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April 30 - May 7, 2024 - Space Available

Let’s head out to photograph birds!  Where?  Ecuador, of course!  To the Chocó Cloudforest!

Ecuador is slightly larger than Colorado – but about 1 out of every 5 bird species in the world lives or passes through this cauldron of biodiversity.  It is the forth highest nation in the world for bird diversity, with over 1,500 species.  And Ecuador has 25% of the world’s cloud forests!

"We are delighted with our photos, those birds are absolutely spectacular and you helped us come away with new ideas, many wonderful memories as well as outstanding images."
Dick and Sue R

Check out some images from our past Ecuador Birds Photography Adventures here!

2024 Rates

$6,200 Double Occupancy, each
$6,800 Single Occupancy

$800 with Application
$1,600 2nd Payment 1 Sep 23
Final Payment 15 Jan 24

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And, the hot spot is the Chocó Bioregion, especially in northwest Ecuador!  Ask a birder… ask a conservationist – this region is so very special that it is on the must list for birders and the “oh, we have to save this” list for conservation!  About 25% of the plants and animals in the Chocó are endemic – found no place else on earth!

 

And the cool thing is that the infrastructure to take you to find birds has just reached the threshold where we can both take good care of you – and promise that you’ll come home with outstanding bird images!

The key to accomplishing this is that small family farmers have been cooperating with conservation groups and small-scale tourism enterprises to set aside natural areas in a number of biological zones. When you show up to photograph birds, the funds go directly to protecting birds and habitat on these small farm operations! 

 

We have done our own conspiring, with our friend and guide Pancho, to build an itinerary that weaves together visits to a variety of habitats, to produce opportunities to photograph some amazing species that previously were just fancy names on birders checklists!

You may recognize some of these names… Cock of the Rock, Golden Tanager, Golden Naped Tanager, Flame Faced Tanager, Black Chinned Mountain Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening Green Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager,  Cinnamon Flycatcher, Choco Toucan, Crimsom-rumped Toucanet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Tiny Hawk, Rufous-crowned Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, Barred Puffbird, Umbrella Bird, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Oil Bird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Blue-backed Conebill, Toucan Barbet, Turquoise Jay… the list just goes on and on. 

And, did we mention hummingbirds?  There are more kinds and shapes of hummingbirds than you thought existed!  Fun names, too, like Shining Sunbeam, Violet-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown Violetear, Collared Inca, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Purple-chested Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, and Booted Racket-tailed Hummingbird.

 

While the focus is on birds, you can’t go to the cloud forest without photographing butterflies!

There are also waterfalls.  And, we’ll do some night walks to find nocturnal creatures like spiders and…

We have arranged a special session for photographing hummingbirds with multiple flashes. You don't need to bring any equipment to make this happen. We will set up the flashes and provide you with a trigger. The timing is up to you!

There is a lot to learn in a setup like this. We'll explain how each flash contributes to the image design - and the thoughts that go into its placement. We'll be bringing our own special backgrounds to make these images look different (and we think better) than many of the flash shots you see coming out of other workshops!

When you leave, you'll have both new skills and some great images to share!

You will come back with so many images of birds, butterflies, blossoms, and more!  The challenge will be to figure out what their names are!

April 30-May 7, 2024

Price includes all local transportation, lodging for 7 nights (close to the action), most meals, English-speaking local guide, photography guide/instructor, prep materials.

Flights to and from Quito, Ecuador (our base camp for this adventure) at your own expense.  Extra nights at the beginning or end at your own expense.  Alcoholic drinks at your own expense.  Tipping is expected and your responsibility.

This will be a small group, 5-7 people. 

While the adventure will not be terribly demanding, you will need to be able to manage your gear (including long lens and tripod) on forest trails (Ecuador is not flat!).

 

Nature Photography Adventures

Wild Adventures

Calendar

About Our Adventures

About Us

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Nature Photography Adventures Calendar of Adventures

2023

Custom Pantanal Photography Safari Wild Adventure

The Pantanal, in Southwest Brazil, is probably the best place in the world to photograph jaguars. And that photography is largely accomplished from a boat. We have concocted a photography safari that will take you to the best spots at the best time with a great local operator. Jaguars are the object, but we'll also find giant river otters, ocelots, macaws, caiman, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, and toucans! This is one of our wild adventures - as we'll journey far off the grid and lodging is about positioning us rather than luxury!
Full

Jun 25 - Jul 10

The Pantanal, in Southwest Brazil, is probably the best place in the world to photograph jaguars. And that photography is largely accomplished from a boat. We have concocted a photography safari that will take you to the best spots at the best time with a great local operator. Jaguars are the object, but we'll also find giant river otters, ocelots, macaws, caiman, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, and toucans! This is one of our wild adventures - as we'll journey far off the grid and lodging is about positioning us rather than luxury!
Full

Jul 9-18

Custom Pantanal Photography Safari Wild Adventure

The Pantanal, in Southwest Brazil, is probably the best place in the world to photograph jaguars. And that photography is largely accomplished from a boat. We have concocted a photography safari that will take you to the best spots at the best time with a great local operator. Jaguars are the object, but we'll also find giant river otters, ocelots, macaws, caiman, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, and toucans! This is one of our wild adventures - as we'll journey far off the grid and lodging is about positioning us rather than luxury!
Full

Jul 18-24

Private Madagascar

The word Madagascar evokes mystery and wildness. Madagascar is home to all of the world's lemurs, a branch of primates from the same roots that also spawned humans. There are scores of species of chameleons. Several species of baobabs. And most of the birds here are endemic. The size of Texas, Madagascar has numerous ecosystems - each with its own set of creatures - and a number of exciting landscape opportunities. This round is a private tour. Another round in 2024 - with limited space. Contact us if you want on the list!
Full
Sep

Private Belize

The vestages of the great Mayan world. Exciting caves. Rainforests and rivers filled with exciting flora and fauna.
Full
Dec

2024

Venture out into the wilds of Rwanda with a small group, often on foot, to experience photographic encounters with wild gorillas, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, and much, much more. Dates are tentative until we secure permits. We are building custom groups of travelers we have field experience with. Ask if you fit this group!
2
Spaces Available

Jan 6-18

Timed to meet the great migration in the Serengeti, our safari takes you to some of the great parks and protected areas in northern Tanzania in search of lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetah, hyenas... Of all our itineraries, anywhere in the world, this one has the best reviews - and is a real life-changing experience! If you'll only be making one photography foray into sub-Saharan Africa in your life - this is the trip!
Space Available

Feb
14-25

We're headed back to the Galapagos with a new yacht and new itinerary. Join us in 2024 - and we'll explore favorite haunts and add new landings and vistas. Giant tortoises, flightless frigates, 3 kinds of boobies, land and marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals, flamingos, and the northernmost penguin in the world. The list goes on and on! Truly an inspiring experience - ties the Serengeti in client feedback as the "most life-changing" experience of their lives. Contact us now to reserve space - dates and prices coming.
Limited
Space Available
Apri19-29
Journey with us through Ecuador's Chocó Cloudforest Ecosystem to find exciting birds. We have choreographed an adventure to help you build an outstand collection of images of colorful and exotic birds - including a number of unique hummingbirds! And, we'll have our very own bird "whisperer" along to help us find them! Did we mention nightwalks for spiders and other creatures? And butterflies and waterfalls?
Space Available
Apr 30 - May 7
The Southern Oregon Coast is one of the most wild and dramatic coasts in North America - and presents great photographic opportunities if you know when to be where. We do. This was home for us. Join us as we take you to our secret places - and use our "local knowledge of tides and weather" to get you to great opportunities. Sunrises and sunsets. Tidepools. Dramatic breaking waves. Reflections. Sea caves and arches. And ancient forests!
Space Available
Jun 2-9
Join us on a jaguar quest that will yield so much more than jaguars. The Pantanal is the only place in the world where jaguars routinely hunt during daylight - and the jaguars of the northern Pantanal are "patient" with photographers! We'll journey by boat to seek jaguar action - but we'll also find giant river otters, caiman, capybara, and a wealth of birdlife including the jabiru stork - largest flying bird of the Americas.. You are likely to come back with images of birds with fish in their possesion. Great place to master flying birds. A must do photo trip!
Space Available
Jul 22-28
Join us in one of the largest wetlands and flooded grassland habitats on the planet as we work to capture images of anteaters, tamanduas, armadillos, and several kinds of macaws. Expect toco toucans close enough for detailed images. We'll visit two sinkholes that host the rare red-and-green macaws. We'll explore by safari vehicle and foot - and enjoy some of the best bird feeding stations in the Pantanal. Expect to be wowed!
Space Available
Jul 28 - Aug 4
The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras reaches Tanzania's Northern Serengeti in late July or early August. Rains furthern north, in Kenya's Masai Mara beckon the herds - and the route involves crossing the treacherous Mara River where crocodiles await. We've timed this safari to put you at the right place at the right time to capture the drama - and so much more as we explore the areas around the Mara, the Central Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, and the fabled Ngorongoro Crater!
Space Available
Aug 19-30

It's time to grab your spot on our Kenya Photography Safari. We have secured a set of logistics to put us in great positions to photograph great wildlife, superb landscapes, and some unique cultures. Your chance to create images of three kinds of giraffes, and several species not found in other southern and eastern Africa safari destinations. Our key destinations include Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Elementaita Lake, and the Masai Mara! And there is an exciting extension to Amboseli National Park September 13-17.

Space Available

Sep 2-13

Join us on a photographic journey to special ecosystems on the mysterious Island of Madagascar!. All of the world's lemurs are endemic here - 110 species and counting. Chameleons - 160 species! And more kinds of baobab trees than anywhere else on earth. Wet forests, dry forests, endemic plants and animals everywhere. We'll photograph during the day and again in the darkness! And an extension to Tsingy - a land of razor-sharp limestone blades and pinnacles!
Space Available

Sep 21 - Oct 2

Ice Caves. Glaciers exhibiting their winter "blues". Frozen Waterfalls. Outstanding icebergs and bits on black sand beaches and floating in both fresh and salt water. Unique ice formations. And, the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights with great foregrounds. This is an adventure you don't want to miss. Join us!
Space Available

Nov 5 - 14

2025

Our Drones Photography Group is at it again! Back to Iceland to visit a number of unique sites, looking for great places, away from people, to position our drone cameras to capture unique angles. This time we'll find some great "interior" locations, some thermal features, some wild coastlines, and some exciting rivers. Waterfalls are always part of the game in Iceland - you'll be able to position your drone where no person has ever put a camera before. Bring your drone and come create great art with us!
Limited
Space Available

July 7-16

Turkey sits at a geographical crossroads, which means that, over history, many cultures have passed through Turkey, each leaving a distinct imprint on the culture and the archaeological record. Let's explore some of the great archaeological wonders - while putting ourselves in great positions make exciting art with cameras. Mosques, Fairy Chimneys, Ephasus, Istanbul, Aphrodisia, Pergamum, Assos and so much more.
Space Available

Sep 21 - Oct 5