flowers at Sunrise, Tipsoo Lake and Chinook Pass.
We will also be taking some wildflower and mountain scenic walks in selected
areas. The third day is generally left open to return to favorite site
or visit different areas, and to take advantage of weather conditions.
Mt. Rainier National Park limits the number of photographic/art "commercial
use authorization" to only five per year. I have one of these
authorizations. Early commitment is needed for this trip to
secure lodging. (Right now the date is tentative since I want to
adjust the time to the best period for flowers, and every year it's a bit
different.) We will be staying just outside the park below the Nisqually
entrance.
Price: $600 per person, $200 non refundable deposit is required by May 15,
and the remainder by July 15.
Click here to view a few more pictures of the
rainier area. Limited
to six individuals. If you have further questions about this trip and would like complete itinerary,
just send me an e-mail:
Imagenorthwest@comcast.net
Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Wednesday December 5 through Saturday, December 8, 2012
This is one of the premiere places in the world for bird photography. Last year over 10,000 sandhill cranes and 40,000 snow geese visited the refuge. Plus there are many other types of birds including waterfowl, raptors
and various songbirds. This is the best place I know where the sunrises and
sunset colors add a new dimension to bird photography. The sheer multitude of birds is a world wonder. I will meet folks at Motel
Super 8 the evening before the start of the tour for introductions and
to provide an agenda for the next few days. Price $700 per person, $200 non refundable is due by October 1, and the
remainder due by November 1. Lodging and travel costs are not provided.
Click here to learn a bit more about this
refuge and to view a few more pictures.
Limited to six individuals. If you have further questions about this
trip and would like complete itinerary, just send me an e-mail:
Imagenorthwest@comcast.net
