2010
Listed below are the photo tours for 2010. 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 28 through 30, 2010
Columbia Gorge Waterfall Tour, May 19 through 21, 2010
Washington Coastal Tour, June 7 through 10, 2010
Mt. Rainier Tour, August 4 through 6, 2010
Eastern Oregon Landscape and Wildlife Tour, September 28 through October 1, 2010
Bosque del Apache Tour, New Mexico, December 8 through 11, 2010
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. 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. 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.
For more details regarding any of these tours, contact me via the e-mail address: Imagenorthwest@comcast.net or call me at:
360 866-0109.
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 Spring Birding Tour
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; April 28 through 30, 2010
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 in the Malheur region. If you have further questions about this trip and would like complete itinerary, just send me an e-mail: Imagenorthwest@comcast.net
Columbia Gorge
Waterfalls, Oregon
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; May 19-21, 2010
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
Washington Coastal
Tour
Monday June 7 through Thursday June 10, 2010
This four-day tour offers lots of opportunities to get great images of
lighthouses, the rugged coastline, tidepools and old-growth forests.
The first part of the tour we will focus on lighthouses and the southern
coastline regions, including working our way
up the Leadbetter Peninsula, visiting Nahcotta where there are many
photogenic waterfront structures. The next
two days we will focus on the rugged northern coastline, visiting LaPush and
various beaches along the way. The time for this tour was selected to take
advantage of low tides, when we can get great shots of tide pools and their
inhabitants as well well as possible sunset shots. We will also visit
the old-growth forests in the Hoh River valley, taking a short hike among
the magnificent fir, cedar and spruce trees, and taking pictures of
cascades and waterfalls. The first two nights we will be staying in
the Illwaco-Longbeach area, and
the next two nights at Forks. Price is $700 per person, with a $200 non-refundable
deposit required by April 15 and the
remainder by May 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 4 through Friday August 6, 2010
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. 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
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Steens Mountain and Diamond Craters,
Hart Mountain, Oregon
Tuesday through Friday, September 28 through October 1, 2010.
This will be a four-day adventure, getting wildlife shots as well as fall aspen colors,
among lots of other subjects including old barns, sunsets and sunrises and
potential shots of cowboys at work. Wildlife common in this area
include mule deer, antelope, coyotes, egrets, herons, swans, sandhill
cranes, shorebirds and various raptors. And the Steens Mountain is one of the most picturesque places for fall colors.
We will also spend a day at Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge "where
the deer and the antelope play". This area is one of the most pristine
high desert ecosystems that still remain. So this trip will be a combination wildlife and landscape expedition.
Price $1000 per person,
$300 non refundable required by June 1 and the rest by August 15.
Limited to six individuals. (I need to make advanced reservations a few months prior to the tour to secure lodging.
Lodging at the Field Station and at Frenchglen Hotel will be provided in the cost, as well as one fine dinner at the Frenchglen Hotel.)
Click here to view a few shots taken in the
Malheur region. 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 8 through Saturday, December 11, 2010
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. The sheer multitude of birds is a world wonder. I will meet folks at Motel
Super 8 December 7th for introductions and specific agenda for the next few days, and from there we will visit the refuge. 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
